OH-PPP: Brown leading by double digits

[Badger]

The Ohio's GOP-backed measure to largely eliminate public sector collective bargaining, while not creating quite the splash here as in Wisconsin, is still quite unpopular and an issue that mobilizes opposition to action, both among the Democratic base and among more independent teachers and other public sector workers (particularly local government employees, which again includes teachers) who might've voted for Kasich. The fact a normally united to the point of being monolithic Ohio Republican Senate caucus lost 6 of their 23 members to squeak the measure through by one vote is telling.

The state GOP may've overplayed their hand, and its on an issue voters are actually paying attention to. This is creating political dividends for Democrats across the board here, even in federal races.

[Badger]

Heh. Just noticed the Carey listed was comedian Drew Carey. I could have sworn there was a GOP state senator named Carey (maybe retired now), and assumed that's who they were polling. Funny.

[Badger]

LOL! This would be Democrats' greatest recruitement coup.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0311/Ken_Blackwell_to_examine_Ohio_Senate_bid.html

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell told POLITICO he will take the next several weeks to examine a possible Senate candidacy after a public poll showed him to be the early preference among GOP voters.

“My first reaction is to say I’ve buried my political ambitions," Blackwell said before pausing when reached by phone at his Cincinnati home Wednesday afternoon.   “But I know where I buried them . . . So I can pull them forth anytime I want to."

Blackwell said he was intrigued by the Public Policy Polling survey -- showing him netting 21 percent of Ohio primary voters -- enough to further explore the Senate contest against first-term Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

"It means I will definitely take a serious look at it," he said.  "I feel those numbers are worthy of further examination.  I believe that constitutional conservatism is on the rebound. I think getting a conservative Republican majority is very important.”

Tough for me to think the GOP establishment would give him another shot after being anihilated in 2006, but then they gave one to DeWine who lost almost as badly.....

[Badger]

LOL! This would be Democrats' greatest recruitement coup.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0311/Ken_Blackwell_to_examine_Ohio_Senate_bid.html

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell told POLITICO he will take the next several weeks to examine a possible Senate candidacy after a public poll showed him to be the early preference among GOP voters.

“My first reaction is to say I’ve buried my political ambitions," Blackwell said before pausing when reached by phone at his Cincinnati home Wednesday afternoon.   “But I know where I buried them . . . So I can pull them forth anytime I want to."

Blackwell said he was intrigued by the Public Policy Polling survey -- showing him netting 21 percent of Ohio primary voters -- enough to further explore the Senate contest against first-term Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

"It means I will definitely take a serious look at it," he said.  "I feel those numbers are worthy of further examination.  I believe that constitutional conservatism is on the rebound. I think getting a conservative Republican majority is very important.”

Tough for me to think the GOP establishment would give him another shot after being anihilated in 2006, but then they gave one to DeWine who lost almost as badly.....

I don't think the GOP establishment would either. I sure hope they do though. He'd do better than 2006 but still lose. Brown is a likeable guy, and against most of the mentioned opponents he should win fairly easily, unless 2012 is a repeat of 2010 in voting patterns which I highly doubt.

I'd love to see that too, but seriously doubt the GOP bigwigs will allow it. Not only are they aware Blackwell's probably their weakest major candidate that Ohio Dems like us want to face Brown , but by all accounts the party shotcallers will back Lt. Gov Taylor, who was reportedly promised such backing in exchange for dropping her ambitions for higher office last year and instead agreeing to be Kasich's running mate.