Ronald Reagan once said, “When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.” That’s what voters all over Ohio are planning on doing May 2nd. Values Voters have tried to work with Republican leadership but they are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Republican Party’s abandonment. The call is out to vote Values in the 2006 Primary election. November is just for parties. May is when your vote really counts.

   Several candidates who share our values are considered “long shots” like Ken Blackwell and Greg Hartman. But they have become front runners because, as Hartman who is running for Secretary of State said, “Values voters are an important force in Ohio.”

   John White, State Rep. and Chairman for the Montgomery County Republican Party, supports Hartman’s statement. “Our volunteers come from the conservative base,” White said. “They are more energized, more committed and more deep-seated in their beliefs and values than the more moderate republicans.”

   When White was asked why he thought there were so many contested races in the Primary this year, he said it was, “Because the religious base of the party has been, in some cases, upset with incumbent republicans. When you disappoint the conservative base you’re going to have contention.”

   White also stated he believed conservative and values voters will “dominate” the election. “So typically,” said White, “the more conservative candidates will generate more excitement in the primary.”

   And that is exactly what is happening. One race in particular that has generated a great deal of attention is the race for United States Senate—the seat which Senator DeWine currently holds. Senator DeWine has become increasingly unpopular among Ohio voters and many believe if we don’t vote him out in the Primary he will loose in the General Election. We can not afford that kind of a blow to our values. Even the Chair of the National Republican Committee, Ken Mehlman, recognizes the dire straits DeWine is in. At a meeting in Warren County Mehlman told Republican leaders they were instrumental in the 2004 election and that the Party needed them now more than ever because Mike DeWine was in trouble in the November election.

   It is a shame that the Republican Party doesn’t realize the reason Senator DeWine is in trouble is because he has lost his conservative base. And instead of reaching out to the candidate that does appeal to voters, the Party is rallying around Senator DeWine in hopes of making up the difference now that he has lost the values voters that once supported him.

   Recently Senator DeWine was given a C- rating for 2005 from the National Taxpayers union. “This is unacceptable,” stated David Smith, Republican challenger for the Senatorial nomination. “He is a Republican and he is supposed to be for less spending and lower taxes. He needs to be held accountable for that.”

   And while DeWine chose to oppose Ohio’s Marriage amendment because he “had a problem with the language” (and claims he still does) Smith is in full support of the Amendment and supports a National Marriage Amendment as well. And though DeWine claims to be ardently pro-life, Smith says you can’t run on one value alone. “It’s not enough to stand on one issue with voters,” Smith said.

   Another challenger in the Primary is Sandra O’Brien who’s running against Jeanette Bradley for the State Treasurer. O’Brien is also running on values. “If Jeanette shared my values I wouldn’t be running,” stated O’Brien. Jeanette may be the incumbent but she was appointed the seat by Governor Taft. The people never cast their vote for her. “I’m running because I want to give people a choice,” said O’Brien. “I am the only pro-life, pro-marriage candidate on the ballot. I think the choice is clear.”

   When asked how she felt about being considered “the long shot” by the Party, O’Brien stated, “I strongly believe in Primaries, especially in my race. I believe the rank and file Republicans will choose the best candidate. I am the candidate that represents the values voters they stand for.”

   While Jeanette Bradley and others would have you believe values aren’t important in the Treasurer’s race, Sandra O’Brien realizes that values matter in every race. Even the Bible councils us on this: Proverbs 28:15 states, “As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.” And Proverbs 29:2 tells us “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

   The treasurer’s office handles millions of dollars of our money every year. When it comes to collecting it, accounting for it and spending it don’t you think we should vote in someone with values as well as experience? While both candidates are uniquely qualified, only one has the values that we look for. That is especially important in Ohio where state officers play musical chairs because of term limits and Ms. Bradley surely aspires to fill the governor’s seat.

   All of these candidates are running against the current power base. All of them are running because they care about the values the Republican Party is supposed to advocate. All of them are counting on the Values Voters for support.

   John Adams, one of our Founding Fathers, in speaking to us today, stated, “Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it.”

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