A benefit of Ohio Coin-gate...for the Dems.

The coin-gate scandal has given the Dems. in Ohio a spine... (Columbus Dispatch, registration required):

Tension levels have risen as Statehouse Democrats, who say they have grown increasingly frustrated by years of seeing their ideas rejected, appear emboldened by the coin scandal.

"I don’t think the Republicans are used to us fighting so hard," said Sen. Marc Dann, a suburban Youngstown Democrat and vocal critic of the coin scandal. "I am proud to bring that level of intensity."

But Democrats, despite their anger, have little chance to impact legislative action.

"The only real change is going to occur at the ballot box in 2006," said House Minority Leader Chris Redfern, of Catawba Island. "The people will send a message that we need bipartisan governance in this state."

Mark Weaver, a veteran GOP campaign consultant, said if the Noe scandal is still making front-page news in October 2006, it will be an issue for Republicans in the November election.

"But if it’s handled responsibly and the money is eventually accounted for, the voters will see what really happened here is a problem got resolved," he said.

Well, Mark, doesn't look like it's been handled all that responsibly so far....and that's unlikely to change.