43
Strickland points to character contrast
Photo
Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland
Photo
Governor John Kasich
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
Seeking a needed bump among voters, Gov. Ted Strickland sought to paint a contrast in character between himself and Republican rival John Kasich heading into the final stretch of the governor’s race.
The victor wins control of a key battleground state heading into the 2012 presidential election, a fact that’s drawn attention on right and left from Newt Gingrich, talk-show host Sean Hannity, Bill Clinton and, on Sunday, the Obamas.
Trailing in polls, Strickland, 69, said during a campaign event Monday that Ohio voters would choose “stable, mature leadership” on Nov. 2.
“I am concerned about Ohio’s future if my opponent were to win, because I do believe that he is well outside the mainstream,” Strickland said at Marcy Adhesives, a small business on Columbus’ east side. “I think his thinking and his proposals are reckless and even radical.”
He took particular aim at two proposals by Kasich, a former congressman and House budget chairman: eliminating the state income tax over an unspecified period and replacing the tate Department of Development with a nonprofit board of business leaders.
Strickland also accused Kasich of wanting to “turn back the clock on every progressive initiative we’ve undertaken.” Kasich has said he would scrap public-school reforms Strickland has put forth because they are unfunded. He also has signaled he would re-evaluate renewable-energy thresholds championed by Strickland as part of an energy- reform bill.
Kasich, 58, a former Fox News commentator and Lehman Brothers managing director, continued statewide campaign stops Monday. He has centered his campaign on repairing Strickland’s economic failures.
Despite Strickland’s 2006 campaign promise to “turn around Ohio,” unemployment persists at 10.1 percent. A Forbes magazine ranking last year saw the state drop one rung, to 38th, among best states for business and careers.
Spokesman Rob Nichols rebuffed Strickland’s character attacks on Kasich.
“Given that Ted Strickland’s administration has been one corruption scandal after another, the idea that he has any moral authority to discuss character is laughable,” Nichols said.
Nichols cited several incidents that have landed the Strickland administration in hot water. That included a planned drug sting at the governor’s residence allegedly called off to save Strickland political embarrassment and a Cabinet member disciplined for improper computer use to access the records of Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe The Plumber.