Chabot hits the streets

Facing his most difficult re-election challenge in years, Republican Rep. Steve Chabot did something not many six-term congressmen do: He grabbed a sign and, with the wooden sign post sticking out of his passenger side window, he set off in his faded blue 1993 Buick for the intersection of Galbraith Rd. and Colerain Ave.

“You can meet a lot of folks in a short amount of time out here,” the congressman explained, as he stood in the cold air holding his “Chabot for Congress” sign in one hand while waiving at passing motorists with the other.

As the light changed, Chabot hurried down the sidewalk to catch the new stream of oncoming cars. “You’ve got to time the light,” he said, as a man in a Raiders jacket pulled up and shouted, “You’ve got my vote.”

To be fair, some motorists also gave Chabot a thumbs-down sign or shook their head at him. But others pulled into the CVS Pharmacy parking lot near his section of sidewalk to shake his hand and thank him for things he’s done.

“You don’t know me, but you’ve helped me in so many ways,” Debbie Shell said nervously, as she held her hand out to Chabot.

Chabot’s challenger, Democrat John Cranley, has accused Chabot of changing his ways and forsaking his roots because of the time he’s spent in Washington.

Chabot’s response: “The heck with all those negative ads, this is me out here.”