The race in OH-16, between Democrat John Boccieri and Republican Jim Renacci, is shaping up to be one of the more interesting test cases for the national GOP line that Democrats have failed as stewards of the economy. For those unfamiliar with the race’s dynamics, Associated Content just released a great profile. Highlights below:
[On Boccieri’s political strategy] Boccieri takes a decidedly moderate position on many issues; he’s for tax cuts, so long as they are targeted and he’s clear cut on his support for gun-owner rights. He voted against the bank bailouts and is against privatizing Social Security. …
[On Renacci’s campaign strategy] Renacci makes no bones about spending, suggesting in the “Issues” section of his website that Boccieri voted 94 percent of the time with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He contends that his opponent’s record is one of spending, and that congressional spending is out of control.
Renacci has a lot to say about taxes as well, making the case that 2002 and 2003 tax cuts should be made permanent, that the so-called “death tax” and Alternative Minimum Tax must be repealed, that capital gains should not be increased, and that he is in favor of either the flat or fair-tax efforts.