Gubernatorial Race

  • Most analyses of last night’s debate are out, and what they all seem to agree on is that it was extremely nasty. One thing worth noting, though, is that Strickland unveiled two new attacks in the debate — firstly, the charge that Kasich would raise taxes on seniors, and secondly, that Kasich would privatize social security. Most polls show Kasich leading Strickland with younger voters, but almost dead even with the elderly, so this is probably an effort to get that demographic to break for Strickland. And given that Strickland’s still down 4 in the newest Suffolk poll, he needs that break.

Senatorial Race

House Races

  • Steve Driehaus, Democrat of OH-1, is not a fan of the First Amendment. He’s suing to stop the Susan B. Anthony list from putting up billboards accusing him of voting for taxpayer-funded abortions, claiming they’re untrue.
  • Meanwhile, Politifact is dubious about an NRCC ad accusing Rep. John Boccieri of OH-16 of being Nancy Pelosi’s puppet. He’ll be accused of the same thing in the upcoming debate two weeks from now by Republican challenger Jim Renacci.
  • The SEIU is getting desperate and rallying behind incumbent Democrat Betty Sutton of OH-13. As always, they’re trying to make Republican challenger Tom Ganley the story rather than actually defend Sutton herself. Their big beef is with the “Pledge to America.” Honestly, guys, that’s pretty thin gruel to attack him for. 2008 spending levels are a far cry from Rand Paulian libertarianism. Also, Ganley is sounding awfully confident about his sexual harassment lawsuit.
  • Marcy Kaptur and Rich Iott in OH-9 are still hashing things out. However, Iott is gaining momentum — he has a new attack on Kaptur out, and just got endorsed by a new group.