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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > February > 07
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Obama on Ohio debate: Mmm, okay
Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton will debate in Ohio after all.
After backing away from a planned Feb. 27 CNN debate in Ohio Wednesday, Obama on Thursday agreed to a Feb. 26 debate at Cleveland State University hosted by NBC News and WKYC, the NBC affiliate in Cleveland.
NBC affiliates throughout Ohio, including the affiliate in Dayton, have agreed to air the debate, according to the Obama campaign.
Clinton’s campaign confirmed late Thursday that she, too, will participate in the Cleveland State University debate.
“We’re glad Sen. Obama has come along and decided to join us in the debate and we look forward to additional debates,” said Isaac Baker, a Clinton spokesman.
Clinton had agreed to participate in the CNN debate, and her supporters were sharply critical of Obama after he appeared initially reluctant to participate in an Ohio debate.
Even Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who has remained neutral in the race, urged both candidates to debate in Ohio so Ohio voters could hear them talk about economic issues important to the state.
The two candidates have already participated in 18 debates.
The NBC debate will be moderated by Brian Williams and Tim Russert and will be streamed live on MSNBC.com. It will air on Telemundo the same evening after it is translated into Spanish.
Redfern and DeWine spar
Between now and the Nov. 4 election, hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent by political parties, candidates and independent groups trying to sway Ohio voters in the presidential race, said Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chairman Kevin DeWine.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern predicted that at least $50 million will be spent on the Democratic side alone.
“It’s a good time to be a salesperson at a local TV station,” Redfern said.
Redfern and DeWine made the comments Thursday at a panel discussion with reporters sponsored by the Associated Press of Ohio.
When asked about vice presidential candidates, Redfern said he thinks the dream ticket for the Democrats would be Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton. DeWine didn’t commit to what would be his party’s dream combo.
When asked which congressional races in Ohio are truly competitive, Redfern said he thinks his party will capture two of four seats that are currently held by Republicans Ralph Regula, Jean Schmidt, Deborah Pryce and Steve Chabot.
DeWine retorted that he thinks his party will hold those seats and Republican Jim Trakas has a shot at upsetting U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich in a Democratic stronghold because Kucinich has been too busy running for president.
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