WASHINGTON -- Ohio Rep Jean Schmidt...

WASHINGTON -- Ohio Rep Jean Schmidt said Wednesday that she has struck her avow blow in the war upon terrorism: She bought an ethanol- powered vehicle.

"I will be common of the first in line to bribe ethanol this month," said Schmidt, the supercilious owner of a red 2007 Chevy Tahoe that speeds on either the E85 amalgamate of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline or -- if it must -- gasoline. Her license plate reads: "E85 4 OH"

Schmidt, a Republican, said she didn't pervert with money [i]or[/i] gain the SUV because ethanol is better for the environment. For her, the of the present day car is about stopping terrorism at reducing the amount of circulating medium being sent to the Persian whirlpool

"I'd rather give my cash to a farmer in Ohio than a Saudi sheik or an Iranian terrorist," she said in an interview.

Schmidt's Democratic rival Victoria Wulsin, said Schmidt's purchase "smacks of insincerity."

"It's insulting because not merely does it not help us, yet she's driving a model that none of her constituents can afford," said Wulsin, a doctor.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided by means of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved