Republican grip on Ohio weakens with state’s woes [View All]

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Republican grip on Ohio weakens with state’s woes
Iraq death toll also has effect on GOP.

Published Sunday, August 21, 2005
GROVE CITY, Ohio (AP) - In November, Ohio was at the center of the national political stage, delivering the White House to President George W. Bush.

Eight months later, the state’s Republican Party is reeling: its leader convicted of ethics violations, a narrow win in a gimme congressional district, an investment scandal that won’t go away.

The troubles play out as the casualty rate from the war in Iraq climbs and the state economy remains stuck in a slump. The war could hurt Bush’s standing in Ohio, mirroring a decline in his popularity nationally. His overall job approval was at 42 percent in a recent poll, with just 38 percent approving of his handling of Iraq.

Diane McCune, who lives in this solidly GOP Columbus suburb, bucked her Democratic roots twice and voted for Bush, but now she’s having second thoughts.

"I’m not feeling so good," McCune said. "I think we maybe made a mistake putting him in there."


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http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Aug/20050821News022.asp