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March 21, 2002      

Well, the past week was our official media breakout, and we hit it BIG-TIME! After the article released by the Associated Press writer, the media “flood gates” were opened! We were first contacted by Ohio News Network (ONN) who scheduled interviews which aired at during the high school state basketball championship games. Then we were contacted by producers at NBC’s Today Show who wanted to interview us about the campaign on national television. We obtained permission from our principal and school superintendent to do the live broadcast from my classroom. A camera crew and producer from an affiliate station in Cleveland came to set things up before school. They were very nice people who made us feel at ease as we prepared to talk with Katie Couric via satellite to New York. They talked with two of my government students who had encouraged me to run for this office as well as asking questions of Tom and I. This launched a media blitz which we are hoping to sustain through the election. We got contacts from Texas, Arizona, Minnesota, Virginia, and somehow the United Kingdom. One guy from Columbus even asked if I would consider wrestling Governor Ventura to raise money for education....I replied, “Yes, I would do just about anything to raise money for our schools.” People were calling to donate money to our campaign (which we cannot accept) and offering to support us any way they can. Though we have been labeled “an impossible shot,” anyone who believes that has no faith in the power of the people.

After several telephone interviews and even a spot on a local news channel, we are more encouraged than ever that we will reach our goal of 5,000 signatures by May. Yesterday, we were graciously permitted by the management of Trader’s World (a large indoor/outdoor flea market near Middletown, OH) to collect signatures from the shoppers. With several family members helping out, we set out to obtain signatures from registered Ohio voters and to register anyone who was interested. Nine hours later, we had obtained 150 more signatures. I appreciate each person who took the time to listen and add their names to what is becoming our own “declaration of independence.”

We heard from lots of Ohioans who were concerned with education, healthcare, reforming campaign finance and the criminal justice system. We encountered a few people who were so frustrated by politics that they had given up voting altogether. We connected with people who came from different varying political parties and all walks of life. I had an interesting discussion with a grandma who’s grandson, Michael Cook, had attended an elementary school in Batavia until the “black mold” condition prompted his mother to home school him. His grandma described how several students and teachers were getting sick and informed us that the state government had done little to help with the situation. I promised little Michael that if I get elected that I would do everything within my power to fix his school so he could go back again. Michael, we will not fail you!

Paid for by the Committee to elect Whitman and Clark.  

Treasurer, Lana Whitman, 3716 Co. Rd. 31 South, Bellefontaine, OH 43311