2/11/2008 12:22:00 AM
Candidate for House seat visits Van Wert
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| Republican Congressional Candidate Scott Radcliffe (left) talks with Van Wert County Probate Court Judge Rex Fortney at a Republican luncheon Friday at Willow Bend Country Club. Radcliffe is challenging Rep. Bob Latta for the Ohio 5th District seat in U. S. Congress. |
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BY ED GEBERT
Times Bulletin News Writer
egebert@timesbulletin.com
He was the stranger in a room full of acquaintances. But Scott Radcliffe tried his best not to be a stranger for long.
This tall Iraq War veteran from Perrysburg found himself in Van Wert for the county Republicans' monthly luncheon on Friday, making new friends and attempting to get his name and message out to those in attendance.
Radcliffe spent two separate 12-month tours in Iraq. Between those two stays overseas, he found himself in one of the first units to be deployed to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the devastating flooding that followed.
He has gone from the world of the military to the world of politics, running for the 5th District Congressional seat in the March 4 Republican primary. But for Radcliffe, the two worlds have something in common.
In Iraq he found himself trying to convey to the people of that country that someone in an American uniform cared about them. On the campaign trail in America, he finds himself trying to overcome the suspicions of the voters. "The biggest thing is just trying to peel away the veneer of them seeing me as a politician," he said. "Once they see beyond that, they can really get to know me and see what I'm all about. I'm the same man I was in Iraq. I'm the same man I was in New Orleans after Katrina."
The 1998 graduate of Perrysburg High School returned home from his second tour of duty in Iraq less than two months ago. That brought him back to northwest Ohio a couple of months too late to pursue the congressional seat that filled in the special election following the death of Rep. Paul Gillmor in September. That seat was won by current Rep. Bob Latta after he defeated State Sen. Stever Buehrer in the Republican primary in November and Democrat Robin Weirauch in the special general election Dec. 11.
But since U. S. representatives are elected every two years, Latta finds himself back in campaign mode to keep the position he has held for less than two months, and Radcliffe is one of the challengers from within his own party.
Although disheartened at missing the opportunity to run in the fall, Radcliffe told the crowd of Republicans Friday afternoon, "I'm here now, and I'm here to serve. Just I have served our country in Iraq twice and once in New Orleans, I want to continue that service today for the good people of northwest Ohio."
The job has special meaning for Radcliffe. It was Gillmor who nominated Radcliffe for West Point in the first place, an act which forged a bond between the two men. A 2002 West Point class ring stood out on Radcliffe's hand as he talked with Van Wert County G.O.P. faithful on Friday.
Radcliffe doesn't consider himself a longshot to take the nomination away from Latta next month. He is counting on the leadership abilities honed on the battlefield to set him apart both on the campaign trail and in the halls of Congress.
"This area deserves a strong conservative voice on Iraq," he stated. "And I can be that voice."
He certainly has a bond with veterans. On Thursday evening, Radcliffe spent some time at the V.F.W. hall in Van Wert, talking to other veterans about how Washington can best honor our soldiers.
"This country needs new veteran voices," he declared. "Our World War II veterans are retiring. Our Korean War veterans are retiring. Our Vietnam War veterans are retiring. It's time for the next generation of veterans to step forward."
Radcliffe also vowed to strip away the negative image of politicians through openness and honesty. "I say what I mean and I try to make that clear," he pointed out. "I want everyone to know where I stand."
It will certainly be a tough battle for Radcliffe, who must best Michael Reynolds of Columbus Grove as well as the new incumbent Latta to make it to the November ballot. But Radcliffe has faced some pretty tough fights already.
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