Gov.'s budget rouses Ohio party chairmen to debate

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio's Republican Party chairman is taking aim at Democrats for criticizing the governor's proposed budget, while the state's Democratic party chief is accusing him of "rhetorical gymnastics."

Republican Chairman Bob Bennett told reporters Thursday that the state party is neither endorsing nor opposing the budget of GOP Gov. John Kasich.

Bennett said he liked the budget's overall thrust, but declined to take a position on specific pieces of the proposal, saying he wanted to let lawmakers debate them.

Bennett's spokesman later said the state party can't formally endorse the plan without approval from party leaders, but the chairman is supportive of the budget.

Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern said he was "unequivocally" opposed to the two-year state spending plan and would urge his colleagues not to back it.