Obama to speak in Cincinnati during AFL-CIO picnic today

CINCINNATI (AP) — President Barack Obama will find that it’s not only the summer weather that cooled down in Ohio this year.

The president planned to attend a Labor Day gathering today with his approval rates down, along with those of the state’s Democratic governor. Meanwhile, state Republicans who were on the run after the election have regrouped.

Obama carried the important swing state last November when Democrats were again dominating across the state.

“The state economy is still very weak,” said Herb Weisberg, an Ohio State University political scientist. “I think more people are getting more concerned about the state policies and the federal policies.”

Former congressman Ted Strickland, who in 2006 handily won election as Ohio’s first Democratic governor in 16 years, has seen his approval ratings tumble with voters restless about the economy and state budget.

Quinnipiac University reported in July that its polling showed that some 46 percent approved of the job he was doing, compared with 57 percent a month earlier. Polling indicated Obama’s approval rating in the state had fallen below 50 percent.

Unemployment in Ohio continued to climb at higher rates than the nation’s in July, topping 11 percent. Ohio has been hit hard by the decline in U.S. automaking and other manufacturing.

Obama’s speech to the annual AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic includes appearances by national union leaders John Sweeney (AFL-CIO president) and Richard Trumka (secretary-treasurer).

The speech comes as Obama’s efforts to overhaul health care are under fire on the eve of his Wednesday address to Congress.

Opposition to Obama was evident Saturday at a Cincinnati “Tea Party” rally in suburban West Chester, where some in the thousands-strong crowd protesting government spending held such signs as “Government-run health care makes me sick” and “Leave our health care alone.”

“People are really worried,” said Rob Portman, former GOP congressman and White House budget chief who is running for U.S. Senate. “I think you see that in the number of people showing up at gatherings like this.”

Portman and former congressman John Kasich, who’s running for governor, head what’s shaping up as a 2010 Republican ticket loaded with past electoral winners as the party tries to rebound after two straight strong Democratic elections in the state.