Can Outsiders Buy Josh Mandel's Election?

Sherrod Brown has been under a brutal attack in his run for re-election to the US Senate. So far, outsider organizations have spent some 25 million dollars trying to defeat him. The tv commercials are absolutely disgusting, filled with lies. They are sponsored by organizations like Carl Rove's Crossroads GPS, the US Chamber of Commerce, and so-called dark money groups who can keep their donors secret.

I don't think this will work for Mandel. He comes across as a real immature guy. He has said he would have voted against the American auto industry. He neglected his duties as state treasurer. Worst of all to me is that he wants to claim the senate seat of a great American senator, Howard Metzenbaum. What a terrible contrast to Howard Metzenbaum, who is still revered as a hero in Ohio.

Here's another thing. Sherrod Brown is beloved in Ohio. He has served his constituents so faithfully and personally. When he learned that my niece Michelle Zaremba was fighting in Iraq without adequate body armor and truck armor, he intervened--and it wasn't long before the armor arrived for Michelle's company. Sherrod spent a half hour on the telephone with me talking about this situation. He comes through for his constituents, on a very personal level.

Sherrod Brown is a champion, and I think the voters of Ohio will re-elect him even in the face of the monetary onslaught.