Ohio Newsbreak – End of the Week

Strickland, Stivers, Kilroy, Keno, Provisional Ballots, Unemployment, and more …

• Bill readied to prevent ‘Joe the Plumber’ snoops - Dayton Daily News
• Election results pointing to new religious coalition - Toledo Blade
• Strickland prods Congress for help - Toledo Blade
• Next casino effort will be multi-city - The Plain Dealer
• Brunner orders statewide election audit - Associated Press
• Chunk of Strickland’s Year Spent on Elections – Columbus Dispatch
• 27,000 ballots on hold - Columbus Dispatch
• Stivers leading Kilroy by less than 400 votes (Friday) - Associated Press

• Provisional ballot use increasing - Columbus Dispatch
• Lottery vendor not disclosed at Keno hearing - Associated Press
• Unemployment fund likely broke by end of year - Columbus Dispatch
• Cafaro to lead Ohio Senate Dems - The Plain Dealer
• Batchelder will lead Ohio House Republicans - Columbus Dispatch
• More workers accused of politicking on state time - Columbus Dispatch
• No state records show database checks before ‘Joe’ - Columbus Dispatch

Ohio Election Wrap: Day After Clips from Ohio’s Newspapers

Presidential Coverage

• Obama Sweeps to victory as first black president
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Obama, American voters make history
  – The Plain Dealer
  
• Win restores blacks’ faith
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Analysis: How Obama Won Ohio
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Impressive showing but no Ohio turnout record
  – The Plain Dealer
  
• Editorial: Obama presidency is break from the past
  – Canton Repository
  
• Editorial: President Obama is change to cheer
  – Dayton Daily News
  
• Editorial: Making History
  – Akron Beacon Journal
  
• Voters rejoice at Obama’s election – Cincinnati Enquirer
  

• Obama wins Ohio, Michigan – Presidency in Landslide
  – Toledo Blade
  
• ‘Joe the Plumber’ will take his politics online
  – Toledo Blade
  
• Editorial: The View Forward
  – Toledo Blade
  
• Editorial: Now time to unite behind message of hope
  – The Plain Dealer
  
• Editorial: Not the day to be cynical
  – Dayton Daily News
  
• Editorial: Election brings change to America
  – Cincinnati Enquirer
  
• Election Problems? Not in Ohio
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Day smoother than expected despite some glitches
  – Columbus Dispatch
  

Ohio Candidates and Issues

• Dems wrest back control of Ohio House
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Stivers, Kilroy winner likely not know for 10 days
  - Columbus Dispatch
• Boccieri to replace Regula
  – Canton Repository
• Driehaus ousts Chabot
  – Cincinnati Enquirer
• Democrats reclaim Ohio House
  – Associated Press
• Cordray rolls to big win
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Editorial:
  Payday Lenders Lose Big in Ohio – The Plain Dealer
• Montgomery County results still being counted – Dayton Daily News
• Boehner will seek return to House leadership
  – The Plain Dealer
• Dems expand majorities in Congress but Ohio races up for grabs
  – The Plain Dealer
• Husted winning State Senate seat
  – Dayton Daily News
• Dems close to regaining control of Ohio House
  – The Plain Dealer
• Fudge, LaTourette, Kucinich win – The Plain Dealer
• Casino, Payday Lenders denied
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Voters choose no on casino – The Plain Dealer
• Payday lenders defeated at polls
  – The Plain Dealer
• Ohio defeats gambling, keeps lending limits – Associated Press
• Paper ballots hold up counts in Ohio counties
  – Associated Press
• Editorial: Ohioans wisely say no to casino
  – Canton Repository

Ohio Election Update – 11 p.m. – Election Day

Obama Wins Ohio

• Obama wins Ohio, takes big electoral lead – Associated Press
• Cordray wins AG Race – Associated Press
  
• Judge grants Brunner’s request to consolidate cases – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Celebrations begin among NE Ohio Dems – The Plain Dealer
  
• Age a bigger concern than race - The Plain Dealer
  
• Montgomery County coming in faster than expected – Dayton Daily News
  
• Reports: Ohio Casino Issue Failing – Dayton Daily News
  
• Ohio GOP Chairman congratulates Obama ‘president-elect’ – Dayton Daily News
  
• Brunner calls it a smooth election – Dayton Daily News
  
• Cordray promises “culture of respect” – Toledo Blade
  
• Boards of Elections set to deal with provisional ballots as polls close – Toledo Blade
  
• Exit Polls: Moderates, Women help Obama win Ohio – Associated Press

Ohio & Indiana Election Update – 6:00 p.m. – November 4

6 p.m.

Indiana

• Judge orders GOP to follow rules on challenges
  – Indianapolis Star
  
• Obama campaign makes last dash to Indy
  – Indianapolis Star
  

Ohio

• Things calm on University Circle
  – Columbus Dispatch
• No longer discouraged
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Did you see that?
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Buyer’s Remorse
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Mystery absentee ballots appearing
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Exit polls are out for what it’s worth – The Plain Dealer
• Ohio GOP asks judge to act on provisional ballots – Dayton Daily News
• Ohio House up for grabs for first time in long time
  - Associated Press
• ID issues in Delaware (UPDATED)
  - Plunderbund
• Field Report
  - Ohio Daily Blog

Ohio Election News – 4:30 p.m. – Election Day

4:30 p.m.

Marion County ballot handling raises concern – Columbus Dispatch

Ohio reports heavy turnout; some confusion over provisional ballots – Columbus Dispatch

Ohio Republican Party questions OSU students’ intentions
–Columbus Dispatch

Ready for prime time
– Columbus Dispatch

Calm before evening storm?
– Columbus Dispatch

Official thinks rush is over
– Dayton Daily News

Warren County elections website down, expects to be back up tonight
– Dayton Daily News

Ohio: big lines but no big problems
– Associated Press

Longest waits in Lucas County – Toledo Blade

Secy of State: Last voter rush expected – WHIO

Heavy early voting may lead to record turnout
– Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio GOP presents more complaints about Brunner – Wall Street Journal

Voting Fine in Bexley, Montrose Elementary

I know, I know. Not exactly a hotbed of unrest here in Bexley. However, I was greeted by Lt. Governor Lee Fisher out doing a last-minute stump for Obama and Nancy Garland. Nancy was there too, with volunteers. They kept the appropriate distance …

Had to wait about a half hour to vote at 10 a.m.

Voted for Obama, Robinson, Garland, against 6, for 5, O’Grady, etc.

Ohio’s Morning Papers – Election Day

Columbus Dispatch

• Editorial: Energized
  
• Palin, Biden wind up in Ohio
  
• Are Polls reliable or hiding the truth?
  
• Campaigners make final appeals
  
• Congressional races to watch tonight
  
• Paper ballots put on standby
  
• Will ‘04 debacle haunt ‘08?
  
• Whole world is watching Chillicothe cast its ballots
  
• Electricity, education bring cash to races
  

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• About 25% of NE Ohio voters have already cast ballots
  
• Ohio voting machines to be tested today
  
• Voters glad to see end of record run of TV ads
  
• Palin, Biden stump NE Ohio on last day
  

Dayton Daily News

• Palin, Biden roll through
  
• Brunner: Have confidence in voting
  
• Ohio congressman asked to leave polling place
  
• Editorial: Ohio election not likely to be stolen in 2008 either
  
• Rod Parsley speaks out
  

Toledo Blade

• Day of decision arrives
  
• Biden, Palin make last appeal to Ohio
  
• Rx sought for election anxiety
  

Cincinnati Enquirer

• Record turnout likely
  
• ‘Blood money’ cited in campaign

Ohio: Latest Election News Update – PM – November 3

From Ohio’s Major Newspapers

• Biden makes one last plea to Ohioans - Toledo Blade
• Coal becomes burning issue at end of campaign - Columbus Dispatch
• Final Ohio Poll puts Obama as likely winner - The Plain Dealer
• Hundreds endure long lines at Lucas County voting center - Toledo Blade
• Early voters nearly a third of expected total: Officials - Akron Beacon Journal
• Palin starts final day of campaigning in Lakewood – The Plain Dealer
• Long waits during final day of early voting - Dayton Daily News
• Officials confident we won’t see goofs like in ‘04 - Columbus Dispatch
• What local bloggers are saying about the election - The Plain Dealer
• Potential pitfalls on election day - Columbus Dispatch
• Dems feel good heading into Tuesday – Columbus Dispatch
• Final list of Ohio House targeted races - Columbus Dispatch

• Crowds flock to Obama – Columbus Dispatch
• McCain: Momentum “Here” – Columbus Dispatch

• New Voters: Blue Tint – Columbus Dispatch
• Late night for early voters – Columbus Dispatch
• Kilroy, Stivers still sprinting - Columbus Dispatch
• Joe the Plumber sign of the times – Toledo Blade

From the It Ain’t Over Department

Right-wing headline writer Matt Drudge is reporting tonight that Zogby one-day polling on Friday has McCain back within the margin of error in his race against Obama. From the Drudge Report:

ZOGBY SATURDAY: Republican John McCain has pulled back within the margin of error… McCain outpolled Obama 48% to 47% in Friday, one day, polling. He is beginning to cut into Obama’s lead among independents, is now leading among blue collar voters, has strengthened his lead among investors and among men, and is walloping Obama among NASCAR voters. Joe the Plumber may get his license after all…

Things have felt a little heady lately if you’re an Obama supporter in a state like Ohio.  Democratic organization, mirroring Obama’s own efficiently run campaign, is at a level many of us have never seen.  In conservative Indiana – which went for Bush in 2004 by 21 points – Obama may win.  Zogby’s poll is national, but remember we’re in 50 state contests.  Zogby’s polling is a reminder that we can’t let up until the last polls close on the West Coast on November 4.

Pour it On!

Campaign stays hot in Ohio: 2008 Elections Coverage by Ohio’s Major Dailies

Columbus Dispatch

• McCain camp sees gap tightening in battleground states
  
• Clinton talks up Obama in Youngstown
  
• In So. Ohio Hillary says Nation needs Obama
  
• Obama army blankets Ohio
  
• Editorial: Sex, Lies and Gifts
  
• The Arnold heading to Columbus
  
• GOP says sorry to House Democrat
  
• Obama likes Clinton vet to serve as CoS
  

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Clinton, Strickland stump for Obama
  
• McCain ends bus trip with muscle
  
• Springsteen campaigns for Obama this weekend in Cleveland
  
• McCain’s third stop leaves open field
  
• McCain gives shout out to ‘Joe the Plumber’ relatives
  

Dayton Daily News

• Election Board to probe Husted’s Residency
  
• Boehner calls Obama barnyard name
  
• Biden calls McCain Bush’s Sidekick in Kettering
  
• McCain, ‘Joe the Plumber’ draw crowds across Ohio
  
• Judge throws out suit to take Obama off Ohio ballots

When the Far Left Needs to Just Shut Up

Why can’t we just continue to let the McCain campaign, the RNC and assorted Right-Wingers make asses of themselves throwing around words like Marxist and Socialist, faking beatings by Obama supporters, race baiting at rallies and talking about things like ACORN?  They simply further marginalize themselves day by day – now hour by hour - on the way to Election Day.

Well, here come the Lefties.  I don’t mean the Keynsian economics lefties or the folks who believe health care is a right.  I’m talking about the straight-up emotionally unstable idiots who tilt to our side and feel the compulsion to say some crazy shit right before the election.  Just like when every time I hear blowhards like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity speak the crazy talk and hang it on the Republican Party, my Republican friends here the Erica Jongs of the world say something stupid and they doubt Democrats.  I read about Jong’s incendiary remarks to an Italian media outlet earlier today.  Here’s what Jong said:

“The record shows that voting machines in America are rigged.” 

“My friends Ken Follett and Susan Cheever are extremely worried. Naomi Wolf calls me every day. Yesterday, Jane Fonda sent me an email to tell me that she cried all night and can’t cure her ailing back for all the stress that has reduces her to a bundle of nerves.”

“My back is also suffering from spasms, so much so that I had to see an acupuncturist and get prescriptions for Valium.”

“After having stolen the last two elections, the Republican Mafia…”

“If Obama loses it will spark the second American Civil War. Blood will run in the streets, believe me. And it’s not a coincidence that President Bush recalled soldiers from Iraq for Dick Cheney to lead against American citizens in the streets.”

“Bush has transformed America into a police state, from torture to the imprisonment of reporters, to the Patriot Act.”

The Second American Civil War?  “Blood will run in the streets …?”  Good Lord, give me a break.  I talked last week about Ashley Todd’s antics being irresponsible and reprehensible.  I have to say the same thing for Jong, although I might agree with her on some issues such as the Patriot Act and the Bush Administration’s legalization of torture – the new family value.

Jong’s words are just as irresponsible as Todd’s carving a backwards “B” into her own gourd.  There is a tinge of racism in her words with “Civil War” and “blood will run in the streets.” 

This race is still tight.  Barack Obama has stayed on message for nearly two years and we’re still running too close to call in too many places.  The few undecideds or those wavering need to understand that most Obama supporters are in it for the change in economic and energy policies, the hope that this man who would be president will finally deliver on the Clinton promise to put people first over special interests. 

Crazy talk doesn’t help us get there.

Ohio Politics and Elections Coverage: Five Days to Election Day

Recent Coverage by the Columbus Dispatch

• Clinton boosts Obama with Ohio appearances
  
• Obama dips but still has comfortable lead
  
• Down in polls, McCain tells Ohio crowd he’s coming back

• Feds won’t make Brunner reveal voter mismatches
• Schwarzenegger says McCain in uphill battle
• Palin revs up Chillicothe
• Local pastors emphasize duty to vote
• Agency head defends ‘Joe’ searches
  

Recent Coverage by Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Day of the Plumber
  
• FAQ on Casino question
  
• ‘Joe the Plumber’ joins McCain roadshow in Sandusky
  
• Secy State cancels cross-checking of Ohio’s voters
  
• McCain in Defiance, Ohio reverts to name calling
  

Recent Coverage by Toledo Blade

• McCain tells Defiance crowd he’ll cut taxes
  
• Rush Limbaugh blasts Kaptur
  
• Palin joins ‘Joe’ in Bowling Green
  
• Ohio elections chief: Scrap voter database
  

Recent Coverage by Dayton Daily News

• Ben Stiller ‘Rocks the Vote’ at UD
• Judge to rule Friday on Ohio man’s attempt to kick Obama off Ohio ballot
• Payday Lending pays over $3 million for signatures
• Joe the Plumber hires Nashville publicity team

Just When I Start to Like The Arnold …

According to WOSU this a.m. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California is going to help McCain and Co. pull a play out of the Bush 2004 playbook – appear in Columbus, probably this Friday, with John McCain. The Los Angeles Times confirms. I wonder if Sarah Palin will be there. According to a website called the California Chronicle, the Governator’s endorsement of Palin is less than ringing.

What’s to like about Arnold? Mainly it is his forward thinking on energy policy and the promise of investing in a “green” economy. From afar, California appears to be years ahead of the rest of the country in the laws, policy and investment which will help the U.S. kick the foreign oil habit and clean up the environment. At times, it’s seemed downright refreshing to imagine Schwarzenegger as somewhat of a – well – maverick in Republican circles.

If Schwarzenegger cares about fostering the moderate or even progressive reputation he’s earned on some issues, appearing with McCain, a politician with policies rooted in the 1980s, seems a bit counter intuitive.

Video: John McCain on Meet the Press | October 26 | 10 Days to Election