Is Hillary Carrying Ohio?

Dorothy and her ruby red slippers recently got a ride in one of Ohio's fair balloons.

With her cuddly but rascally pooch Toto in tow, and the Scarecrow and Lion left below, a wise and beloved politician flew Dorothy up over the green landscapes of Munchkin Land, to look down sparkling golden roads, and view the wizard's white house at the heart of the Emerald City.

It gleamed prettily, and everyone smiled giddy with hopeful anticipation.

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Last week, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D) stepped up to publicly back Hillary Clinton in her quest for the Democratic Party's nomination to President.

Strickland proclaimed "..I'm doing it because I feel strongly that she is the candidate that can speak to the issues important to Ohioans.." such as national security, health care, education, energy independence, family values and economic growth.

Hillary is quoted as responding: "Obviously the road to the White House goes through Ohio.. I'm going to be very proud and grateful to have Governor Strickland traveling that road with me."

It's not very surprising that a Democratic governor would come out in support of a Democratic candidate, but there's something special about Ted and the powers that back him in Ohio.

Ted Strickland is a protestant minister, a psychologist and a professor, and has held congressional position. He is a bit progressive, a little bit traditional, wholly pragmatic and seems to have a heart of gold; which makes him very popular to both Ohio's metropolitan and rural voters.

He can be softly stern, friendly and firm. The kind of person you like working with because he is both driven and cooperative. He's good at eye contact.

One of the most interesting things about Ted's political career is that a large contingent of normally Republican financial backers came out publicly to back him in his run for the Ohio governorship.

This can be partly credited to the fact that Ohio traveled a rough course under the previous Republican leadership. Both the house and senate in Ohio had Republican majorities while serving under Republican ex-governor Bob Taft.

Taft's tenure raised eyebrows and ire with increased taxes, ethics controversies, and investment scandals that seemed to slip millions into the pockets of party friendly folks.

Additionally, Ohio suffered under Republican Bob Ney's conviction,  unprecedented voter irregularities in 2004, numerous investigations into possible voter fraud, and the insensitivity to conflict of interest issues when the then Republican Secretary of State Ken Blackwell was both head of the states election board and co-chair of President Bush's reelection committee.

Ohio had been ripe for change, and the nation seems in a currently similar spot.

All that aside, Ted Strickland ranks tops with Ohioans in regards to the job he's been doing as governor. A recent University of Cincinnati poll boasts a 69% approval rating for him among the overall state, as well as a whoppin' 65% approval rating from among Ohio Republicans.

Rumors have it that Strickland's name has been bandied about as a possible Democratic Vice Presidential pick, but he has staunchly stated that he would turn such an invitation down as he wants to remain Ohio's governor for many years to come.

Ted Strickland is a beloved Ohio politician, and a near perfect representative of the middle class moderate Ohioan.

It may be fair to say that as goes Ted, so may go Ohio.


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15 November 2007

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Bill's Spirit is honored to have been selected as a member of Gather's "Election 2008 People's Press Corps"

Bill's Spirit is an Artist, Writer, Poet, Philosopher currently wordsmithing from a humble forge in small town Ohio.

The works of the man behind Bill's Spirit have been published in small alternative and amateur presses since 1986. Before that, they just filled notebooks, took up space on walls and gathered dust in piles and boxes.

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