Even a loser knows when to say thanks

From today's "Inside Washington" column:

WASHINGTON - In retrospect, it sure tells you a lot about a candidate when after it's all said and done, they say thank you. After all, gratitude is a down-home Buckeye value, isn't it?

Sen. Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran, certainly think so.

The Cedarville Republican, who lost the seat he's held for 12 years to Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown in Tuesday's election, e-mailed a letter of thanks to supporters - and reporters - the day after his 56 percent to 44 percent loss.

"Thank you for all of the calls you made, the doors you knocked on, the hot days walking parades, and your intense efforts during the final few weeks and days of the campaign," they wrote. "We are proud of the campaign we ran and could not have done it without your help and support."

Read the full thank you letter HERE.

Brown and his wife, Connie Schultz, posted a thank-you letter on Brown's Web site:

"With your help, we did what many people thought was impossible. We proved a progressive campaign that fights for the middle class can win in Ohio," Brown wrote. "I will never forget your efforts as I begin my service in the U.S. Senate."

Read the full thank you letter HERE.

Rep. Steve Chabot's campaign posted this message on the Westwood Republican's campaign Web site the day after the election: "Thank you to all the staff members, volunteers and fellow voters who gave many hours to our successful campaign."

Read the thank you blog post HERE.

John Cranley's campaign Web site has no such thank-you message. In fact, Friday, it didn't look like it had been updated since days before the election, other than a scrolling ticker indicating the growing national debt. A message touting "4 days 4 victory" was still front and center, as was a video of Cranley discussing why change is needed.

To be fair, Cranley did sort of thank 75 supporters at his Election Night party: "I want everyone to have a good time tonight," he said. "I'm extremely proud of this campaign, proud of all of you."

The group didn't let him finish his sentence, interrupting with "Next time! Next time!"

UPDATE: A big "Thank you for all your support!" message is now posted on Cranley's site.

But neither Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt nor her Democratic opponent Victoria Wulsin - who as of Friday had not conceded the race - have posted a thank-you letter on their campaign Web sites.

Schmidt's site unchanged by mid-day Monday; So was Wulsin's site.

Republican Rep. Geoff Davis of Northern Kentucky and former Rep. Ken Lucas, a Democrat who lost to Davis last week, had not posted a thank-you letter, either.

Davis' site unchanged by mid-day Monday; So was Lucas' site.

Meanwhile, Rep. John Boehner, who won a blowout victory over his little-known opponent but will lose his title of "House majority leader" when Democrats take over the chamber, also said thanks, via e-mail:

"I am grateful and humbled by the support from my friends, neighbors, and constituents here in Southwest Ohio," he said in a statement. "I want to thank the voters in the Eighth District for their support, and I look forward to continuing to serve on your behalf in Congress."

Read the rest of today's column HERE.