DeWine chides Cordray for supporting Issue 1

THE AD: “Say No,” a 30-second TV commercial from the gubernatorial campaign of Republican Mike DeWine.

WHERE TO SEE IT: TV stations statewide. The campaign did not disclose the cost or size of the buy.

VIDEO: Sheriffs Dave Phalen of Fairfield County, Todd Frazier of Jackson County, Keith Wood of Meigs County, George Lavender of Ross County and Phil Plummer of Montgomery County talk about the perceived dangers of state Issue 1, a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot, and its support by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray. All of the featured sheriffs are Republicans except Wood, who is an independent. A group shot shows an assemblage of sheriffs, with Pickaway County’s Robert Radcliff the lone Democrat, and the chief deputy and a captain from DeWine’s home county of Greene.

SCRIPT: Phalen: “The drug plan Richard Cordray supports is frightening.” Frazier: “If you’re not scared, you should be.” Narrator: “If Cordray gets his way, Ohio would have some of the most lenient drug laws in America.” Wood: “Cordray’s plan would let drug dealers out early.” Phalen: “Putting them back on our streets.” Lavender: “That’s a serious threat to your personal safety.” Plummer: “It means more crime.” Phalen: “More break-ins.” Frazier: “More robberies.” Plummer: “Take it from me.” Phalen: “From me.” Wood: “From me.” The sheriffs in unison: “From us.” Phalen: “Richard Cordray’s policies are dangerous.” Frazier: “Say no to Richard Cordray.”

ANALYSIS: Implying that Attorney General DeWine is the law-and-order candidate, the new scare spot trots out uniformed sheriffs in a bid to suggest that Cordray coddles criminals and would set them loose on the streets to victimize Ohioans. Issue 1, which Cordray endorsed but did not initiate, would reduce lowlevel felonies for drug use and possession to misdemeanors carrying no jail or prison time. The commercial accurately notes that approval of the measure on the Nov. 6 ballot also would allow felons, except those convicted of murder, rape and child molestation, to receive up to 25 percent off of their prison sentences if they participate in rehabilitative and education programming.

The commercial, however, is misleading in describing Issue 1 as Cordray’s “plan” and “policies” since he had nothing to do with the ballot issue. Suggestions that a crime wave would occur with the early release of felons is pure speculation. Cordray, who is endorsed by police unions, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, previously rolled out a TV commercial featuring a Republican sheriff pronouncing his support.