As the 2006 elections fast approach, it is time to begin my coverage of the races that may make the difference in November. The first stop is Ohio, a so called "bellwether" in American politics. This year in Ohio, there are two big races, one for the Governorship, and one for the Senate. Governor Bob Taft is not allowed to run again, so the contest will be between Ken Blackwell, the Ohio Secretary of State, and Ted Strickland, a member of the House of Representatives. Ken Blackwell has the dubious honor of being called the Katherine Harris of 2004 for his stringent voter registration requirements which removed thousands of peoples from the voting rolls. (More on Ms. Harris later) Some Democrats have gone so far as to say that Kerry would be in the White House now were it not for Mr. Blackwell. But residual Democratic anger from 2004 is not one of Blackwell's big problems. Instead, Ohio, like much of the nation, is in a fairly anti-Republican mood at the moment. While elsewhere incumbency and unmatched candidates will mean Republicans will hold on to their seats, in this open election between two strong candidates, being a Democrat may be the critical advantage in the race. In the Senate, Mike DeWine is fighting for his political life against Representative Sherrod Brown. Unlike in the race for Governor, DeWine's downfall may come from the conservatives in his own party. DeWine has exhibited something of an independent streak of late. He was one of the 14 Senators who formed the compromise on the Judicial filibuster, incurring the wrath of the Right. I predict that the Democrats will ultimately prevail in both races.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Eyes on 2006: Ohio Edition
As the 2006 elections fast approach, it is time to begin my coverage of the races that may make the difference in November. The first stop is Ohio, a so called "bellwether" in American politics. This year in Ohio, there are two big races, one for the Governorship, and one for the Senate. Governor Bob Taft is not allowed to run again, so the contest will be between Ken Blackwell, the Ohio Secretary of State, and Ted Strickland, a member of the House of Representatives. Ken Blackwell has the dubious honor of being called the Katherine Harris of 2004 for his stringent voter registration requirements which removed thousands of peoples from the voting rolls. (More on Ms. Harris later) Some Democrats have gone so far as to say that Kerry would be in the White House now were it not for Mr. Blackwell. But residual Democratic anger from 2004 is not one of Blackwell's big problems. Instead, Ohio, like much of the nation, is in a fairly anti-Republican mood at the moment. While elsewhere incumbency and unmatched candidates will mean Republicans will hold on to their seats, in this open election between two strong candidates, being a Democrat may be the critical advantage in the race. In the Senate, Mike DeWine is fighting for his political life against Representative Sherrod Brown. Unlike in the race for Governor, DeWine's downfall may come from the conservatives in his own party. DeWine has exhibited something of an independent streak of late. He was one of the 14 Senators who formed the compromise on the Judicial filibuster, incurring the wrath of the Right. I predict that the Democrats will ultimately prevail in both races.
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Unfortunately, the G.O.P. is quite likely to remain strong in the state senate, a political machine infamous for corruption. Plus, gerrymandering.
Yes, the situacion in the Ohio General Assembly is disheartening. It is a reminder that despite its status as a swing state, Ohio has long had single party governance. Currently every single elected statewide office is held by a Republican. And the Republican majority in both houses is almost two to one, I believe.
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