A week ago, Quinnipiac had the Ohio Governor’s race at 49% to 43% Kasich, and I don’t think anything of note has happened since then, so take this information as reliable, or don’t.
The Ohio Governor’s race is a dead heat with Republican John Kasich getting 47 percent of likely voters to 46 percent for Democratic incumbent Gov. Ted Strickland, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
We’ll be phone banking here this afternoon, as planned, polls or no polls.
I will say this. National media calling this race over in August was yet another obstacle we had to overcome, locally. People don’t vote or volunteer when they’re told repeatedly that the race is over, so thanks for that, professional punditry.
If national political professionals are going to jump into governor’s races, I have a suggestion. They should acknowledge that state races are often volatile, and the numbers move a lot. Once they’re in, and pontificating on state races, they really have a duty to follow those changes daily, and update. If they don’t, they’re helping to decide the outcome. Either do the work properly or don’t weigh in.
That Kasich was a member of that same national media for the nine years that he was on the Fox News payroll is barely mentioned, which is inexplicable to me. He’s a step-brother at their sister network, Fox News. Maybe he’s the daddy. I’m not clear on these familial relationships, but I think it’s relevant and important that we’re potentially hiring a FOX News host-reporter-whatever as Governor of our state, and I don’t know why it wasn’t raised.
In Ohio, former Fox News host and contributor John Kasich is running for governor after spending nine years on Fox News, which paid him $265,000 in 2008. Despite his announced intention, Kasich continued to appear on-air as a Fox News contributor and host. Between March 28, 2008, and June 1, 2009, Kasich was a regular fixture on Fox News’ primetime programming, especially as a guest-host for cable’s top rated news show, The O’Reilly Factor. According to a Nexis search, Kasich guest-hosted or appeared as a guest on Fox News at least 123 times. Indeed, the day after the March 2008 Dispatch article, Kasich guest-hosted for O’Reilly.
During those appearances, Kasich regularly spoke about his own background and accomplishments, and the home of his potential voters, Ohio.
Hannity repeatedly referred to Kasich as “governor” and “soon-to-be governor,” and reportedly held a pricey fundraiser for him last October. Kasich received two $10,000 contributions from Fox-parent News Corp. head Rupert Murdoch and his wife, while News Corp. gave $1 million to the Republican Governors Association, which helps elect candidates like Kasich.
On The O’Reilly Factor, while Kasich made a fundraising appeal, Fox News put the URL for Kasich’s website onscreen. Hannity, meanwhile, told Kasich on July 8, 2009: “You do me a favor. Go get elected governor, although why you would ever want that job, you’re out of your mind, but good luck. And I’m supporting you in the effort.”
Anyway, if you’re in Ohio, email this poll to your list, and ask them to vote.
Maude
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Republicans stayed home because they think that the election is a shoo in?
Oscar Leroy
I can’t believe we’re still having Kasich inflicted on us. At least his buddy Gingrich isn’t running for anything.
Bob L
Or the polls are just BS because they are done to support the narrative of the people paying for them.
artem1s
the Ohio local news casters have been kowtowing to the Fox brand for years now. they are terrified of appearing less strident/outraged/right/in-the-know. They didn’t report kasich’s relationship to Fox as news cause it wasn’t to them.
the only potential hope is that the GOP/tea party has grossly underestimated how offended the African American community is over the dog whistles and such that have been rampant since the 2008 election. Quiet word on the street is they are steamed and ready for some voting booth revenge here in NE OH.
kay
@artem1s:
The local radio people are the worst. They’re all Rush clones. You would think people would get bored. “Talking points” doesn’t even do it justice, that implies some creativity or independent thought or wiggle room. It’s like a script they pass around. I can recite it.
TomG
One thing about elections that has frustrated me for years is the national media’s insistence on announcing results before all polls are closed.
I’m sorry, but this isn’t the 19th century where results took weeks to months. Is it REALLY too much to ask of our national media to wait until all polls are closed in a state before announcing ANY results at all ? I don’t understand why this would be a problem.
evap
National media in general don’t call a race in a state until all polls are closed in the state. They might call them at 1 minute past poll-closing time, based on exit polling, but I don’t think they are allowed to call anything until all polls have closed in a state. That’s my understanding anyway.
WaterGirl
Just found out that a good friend in IL plans to vote for Quinn for governor but is not sure who will get his vote for senator. I am on my way out the door to work and won’t get a chance to put anything together, so if there’s anyone from IL who already has a quick summary of why Alexi G. is the best choice, I would appreciate if you could share it here. I will check in later and forward any good info on to my friend. Thank you!
geg6
I have been in a funk over the Teabagging occurring all over my own state, right next door. Despite all I’ve tried to do for GOTV (usually something that makes me feel better, no matter what the circumstances), the funk has stayed with me.
But I have to say that something happened over the weekend that made me feel a bit better, even if it results in me being overly optimistic again.
My John and I went to do some weatherization to his cabin up in the Titusville/Oil City/Franklin area. This is prime territory for the Teabaggists: rural, overly religious Christianist-types, very white, very old…really, just the epitome of Pennsyltucky.
I complained all the way about how we were going to be seeing nothing but Toomey and Corbett signs and how sick that makes me feel. But I was pleasantly surprised. There were more Onorato and Sestak signs than anyone would have ever guessed. I would put the ratio of Toomey/Corbett to Onorato/Sestak signs at about 2:1. I was heartened by the brave Dems who, in an area of the state that is known for its right wing support, were out and proud about who they support. It made me feel that Pittsburgh/Philly aren’t the only places in the state (with the sole exception of Centre County) that have sane people in the population. If it is true there, I have to hope it’s true with our neighbors in OH.
Ben
@WaterGirl:
What issues does your friend care about? Alexi is solid on LGBT issues and is pretty progressive on most issues.
Triassic Sands
I understand your frustration, but the real problem is the people not the punditry. No one forces them to behave like morons.
debbie
I’m glad to hear of the tightening polls, but I don’t know that I trust them. I got a GOTV call yesterday, and the man asking me if I intended to vote didn’t hear me say, “I always do.” He misheard it as a negative response, sighed deeply, and said he wished I would reconsider. When I corrected him, he cheered right up. He got even happier when I said I was voting for Strickland. I’m thinking he was having a difficult time in making his phone calls.
I’m going to take that double rainbow we had last Tuesday as a good omen for tomorrow. Also, a week ago they were predicting rain for Election Day, and now it’s supposed to be sunny.
urbanmeemaw
I don’t know how Democrats in Cincinnati could have an enthusiasm gap. Between the Strickland-Brown ticket (Yvette is a dynamite speaker), Cordray, and Pepper at the state level, I’ve got Eric Kearney as my state senator, Denise Driehaus as my state rep, and her brother Steve as my congressman. These people are all very dedicated, intelligent, courageous and hard working. I was very proud to cast my vote for all of them.