The Cincinnati Enquirer’s “Politics Extra” highlights a press release issued yesterday by Rep. Ted Strickland (D), in which the gubernatorial candidate criticizes State Senate Republicans for adjourning for summer recess without acting on legislation strengthening protections for Ohio gun owners.

HB 347 would, among other things, strengthen the Concealed Carry Permit Law and “eliminate the requirement that concealed carry permit-holders keep their weapons in plain sight while in their vehicles.” Strickland’s expressed support for the legislation (which he said he would sign “the moment it hit” his desk) comes at the end of his “Turnaround Ohio” bus tour mostly through small towns and rural areas. Perhaps such support will prove an inroad to the state’s conservative electorate.

Today’s Ken Blackwell news has nothing to do with voter-registration laws. It is not directly related to the candidate himself or his policies. Maybe I’m just jealous of one of his campaign contributors.

Saturday the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that among the out-of-state contributions Blackwell received following his primary win were five $10,000 checks from Steven Bruce Taylor (millionaire and GOP donor) his wife, and their three adult children. Meghan Taylor is the Taylors’ 25-year-old daughter and is described as a “student” on Blackwell’s campaign finance reports. Set aside whether Meghan Taylor is a student at all; last year she held a job at the White House, and before that she worked for President Bush’s re-election campaign. Federal records show that during this time, she contributed to Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA), Mel Martinez (R-FL), and David Vitter (R-LA). Now she has contributed to Blackwell.

Mark Naymik suggests only a cynic would think Meghan Taylor’s dad was writing campaign checks in her name. Maybe Naymik’s right, and Taylor’s internship and entry-level job just pay a whole better than mine.