Ohio GOP leader compares bald Specter to Dr. Evil

CINCINNATI — An Ohio Republican leader is being criticized for a blog post that used a photo of Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, bald from chemotherapy, and one of the hairless Dr. Evil from the “Austin Powers” movies.

Hamilton County GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou (tree-an-tih-FEE’-loo) posted the photos above a commentary criticizing Specter’s decision to switch from Republican to Democrat.

The photos drew charges of insensitivity from Tim Burke, the Democratic chairman in Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati. He sent a news release Wednesday with the headline “Republican Party Ridicules Cancer Patient.” Specter has battled Hodgkin’s disease.

Triantafilou at first said Burke needed to “lighten up.” By Thursday morning, he had replaced the photos with one of a frowning child.

Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, www.enquirer.com