What a difference a week makes! On October 12, in the wake of the Mark Foley scandal, the editorial board of the Columbus Disgrace urged House Republicans- and Speaker Dennis Hastert in particular- to “Uncover the Truth.” They condemned the inappropriate internet exchanges between Foley and teenaged pages in their commentary and news pages, as well they should. Tack on to that the deluge of attention the scandal is receiving in the national media almost a month after Foley was forced to resign. Now, a week later, it was revealed that Ted Strickland hired a convicted sex offender and kept him on his staff in spite of this. In addition, Strickland (in one of the few votes he actually made) refused to condemn a resolution condemning adult-child sexual relations joining 12 other members of his party in voting “present.” When the time came to write the editorial this week, who did the Disgrace condemn? The accuser!

The Disgrace referred to “tired accusations” and “old stories” being dug up by Ken Blackwell in a last, desperate attempt to smear the candidate they’ve already proclaimed the winner of the election. They also claimed that the Blackwell campaign hadn’t introduced any new evidence that would call Strickland’s integrity in to question. I guess when a member on your staff exposes himself to children and masturbates in front of them, your personal integrity is still safe. Instead of asking the same questions they’re asking Speaker Hastert- what did he know and when did he know it- they’re blasting Blackwell and his campaign for mudslinging. “Candidates,” they say, “particularly those trailing in the polls, roll out accusations in the final weeks because they see that as a way to reverse the momentum.”

Then again, if you want mudslinging, just turn on your TV or radio or check your mailbox. The Democrats have tied Mark Foley to practically every Republican running for Congress this year. Just ask Foley’s “friend” Deborah Pryce. Yes, when Mark Foley was making advances to sixteen year old pages, your Republican member of Congress not only knew about it, but covered it up. That’s why we need Democrat challengers to keep our children safe. By condemning Foley and the Republicans and refusing to do the same for Strickland and his staff, the Columbus Disgrace and other Ohio media outlets are sending a clear message to their readers and Ohio voters.

Is it too much to ask for a little consistency? Either adults having sex with children is ok or it isn’t. There should not be two sets of standards based on the political affiliation of the accused. The Columbus Disgrace and every other newspaper that has already anointed Ted Strickland has shown just how blatantly partisan they really are by not only shoving the matter of the sex offender staffer under the rug but by condemning the accusations as mudslinging. I suppose nowadays if you’re a Democrat you really are above the law. If you’re a Republican pointing out Democrat wrongdoings, on the other hand, you should be ashamed.