GOVERNOR'S RACE Strickland: People urged me to give it a try

The congressman said he doesn't have a position on legalizing gambling in Ohio.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland said he opted to run for governor after being urged to do so by people ranging from complete strangers to a former president of the United States.
Strickland, of Lisbon, D-6th, had announced in January that he wouldn't run for governor because his work in the U.S. House was too important, and he "never, ever felt comfortable with the thought of being governor."
But since that announcement, Strickland said Monday, many people approached him and told him he was "the best person to lead this state."
Strickland also said he was urged to run for the job by former President Clinton; Clinton's wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.; and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, to name a few.
Ohio is at the epicenter of national politics, and it's essential to have a Democratic governor here to help the party's 2008 presidential nominee win this key state, Strickland said.
"Ohio has proven to be a critical state in general elections, and having a Democrat as governor would help a Democratic presidential candidate," said John Green, director of the University of Akron's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.
When asked about his vision, Strickland said Monday that he would lay it out in the months ahead. The gubernatorial primary is May 2006.
Strickland took shots at Republicans who have controlled the state's executive branch for more than 15 years. Republicans also make up the majority of the state House, Senate and Supreme Court.
"Our great state is in desperate need of change, and I believe that I have the leadership, the vision, and the drive to lead Ohio to a new day," he said during a teleconference with Ohio media members.
Strickland said the current Republican administration has failed to lead the state and is putting the future of Ohio at stake.
"This is a campaign about ideas and vision, and so far all we've heard from Democrats lately is protest and pessimism," said Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett.
The congressman said it's not just Gov. Bob Taft's fault that the state is facing economic peril. He said other members of the state's elected executive branch also are responsible for the state's poor condition.
Three of those elected executive branch members -- Attorney General Jim Petro, Auditor Betty Montgomery and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell -- have announced their intention to run in next year's Republican gubernatorial primary.
"Ohio is in trouble," Strickland said. "It's on the wrong track and heading in the wrong direction. I've come to believe Ohio is in need of change and desperately, desperately needs hope and optimism."
Bennett said Strickland's decision to get back in the race "shows Ohio Democrats are already second-guessing their candidates and their chances of winning."
When asked his position on legalizing casino gambling, Strickland said he hasn't studied the issue thoroughly enough to have an opinion. But he said Ohio shouldn't have to depend on gambling to run its basic operations.
Strickland will face Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman in next year's Democratic primary.
Strickland also said that if U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown of Lorain, D-13th, had decided to run for governor, he wouldn't have entered the race.
Strickland would give up his House seat, which he's held for six terms, to run for governor.
For a Democrat to compete in the gubernatorial race, he would need to raise at least $7 million, and preferably $10 million, Green said.
Strickland, whose district includes Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County, is viewed as a strong Democratic candidate because he's been on the ballot and won in 20 of the state's 88 counties. Several of those counties are in southern Ohio, where Democrats typically fare poorly.
Some of his views
Also, Strickland voted to ban partial-birth abortions, supports the right to bear arms and is a vocal advocate for fair trade, veterans and seniors.
As for the open 6th Congressional District seat, Strickland said he expects a crowded Democratic primary next year. While not coming out in favor of a particular candidate, he strongly praised U.S. Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, as having "everything a politician could hope for," and someone who "has an exciting political future."
Besides Boccieri, other Democrats considering runs for the seat are Mahoning County Treasurer John Reardon, ex-Mahoning County Commissioner Ed Reese and state Sen. Charles Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-3Oth. Republicans are expected to back Ohio House Speaker Pro Tempore Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool, R-1st, for the seat. But, if Blasdel runs, he'll have a primary. Noble County Commissioner Danny Harmon filed his declaration of candidacy in January with the FEC.
skolnick@vindy.com