Two major Ohio newspapers issue endorsements in Ohio governor race

Staff/wire report

Two members of the Ohio Newspaper Organization today issued endorsements for the Ohio governor’s race.

The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, the state’s largest newspaper, endorsed Republican John Kasich. The Dayton Daily News endorsed incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland.

The Plain Dealer writes that Kasich’s opponent is a safe bet who isn’t likely to bring about change or make big mistakes.

But the newspaper says Ohio needs someone who can help the state regain its self-confidence — all while digging the state out of a budget hole.

The Plain Dealer calls Kasich a wild card who’s eager to shake up the status quo.

The Cleveland newspaper says it would be easy to put its weight behind Strickland as it did in 2006. Instead, The Plain Dealer endorses Kasich for the Nov. 2 election — with a bit of trepidation.

The Dayton Daily News endorsed Strickland, recognizing his leadership through “tough times.” “Gov. Ted Strickland has presided over the state in the worst possible times.

Yet, he has pulled the state through a certified crisis as well as anyone could,” the endorsement editorial said.

“Hard as it is to imagine, other states’ economies and their governments are

worse off than Ohio. In some cases, much worse.

“John Kasich, the Republican challenger, is running on promises he can’t possibly keep, relying on rhetoric from a generic Republican playbook,” the editorial continued.

The Plain Dealer and The Daily News are members of the Ohio Newspaper Organization, which comprises the state’s eight largest newspapers, including The Vindicator. The Vindicator has not yet issued its endorsement in the governor’s race.