HAGAN'S EXTENDED FAMILY DIDN'T INHALE

During Tuesday night's debate with Gov. Bob Taft, Tim Hagan was asked how he
felt about legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The Cuyahoga County Democrat movingly explained how his father died of
cancer three years ago and said he saw no reason marijuana shouldn't be one
of several drugs provided to people on their death beds to ease pain.

But then he drew laughs when he added that if his dad had needed marijuana,
"I would go out, or find my nephew or someone, to find it."

When asked the next day which of his nephews had a connection, he laughed.
"I have 28 nephews," he said, noting that after the debate they all ordered
him not to hand out their phone numbers.

[Content not related to drug policy snipped for brevity]

KEEP THE MONEY

The Issue 1 campaigners have decided to take out some TV ads, starting in
the Youngstown area.

That means they likely won't spend money to undercut Mr. Taft's re-election
effort by running TV ads that criticize him. Mr. Taft is a staunch opponent
of the issue, which would require drug treatment instead of prison time for
certain first-time offenders.

Mr. Hagan needs all the help he can get in his race. He's behind in the
polls and, compared to Mr. Taft's cool $9 million, practically broke.

Still, Mr. Hagan says Issue 1 supporters shouldn't shift money from their
campaign to an effort to defeat the governor.

Mr. Hagan said it would be "hypocritical" of him to urge an organization to
use money on the governor's race that was collected for Issue 1.