12:32 – Lee Fisher has lost his voice. “But it’s nothing compared to the people I met in this state whose voices have been muted by this natural recession.” Cute. Likens himself to Howard Beale on “Network,” and says voters should be mad. Ohhhh boy. This is gonna be good political theatre. “Too many of us who consider ourselves progressive or moderate or reasonable or fair minded are too nice. We’re too polite. And we’re far too calm in the middle of the deepest economic recession in most of our lives.” Says people are mad as hell about breaks for companies that send jobs overseas, and tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. It’s over. Grab popcorn.

12:34 – Portman says Fisher talks about his anger, and says that Fisher has used a lot of partisan attacks. “I have a very different vision. My vision is about how to bring people together and help Ohio.” Portman is going to be shooting Fisher down repeatedly based on the looks of this. He’s talking about all the people he’s spoken to, and sounds very earnest. “Ohio’s falling behind. 400,000 jobs have been lost. We lost jobs last month in the state of Ohio. We’re losing businessses to other states. During this time, my opponent’s been responsible for job creation.” Quotes the Plain Dealer editorial saying Fisher’s been clinging to the party line, and that’s not what Ohio needs. “You’ll probably hear some more attacks, and maybe because he doesn’t want to talk about his record.” Steamrollers the time constraints.

12:36 – Question 1 for Fisher: What do you need to do to change the dynamics?

12:37 – Fisher gets laughs saying “Thank you, Bill, for that friendly question.” Says Portman’s ahead in the polls for one reason and one reason only – his money. Goes on the attack about Portman’s money. Says Portman has received more money than any Republican in the country than Washington lobbyists. Says Portman’s the number one recipient of all candidates in the country from insurance companies. This negativity is going to get ugly REAL fast. Says he’ll win because he believes that when people are mad, they know who to be mad at, and they need to be mad at Portman.

12:39 – Portman says the reason there’s been a shift is because he’s talking about jobs. Says he’s talking about how to turn Ohio around, and attacks Fisher for his big government views on health care. Cites statistics about Obamacare, and says he’s proud of his support. Says he has over 80% of his donors as regular Ohioans. Zing.

12:40 – Question 2 for Portman: Your campaign has focused on job losses relentlessly. What would you have done differently from Fisher if you’d been development director?

12:40 – Portman says the campaign is about jobs, and about how to get them back. He says you should check out his jobs plan at RobPortman.com. Says he has specific ideas to turn things around, but doesn’t mention any. Weak answer. Also hits Fisher for his constant attacks. Then turns to what he would’ve done, and says he would’ve actually talked to business owners. Apparently Fisher never even visited businesses around the State. “First thing you do is show up. Second thing you do is run a Department of Development that’s actually effective.” Quotes Strickland saying the Department of Development has been too slow. Ouch. That’s going to leave a mark. Says 9 out of 10 jobs have gone to other states. Then says the real question is what to do now.

12:42 – Fisher says Portman was in DC and lobbying while he was trying to run the first strategic plan for development. Says what people want is people who work day and night in an economic storm knowing people doing it didn’t cause the recession. Talks about an award he won for being running Development. Goes overtime.

12:44 – Question 3 for Fisher: “You accuse your opponent of supporting a tax break to send jobs overseas. Do you support income deferral even though CEOs say it’ll end more jobs?”

12:44 – Fisher says any country should have the right to do business anywhere around the world, but the tax code should incentivize American jobs. Talks about trade deficit under Bush, and says for ever $1 they export to other countries, we’re importing $8 dollars worth of goods. Says he wants a national job creation tax credit. Sounds almost like a Republican saying national priorities are inside out. Then goes on the attack against Portman for his time as Bush’s trade director. Snore.

12:46 – Portman says there’s a critical difference between him and Fisher. Says Fisher wants to raise taxes even though Ohio business leaders say it’s a bad idea. Says Fisher cares more about a soundbyte than about the 17,000 Ohioans who will lose their jobs if Fisher’s tax increase is put in place. Says corporations selling products all over the world creates jobs in Ohio. Portman’s too bloodless. He needs to hit Fisher hard.

12:47 – Question 4 for Portman: You’ve been sponsored by American Crossroads. Do you think groups like that should be required to disclose the sources of their money?

12:48 – Portman says he can’t be involved with American Crossroads, and points out that Fisher has independent groups advocating for him, too. He says he’s talking about his vision, and can’t pay attention to American Crossroads. Says he can’t stop American Crossroads from coming in, but they’re not his focus. Ducking the question. Hits Fisher for false ads and being economically illiterate.

12:50 – Fisher says “that answer was bought and paid for by American Crossroads and the US Chamber of Commerce.” Gets laughs and applause from the audience. Must be a pro-Fisher audience. Still whining about money. “This is not an auction. This is a race where we talk about those people who are mad as hell.” Will he stop sounding like an agitator? This is only appealing to the most crazy progressives.

12:51 – Intercession by moderator to advertise who is sponsoring the debate. Now hearing questions from audience members.