John Kasich (R) vs Ed FitzGerald (D) 2014 Governer...who wins? (Columbus: homes, casinos)

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by ZnGuy

seems to me that many republican governors are responsible for turning around many states after the previous dem put the state finances way in the red, OH, WI, NJ, NC for instance. Now if Illinois could just elect a Fiscal conservative governor..

I can't speak to North Carolina, but what's going on in New Jersey and Wisconsin are shell games and dirty politics. And many other states with Republican governors, particularly in the south, are buoyed by the fact that they're welfare states receiving more dollars from the Federal government than they send in.

[Chemistry_Guy]

I voted for Strickland last election, and I disagree with Kasich on many things, but I think he was absolutely correct to cut funding to municipalities in order to get the state finances in order. At least in my area, there was quite a bit of fat to cut. Many municipalities have started sharing services, eliminating frivolous initiatives, and basically going through the same downsizing pains that corporations have had to do to become leaner and more efficient.

I hope that the municipalities that are truly close to failing are able to get some aid, but the wealthy suburbs don't really need it. State universities also needed serious cuts, although it is too late in many cases, as the campuses are tremendously over built, and merely maintaining infrastructure will be a huge drag on the bottom line for decades to come.

If Strickland ran again, I would vote for him. I don't think Kasich is perfect, but I do think he has been effective at making Ohio a more competitive state. I disagree with Fitzgerald about firearms laws to the extent that I would never consider voting for him under any circumstances. I predict that Kasich wins in a landslide.

[Kerby W-R]

Hopefully, Ohioans will recognize that FitzGerald is clearly the best choice. The extreme
Right Wing of the Republican Party has taken over and Kasich is following in lock step.

[woxyroxme]

Originally Posted by Fletchman

He definitely seems to be a bit off the cuff and abrasive.

He owes that to his voice and gesture coaches at the Fox channel.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by Chemistry_Guy

I voted for Strickland last election, and I disagree with Kasich on many things, but I think he was absolutely correct to cut funding to municipalities in order to get the state finances in order. At least in my area, there was quite a bit of fat to cut. Many municipalities have started sharing services, eliminating frivolous initiatives, and basically going through the same downsizing pains that corporations have had to do to become leaner and more efficient.

The problem is, things like schools, infrastructure, and vital services aren't frivolous. And, that's where some of the cuts were the deepest.

If Strickland ran again, I would vote for him. I don't think Kasich is perfect, but I do think he has been effective at making Ohio a more competitive state. I disagree with Fitzgerald about firearms laws to the extent that I would never consider voting for him under any circumstances. I predict that Kasich wins in a landslide.

Gotta love the one issue voter... When will you realize that nobody is going to take your toys away?

[Clevelander17]

I do believe that we need more municipality and school district consolidations in this state, and Kasich has said as much. I just wish he'd do more to actually make this happen...unfortunately too many of his constituents live in areas that benefit from being isolated from its neighbors. (i.e. Orange and Highland Hills in Cuyahoga County)

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by ZnGuy

seems to me that many republican governors are responsible for turning around many states after the previous dem put the state finances way in the red, OH, WI, NJ, NC for instance. Now if Illinois could just elect a Fiscal conservative governor..

Seems to me that's complete nonsense. Strickland was not responsible for the economic picture of Ohio during the recession. No one from either party would've been able to do anything about it. Kasich is going to get credit for a recovery that was going to happen anyway, and frankly, Ohio's recovery is pretty far down the list compared to many other states. Democratic-led states are seeing the same, if not better recovery.

[hensleya1]

Irrespective of the blame game, Quinnipiac just released a poll showing Kasich up by 15. Even the RCP averages have Kasich at +9.5, and classify the election as leaning towards the GOP.

As I said before, barring some major event, Kasich is a shoe-in to office. It doesn't help that I know almost nothing about Fitzgerald except that he's from Cuyahoga County (which makes me inclined to vote against him, as there's often only one type of political bent that comes from that corner of the state).

[Cleveland_Collector]

It's a long way to November.

PS - that corner of the state provides nearly 1/2 of the state's economy, no thanks to the hacks in Columbus.

[Natural510]

Originally Posted by jbcmh81

Seems to me that's complete nonsense. Strickland was not responsible for the economic picture of Ohio during the recession. No one from either party would've been able to do anything about it. Kasich is going to get credit for a recovery that was going to happen anyway, and frankly, Ohio's recovery is pretty far down the list compared to many other states. Democratic-led states are seeing the same, if not better recovery.

I believe the thinking goes it's because of Kasich Ohio's economy has improved but Obama's fault it hasn't improved enough. Or something like that. Either way, we're all going to reelect our congresspeople, right?