The Web

The network of GOP corruption in Ohio spreads all the way to the White House-- but the national media hasn't even touched it. And it's so incredibly complex that I can't hope to give a pithy summary. One thing I can say is that it's an excellent argument for publically-funded elections.

On his firm's Web site, [former chief of staff for the Ohio Governor Brian] Hicks bills himself as "the most powerful unelected official in Ohio." His company boasts "an extensive level network of contacts in Ohio, Washington, D.C., and throughout the country."

"Hicks Partners will ensure your voice is heard at the highest levels of government," the Web site says.

The fact that Hicks Partners can guarantee its clients that it has close ties to the most influential people in politics is precisely the problem with the system, Senator Dann said. . . .

Mr. Hicks' firm, Hicks Partners, has raked in more than $700,000 in state and federal lobbying deals and political consulting fees since the business opened two years ago, shortly after he left the governor's office. . . .

Before he even set foot out of the governor's office, Mr. Hicks already had his first consulting gig - leading Mr. Taft's campaign to sell voters on the Third Frontier Project ballot issue, a $1.6 billion plan to stimulate high-tech jobs. While Hicks Partners received $203,625 to run the unsuccessful campaign, it also prompted ethical questions about Mr. Hicks running the campaign so soon after leaving the governor's office. . . .

Mr. Hicks' relationship with the Bush administration dates to its earliest days - during the Florida recount after the 2000 election. Mr. Hicks and other aides, who learned about elections law while working in Ohio's secretary of state's office under Mr. Taft in the 1990s, headed to Florida to help with the recount.

Mr. Hicks remained in close contact with the Bush administration, regularly receiving e-mails from David Rachelson, the White House's former associate political director in Ohio, about administration appearances in Ohio. The same e-mails were often sent to Ms. Carroll and Mr. Whatman.

Thanks to OD1 for keeping me up-to-date on this story. It should be headline news nationwide.