The Petro/Heimlich 2006 campaign just sent out a basic letter detailing (unnamed) big time supporters and how much money they had raised. It also asked if I wanted to help the campaign in any way. Here are my thoughts.

First off, they were crowing that they had over 3 million dollars on hand, more than twice that of any other candidate. OK...but, could the braintrust over at the campaign please tell me why that should motivate me to get involved with you? It might just signal to some that they have so much money, they'll be able to just buy their way past any problems, so who needs me. They seem to also believe that having more money ensures that they'll run a winning campaign. Someone ought to remind them of a guy named Bob Dole.

Secondly, and most importantly I think, is the "political speak" in the letter. They write that winning in November 2006 "...will require a candidate who has conservative ideas and values that will appeal to all Ohio voters..." That's couched interestingly. Conservative ideas that will appeal "to all Ohio voters." Well, how many of us believe in conservative ideas, but what exactly do they mean when they say "that will appeal to all Ohio voters"? In the world of politicians, that dinstinctly sounds like a non-response.

Most conservatives, who tend to be ideologues, know that traditionally conservative values don't necessarily "appeal to all voters". And we're not taking polls seeing if they do. We believe they are right on their own merit. Conservatives are not looking for a candidate who is simply trying to "appeal to all Ohio voters". We're looking for one that has core principles that are unshakeable.

Careful Mr. Petro. I know conservatives, and you, sir, are no conservative...

or something like that!