Reply #3: The Ohio GOP wants to run Jim Petro. [View All]

[Philostopher]

He's no better than Blackwell, but his name recognition isn't all that high, really. Blackwell would have a hard time, since as you note, there are certain white voters who wouldn't go for him, and he's damaged himself with the minority community by targeting them for voter suppression. He announced a couple of weeks ago that if the GOP wouldn't support him, he'd run as an Independent. I have my fingers crossed -- I'd love to see that happen.

Actually, I think Fingerhut wants to run against DeWine, who's also up for reelection this time, I believe. Fingerhut has been serving in the statehouse as an Ohio congressman, so he has some record to run on as a member of the legislative branch. I don't know -- he says he's still game to go, I don't care which office he runs for.

Strickland's also a state congressman, but he might have a broader appeal than Fingerhut, since he's almost conservative. I think he'd have a good shot at governor if he got going soon. He's an okay guy, I've known some people who knew him personally -- he's definitely a good speaker, I remember seeing him almost thirty years ago now at a Democratic fundraiser with my dad. He could only be better at that, now. And I think he's conservative enough to cover all the bases, but not so conservative he'd still get most Dem votes.

Most importantly, they can't play religious freeze tag with the guy -- he has a divinity degree. They won't get any 'deer in the headlights' stare out of Strickland when they start quoting bible verses -- I'm sure he knows the ground well.