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 ne day left! It is almost
hard to believe that after months — years — of campaigning that
it all comes down to tomorrow. Partisans, politicians, and a host of volunteers
here in the Buckeye State are doing everything they can to insure victory
for their candidates. When all is said and done, however, November 7 will
be a big day for Ohio Republicans.
President
Bush will win Ohio. In a poll released Sunday, the Columbus Dispatch
has Bush with a 10-point lead (51-42, Nader 3). Bush's center-right policies,
his affable personality, and the power of Ohio's Republican organization,
combined with Gore's awkward personality and the scandal of the last eight
years, will mean a solid Bush margin in the Buckeye State.
U.S. Senate
Mike DeWine will be the first Republican senator reelected in Ohio since
1972. DeWine will crush his opponent Ted Celeste and will likely top 60
percent of the vote. One could write extensively on the problems of the
Celeste campaign but suffice it to say he never really had a chance. DeWine
is a personable, experienced, moderate Republican who raised $4 million
— ’nuff said.
U.S. House
Tiberi will post a solid victory. The Dispatch has Tiberi holding
a 54-43 lead. In one of the most puzzling tactics of the season, 12th
congressional district candidate Mary Ellen O'Shaughnessy seems to have
bet her race on the popularity of Al Gore. In a state dominated by Republicans,
with Bush consistently leading state polls, O'Shaugnessy continued to
run a national campaign using themes outlined by Al Gore. As a result
Pat Tiberi is likely to succeed his friend and mentor John Kasich. As
O'Shaugnessy attacked with negative ads about "special interests" and
"fighting for you" Tiberi's campaign echoed the successful Bush themes
while at the same time emphasizing Tiberi's roots in the district and
his ties to the popular Kasich. O'Shaughnessy never gave independent voters
a reason to change and her relentless negativity turned many away.
Ohio Supreme Court
After an ugly and contentious battle, waged largely by outside groups,
Republicans are poised to defeat their archenemy — current Supreme
Court Justice Alice Robbie Resnick. Judge Terrence O'Donnell has managed
to claim a slight 4-point lead in this volatile race while incumbent Republican
Deborah Cook clings to a lead within the margin or error. Given Republican
motivation and Bush's likely margin, I believe both O'Donnell and Cook
will prevail (note: potential nightmare scenario where Cook loses and
Resnick wins = highly motivated GOP). This surprising victory will give
the GOP a solid grasp on all three branches of government here in the
Buckeye State.
Individual candidates and their followers will watch the polls late into
the night but come Wednesday morning, don't be surprised to see Republicans
exhausted but smiling.
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