Governor: ‘I am in good shape’

December 11, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Strickland Ready For Cage Fight

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland quips about his health with Vindicator politics reporter Dave Skolnick during a Dec. 10, 2009 visit to Youngstown. Strickland says he's in good shape and to bloggers who say otherwise " Bring it on".

YOUNGSTOWN — Gov. Ted Strickland said his health isn’t an issue and joked that he’s ready to fight those who think otherwise.

“I had a recent checkup, and one of the best cardiologists in the world tells me that I’m in pretty damn good shape,” he told The Vindicator on Thursday.

Strickland, 68, said Internet reports claiming he is ill or has a serious medical condition are completely false.

“I am in good shape and ready for the fight,” he said. “If any of those bloggers want to take me on in a cage fight, bring them on. Bring them on.”

Strickland will run next year for a second four-year term as governor. The leading Republican candidate for governor is ex-U.S. Rep. John Kasich. Polls show the two in a statistical dead heat.