NYT: Early Intensity Underlines Role of Races in Ohio

[DeepModem Mom]

Early Intensity Underlines Role of Races in Ohio
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and IAN URBINA
Published: May 7, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 6 — For the Democratic Party, the road back to power in Washington begins here in Ohio. But as long-dominant Ohio Republicans struggle with a corruption scandal, economic distress and rising voter unease, Democrats face a challenge in making the state a launching pad to seize control of Congress and the White House, leaders of both parties say.

As Ohio turned from the primaries last Tuesday to its competitive thicket of contests this fall, party officials and analysts said one of the Democrats' most alluring targets, Senator Mike DeWine, seemed less vulnerable than he had earlier this year.

And Democrats said that while they were hopeful they would be able to elect the first Democratic governor in 16 years — filling the seat of Bob Taft, who is leaving office after a corruption scandal — the fight will not be easy.

The intensity of political activity here underlies Ohio's status as the most contested political battleground in the nation, where nearly all of the forces shaping American politics today are on display....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/washington/07ohio.html?hp&ex=1146974400&en=9f701581c580ff79&ei=5094&partner=homepag

[IndianaGreen]

1. Senator Mike DeWine, seemed less vulnerable than he had earlier this year

What the Hell is going on in here? We have another story posted in DU about Santorum making gains on Casey in PA and now we have this crap from NY Times saying that DeWine is "less vulnerable." Are these people trying to change voter expectations by telling the voters that the asshole republican will do better than expected?

DeWine and Santorum are the same assholes now that they were 6-months ago.

[OzarkDem]

2. DeWine is behind

Brown is out raising money, as he should be.

The candidate to worry about in our end of the state is Betty Sutton, who lives in OH-14, but won the Dem primary in OH-13 by running a nasty, mean spiritied and totally vacuous campaign against Tom Sawyer.

Now OH-13 is stuck with a weak and unlikeable carpetbagger candidate to run in a race that the GOP has targeted to win.

Emily's List is now on OH-13 Dems shit list.