Ohio a Test for Democrats Now, And for GOP's Dominance Later

[kskiska]

By David S. Broder
Friday, February 27, 2004; Page A01

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 26 -- Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary in Ohio, a major and perhaps decisive test of John Edwards's ability to block John F. Kerry's path to nomination, is taking place against a background of unmatched political futility -- and remarkably high hopes that the party's long losing streak may end in November.

With the single exception of President Bill Clinton's reelection win in 1996, Ohio Democrats have gone zero-for-everything over the past 12 years. Republicans control the governorship and every other elected office in the executive branch, both U.S. Senate seats, 12 of 18 U.S. House seats, and both chambers of the legislature.

But with Republicans and President Bush getting the blame for a recession that stubbornly lingers and for the loss of more than a quarter-million jobs in the past three years, Democrats say they have a better-than-even chance to switch Ohio's 20 electoral votes in November and deal a major blow to Bush's reelection chances.

Democratic front-runner Kerry and his main rival, Edwards, have been pounding on economic issues as they have campaigned in union halls, black churches and college auditoriums and posed in front of long-abandoned factories during the week. The latest public poll gives Kerry a lead of 47 percent to 26 percent, but few think the senator from Massachusetts will win by that much, and some see a possibility of an upset. Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich is trailing badly even in his Cleveland home base, and Al Sharpton is not on the ballot.

State Democratic Chairman Dennis L. White said Thursday: "The primary is wide open. Kerry's lead could disappear real fast."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10504-2004Feb26.html

[boilerbabe]

1. let me know what is going on there in Ohio!

We're still wondering who to vote for in CT, I have been a Howard Dean Supporter for quite some time, and it is apparent,that I should support either Edwards or Kerry

[dusty64]

2. Democrats have a VERY good

chance here, however diebold has promised to "deliver" the state to our regime and I have NO doubt that they will pull out ALL the stops to try and make that happen whether the People want it or not.

[sonias]

3. Well here's one less repuke in Ohio

Ohio gay GOP official turns Democrat
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=102&topic_id=387467&mesg_id=387467

Thu Feb 26, 8:25 PM ET
Saying he can't stomach President Bush's support for the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA), a gay Republican leader in Ohio announced on Thursday he is becoming a Democrat.

-----------------------

Yeah Wally O'Dell and his gang of thieves don't make it easy for free and fair elections. Here's more on their efforts:

Diebold, Electronic Voting and the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0225-05.htm
by the Free Press, Columbus, Ohio February 25, 2004

As Blackwell pressures the Ohio legislature to adopt electronic
voting machines without a paper trail, Athan Gibbs wonders, "Why
would you buy a voting machine from a company like Diebold which
provides a paper trail for every single machine it makes except its
voting machines? And then, when you ask it to verify its numbers, it
hides behind `trade secrets.'"
Maybe the Diebold decision makes sense, if you believe, to paraphrase
Henry Kissinger, that democracy is too important to leave up to the
votes of the people.
----------------

Not forgetting Ohio.

Sonia

[Progress]

9. Who is it, Sonias?

Who is the official who switched parties? I couldn't open the link.

[Progress]

10. Could anyone else open the link?

I'd really like to find out more about this.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. My wife and I are both voting for Kucinich on Tuesday.

I'm trying to get my friends to do the same. Not that anyone cares but I just wanted to post something.

[doc03]

5. I am with you

I will be voting for kucinich also. After watching last nights debate Al Sharpten and Dennis Kucinich were the only ones that say what they think and don't try to play both sides of everything. Kerry is on both sides of everything, he has more waffles than Eggos, Edwards isn't much better. I am afraid if Kerry is the nominee that Rove will
destroy him. All they have to do is show Kerry debating himself on everything.

[David__77]

6. Good luck to Ohio Democrats.

They really need to get a game plan to revitalize their state power. They need a thematic campaign.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

7. I was thinking Buck Fush as a general theme.

But then again it might be to subtle.

[mefoolonhill]

8. ohio

Electronic voting machine manufacturer Diebold is headquartered in Ohio. Their CEO has already promised to "deliver Ohio's electoral votes to G.W. Bush." The Democrats there had better figure out a way to make sure the votes will be counted properly.