Jennifer Brunner is running for Senate!
Lee Fisher is running for Senate!

I covered what I thought at the Keeler Report. In summary, here is what i said:

1. I am stupefied by all the Democrats who were begging her to run again for SoS – pitching the "team player" angle – and thought it would work. Open Senate seats come along maybe once but probably not twice in a career of a politician. Brunner obviously doesn't see herself as just a Secretary of State. This was her chance and she would have been borderline stupid to not take it. She will have the full-backing of 60th vote Sherrod which will be worth something. She cares more about herself than the Apportionment Board. So would you if you were her too.

2. Saying that Brunner doesn't see herself as a career SoS, she also knows that if Strickland wins in 2010, AG Cordray is the party choice for Governor if he wins in 2010 as well. That must have played a factor in her thinking. And she must have felt both would happen. Not saying they will, just saying that is what she thinks.

3. While 60th vote Sherrod will support Brunner, Fisher will have the backing of Strickland and what he controls…..at least the two of them will have that backing as we start out.

4. Dispatch: Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason might replace Brunner in the SoS race. I guess? Though Brunner is a formidable candidate, her departure does bring about a major opening for the Ohio GOP to take that seat back and hold the Apportionment Board. I wonder, deep down, if the Ohio GOP would rather win the Senate seat or Brunner's. Actually, I am fairly sure it is Brunner's.

5. Will this push out others in the Democratic field – or encourage them to get going on their bid? Neither Fisher or Brunner is backing down – and you can't expect anyone to with this opportunity. If Brunner and Fisher are both going to run and there will not be a clear field, there is no incentive for any of the other possibilities to stay away. It might be easier for someone like Betty Sutton or Peter Lawson Jones to win in a fractured primary – much like Sutton did for her congressional seat in March 2006. (I think this is the most important point).

6. I guess with Fisher making it official that means Bill O'Neill won't be running. He said he wouldn't run if Fisher did. What a relief.

I also think it is important that we note prediciting this race so far out would be foolish. Ask George Allen, Tom Daschle, and Ted Stevens about that.

Well if there was ever a reason update a basically defunct Ohio political blog, this would probably be it. Looks like we got our answer on whether Senator Voinovich will run for a third term in 2010.

Politico: Ohio Republican George Voinovich is expected to announce Monday that he won't seek reelection to the Senate in 2010.

His retirement would give Democrats a shot at an open Senate seat in a battleground state that voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 elections and elected Democrat Sherrod Brown to the Senate in 2006.

After the last couple of days, I am not surprised. But overall, yes, I am surprised. It was always a foregone conclusion he was running. Until something happened.

Let the speculation of who will run begin. I don't know any names you don't – Rob Portman is the likely GOP candidate. Democrats will be fun to watch, as there are about 85 of them who A) want the nomination and B) think they are entitled to it. Lee Fisher, Tim Ryan, Peter Lawson Jones, Marcy Kaptur are names that are bouncing around. Hell, even Zach Space is.

Usually around the end of December I make predictions for the following year. Often they turn out wrong. This one is for 2010, but the motions will start in 2009. Actually, they already have.

If I heard correctly, and someone tell me if I am wrong, that since the late 1960's when the Ohio House expanded to 99, this fall marked the first time the party that drew the lines lost control. That is shocking and speaks to how bad the Ohio GOP has run statewide in the last two cycles. If Democrats can control the Ohio Apportionment Board in 2010, Republicans are going to be in a world of hurt – nothing compared to right now. Democrats probably don't forget how they have been drawn out in the past (see 1991, 2001). Safe to say they will return the favor. Republicans could be in the wilderness for a long time in Ohio if they lose control of the Apportionment Board. A breeding ground for future candidates will take a major hit and many Republicans will find themselves drawn into less friendly districts or even have to face off against each other. The state legislative boundaries will be re-drawn by the five member, partisan, state apportionment board after the 2010 elections. One legislative representative will be on the board for both the Democrats and Republicans. The Governor, Auditor, and Secretary of State control the other three seats. As it stands now, Democrats hold the upper hand.

Hence, Republicans are going to mount an effort like we have never seen to win the Secretary of State post in 2010. Both sides are working under the assumption that both Ted Strickland and Mary Taylor run for reelection and win (right now the first one looking like it is more certain, with Taylor set to be the Democrats big target in 2010 – they really have no one else to go after).

At times the last few months it seemed like the ORP had turned in to an advance team for Jon Husted's all but announced 2010 run for Secretary of State. In the midst of a presidential election, they were more focused on Jennifer Brunner than Barack Obama or other local candidates and races. Brunner deserved a lot of scrutiny. But it was like there were no other races or anything going on in the state. There was a total effort to make her look as bad as possible – more so focusing on her future than 2008 concerns, in my opinion.

Kyle Sisk thinks that Brunner will run for Senate against George Voinovich. I think the party pressure will be far too great for Brunner to abandon her current job when so much is at stake for Democrats to hold that office. Brunner or someone else if Sisk is right, Ohioans are going to see a titanic battle over this job – one that could control the future for both parties in the Statehouse. The Ohio GOP has already signaled as such and the calender hasn't even hit December 2008 yet.

All this is good news for Rich Cordray. We will put our resources into the other three races, leaving Cordray with an easy task to win reelection as AG. There is no doubt he plans on using that office as his springboard to run for governor in 2014. I hope the Republican candidate for Treasurer in 2010 can self fund.

RedState, in a post titled "Rumor of the Day":

I hear that Ken Blackwell, the former Secretary of State of Ohio, is seriously considering throwing his hat into the ring for RNC Chairman against Michael Steele.

Blackwell is active in the NRA, the National Taxpayers Union, and also is a big Club for Growth fan.

Some of the people I talked to this morning said that Blackwell, like Steele, is a fresh face for the GOP, but unlike Steele conservatives tell me they know where Blackwell stands on issues.

Now all we need is J.C. Watts to throw his hat in the ring if we're just out looking for an African-American to go up against Obama instead of looking for the most qualified guy. Republicans should not be engaged in this level of "me-too-ism" that most people find disingenuous anyway.

Hmmm. Hadn't heard that one. As one of the 36.65% percent of Ohioans who voted for Blackwell in 2006, my feelings are pretty clear. I like the guy and would vote for him again. It is true that people know where Blackwell stands. Steele people are a little less sure about.

Quite honestly, I really don't think either one is right for the job. Fact is that Blackwell got blown out in 2006. Yeah, it was a bad year in Ohio to be a Republican – especially to be running to replace Bob Taft. But it wasn't 36.65% bad. I don't see that as an image you want as your party chairman – someone who got blown out in his last election.

The other day I started looking ahead to 2010 and the U.S. Senate race here, which will be George Voinovich vs. some Democrat. I have long speculated that Lt. Governor Lee Fisher wants the nomination. And here and here and here.

Last night one of the worst kept secrets in Ohio political circles was confirmed to me: As part of the deal of signing on to be Lt. Governor for the 2006 Strickland ticket, Fisher basically demanded that he gets first shot of the Democrats for any of the statewide offices he wants in 2010. It makes his decision to be take the responsibilities of Director of Development more puzzling; overseeing Ohio in it's effort to attract businesses and high paying jobs is not an easy task. Maybe he decided it was better to be seen trying to do something as opposed to whatever it is the Lt. Governor has done in the past in Ohio, which as far as I know is virtually nothing. Fisher has run statewide before in Ohio with mixed results (barely winning the AG race in 1990, losing that job to Betty Montgomery in 1994, losing to Bob Taft for Governor in 1998, winning with Strickland in 2006).

We all know Tim Ryan wants it too….but he would have to give up his ultra safe House seat for the run. Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones also reportedly has his eyes on Voinovich's seat. There are scores of others as well, but these three names are currently the most prominent.

PD: Backers of Issue 6, the most recent failed effort, say they now are planning a referendum that would establish casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Youngstown and Toledo, as well as Wilmington in Clinton County.

Good map breakdown there of overall county voting of the previous 4 failed referendums. One of the main reasons (though there were a few) that Issue 6 went down in flames this year was that the fact there would only be one casino in one county. It did however get a majority in Clinton County, where it was to be located, and three surrounding counties. Not so good elsewhere. Speaking for myself, I was against Issue 6. Full 2008 statewide results here.

The new plan would have a better chance of succeeding than the previous issues that have failed. In 2006 the plan to allow slot machines in nine locations scattered throughout the state got 43% of the vote – the highest share a "yes" vote has gotten in Ohio. The PD analysis shows that voters closer to the actual location of the casino tend to be more likely to support it. The casino folks know this and are retooling appropriately.

Issue 6 proponent Rick Lertzman said he and his partners are putting together a coalition of new backers in the six counties where the casinos would be located. He said his objective is to present a united front and avoid bickering among different parts of the state.

Eventually a casino will be built in Ohio. Just because it has been defeated statewide four times now doesn't mean we have heard the last of it. There is too much money for the casino owners to make to give up (Oops, I mean they care too much about the well-being of Ohioans to give up). It might happen next time or the time after or the time after that. But one of these days, the casino people are going to get the right proposal with the right message (tie in with a small reduction on property taxes?) on the ballot at the right time. If the economy stays in the tank here, which based on our high taxes and poor business climate it probably will, conditions are more ripe for passage.

Unless Ohio stars raking it in through Keno. I played for the second time last night and ended up donating $3 to the state. Probably going to need a little more than that, as participation so far hasn't lived up to expectations.

I had a real problem in 2006 with a lot of my fellow right wing bloggers who went after Mike DeWine so hard, even to the point of backing his primary opponent. Senator DeWine was never my favorite, but he was certainly better than the alternative; that is how I always looked at it. I have often wondered if some of my friends on the right are so happy they helped to undermine DeWine at the beginning of his campaign. It turned out that in 2006 it might not have mattered – Sherrod Brown was the right person in the right place at the right time and won. It probably didn't. Sounds familiar to what happened last week.

Same feelings about George Voinovich. He is running for a third term, there is little doubt. Voinovich starts out in a better position than DeWine did; he has stature and name ID that DeWine could never achieve. No one knows how the next two years will play out, and it is doubtful the national environment can get any more toxic for Republicans than it was the last two cycles, but Ohio Democrats are still going to be fighting amongst themselves to get the nomination. A strong candidate will emerge to challenge the sitting senator. They smell the blood in the water and will be moving in for the kill very shortly. The DSCC will also make sure Senator Voinovich doesn't get a free pass like he did in 2004.

I hope that Republicans here realize that there isn't anything to be gained by some sort of nasty primary. Voinovich will win beat back any challenger and can only come out damaged if it happens. That is the reality whether you like it or not – Voinovich will be the Republican nominee if he runs. We really can't afford to lose anymore seats in the Senate. Voinovich is not perfect, we all know that. But just like when you compare Mike DeWine to Sherrod Brown, the alternative is far worse. Senator Tim Ryan or Senator Lee Fisher doesn't sound that great to me.

2010 is going to be monumental in Ohio. At least three big races are on the horizon – governor, senator, and secretary of state. Republicans here in Ohio need to get their act together now. Two straight brutal losses are enough. Right?

Minnesota Senate Update: Coleman's lead down to 206 votes over 30 year New York resident Al Franken. The new total includes 32 absentee ballots for Franken that were in someone's trunk.

International Press: Ben and I sat down for an interview last week with Jonn Elledge from the New Statesman based in London, England. "One is the Ohio politics blog, run jointly by Obama hugging liberal Kyle Kutuchief and arch conservative Ben Keeler. Despite disagreeing on just about everything, the two of them have, so far, managed to work together without accusing each other of being mentally ill. And both reckon their debates have made their own arguments stronger."

Part I – We discuss the vice-presidential candidates, final stretch polling, and Ohio.

Part II – We discuss local races and what to look for on Election Day.

Ben and I would like to take a moment to personally thank Ray Horner for his support of our work on this site by having us on his program. He is a class act and an Akron original. Thank you Ray and keep up the good work.

Columbus Dispatch: Ohio’s inspector general is investigating why a state agency director approved checking the state child-support computer system for information on “Joe the Plumber.” Helen Jones-Kelly, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, confirmed today that she OK’d the check on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher following the Oct. 15 presidential debate. She said there were no political reasons for the check on the sudden presidential campaign fixture though the Support Enforcement Tracking System. Amid questions from the media and others about “Joe the Plumber,” Jones-Kelley said she approved a check to determine if he was current on any ordered child-support payments.

Democrats won't care about this at all – which was also at least the 4th time state computers were used to access his information. To them, the fact that Joe was just asking a question and might hurt their Lord in his run to the White House means that he is to be torn down and smeared right away. The means are justified. They are just doing us a public service. That is really how they think. By the way, as we know by now, Joe's kid lives with him. So who would he owe money to? Himself?

Oh, and Helen Jones-Kelley has maxed out to Obama. Governor Strickland, according to his spokesman, is "satisfied that there are no political overtures to the check on Wurzelbacher (Joe)." Yep. Sure. Move along, nothing to see here.

Joe the Plumber may turn into Joe the Litigant. Jones-Kelley will probably get a promotion to another department when the election is over. Or maybe a position with HHS in an Obama Administration.

Did this happen in Cuyahoga County too?

Unrelated: What is Bill O'Neill talking about? Last time I checked, Steve LaTourette voted against the bailout. Twice. Bill O'Neill was for it. The bailout money in part was used to buy National City Bank and kill Cleveland jobs. I don't get how his own press release in any way helps O'Neill.

Yesterday on Fox News Sunday, "Master Strategist" Karl Rove gave his electoral predictions one week out and he has Barack Obama with 317 electoral votes even if he loses all toss-up states. The sea of blue on his map across the Midwest is remarkable when you consider the source. He has Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana all going for Obama. The margin in Ohio is 4.5%. I believe the organizational strength of the Obama campaign's organization is going to flex is muscle over the next week and be the difference maker in the election to deliver that kind of margin in our state. If Obama wins Ohio by over 4%, then Democrats pick up two congressional for seats for sure (Kilroy, Boccieri) and have a strong chance to unseat three other Republican districts (Chabot, Schmidt, LaTourette). Looking across the rest of the map, Rove has Obama winning Colorado, Minnesota, and New Mexico. Using Rove's map, Obama can afford to lose the toss-up states of Florida, North Carolina, and Missouri and still win comfortably. Again, this is a map endorsed by Karl Rove.

Live Blog Wednesday: Join us Wednesday night to live blog Barack Obama's prime-time address at 8:00pm EST.

The eyes of the nation are on Ohio's 16th Congressional District. Thursday night, the candidates squared off at the University of Akron's Medina County University Center. The debate was moderated by WKSU's M.L. Schultze and hosted by the Ray C. Bliss Institute for Applied Politics. The format was simple and both candidates were very respectful. The only real contention in the debate came during an exchange over the I-90 bridge. When asked about bringing funding back to the district, Boccieri said that he would fight to bring funding back and referenced several needs including infrastructure improvements like fixing the I-90 bridge. Schuring responded by telling the crowd that the I-90 bridge was not in the 16th District and not high on his priority list because he was focused on the district. Many of the people who live in Medina commute to Cleveland for work and I'm sure drive over that bridge every day they go to work. The district isn't on an island. It is that kind of failure to understand how interconnected our communities are that is what has hampered a lot of the regional development in Northeast Ohio.

Much of the rest of the debate was uneventful. Both candidates stuck mostly to the party line of the presidential candidates. Boccieri focused on the economy, creating jobs, and health care. Schring explained why he is a different kind of Republican who can work across the aisle. Both men were complimentary of Ralph Regula.

Why Boccieri Is Going To Win

From JohnForCongress.blogspot.com: "Boccieri holds a strong cash-on-hand advantage over his opponent, Kirk Schuring. While Boccieri enters the final quarter with over $464,000 in immediately-available financial resources, Schuring has only $127,000 on hand."

The campaign finance reports come on the heels of the NRCC cutting $320,000 that had been allocated for a media buy for the Schuring Campaign. Meanwhile, the DCCC continues to commit more resources to Boccieri because he continues to earn it with a smart campaign. Hey DCCC staffer reading this post and considering whether to put those last final dollars into this race… the answer is yes. Double down.

OH-16th In The News:
*89.7 reports on the debate
*ABJ's Stephanie Warsmith reports on the debate
*CNN ranks OH-16 in its top ten
*Medina Sun Endorses Boccieri

Last night President Bush spoke to the nation and repeated the same vague description of the financial bail out plan that we have heard all week. It was a reminder to the nation of who has been there for the past 8 years. Bush announced that he is convening a special meeting today and invited Obama and McCain to participate. Today, both candidates will be flying into Washington for a photo-op with President Bush, the man John McCain has been trying desperately to distance himself from. Hopefully SEC Chairman Chris Cox, the man John McCain hastily called for to be fired, will be there for pictures also. It is good to see President Bush back in the headlines. We Democrats have missed him.

In the midst of all this, Barack Obama has shown why he is ready to be president. He hasn't completely changed his positions, hidden from reporters, or needed a timeout. What I liked most was that Obama said that the American people deserve to hear from the candidates seeking the highest office in the land now more than ever. I completely agree and look forward to Friday's debate. Hopefully John McCain will be able to make it.

Bonus: If you missed Sarah Palin's interview with Katie Couric, you need to press play. It is obvious why they don't want her doing interviews.

Rally. Wall Street ends down only 40 for the week. Tough end to a promising week for the Democrats. Turning on CNBC and seeing all those green arrows pointing up has to hurt. Sorry.

The Senate Gang of 20, originally known as the Gang of 10 and then the Gang of 16 disbanded. They will not offer their terrible energy bill – the one that would have "opened up" some of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling. The entire bill was a CYA and was a sham. This also means that the off-shore drilling ban will expire October 1st, throwing the issue back in the news. It only helps one candidate. Not the one who just wants you to inflate your tires and shut up. And wants his supporters to get in your face.

Unhinged. Charlie Rangel says Sarah Palin is "disabled." Rangel should be worrying about paying his taxes instead of hurling insults. If this guy was a Republican he would have been run out of town long ago. But as is usually the case, if you are a Democrat it doesn't matter. Tom at Bizzy Blog says this is another example of democrats showing PDS, "Palin Derangement Syndrome."

Turning Around. Ohio's August unemployment figures are in. 7.4%. I wonder if Ohio and Michigan are going to just merge. Obviously all the fault of George W. Bush and Bob Taft. It just keeps going up and up. Is there any end in sight?

Potential game at Lambert Field: Joe Biden says the University of Delaware (1-AA) would "kick Ohio State's ass" in football. As bad as Ohio State looked against USC, I somehow I doubt that. Via Taxman Blog. I feel like this blog has mentioned Joe Biden more than we should have over the last week. Those rumors he will be dropped off the ticket still aren't going away, though I don't know who starts these things. For better or worse (depending on your point of view) he isn't going anywhere.

Lastly, a state of the race update by Jay Cost of Real Clear Politics. A good read for supporters of both sides.

So Oprah won't have Sarah Palin on, if this is to be believed. Whatever…this probably helps our side (more on the media below). Oprah is free to do whatever she wants, she obviously has a side in this election. I don't see why so many people care or are surprised over this. She is under no obligation to have anyone on her show if she doesn’t want to. She is a successful billionaire and will do what she wants. No need to get worked up about it. If you are mad at her, then just don't watch. Same with Us Weekly. Just cancel your subscription if you are upset.

Running Behind: Keno, the Ohio Lottery's newest game, finished up its first month of operation this week. As of Sunday, Keno brought in $7.2 million and awarded $4.6 million in prizes, Ohio Lottery officials said. $292 million in yearly sales was the projection.

Flags rescued from the garbage at Invesco Field used today at a McCain event in Colorado Springs.

"Jobs Americans Wont Do": Bizzy Blog on the raid in Mississippi that took place last week.

Ohio State sure looked impressive today! On to USC!

Now some more thoughts on Palin (of course):

1. Overlooked by many is the fact that this race is now essentially a 2 on 1 (at least in terms of candidates). No one cares what Joe Biden says. People will go see him speak because he is a VP nominee, but the only news he is going to make is when he messes up. Obama will still get his big crowds, McCain will still draw his below average size crowds. Palin will draw huge. What was there, about 15,000 in Michigan yesterday to see the two of them together? Same thing in Wisconsin. Think McCain would have got even a third of that on his own?

2. A hallmark of GOP campaigns as of late is the charge that the media are a bunch of biased liberal leaning fake independents who distort stories and go against the Republicans to try and influence the election. The last week was gift wrapped perfectly to bring that issue back to the front. Some people are of the opinion that the GOP/McCain attacks will backfire, that they will need them down the stretch. Wrong. They weren't going to be on our side in any event, and it is more important to have the base enraged at them (rightfully so).

3. By Obama right away going after the "small town mayor" and then Palin using that Scranton / San Francisco line in her speech, it did re-ignite the culture wars and the small town America vs. the urban areas and the elites. She didn't even have to mention any hot button issues to do it. That is not Democratic turf, not where they want to fight. (I actually read this one somewhere and am using it, but I forget where, so if someone else remembers seeing this point somewhere let me know where it was. I would like to attribute it properly, since it was such a great point).

4. Democrats won't take my advice here, but they should. Every personal attack on Palin will be beaten back by our side – I think it is now clear that the base and a lot of others have her back and it will keep blowing up in their face. It is such a waste of energy. Every attack on her is one less lobbed against McCain, who they should really be targeting. But they won't be able to stop from doing it.

You know, I keep hearing how this won't matter at the end, historically VP's have no effect, blah blah blah. We shall see, but I couldn't disagree more with those who are saying that. I guess looking at historical trends Obama would be up by 15% too. The barely above water economy still may pull Obama to victory, but for anyone to deny the race has now shifted is either in denial or delusional.

The comments from the previous post illustrate the dislike between the Romney and Huckabee camps. It is all about the potential 2012 GOP (sorry, the "white party") nomination fight. Off to an early start, considering we are about 80 days away from this year's vote. To me at least, Romney seems focused on helping the party this year. Huckabee seems focused on helping himself. Anyhow…..

John Kerry for VP? I don't think it is that unrealistic. Kerry would love – love – to be out there and go on the attack. I am sure he would relish going after McCain after he rejected his overtures in 2004 to be his VP. He is obviously still bitter he lost last time around and would do it in a heartbeat.

This was a good week for McCain in the polls. State wise we had him +1 in CO, closed to within 4 in MN, +1 and even in VA, +3 in NV. Talked to a candidate running for local office this week who told me that while he has been going door to door he has noticed a real upswing in Republican enthusiasm for McCain in the last couple of weeks. In April he told me there was none.

Who is the biggest jackass in Greater Cleveland politics? Political Science 216 kicks off a contest to find out. From the post: To be eligible, the political jackass must live in Greater Cleveland, which is defined as Cuyahoga County and every county that touches it (Lorain, Medina, Summit, Portage, Geauga and Lake). A politician must be an elected official, a party chair (the Alex Arshinkoff rule), a recent elected official or a current candidate. My vote is pretty clear.

PD: Ohio's ad warning of flu pandemic overdone? Yes. They have run about 9,081 commercials about it during the Olympics, at least the parts I have been able to see. Michael Phelps last night – amazing. How did he win that race?

McCain has his best fund raising month yet, though of course he was out raised by Obama. Too much being made of how he will have "only $84 million" for public financing when it kicks in after his convention. He will have what he needs with that money coupled with RNC help, which will be sizable. Contributions will just go straight to party headquarters and they can then put up ads that don't have to be approved by McCain at the end of the spot. It might end up being a blessing.

Ohio, continuing to TurnAround: 7.2% unemployment. Highest in 16 years. That mandatory sick leave law that is being tossed around will only make things worse. That is worthy of it's own post next week.

Wonder if anything will come out of that church forum tonight in California.

48 hours after telling us peasants to fill up our tires and suck it up, Obama reverses course on off-shore drilling. There is nothing he won't change his position on – and then tell us that we are wrong, that his position never actually changed, we just didn't understand it the first time. No wonder he won't agree to any townhall debates with McCain before the real debates. He doesn't want to be exposed.

CNN: Obama says offshore drilling stance nothing new. Key excerpt: But on Saturday morning, Obama said this "wasn't really a new position."

Obama did reverse course, but his fellow Democratic senator, Ken Salazar from Colorado sure didn't. Salazar said $10 gallon gas won't make him change his mind………………….

Great scene yesterday on the House floor where Republicans kept talking about energy even after Speaker Pelosi shut off the lights and turned off the microphones and TV cameras. One Democrat did stay and watch for a little while – Dennis Kucinich. Regardless, it was the most attention garnered by the Republicans since the 2006 loss of control. For a great write up on this, check out what Da King wrote about it.

Late last week, we did interviews with both Kirk Schuring (me) and John Boccieri (Kyle). Expect to see them here early this week.

Stevens Sinks: A new Ivan Moore Research poll in Alaska shows Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) leading Sen. Ted Stevens, 56% to 35%. However, even though Stevens faces six opponents in the Aug. 26 Republican primary, he still holds a huge lead over chief rival Dave Cuddy (R), 59% to 19%. Meanwhile, a new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Begich leading Stevens, 50% to 37%. Alaska Republican primary voters need to wake up. Now.

OH-3: Jane Mitakides, Democratic challenger to Mike Turner, puts out a release saying that 70% of her funds raised have come from inside the district. Interesting, because around 45% of her total contributions have come from her own household. Over 43% of the total amount raised to date was contributed by the candidate to herself – $140,789.45. Seems a little dishonest and deceptive if you ask me. Turner has over 4x the cash on hand than does Mitakides. The quarterly filing of Mitakides here.

Jesse Jackson Jr. would be interested in Obama's junior senator of Illinois slot if it becomes available. I wonder if he is appointed if he would be fortunate enough to see his primary opponent and general election opponent self destruct and then get to face Alan Keyes in his first defense of the seat. Probably not.

Kyle beat me to the punch putting up the newest McCain ad two posts below. I love it. I like both of the new ones. Democrats do not. They are starting their typical crying about the GOP running smears and negative campaigns. These are smears? Kyle tried to use some sarcasm but he knows it hits right to the core of Obama. McCain is getting more aggressive and putting out better ads right now than is Obama.

Buckeye Punditeers said it this way: Obama may still go ahead and win this election. However, the seeds have been planted for a 100 day assault on him that his campaign may not be able to survive. August is the time to start the assault on Obama's record and past statements.

I would be nervous too if I was them………

I assume many of you already saw this, but just in case ill put it up anyways; I think everybody deserves the chance to read it.

NPR, in a campaign mode story titled "For Some Ohioans, Even Meat is Out of Reach":

Things have changed considerably for this Ohio family….Nunez and most of her siblings and their spouses are unemployed and rely on government assistance and food stamps. Some have part-time jobs, but working is made more difficult with no car or public transportation…

Nunez, 40, has never worked and has no high school degree. She says a car accident 17 years ago left her depressed and disabled, incapable of getting a job. Instead, she and her daughter, Angelica Hernandez, survive on a $637 Social Security check and $102 in food stamps.

Hernandez received her high school diploma and has had several jobs in recent years. But now, because fewer restaurants and stores are hiring, she says she finds it hard to find a job. Even if she could, she says it's particularly hard to imagine how she'll keep it. She says she needs someone to give her a lift just to get to an interview. And with gas prices so high, she's not sure she could afford to pay someone to drive her to work every day.

People tell Nunez her daughter could get more money in public assistance if she had a child.

Let me wipe away the tears that fell on to my keyboard. Get them some Obama t-shirts, stat! These women live the way they do because they choose to do so, every day, likely complaining about how it is so unfair along the way.

Of course, NPR meant the story as one to aid Democrats and Barack Obama and make it look like Ohio is in sort of great depression and can never afford to vote Republican ever again in a kind of "Obama would care about these people and not let this ever happen again" way. I don't think the story did it's job.

No savings. No high school diploma. Never worked. Lived off government her whole life. Yet I am supposed to feel bad because now she can't buy meat. Guess what, I don't. Get a job if you can't afford groceries. There is always someone out there hiring for some job. It might not be a great job, but even at age 40, you can start somewhere. But the way our government doles out money, there isn't incentive for a whole lot of people to do so sometimes.

The backbone of the Democratic voting machine is right here in this story. If Democrats had their way, I would live like that. We all would – having to rely on government to get us through every day. They would pay for my housing, food, and whatever else I needed – making sure I knew I was able to do it all because of their glorious political party. Then they would drive me to the polls every election and tell me if they lose power some evil folks might come into office and make me get a job or something like that. These two reside in Fostoria, part of Ohio's 5th Congressional District, meaning blame can be shifted to the Republicans since their district is represented by Bob Latta.

NPR used our tax dollars to produce this story. I would guess that NPR put some effort into locating a family that had this exact situation with these precise problems.

NaugBlog, Taxman, and Invincible Armor hit on this story as well.