Upper Arlington, Ohio (AP) -- A brick wall on an Ohio home has been defaced with the message "death Obama."

It was spray-painted on early Wednesday near a yard sign for democrat Barack Obama outside Lisa Carroll's house in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington.

Carroll says it's a sad day when a citizen can't express support for a presidential candidate without fear of persecution, intimidation or retaliation.

Police are investigating. They say they're not aware of any other incidents.

Local democratic and republican leaders are united in their disgust over the vandalism. County democratic party Zach Manifold calls it shocking and pretty scary. His republican counterpart, Brad Sinnott, says it's "hooliganism" having nothing to do with politics.

(Copyright 2008 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)