John Boccieri: Thank-you ads from the SEIU

FIRST-TERM U.S.Rep. John Boccieri of Alliance, a Democrat, is getting an acre of advertising support on several national blogs for his vote favoring President Obama's health care reform plan. The ads have been posted on such liberal blogs as Talking Points Memo, Raw Story and Daily Kos by the Service Employees International Union - all thanking him for his health care position. Interestingly, in today's electronic communications world, a top Boccieri staffer in his Washington office said he wasn't aware the ads were running. "They don't appear on our computers," said Ian Walton, his deputy chief of staff. "Obviously they are being targeted for the 16th District (the one embracing Canton and some rural counties.)

A first-term congressman, Boccieri is being challenged this year by Republican Jim Rinacci, a former nursing home management executive, auto dealer and professional minor league sports clubs investor. Both parties have targeted the race. The spending could set a record in these parts.

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HERE WE GO: A scheduled appearance by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, of Niles, Oh., at a town hall in Youngstown was cancelled at the last minute Wednesday by his staff over concern about his safety. WFMJ-TV in Youngstown said the congressman "received a threat to his office that was serious enough to report to the Capital Police and the FBI." Ryan supported the health care reform program.