Thor takes to the air waves

In the 2nd Congressional District, the dogfight on the Republican side between Jean Schmidt and Bob McEwen has seemingly sucked up all available oxygen, but there are five Democratic candidates out there trying to be heard above the din.

One of them, Thor Jacobs, the Newtown businessman, is to the first to reach the airwaves with his message.

Jacobs has a radio ad running throughout the district - one that jumps on the timely issue of rising gasoline prices and record-breaking oil prices.

"Like you, I shake my head every time I fill up my tank,'' Jacobs says.

What America needs, Jacobs says, is "responsible oil policies that leave more in our pockets'' and less in the pockets of oil company CEOs.

One of Jacobs' Democratic primary opponents, Victoria Wulsin, has weighed in on rising gasoline prices as well. In an interview on WLWT (channel 5) and in the taping of a program to be shown on WKRC-TV Sunday, Wulsin has suggested a graduated gasoline tax as a solution.

Wulsin said she would rather see the tax based on income rather than actual vehicle consumption.

She said she hadn't thought through how it work - a tax charged at the pump on income "wouldn't be feasible,'' she said.

"I haven't gotten that far in my thinking,'' Wulsin said. "I'm willing to entertain any ideas.''