Non-Ohioans pour nearly $2 million into governor's race

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sat, Apr. 29, 2006
Non-Ohioans pour nearly $2 million into governor's race
JULIE CARR SMYTH
Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio - California businessman Robin P. Arkley II has a horse in Tuesday's primary race in faraway Ohio. So does Penna Dexter in Plano, Texas, a regional representative for Concerned Women for America.

New Jersey developers Howard and Betty Lou Schwartz, who also list a retirement address in Florida, have given $40,000 split equally between a Democrat and a Republican running for Ohio governor.

Out-of-staters have poured almost $2 million into Ohio's 2006 race so far, more than an entire gubernatorial election costs in many states. Democrat Howard Dean's 1998 victory in Vermont, for instance, came in a race where the candidates raised $775,880 combined.

The non-Ohio contributions are helping push up the price of the election to what may ultimately be a record-breaker for the state.
(snip/...)

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/14461307.htm

[partylessinOhio]

1. None of the candidates are worth a dime. It is a disgrace that we have no

qualified candidate running. Where is my party? Why do they continually drop the ball. You cannot win elections when you do not think ahead and run the right persons, work like hell to get out the vote and then make sure the votes are counted.

None of these candidates are going to do anything to make Ohio better.

[columbusdem]

2. Are you kidding?

"None of these candidates are going to do anything to make Ohio better."

If you think that Strickland would do worse that religious right nut Blackwell, think again.

[partylessinOhio]

3. Strickland running on his family Bible was a complete turnoff. Of course

Blackwell is the worst of the bunch.

Couldn't we have a "best" candidate and not have to pick the least of the worst?

[liberalnurse]

4. Strickland is not

running on his Bible.......

Here are his issues...his vision for Ohio:

http://www.tedstrickland.com/vision

Turnaround Ohio: the Strickland/Fisher plan to create and keep jobs in Ohio by investing in Ohio's strengths, such as energy production and entrepreneurship, while bringing us the jobs of the future by making sure that we have the most educated workforce possible.

We know that healthy, happy children are able to learn; that good learners in effective schools become educated learners ready to contribute as workers; that able workers stay where there are worthy opportunities. We know that when good jobs are performed well, for fair pay, we start a cycle of success that builds its own momentum, creating opportunities for new investment, a growing tax base, stable families -- everything Ohio has been losing for almost two decades.

Turnaround Ohio is the Strickland/Fisher strategy to make sure we start that cycle of success here in Ohio, and here are its key components:

1. Provide every child a fair start through access to high-quality early care and education.

2. Create schools that work for every child by giving teachers the tools and technology they need to stimulate creative, problem-solving students to power Ohio's 21st century economy.

3. Dramatically increase the number of students in Ohio's colleges and universities by broadening access and ensuring that those who attend succeed and graduate with a degree that counts.

4. Focus on Ohio's strengths by building on Ohio's regional economies and globally competitive industries, spurring small and mid-size business growth, supporting emerging entrepreneurs in our cities, fostering innovation and unleashing the potential of Ohio's great universities and investing in next generation energy as a job source as well as a resource.

5. Provide all Ohioans the opportunities to attain skills for high-quality jobs.

6. Stabilize health costs for government and businesses alike and advance the health of our citizens by increasing the number of Ohioans who have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, preventing illnesses and injury and focusing on community-based services for children, families, older adults and persons with disabilities.

7. Retain, create and attract jobs worthy of Ohio workers by focusing on industry sectors in which Ohio companies are growing, and which will spur our economy to generate wealth and prosperity for the future.

[partylessinOhio]

6. Have you seen Strickland's TV ads?

He is definitely running on his family Bible (it's in his ad) and being from a poor family saying something like, sometimes he didn't eat, making sure that his brothers and sisters ate first.

Do you think he will win against the machine?

We need a candidate with name recognition. You have to admit that Blackwell unfortunately has name recognition. His ads are running every hour, for marriage between a man and a woman and pro-life. Fristians will eat that stuff up.

[liberalnurse]

8. He is what he is, and he acknowledges

being a Minister....as I would being a nurse. He also notes his degree in psychology, his family heritage etc. Lets keep in perspective, he is a Minister and not some christian fundie brandishing a shield of Christianity for self illumination and cheap profit....Strickland is authentic. I appreciate hearing his full resume' establishes his Democratic values as a compassionate civil servant form the beginning of his adult career.

[partylessinOhio]

9. I want church and state SEPARATE!

We have had enough of that from the Fristians.

I think the Dems are handing the state over to the Repugs again and that is beyond sad.

[liberalnurse]

11. So do I and so does Ted Strickland.

He just happens to be a Minister. A trade skill he secure prior to his political career. You are tagging Strickland with a defect that is not his forte.

[AndyTiedye]

5. They Know the FIX Is In

[partylessinOhio]

7. I think you are right.

My "Official Voter Information Guide" says:

#3. Review and Print Ballot for Verification

On the summary page, you will review your ballot. Then to verify your selections, "Print Ballot" and you will see an enclosed printed copy of your choices to the right of your unit.

After reviewing your ballot printout you can either cast or reject your ballot. OHIO LAW ALLOWS VOTERS TO REJECT THEIR BALLOTS A MAXIMUM OF THREE TIMES.


What is the need for three rejections? Does that leave an opening for "someone" to reject ballots and recast them after the voter leaves the electronic touch screen?

[TexasLawyer]

10. Scariest quote of the week

"Frankly, I think that race is the most important in the country this time around, period. I think Ken Blackwell has the potential to be a national leader in the Republican Party. He could potentially be president of the United States someday, and the first black president at that."

Nearly a quarter of the $3.8 million Blackwell has reported raising before Tuesday's primary has come from out-of-staters, more than any other candidate.