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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > November > 11
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Polls speculate about Voinovich’s future: UPDATED
For those of you who don’t need a break from politics in the aftermath of the interminable 2008 presidential election, Public Policy Polling released a poll looking at senators up for re-election in 2010.
They find that Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, has an approval rate hovering around 30 percent - it was 31 percent both in June and July and 30 percent in August - and will be up there with Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida as one of the most vulnerable incumbents if he doesn’t retire.
Their poll matched him up with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, and found Voinovich would tie him 33-33. Voinovich would lead U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Copley Twp. 37-32; and trail Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner 42-38 and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher 40-38.
The poll said he leads in hypothetical 2010 matchups with Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.
UPDATED: A reminder that these polls were taken over the course of the year, not this fall. Here’s one from this fall from SurveyUSA: It gives him a 51 percent approval.
Hmm. Maybe it is too soon to speculate?
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Brunner gets police protection
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is receiving security protection from the Ohio Highway Patrol after receiving death threats, harassing phone calls and a suspicious package at her office in the weeks leading up to the presidential election.
The highway patrol confirmed it assigned troopers to Brunner but declined to discuss specific security measures being taken or how long the protection is expected to continue.
Police arrested Dana McArtor, 51, of Columbus and charged him with threatening a public official, which is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien.
McArtor allegedly threatened to kill Brunner during a cell phone call to her office on Oct. 17. Brunner’s office picked up McArtor’s number on caller ID, O’Brien said. McArtor is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing in Franklin County Municipal Court on Dec. 3, O’Brien said.
State troopers are also investigating a suspicious envelop mailed to Brunner’s office that had white powder on it. The Ohio Department of Health is testing the powder, according to Highway Patrol Sgt. Tim Karwatske.
When asked last week whether she was still receiving threats, Brunner said it appears things have settled down.
The Highway Patrol is also providing a security detail to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Helen Jones-Kelley, who is on paid administrative leave while officials investigate her alleged use of state e-mail for political purposes and her authorization of background checks on Samuel “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacher.
By state law, the patrol provides 24-hour security to the governor and his family. The governor may authorize the patrol to provide security to other state officials.
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Should federal government bail out the auto industry?
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has become a key backer of a proposal for the federal government to bail out the domestic auto companies.
Strickland repeated his support on Monday, Nov. 10, but said federal aid should not be used to benefit shareholders and management “while costing communities and workers their jobs.”
General Motors has said it could run out of money at the end of the year without federal help.
The idea would be to use some of the $700 billion already approved for a federal bailout of the financial industry to help GM, Chrysler and Ford. Strickland (pictured) said “I have not seen any substantial benefit from the $700 billion at this point.”
The money has been used to pay dividends and help with mergers such as PNC buying National City, a deal that probably will cost Ohio “lost of jobs,” said Strickland.
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Tom Roberts seeks to lead Ohio Senate Democrats
State Sen. Tom Roberts wants to take over as leader of the Ohio Senate’s 12 Democrats.
“I think I can do the job. There’s no question I’ve had the experience in terms of understanding the legislation, as far as leadership,” Roberts, D-Dayton, said on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Current Senate Minority Leader Ray Miller, D-Columbus, announced on Monday, Nov. 10, that he would not continue as leader. Democrats failed to pick up any Senate seats on Nov. 4 and Republicans will maintain control, 21-12.
State Sen. Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, also is seeking the minority leader’s job, said Roberts (pictured). Senate Democrats plan to meet Wednesday, Nov. 12, to discuss a successor to Miller, Roberts said.
Roberts, 56, has served in the Senate since 2001 and previously served 14 years in the Ohio House. He held leadership posts in both chambers.
Roberts previously had discussed leaving the Senate before his current terms ends at the end of 2010.
“If the members want a two-year commitment, I’ll give them that,” Roberts said.
By leaving early, he would have opened the door to the appointment of state Rep. Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, to the seat. Strahorn is leaving the House at the end of this year because of term limits.
The goal of Senate Democrats is to put the best leadership team in the top two spots, he said.
