Political parties squabble over who's dirtier

Today's visit by President Bush to the U.S. Air Force's National Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base today triggered a flurry of accusations from state officials in both major political parties about who has accepted more tainted campaign contributions.

Bush was guest at a fund-raising lunch sponsored by the Ohio Republican Party -- after his Air Base speech -- at the Bellbrook home of Lisa and Marty Grunder.

Ohio GOP spokesman John McClelland said state Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern “is apparently all twisted up this week about a fundraiser we're hosting. . . Unfortunately, the Democrat Party boss would rather point fingers at everyone else than clean up his own house. The hypocrisy continues.”

Today’s fund-raising event was sponsored by the Ohio Republican Party. The Victory 2008 reception raised money for the state GOP's federal fund, which could help Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party’s likely presidential nominee.

The private GOP reception and photo opportunity with the president cost $10,000. A $1,000 campaign donation covered lunch only.

Redfern was critical that one of today’s fund-raising co-chairs was convicted of three misdemeanor money-laundering charges and fined $30,000 in 1993. Another owns a company that outsources jobs overseas.

“This speaks to the priorities of President Bush,” Redfern said in a statement. “George Bush comes to Ohio, not to address the faltering national economy or the foreclosure crisis, but to raise money from a job exporter and a money launderer on behalf of his protégé, John McCain.”

McClelland counterpunched by saying Redfern said nothing when Ohio Senate Democratic Leader Ray Miller of Columbus was fined for multiple campaign finance violations or it was revealed Gov. Ted Strickland received $10,000 in campaign cash from former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Strickland donated the money to charity after Republicans called on him to return it.

Read more about President Bush's visit here, and in Friday's Enquirer.