In a dead heat, Ohio poised to be another Florida

[RamboLiberal]

And this from Dicky Mellon Scaife's rag.

Like most everyone he knows, Doug Titus votes Republican. Always has.

At least until now.

While dragging on a cigarette, Titus, 50, says too many friends have lost their manufacturing jobs in the past four years. He worries about his own job at a paper mill just outside the Hardin County Fairgrounds here in Northwest Ohio.

Republicans here have a large tent along the midway, near trailers selling deep-fried Snickers bars and burgers made from locally raised lambs. Democrats, true to their low profile in local politics, sit in the back corner of a faraway metal shed.

"I really don't know who I'm going to vote for," Titus said, his wife nodding. "If my dad was alive, he'd probably kill me for saying that."

With six weeks until the general election, the state of Ohio seems as conflicted as Titus. The latest poll shows likely voters leaning toward President Bush but with enough still undecided to make the outcome uncertain. Residents here -- like those in other swing states, such as Pennsylvania and Florida -- will have a lot to say about whether the winner is Bush or the Democratic nominee, U.S. Sen. John Kerry.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/election/s_253702.html

[trumad]

1. Is Nader on the Ohio Ballot?

[neonplaque]

3. Yes, but...

alledged petition fraud may keep him off.

[Kolesar]

2. Cle public radio just reported bush ahead by >10%

They also reported a scandal of people collecting ballot signatures for Nader. Many sigs were rejected.

[farmbo]

5. Huge footnote to that Ohio Poll: They can't vouch for 18-29 year olds

By their own footnotes, they've under sampled that demographic.

For those 18- 29 year olds who they did sample...Lookie here:

Bush 29%
Kerry 64%
Nader 7%

[Kolesar]

6. they are "discussing" polling on NPR Mourning Editon now

eom

[Roy]

4. Forget the polls..... LOL!!!

What is a deep fried snickers bar?

Anyone ever try this? I thought I was the inventor of strange sandwiches and food.

[Minstrel Boy]

7. What was it Diebold's Walden O'Dell said? Oh yeah -

"I am committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the president next year."

[BeyondGeography]

8. None of those voters mentioned Iraq

Makes me think the current orgy of war coverage and the campaign will abate. Domestic issues will definitely become more of a focus as we get closer to Election Day.

[llmart]

9. My sister told me she applied for an absentee ballot

months ago and never got a response. So she marched down to the Board of Elections and they didn't have her name or information anywhere. She votes in every election - Democratic of course - and told me she already has her ducks in a row along with a lot of others on who to contact if she goes to the polls in November and they won't let her vote. Another friend who lives in Ohio said she is volunteering to help with "problem registrations" so that she can oversee what they deem to be a "problem." Any more Ohioans on this board should volunteer some time. I've said all along that they won't steal Florida this time, but they'll steal Ohio.

[Toucano]

10. Abused children?

"If my dad was alive, he'd probably kill me for saying that."

It could be just an expression, but I've heard a lot (4 or 5) of men Titus's age say things like that this year. They seem afraid to displease daddy.

Do they think Dubya is their daddy?

[Bush was AWOL]

11. I just can't believe Bush is ahead in Ohio

I live here and this state has been hurt more by his policies than any other, in my opinion. And I live in a township that is usually a Republican stronghold, but from the judgment of signs, bumper stickers and just talking to neighbors it seems like Bush is very unpopular and stands no chance whatsoever in Ohio.

[Wednesdays]

12. "Ohio poised to be another Florida"

Meaning, we'd better have an army of attorneys to monitor the precincts in Ohio as well as Florida on Election Day.