Choice question on partner benefits in crossfire

The third in a series of Enquirer questions to gubernatorial candidates, titled Choice, continued to draw fire today when the executive director of Equality Ohio criticized the Ohio Republican Party for "tired political tactics.''

Lynne Bowman, head of the non-profit group which advocates on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Ohioans, urged "all the candidates for governor of Ohio to support state employees and their families by providing domestic partnership benefits for those in long-term relationships.''

In response to Thursday's Choice question, "Should live-in partners of state employees receive the same health and pension benefits as married state employees,'' Republican Ken Blackwell and Democrat Ted Strickland both answered "no." Independent candidates Bob Fitrakis and Bill Peirce answered "yes."

The Ohio Republican Party quickly pounced on Strickland for flip-flopping on earlier support of domestic partner benefits, although Strickland said the state's newest constitutional amendment would precent the state from offering live-in partner benefits.

"Like many Ohioans, we believe basic health coverage for all, including Ohio's state workers and their life partners, should be a priority for our next governor," Bowman said in a news statement.

"Equality Ohio welcomes thoughtful discussion about the challenges Ohioans face every day, like access to health coverage," said Bo Shuff, director of education and public policy. "However, we are very disappointed in the manner the Ohio Republican Party chose to frame their press release on this issue."

The state GOP's news release, was titled "Strickland Not Straight on Domestic Partner Benefits" in its e-mail format.

“Ted Strickland can’t even go a week without contradicting himself,” state Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett said. “He says one thing to one group of people, and he says something totally different to another group.''

The full news release appears here: http://www.ohiogop.org/News/Read.aspx?ID=1159

"Ohioans are wise to this scheme," Shuff said. "It's no longer fashionable to use the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community for cheap political gain."