Feud Over OH High Court ‘Rapist' Ad Intensifies

The Ohio Republican Party refused again Monday to pull down a political ad that accuses a Democratic candidate for state Supreme Court of sympathizing with rapists.
   
Former appellate judge Bill O'Neill engaged former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (BROO'-ner) over the weekend to wage a legal fight over the spot airing statewide.
   
O'Neill threatened the GOP and Chairman Bob Bennett with a defamation lawsuit on Monday. Party director Matt Borges (BOHR'-jiss) responded with a "spare me" and announced the party had launched an anti-O'Neill website.
   
The controversial commercial says O'Neill displayed "sympathy for rapists." The claim is based on a 2000 appellate decision where O'Neill wrote both the rape victim and alleged perpetrator are harmed when rape accusations arise.
   
Brunner has demanded TV stations statewide reject the ad.