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Associated Press
Saturday, October 21, 2000

COLUMBUS--Gov. Bob Taft's fund-raising on behalf of a pro-business group that does not have to report contributors to the state may contradict statements made in June that he wouldn't raise money under such circumstances.

"I have no plans to raise (money) for undisclosed funds," Taft told reporters gathered in his office for an informal round table and luncheon.

Kevin Kellems, Taft's press secretary, blamed the apparent contradiction on a reporter's ambiguous question, and in fact, the question put to the governor was lengthy and rambling.

"This is one of the most convoluted, confusing and poorly worded questions in the modern history of journalism," Kellems said. "It was very clear the governor and the reporter were talking past each other and not communicating effectively."

Still, a few moments later Taft was asked: "So the answer at this point, is that you have no plans to give to funds that are not going to be disclosed. You don't have any plans to give money to a campaign or candidates that are not going to be publicly disclosed. If you can't follow the money, you are not going to participate?"

Taft responded, "Absolutely not at the state level."

Kellems said Taft was referring to the Ohio portions of federal elections, and money raised at the state level for the presidential race.

The question of fund-raising has become an issue because Taft has been making calls on behalf of Citizens for a Strong Ohio, a pro-business group working to discredit Ohio Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnick, a Democrat seeking re-election.

The group, formed by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, is set up under federal Internal Revenue codes for groups promoting social welfare. As such, it has no limits on contributions and does not have to report contributors to the Ohio Secretary of State.

Such issue-advocacy groups have been active in federal races in recent years, but this is the first time one has been involved in a state race in Ohio. Taft has taken some criticism for the fund raising because, as secretary of state, he championed full disclosure of contributions.

State business groups have targeted Resnick over what they see as anti-business court rulings and legislating from the bench. Taft has defended his work for the group as part of his effort to improve the climate for business in Ohio and to let voters know the importance of having a court that interprets the law even-handedly.

Kellems said Friday he didn't know whether Taft still was making calls for the group, but earlier in the week aides had said the governor still was soliciting for the campaign.

Meanwhile Friday, Reginald Jackson, president of Ohio State Bar Association, decried Citizens for a Strong Ohio's TV ad attacking Resnick, saying it charges votes on the state's highest court can be bought.

Jackson said he had asked the group to stop running the ad, but has gotten no response.

A group spokesman did not return a phone call seeking comment Friday.

"The clear message of the ad is that justice is for sale in Ohio," Jackson said.

The ad features Lady Justice taking in money, talks about Resnick's campaign contributions, and asks, "Alice Resnick. Is justice for sale in Ohio?"

Hours before Jackson spoke, the Ohio Democratic Party had taken matters into its own hands.

A rebuttal ad began running Friday morning in Cleveland and Columbus. The ad is expected to start running in Dayton this weekend. In it, an announcer asks, "Why are corporate polluters and a big insurance company spending hundreds of thousands distorting Alice Robie Resnick's record?"

State Democratic spokeswoman Kena Hudson said she didn't know how much would be spent on the ad.

Resnick is specifically under fire for writing the majority opinions in two 4-3 decisions: one throwing out a state law that limited monetary awards in civil lawsuits, among other civil court changes; and another finding Ohio's school funding system unconstitutional.

The Ohio Elections Commission this week dismissed a complaint that asked for the pro-business group to be registered as a political action committee. Commissioners determined the group's ads do not cross the line that prohibits issue groups from directly asking for a candidate's defeat or election.

State GOP spokesman Gary Abernathy, handing out a GOP rebuttal as Jackson spoke, called the bar association's press conference "a very partisan ... event."

Labor unions and groups representing trial attorneys are strong supporters of Resnick.

State GOP Chairman Robert Bennett faxed Jackson a letter Thursday asking why the state bar hadn't gotten involved earlier. "Where was the offense earlier this year when Justice Resnick herself made disparaging comments about Judge Terrence O'Donnell and his supporters?" Bennett asked.

Jackson insisted politics had nothing to do with the bar's condemnation of the ads.

The state bar doesn't make political endorsements or contributions.