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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > December > 15 > Entry
Gov. Strickland invokes Dayton’s Wright brothers in farewell address
Gov. Ted Strickland on Wednesday invoked the spirit of Orville and Wilbur Wright - Dayton’s aviation pioneers - to describe how he tried to lead Ohio through the toughest economic times since the Great Depression.
“It can’t be done, a man might as well try to fly,” Strickland said in his farewell address before the Columbus Metropolitan Club.
That was a common put down to a powerful, optimistic idea until the Wright brothers made their historic flight 110 years ago, Strickland said.
Even one of their assistants said they were “nuts,” the governor added.
“But it turned out those nuts could fly,” said Strickland, who leaves office on Jan. 9 after his defeat for re-election by Republican John Kasich.
In Ohio, nobody gave up in tough times, he said.
“Right here in Ohio, we were faced with the first wave of the economic storm, a storm the likes of which no one under the age of 85 can recall seeing before.
“But we didn’t throw up our hands, give into despair and say man might as well try to fly,” he said.
Instead, Strickland said, he tried to lay a solid foundation for Ohio’s future by investing in advanced energy programs, reforming schools and making higher education more accessible.
“….I believe in the future. I believe in Ohio,” Strickland said. “And when time casts the final vote, the foundation of Ohio will speak for us.”
To read his speech, click here.
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By True Story
December 16, 2010 1:55 PM | Link to this
Governor Strickland got blamed for the despicable Republican policies (Bush and Kasich) of shipping Ohio jobs to China and Mexico. CBS TV 60 Minutes’ recently showed an small Iowa town destroyed when a “Wall Street Kasich type firm” brought out Maytag. Sold off the most valuable properties and shipping the jobs to Mexico. Typical Crony Captalism that made Kasich wealthy. Will see how many jobs Kasich creates, if he does fail, he will blame it on government regulations.
By Nat
December 16, 2010 6:54 AM | Link to this
Ted would’ve gone down as one of Ohio’s great governors. Unfortunately, he had the bad luck of presiding over a horrible economy and a manufacturing workforce who’ve found themselves outdated. Thanks for serving, Ted…we know you did your best.
By ANNA
December 15, 2010 5:29 PM | Link to this
Ted You did a good job trying to right a sinking ship it just couldn’t be done but I am still behind you 100%.
By Keith
December 15, 2010 4:52 PM | Link to this
After Ted was elected, some Ohioans voted with their feet and left the state. The remaining voters of Ohio told Ted in November what they thought of his job as Governor. January 10, Ohio’s Inauguration Day, cannot come soon enough!
By Keith
December 15, 2010 4:52 PM | Link to this
After Ted was elected, some Ohioans voted with their feet and left the state. The remaining voters of Ohio told Ted in November what they thought of his job as Governor. January 10, Ohio’s Inauguration Day, cannot come soon enough!
By Jack
December 15, 2010 2:56 PM | Link to this
Teddy, just go fly away. Thank you.
By Paul
December 15, 2010 2:55 PM | Link to this
Weve lost a good man who wanted to govern that did a fine job considering the hot bed of republican corruption leftovers he inherited. And weve handed the keys over to one of the very men responsible for the terrible shape this nation is in. Bought and paid for by fox noise and the other corporate interests he represents. Its a sad day for Ohio because weve lost a great public servant and bought a bankster ready to sell whats left of Ohio. O