WKSU News: Election 2008

Electoral college officially makes Obama next president
(Monday, December 15, 2008)

Barack Obama was officially voted president-elect of the United States today in electoral ceremonies across the nation and here in Ohio. Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler reports that the gathering of Ohio's electors was in some ways similar to the gathering four years ago - and in other ways completely different. (more )

State election audits could cost counties
(Wednesday, December 10, 2008)

Ohio counties are still paying for the November election. A statewide audit of election results could cost some county boards of elections, including Cuyahoga, hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some elections officials say it's unfair. (more )

Ohio Supreme Court to rule on provisional ballots
(Wednesday, November 26, 2008)

A federal appeals court had ruled that the Ohio Supreme Court should decide whether to count about a thousand provisional ballots. (more )

Cleveland voters go back to the polls tomorrow
(Monday, November 17, 2008)

Voters in Cleveland and some eastern suburbs go to the polls tomorrow for a special election. Two Cleveland City Council members will be chosen, and voters will decide who fills an un-expired congressional seat. (more )

Casino backers will try again
(Monday, November 10, 2008)

Just hours after seeing their casino ballot issue clobbered at the polls across Ohio, supporters of the gambling plan are insisting they will come back with another casino plan for voters to consider. (more )

Scott Simon says Chicago politics has shaped Obama's presidential campaign
(Monday, November 10, 2008)

National Public Radio's Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon will be in Hudson tomorrow to talk about his new book, "Windy City: A Novel of Politics." As an NPR reporter, Chicago-native Simon has covered many presidential campaigns, including that of President-elect Barack Obama. In a commentary last week, he said Chicago was the perfect training ground for the nation's 44th president. (more )

Inner-city kids talk about what they want from an Obama presidency
(Monday, November 10, 2008)

They won't be able to vote for nearly a decade, but some kids in Canton know their politics. Fifth and sixth graders at an inner-city Canton school closely followed the presidential election and believe in Barack Obama's message of change. They also have a few ideas of their own for the president-elect. (more )

The new Ohio House reassures the Republican-held Senate that they won't touch taxes
(Friday, November 7, 2008)

Now that it's clear the Democrats will be taking control of the Ohio House of Representatives next year, Republicans who will retain control of the Senate are sending them a message - don't mess with taxes. Democrats have a simple response - don't worry, we won't. (more )

How the Democrats won the Ohio house
(Friday, November 7, 2008)

Democrats will control the Ohio House of Representatives for the first time since 1994. Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles reports Democratic and Republican party leaders think young voters were a key factor in that change. (more )

School levies do poorly in northeast ohio
(Thursday, November 6, 2008)

Elections continue to be a frustrating time for school districts. And the overall win-loss numbers may disguise just how frustrating. (more )

Nearly 60 percent of school tax issues pass
(Thursday, November 6, 2008)

Ohio voters decided a number of school tax issues on Tuesday. Statewide, nearly 60 percent of those requests passed but school funding in Ohio continues to be an iffy and confusing thing. (more )

Summit County GOP has only a foothold on state and local offices
(Thursday, November 6, 2008)

Summit County Republicans lost more ground in Tuesday's election with a Democrat taking the county engineer's position. (more )

42nd District winner Mike Moran says he'll work on economy, education and healthcare
(Thursday, November 6, 2008)

Democrat Mike Moran easily beat Republican incumbent Richard Nero for the 42nd District seat in the State House of Representatives. He says he's looking forward to working in a legislature with a Democratic House majority on issues ranging from the economy to healthcare. (more )

Ohio's early voters
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

Ohio has early voters . . . and then it has EARLY voters. M.L. Schultze reports on some of the northeast Ohioans who beat the crack of dawn today to get to the polls. (more )

Voter voices
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

WKSU reports spoke to voters in Cuyahoga, Portage, Stark, and Summit Counties yesterday to find out what they were thinking about in the voting booth. (more )

Cleveland preparing to cut city council
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

Cleveland voters want a smaller city council. By a 20 point margin they approved Issue 39, a charter amendment that will trim the 21 member body by as many as four seats next year. (more )

Emotions overflow at a Canton celebration when Obama wins
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

The party officially belonged to John Boccieri, with folks gathered in downtown Canton to celebrate the Democrat winning the 16th Congressional District. But, when the big screen TV played CNN's announcement that Barack Obama is the next president of the United States, the room erupted. (more )

Akron's Issue 8 defeated
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

Voters in Akron soundly defeated a measure to lease the city's sewer systems to create a fund for college scholarships. (more )

Boccieri wins closely watched 16th Congressional seat
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

For the first time in 60 years, Northeast Ohio's 16th congressional district will be filled by a Democrat. Senator John Boccieri defeated Senator Kirk Schuring in one of the most closely watched house races in the country. (more )

Few big elections surprises in Cuyahoga County
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

Almost all Democratic candidates in Cuyahoga County won their elections last night. The exception is first term 16th District State Representative Jennifer Brady of Westlake. She suffered a 1 point defeat to Republican Westlake City Councilwoman Nan Baker. Otherwise, the big news out of Cuyahoga County is that the election in Ohio's largest county went off smoothly. And as far a the major races in Cuyahoga County, there were no big surprises. (more )

Lawson Jones calls Obama election significant
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones won re-election last night beating his Republican opponent, Bay Village mayor Deborah Sutherland. Besides celebrating his own political victory, the African American politician contemplated the significance of the nation electing its first black president. (more )

Barack Obama's get out the vote campaign in Akron
(Wednesday, November 5, 2008)

Barack Obama's vaunted Get-Out-the-Vote campaign was in plenty evidence in downtown Akron Tuesday. (more )

Double bubbles - new chads
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Ohioans might remember the hanging chads that became so well known in the 2000 election. Those are history now that technology has changed. (more )

Northeast Ohio statehouse seat held by Republicans goes Democratic
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

A Northeast Ohio statehouse seat that was held by Republicans until a scandal hit appears to be going Democratic - if absentee votes are any indication. (more )

Akron sewers to scholars proposal trashed
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Akron's sewers-to-scholars proposal has been trashed. The plan Mayor Don Plusquwllic proposed 8 months ago is losing nearly 2 to 1. (more )

16th district Congressional race
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

One of the most closely watched Congressional races in the country is tied up. John Boccieri and Kirk Schuring are vying to replace Ralph Regula in the 16th district. And though the vote count is early, they may bode well for the district to move Democratic. (more )

10:50pm election update
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Most networks have projected that Democrat Barack Obama has won Ohio, and that news has the party faithful very fired up at headquarters in Columbus. (more )

Summit County absentee ballots
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Voting in Summit County has gone smoothly today, with nearly a third of voters voting early. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports: (more )

Stark County voting
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Stark County elections officials say lines at the polls were long, but the process went smoothly. (more )

Cuyahoga County's vote count starts on time
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Cuyahoga County election officials are cautiously optimistic that one of the biggest elections in years will come off with any major problems. (more )

Summit County voting gone smoothly
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Voting in Summit County has gone smoothly today, with nearly a third of voters voting before today. (more )

No problems at Cuyahoga County polls
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

There have not been any major problems at the polls in Cuyahoga County so far this election day. Elections director Jane Platten credits the high volume of early voters, and more focus on poll worker training. (more )

Young voters expected to come out in large numbers
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

A "Youth-Quake" is expected to rock the vote this election. The impact was powerful in 2004 when 40 percent of young voters turned out, the highest percentage since 1972 when 18-year-olds first got the right to vote. but this primary season showed young people even more energized. In Ohio, youth voter turnout in March increased by 10 percent compared to the 2000 primary. Here's a look at what's motivating the youth vote. (more )

Procrastination pays off for voters
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Procrastination is apparently paying off. While early voters in Ohio waited hours to cast their ballots over the last week, today's voters had a relatively easy time of it - at least so far. (more )

Voters rose before the sun to cast ballots
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Ohio has early voters... and then it hsa early voters. Some Northeast Ohioans beat the crack of dawn today to get to the polls. (more )

High voter turnout strains Ohio's boards of elections
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

The high turnout of today's electioan is straining the limits of Ohio's 88 boards of elections. WKSU's Jeff St. Clair posed the question: "What if we had an election and everybody showed up?" (more )

Elderly Jewish and young Catholic voters could swing the vote
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Among those voting in today's presidential election are two key swing groups- Ohio's elderly Jewish and young Catholic voters. We talked to voters in both groups today at a nursing home in Beachwood and on a voting bus at John Carroll University. (more )

Early voting results in shorter lines for Oberlin College students
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Early voting has thinned the lines for college students voting in Oberlin today. In the 2004 election, Oberlin had some of the longest lines in the country. (more )

Lines? What lines?
(Tuesday, November 4, 2008)

Expanded early voting in Ohio appears to have done just what elections officials hoped -- relieved the pressure at the polls today. (more )

Some voters in juvenile lock-ups stripped of right to vote
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

Sixteen young men who thought they'd be voting tomorrow won't, unless an appeals court in Cincinnati intervenes. (more )

Palin tells Lakewood voters that Obama will raise their taxes
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

On the final day of campaigning, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin made a stop in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, Ohio where she told voters that Obama's tax plan is 'phony'. (more )

Tuesday could be a waiting game all around
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

Voters who wait until Tuesday to cast their ballots might find themselves standing in long lines. And Ohioans who want to know outcomes of races early Tuesday night might find themselves playing the waiting game as well. Our Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles, reports on how Ohio's top elections official is preparing for this historic election. (more )

Presidential campaigns work hard in one last weekend of politicking
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

In the last weekend before the election, the Presidential and Vice Presidental candidates peppered Ohioans with messages. (more )

Cuyahoga county voters have a full slate at the polls
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

Voters in Cuyahoga County have a full slate of local races and issues to consider when they go to the polls tomorrow. (more )

Fight for the 16th Congressional district is a closely watched race
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

Northeast Ohio is home to one of the most closely watched races for Congress. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has a look at the fight for the 16th District. (more )

Feminist voters affected by historical presidential campaign
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

This has been an historic election for many voters, especally women, who's choices in this campaign have challenged their idea of what it means to be a feminist. (more )

Chinese students observe U.S. election in Ohio
(Monday, November 3, 2008)

The U.S. has sent observers to monitor elections in foreign countries for years. This year, thousands of international observers are in the U.S. to watch the presidential election. One is a group of Chinese journalism students from Shanghai. They made their first stop in the battleground state of Ohio. (more )

Obama and Springsteen share a Cleveland stage
(Sunday, November 2, 2008)

Sarah Palin had Gretchen Wilson, while Barack Obama had the Boss. The competing presidential tickets were barely 50 miles apart yesterday (Sunday) as they tried to sway northeast Ohio voters. The contrasts " from music to message " were sharp. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more from the Obama rally... (more )

Governor Sarah Palin stumps in Canton
(Sunday, November 2, 2008)

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin addressed about three thousand supporters in Canton Sunday. Her swing through Ohio included four stops yesterday and she has another planned one this morning in Lakewood. (more )

Northeast Ohio's weekend voters wait hours
(Sunday, November 2, 2008)

Northeast Ohio voters hoping to beat the long lines on Tuesday ended up standing in long lines over the weekend. But few complained. (more )

Third party candidates debate in Cleveland
(Friday, October 31, 2008)

Barack Obama and John McCain aren't the only presidential candidates. And three of the third party candidates who also want the job met in Cleveland yesterday for a debate on how to fix the U.S. economy. All three agreed that neither Democrats nor the Republicans are likely to be able to repair the damage done on Wall Street or on Main Street. But they spent more time distancing themselves from the two major party candidates than offering solutions of their own. (more )

McCain stumps across Northern Ohio
(Thursday, October 30, 2008)

Senator John McCain stumped across northern Ohio Thursday trying close the gap between himself and his Democratic opponent Barack Obama. (more )

NPR reporter Peter Overby investigates the impact of independent money on the presidential campaign
(Thursday, October 30, 2008)

Four years ago, "Swiftboat" and "527's" became part of the nation's political vocabulary. The impact of independent committees on presidential politics is a little harder to trace these days. And that's one reason NPR reporter Peter Overby and the Center for Investigative Reporting have put together the Web site "Secret Money." (more )

Supporters for and against Issue 6 take different stands on job creation and Indian casinos.
(Thursday, October 30, 2008)

Ohioans are voiting on a ballot issue to open the state to legalized casino gambling. State Issue 6 would authroize the building of a single, 600 million dollar casino resort about 40 miles from Cincinnati. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen looks at other concerns over jobs and Indian casinos. (more )

Whether because of the law or out of passion, Ohio voters are showing up early
(Thursday, October 30, 2008)

About half a million Ohio voters have already cast ballots in Tuesday's election. And boards of elections throughout northeast Ohio are dealing with early-voting lines that stretch as much as three floors up and two hours long. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more... (more )

As Akron contemplates leasing its sewers, other cities share their experience of privatization
(Wednesday, October 29, 2008)

While voters in Akron consider leasing the city's sewer system for 75 years to private business, other cities have years of experience with private management of wastewater treatment. One advocate says that experience has been mostly negative, with problems ranging from poor service to higher rates. But officials of one Midwest city say privatization has saved taxpayers millions of dollars. (more )

Corruption probe big issue in Cuyahoga County Commissioner's race
(Wednesday, October 29, 2008)

With a corruption probe spreading across Cuyahoga County, voters there will decide a race for county commissioner next week. The F-B-I investigation into whether county officials awarded contracts in exchange for kickbacks is a big issue in the race between the Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger. (more )

Issue 6 campaigns spending big money to convince voters
(Wednesday, October 29, 2008)

For the fourth time in 18 years, Ohioans are voiting on a ballot proposal to leaglize casino gambling. Backers of the plan are spending more than 20 million dollars to convince people to vote yes, and opponents of the plan are spending more than 20 million dollars to convince people to vote no. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen wraps up the arguments for both sides. (more )

Debating the pros and cons of Akron's sewers to scholars plan
(Wednesday, October 29, 2008)

Akron voters decide next week whether to allow the city to lease its sewer system for 75 years to fund college scholarships for Akron students. Opponents of Issue 8 say the city is rushing the plan and adding unreasonable stipulations. Officials say they've simply covered their bases. (more )

Trakas challenges Kucinich for 10th Congressional seat
(Tuesday, October 28, 2008)

Democratic Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich wants another term. His Republican opponent, Jim Trakas, says the he hasn't earned it. On Tuesday, voters in Cleveland's depressed 10th District will decide if they're ready for a change in leadership. (more )

Obama makes "closing arguments" in Canton
(Monday, October 27, 2008)

Barack Obama began his final week of campaigning in Stark County, giving what his campaign calls his final arguments to get to the White House. (more )

McCain rallies in Lancaster
(Monday, October 27, 2008)

With polls showing the race in Ohio is close and swinging to Democrat Barack Obama, Republican John McCain started the final full week of the 2008 campaign in the Buckeye State. McCain rallied in Lancaster southeast of Columbus last night. (more )

Ohioans voting early on payday loans
(Friday, October 24, 2008)

All this month, Ohioans who are voting early have been voting on state issue 5, a referendum on part of a new state law that cracks down on payday loans. But up until Thursday, it wasn't a sure thing that the measure had even qualified for the ballot. (more )

Michelle Obama steps in at Akron rally
(Friday, October 24, 2008)

With Barack Obama visiting his ailing grandmother in Hawaii, his wife, Michelle Obama took over campaigning in Ohio Friday. She told a crowd in Akron that her husband 'gets it' on the issues that matter most to the middle class. (more )

Pro and anti-abortion advocates create ad wars as presidential election nears
(Friday, October 24, 2008)

The economy is the top concern for most voters, but the issue of abortion is still critical for many. Both those who are against abortion and those who support abortion rights are taking the issue to the airwaves. (more )

McCain's energy adviser wants to waen us off foreign oil
(Friday, October 24, 2008)

John McCain's national security and energy adviser wants to wean America off foreign oil. James Woolsey has served under five presidents, most notably as director of the CIA during the Clinton administration. He spoke last night at the University of Akron about why he supports McCain's energy policy. (more )

Campaign crowds often vary more than the speeches
(Thursday, October 23, 2008)

This far into the campaign, presidential stump speeches often repeat themselves. But the points of view of those hearing the speeches are more varied. WKSU's M.L. Schultze found that out when she talked with some of the more than 10-thousand people who came to Green Wednesday to see John McCain and Sarah Palin... (more )

Undecideds still out there in Ohio
(Wednesday, October 22, 2008)

The newest Buckeye Poll reflects many others -- a close presidential matchup in Ohio with Barack Obama slightly in the lead. But it also shows a significant number of voters who either haven't made up their minds or remain a bit mushy in their support. WKSU's M.L. Schultze talked with some of until-now undecideds as well as the head of the Bliss Institute about its poll. (more )

Schuring and Boccieri debate in Medina
(Friday, October 17, 2008)

The 2 senators who want to replace retiring Congressman Ralph Regula debated in Medina County last night. In what is expected to be one of the most hotly contested congressional races in Ohio, Democrat John Boccieri and Republican Kirk Schuring agreed on many of the problem facing the country, but differed on most solutions. (more )

John Boccieri and Kirk Schuring debate for the 16th District Congressional seat
(Friday, October 17, 2008)

The two state senators who want to replace retiring Congressman Ralph Regula debated in Medina County on Thursday. In what is expected to be one of the most hotly contested Congressional races in Ohio, Democrat John Boccieri and Republican Kirk Schuring agreed on many of the problems facing the countrym but differed on most solutions. (more )

Bill Clinton rallies Cleveland workers
(Friday, October 17, 2008)

Former President Bill Clinton came to Cleveland yesterday to campaign on behalf of Barack Obama. Mr. Clinton told the crowd at an outdoor labor rally last night that Barack Obama is the right choice to lead the country out of the economic crisis. (more )

Federal court orders Ohio's Secretary of State to change the process of verifying voters
(Wednesday, October 15, 2008)

A federal court is telling Ohio's Secretary of State to change thr process she's been using for verifying voter registrations. Changes are being made to the system now that are meant to satisfy the concerns in that court order. (more )

Attorney general candidates use debates to raise profiles
(Wednesday, October 15, 2008)

The attorney general's race hasn't gotten much attention this year, but the three lawyers vying for the job are trying to raise their profiles with debates around the state. (more )

Joe Biden tells workers in Warren he wants to help rebuild labor
(Tuesday, October 14, 2008)

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden told a crowd of union workers in Warren that he and Barack Obama want to rebuild labor and the middle class. That struck a chord with many people who are worried about the economy. (more )

Obama in Chillicothe
(Monday, October 13, 2008)

After surging ahead in several public opinions polls in Ohio, Democrat Barack Obama tried to preserve that lead today, by wrapping up two days of campaigning in a key swing region of the state, Appalachia. Obama spoke in Chillicothe. (more )

Dying woman casts ballot.
(Monday, October 13, 2008)

Even in an important election year, casting a ballot can rank way down on the list of tasks that must be accomplished. But for one Ohio woman, voting was more than just something on her to-do list - it was a mission. (more )

Big numbers register in Ohio for November election
(Thursday, October 9, 2008)

Ohio has just gone though a big increase in voter registrations. That's the word from the Secretary of State's office. The state's largest county, Cuyahoga, has the largest increase in voters. (more )

McCain and Palin campaign again in Northeast Ohio
(Wednesday, October 8, 2008)

Senator John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin wowed a packed house in Strongsville yesterday. Trailing by about 6 points in Ohio, the candidates asked supporters to help win the state this November. And, the G.O.P.'s presidential hopefuls got some help from members of the Cleveland Browns. (more )

Secretary of state concerned about possible GOP challenge to voter registrations
(Wednesday, October 8, 2008)

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner told an audience at the City Club of Cleveland today that she's not concerned by the number of GOP challenges over how she's implementing new state voting laws. Brunner says she anticipates a smooth November election. But the first-term Democrat says she does worry that Republicans may be preparing to challenge the registration of voters whose driver's license and social security numbers don't match up. (more )

One million Ohio residents could lose health insurance coverage under McCain's proposed health plan
(Friday, October 3, 2008)

New studies show nearly one million Ohioans whose employers now provide health insurance will lose that coverage under the health plan proposed by Republican Presidential candidate John McCain. But backers of McCain say democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's health plan will take away Ohioan's choices and leave them paying for a big government program (more )

Ohioans wouldn't vote for McCain or Obama if it were based on feelings about the economic bailout.
(Friday, October 3, 2008)

(more )

Early voting goes on in Ohio despite court battles
(Tuesday, September 30, 2008)

The Ohio Republican Party is appealing Monday's federal court ruling that allowed same-day registering and voting during a week-long period that started today. The GOP wants the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati to either stop same-day voting, or to segregate those ballots in case the registrations turn out to be invalid. It's an argument the GOP lost Monday with the Ohio Supreme Court. So election boards across the state opened their doors this morning for people who want to register and/or vote early. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections was among them. (more )

Groups for and against payday loans hit the street
(Friday, September 26, 2008)

The November election is still about 40 days away....but already, advocates for and against that payday loan ballot issue are out on the streets, pushing their point of view. In fact, today (Thursday), in Columbus alone, 2 groups with opposing views held dueling news conferences. (more )

Indiana casino owners fight against casino construction in Ohio
(Friday, September 26, 2008)

Owners of an Indiana gambling casino have joined the fight against an Ohio ballot issue that would legalize a giant casino here. This development means - instead of the usual gambling war between David and Goliath, Ohio voters will now see a battle between two different Goliaths. (more )

Corn farmers contemplate voting Democrat
(Wednesday, September 24, 2008)

Farmers have traditionally been a strong voting block for the Republican Party. But some corn growers are upset with the G 0 P's new platform that proposes changes in ethanol guidelines. (more )

Dispute over whether Ohioans should vote on payday loans continues
(Wednesday, September 24, 2008)

It's still not clear whether Ohioans will definitely vote in November on a plan to crack down on those two-week "payday" loans, but that's not stopping both sides in the dispute from jockeying for position. (more )

Battle over whether to build casino has new developments
(Wednesday, September 24, 2008)

There are 3 new developments in that battle over whether Ohio voters should allow the construction of a giant gambling casino in Wilmington. (more )

Clean Ohio Fund up for renewal on fall ballot
(Wednesday, September 24, 2008)

While ballot issues on payday lending and casino gambling may be in jeopardy, one issue sure to be on the November ballot is the renewal of funds to preserve open space and clean up brownfields in Ohio. (more )

McCain Back in Northeast Ohio
(Tuesday, September 23, 2008)

Ohio continues to play on center-stage of the presential race. Today, Republican presidential candidate John McCain made a series of stops in the Cleveland area where he talked about energy policy and rallied local volunteers. It was McCain's second visit to Northeast Ohio in less than a week... (more )

Poll shows Ohioans are confident about voting in November
(Friday, September 19, 2008)

Most Ohioans are pretty confident that the votes in Ohio's November election will be counted fairly. At least, that's what they've just told pollsters from the University of Cincinnati. Still, some questions remains. (more )

McCain, Palin tell Ohio voters they'll reform Wall Street
(Wednesday, September 17, 2008)

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has repeatedly campaigned in the hevily Democratic Mahoning Vaelly. But Trumbull County voters got their first look at GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin today. Palin and John McCain campaigned in the small town of Vienna Center yesterday, just a few miles from the Pennsylvania border. Most people liked what they heard. (more )

Ohio pastors differ on church,state,and the role of civil disobedience in politics
(Tuesday, September 16, 2008)

As Ohio Public Radio reported last month, a group of conservative ministers are asking pastors around the country to use their sermons on September 28 to defy IRS rules on endorsing or opposing candidates for public office. Now, a group of more liberal clergymembers in Ohio are blasting back. (more )

Obama speaks on education in Dayton
(Tuesday, September 16, 2008)

Barack Obama made his seventh visit in Ohio today (Tuesday) after accepting the Democratic nomination. The focus of his visit was education as he spoke to a small, invite only crowd at Stebbins High School in Riverside, a suburb of Dayton. (more )

Hillary Clinton says Ohio and America needs her former rival
(Monday, September 15, 2008)

In a pair of speeches in northeastern Ohio yesterday (Sunday), Hillary Clinton backed Barack Obama's run for president and his plans for the office if he succeeds. These were among the first speeches she's given since the Democratic National Convention picked her former rival as the party's nominee. Many of those attending the rally bought Clinton's message, but with varying degrees of passion. (more )

Obama says education reform is a priority
(Friday, September 12, 2008)

Barack Obama says America needs more charter schools, higher teacher pay and more accountability. The Democratic presidential candidate says that's the only way American students can compete in a global economy. In an interview with WKSU's Imani Capri, Obama National Press Secretary Bill Burton said Obama's interest in education is long- standing. (more )

Black Republicans say they admire Obama the man, not the policies
(Friday, September 12, 2008)

For decades, the Republican party has had a dirth of black candidates and voters. That's grown more pronounced this year. But the less-than a handful of black Ohio delegates at the Republican convention last week say it's a matter of philosophy and practicality -- not race. (more )

Fudge Replaces Tubbs Jones on November Ballot
(Thursday, September 11, 2008)

Cuyahoga County Democrats picked a candidate last night to succeed the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones on November's ballet. The party's executive committee overwhelming chose Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge. (more )

Biden Visits Northeast Ohio First Responders
(Thursday, September 11, 2008)

The presidential campaigns refrained from politics today on the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 terrorists attacks. But Democratic vice presidential hopeful, Senator Joe Biden, was in Northeast Ohio this afternoon to meet with police, firefighters and their families. He reflected on the role first responders played on 9-11, and thanked all police and firefighters for their service. (more )

Obama on Education
(Tuesday, September 9, 2008)

Senator John McCain's acceptance speech
(Thursday, September 4, 2008)

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