Gov. Strickland backs Clinton for president

The governor ‘has no
interest at all’ in being vice president.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — If the road to the White House goes through Ohio, Hillary Clinton picked up a prominent passenger on her trip.

Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat formerly of Lisbon, announced his endorsement of Clinton for president during a Friday teleconference call with reporters.

Strickland said Clinton, a U.S. senator from New York, is best qualified to address the nation’s important issues, including health care, energy and economic growth.

“These serious times call for a leader with Hillary Clinton’s strength and experience,” he said. “Hillary has what it takes to win Ohio and take back the White House in 2008.”

The announcement was somewhat of a surprise. Strickland staffers recently told The Vindicator that it was unlikely the governor would get involved in the Democratic primary.

Strickland said his decision to endorse was “not something I shared with people until” Friday.

Strickland was to travel today with Clinton to campaign in Iowa.

Clinton, the current Democratic front-runner, praised Strickland’s ability to work across political party lines.

“He has united Ohioans to restore integrity and accountability to state government and move Ohio forward,” she said.

An Ohio Poll released Friday shows that 69 percent of Ohioans approve of the job Strickland is doing as governor.

Strickland said Friday that he “has no interest at all” in being a vice presidential running mate. “I love being the governor of Ohio.”

But changing his mind wouldn’t be unprecedented. Strickland said in January 2005 that he wouldn’t run for governor. About five months later, he announced his candidacy for the post.

Clinton said Friday that it’s premature to talk about a running mate.

The Democratic presidential nomination may be decided before Ohio’s primary on March 4, 2008. But Strickland’s endorsement could have an impact on states holding primaries and caucuses before Ohio, said Paul Sracic, chairman of Youngstown State University’s political science department.

“If the argument is about electability, and what matters is who can win in [the key states of] Ohio and Michigan, then having the governor of Ohio endorse a candidate means something,” he said.

Mark Munroe, vice chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party, dismisses the endorsement, saying it’s just one Democrat endorsing another.

Trumbull County Democratic Chairman Christ Michelakis and Mahoning Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini disagree, saying Strickland’s endorsement will have a major impact on the primary and help her win Ohio in the general election.

skolnick@vindy.com