Mallory is to Livingston as Pepper is to _______?

Peter G. Witte of West Price Hill protests -- alone -- in Mount Echo Park Thursday.

Here's the dossier on Peter G. Witte.

Elder fan. President of the Price Hill Civic Club. Glenway Avenue business owner. Semi-loyal Republican. Former candidate for Cincinnati City Council.

But as the chairman of "Republicans for Pepper," state Sen. Mark L. Mallory stuck him with another title Thursday as Witte walked a one-man picket line at Mallory's news conference in Mount Echo Park.

"He's David Pepper's Nate Livingston," Mallory quipped.

Indeed, Witte's protest of Mallory at Mount Echo Park Thursday might be suggestive of a Livingston production, except for some important elements: Witte's sign was more professionally done (he owns a sign shop, after all). He never raised his voice. He politely greeted people attending Mallory's campaign event. He was the only protester there. (Livingston can usually muster up a few members of the Black Fist.) And he never compared Mallory to Adolf Hitler.

But Witte and Livingston may have more in common than either one of them would like to believe. Consider this exchange of e-mails last month after Witte launched his Republicans for Pepper organization:

From: Nate Livingston
To: Peter Witte
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 2:38 PM
Subject: RE: Republicans for Pepper

I got the release. Many of the Republicans I know hate David Pepper and have told me they'll never support him. Why so fast out of the gate? What does he have in common with Westside Republicans -- his endorsement by the Mayor of San Francisco, his opposition to the flag burning amendment championed by Steve Chabot, his support for repealing Article XII, or his continued refusal to put money into neighborhoods while lavishing tax dollars on downtown projects and companies? David's race wouldn't have anything to do with this would it?

NATE

From: Peter Witte
To: Nate Livingston
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 7:47 AM
Subject: Re: Republicans for Pepper

Mark Mallory is the most disengaged, arrogant elected official I have ever met! And due to his lack of involvement in the neighborhoods over here, I'd say most people haven't met him. I have been active for a decade, of which, six as President of a large community council, and very, very active in politics. Is Mark Mallory actually my State Senator? I'll need to call Columbus to find out. He has been in office for ten years and not only did he not accomplish a damn thing, he doesn't even oblige his constituents with nary a phone call, let alone a visit. Arrogance in City Hall we don't need. You play the race game I'll just elect the best man for the job to help this declining city.

Pete

ps Steve Chabot always loves knowing you support him on various ideas, I'll pass it along.