Gubernatorial Race

  • The New York Times conveniently defines Ohio as a test of midterm arguments just as Ted Strickland is making a comeback in the polls, but not enough to count. Yesterday, three new polls put him either down 1 or down 2, in contrast to the nearly double digit leads other polls have given to Republican challenger Jon Kasich. Today, Rasmussen throws cold water on Strickland’s brief triumphalism. He’s still down 8, the pollster says.
  • It might also help if he told his supporters to stop assaulting veterans with scalding hot coffee.
  • Of course, the good news is that John Kasich now has Chris Christie on his side. The bad news is that Christie says he won’t run for president.

Senate Race

  • There may be variation in the governors’ race, but not so with the Senate race. George Voinovich’s old seat is now Likely Republican, according to RCP, following double digit leads in the same raft of polls that gave Ted Strickland false hope.
  • Still, you can’t fault Lee Fisher for his optimism. He’s trying to sneak as many of his voters in under the radar as possible before anyone notices.

House Races

  • The Susan B. Anthony List is putting up billboards attacking Steve Driehaus.
  • …And the Dems don’t care. According to the Examiner, they’re single-mindedly focused on the fight between Republican Tom Ganley and Democrat Betty Sutton in OH-13, and between Republican Jim Renacci and Democrat John Boccieri in OH-16.
  • Sutton isn’t helping her case, though, given that she’s running from a debate with Tom Ganley. Granted, Politifact isn’t happy with some of Tom Ganley’s claims.