Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate's Ad Criticized For Religious Content

In Ohio, a bitter 3-way race for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2006 is well underway. Yesterday, an op-ed piece in the Ohio State Lantern by Dan Magestro criticized the religious nature of an ad being run by one of the candidates, state Attorney General Jim Petro. The ad, which can be seen on Petro's website, begins with Petro asking "What does God expect of us?" Petro answers, "To do justice, to love kindness." Then, as the Lantern describes it:

The camera floats above a certificate of Christian baptism as Petro talks about his pro-life stance and 33-year marriage. "We believe that we have to do all that we can to advocate the protection of all life," he says. The camera then hovers gracefully over a Bible (yes, a Bible) resting on a table next to a wedding ring, while Petro discusses the sacred bond of marriage between a man and a woman. Petro closes with this shocker: "Our worship and our faith gives me the opportunity to make decisions that are more effective for people."

Magestro concludes: "When the OSU quarterback humbly praises God for his athletic talents, I respect and admire his personal faith. When the attorney general of our state calls on his Christian faith for making decisions on behalf of all Ohioans, I'm appalled."