Swing State Project

The villains

Governor Bob Taft:  He isn't running, but one thing isn't for sure; Taft is not the most popular Governor east of the Mississippi -- even within his own party.

Many of us remember the comments about Governor Taft made by Conan the Republican, Grover Norquist, shortly before the election.

This seat is prime for a pick-up; one of the names I keep hearing over and over again, ready for a Republican run is Kenneth Blackwell.  That's right, THE Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell.

Corruption and enabling an unfair voting process obviously has its perks in the Republican party. 

Other potential candidates include Attorney General Jim Petro and Auditor Betty Montgomery.  An initial poll has Blackwell faring best among those candidates with 36% -- to Montgomery 21% -- to Petro at 18%.

Then there is United States Senator Mike DeWine; who kind of looks like a garden gnome to me...

Here is the chart for DeWine.  Check out his positions HERE

But enough of them, let's talk about the good guys.

Ted Strickland

One Democrat who seems to have his sites set on Bob Taft's seat is Congressman Ted Strickland.

I had the opportunity to meet and listen to Congressman Strickland a few times while I was working in Ohio for the 2004 election.  He seemed like he was already campaigning for a state-wide office.  He took the cycle to travel from corner to corner in the state, stumping for the President, Eric Fingerhut, and a full-slate of Democratic challengers for Congress.

He is a very bright candidate, but not the kind of guy that makes you get out of your seat and start a mosh pit at a party rally.  Besides, when I saw him speak, it was normally along side of Tim Ryan and Sherrod Brown.  Those two will infect you with the "spirit" when listening to them.

You can learn more about him on the issues, HERE.  People also seem to like the chart, so here it is as well.

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

Yup, Jerry Springer.  Love him or think he is a hazard to the Democratic Party, he has done an immense amount of work for Democrats in and out of the state.

You can check out his blog HERE. I bet you didn't know that Kos himself along with Jesse from Pandagon, and Jerome from MyDD are contributors to Jerry's blog.  Well, they are.

Here is the thing about Jerry.  Unlike Eric Fingerhut, name recognition is not a problem. Everyone knows Jerry.  Not only that, he has access to several boatloads full of cash.  He already had over $1 million in a campaign account before he decided to pull-out of the 2004 Senatorial race.

Just to show you how popular Jerry Springer is in some circles, he was named the Democrat of the Year for 2004 in the state of Ohio.

Most assume that Jerry will run for the Senate seat, although that is in question.  He may choose to attempt a gubernatorial run.  It wouldn't be the first time either.  In 1982 Springer ran for governor, but came in 3rd in the Democratic primary.

Jerry is a very dynamic speaker, but might have a tough time putting that television show of his behind him.  There is also the small story of a check he should have never written.

Michael Coleman

Coleman is the mayor of Columbus, the state capital of Ohio.  If Coleman does decide to throw his hat into a ring, it will be in the race for Governor.

There was an article yesterday in the Canton Repository about Coleman and another candidate, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, saying they would not run against each other in the primary.

Coleman has made some headlines lately, participating in a movement to remove the Ohio State Party Chairman, Dennis White, from office.  Many believe there is a "pattern of failure" within the Ohio Democratic Party, and White needs to go.

Coleman has stopped short of calling for White's job.

Don Plusquellic

Plusquellic is the Mayor of Akron and has indicated in the past that he has no intention of running for office.  But now that, "Ohio is in such bad condition," he will consider the possibility of running for Governor.

Plusquellic has been the mayor of Akron since 1987.  He is also the president of the United States Council of Mayors.

Sherrod Brown

I cannot say enough about Sherrod Brown.  He is the best, the greatest, one-of-a-kind.

I haven't seen much about his desire to run for Senate, but gosh I wish he would. Don't get me wrong, there are rumblings within the state party establishment, but I think Democrats might move aside for Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

If you don't want to read lavish praise tossed upon a man for several paragraphs, feel free to skip to the end and comment on the upcoming races.

Here is the chart on Sherrod.

From an entire post on Swing State Project I wrote about the Congressman.

The first time I met Congressman Sherrod Brown (Dem. OH-13), he was speaking to a relatively small group of 40 people at a barbecue in Medina, Ohio.  Of all the candidates/electeds I met while working on the Seemann campaign (OH-16), I left Ohio impressed with none more so than Sherrod Brown.

He spoke eloquently and calmly about the importance of the 2004 Presidential Election.  Then his focus shifted, his voice rose, and his passion increased as he started talking about Republicans holding the Medicare vote open until 6 A.M. to gain the votes necessary in the House to pass the prescription drug bill.

He gave us the inside baseball you rarely read in the papers or watch on the television.  Blow by blow about ranking members coercing, threatening, and strong-arming Republicans opposed to the bill until they collected enough votes for passage.  Stories like Congressman Nick Smith (Rep. MI) being offered money for his son's Congressional campaign if he would switch his vote. 

In fact, Congressman Brown has won statewide office before.  In 1982 and 1986 he was voted in as Secretary of State in Ohio.  He can win in a state-wide election.  He has before.  It is my most sincere wish that he try it again.  And soon.  Say 2006?

So, that's the run down as I see it today.  If it was Final Jeopardy, I would guess you will see Strickland and Coleman in a primary for Governor & Jerry Springer unchallenged in the race for Senate.  But who the hell knows in Ohio.