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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2011 > June > 07 > Entry
Gov. Strickland portrait unveiled at Statehouse
With a friendly audience of 600 on hand, former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland returned to the Statehouse on Tuesday for the unveiling of his official gubernatorial portrait, painted by nationally recognized portrait artist Leslie Adams of Toledo.
“I am humbled and honored that you came,” Strickland, 69, told the standing-room crowd in the Statehouse Atrium. Strickland was Ohio’s 68th governor.
Former Republican Gov. Bob Taft, Strickland’s predecessor, former U.S. Sen. John Glenn and Glenn’s wife Annie, Strickland’s wife Frances, other Strickland family members and many members of the Strickland administration attended.
Gov. John Kasich, the Republican who defeated Strickland by 77,127 votes - 49.04 percent to 47.04 percent- in November 2010 was invited by the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board but was tied up in meetings and didn’t attend, said Rob Nichols, Kasich’s spokesman.
“We appreciate the invitation,” said Nichols. “I hope they had a good event.”
It was a time for remembering, including remarks from Tom Esenwein, a retired Ohio State Highway Patrol member who served on Strickland’s executive protection detail.
“He led by example,” said Esenwein. “He is the kindest man many of us ever met.”
The portrait was privately funded and cost $40,000.
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By Squirrellygirl
June 14, 2011 3:02 PM | Link to this
Hitler might have been nice once in a while, too. But who would want Hitler in charge of anything? Strickland made some bad decisions. He spent money when he should have been cutting back. It’s easy to be nice when you are giving other people’s money away. But when you consider whose money he gave away, then he doesn’t appear to be so nice. And when you consider what is going to have to be cut now when it could have been painless before, he might seem downright mean and nasty. Now, everyone wants to blame Kasich for cleaning up the mess, but he is required by law to balance the budget. Strickland left a mess, and Kasich is cleaning it up. Whether or not Strickland is a nice person, who cares? All I care about is that our country endures this socialist dictator Obama’s administration and that we put anybody in that presidential seat besides another democrat who will surely end our Republic and freedom in this country as we know it.
By Dave
June 13, 2011 2:20 PM | Link to this
I liked Strickland. I thought he did a good job, dealt with a very difficult budget and had a heart, even when making hard decisions.
By Squirrellygirl
June 10, 2011 9:17 AM | Link to this
I heard no president was ever reelected with unemployment over 7.2%. Unemployment is now over 9.1%, and there’s no indication it will go down significantly before 2012. Obama won’t be reelected. Donald Duck could win against him.
By Really
June 8, 2011 10:01 PM | Link to this
@JJ You are crazy if you think that Obama is going to carry Ohio in 2012. To begin with, he has done way more damage than Kasich has done, at least right now. In fact, in his first 5 months, he did more damage than Kasich has done so far. Also, not even the most loved president in the world can win with 9plus % unemployment (more like 20% when you count those who stopped looking or who are underemployed) and gas prices around 4 dollars a gallon, not to mention over 1.5 trillion dollar deficits and adding more to the national debt than the previous 3 presidents combined, and that is in just 2 years.
By Squirrellygirl
June 8, 2011 8:57 AM | Link to this
Your democratic party endorses Van Jones who has created curriculum used in NY schools that provides internet links to what Van Jones says is proof that police are evil and unfair to minorities, etc. You democrats are hypocrites.
By JJ
June 8, 2011 4:52 AM | Link to this
Yes, Kasich has been in office for 5 months and look at the damage he is trying to do. Lots of buyers remorse right now. It would help if he wasn’t so obnoxious. As a result Obama will carry Ohio in 2012.
By Really
June 8, 2011 12:15 AM | Link to this
@Robert, Really? I mean, I’m not huge fan of Kasich. I’m not a huge fan of Strickland, taft or voinivich either. But, for pete’s sake, he’s only been in office for 5 months. How can you rate 5 months against 4 years? When his first 4 are over, then you can make that assessment, until then your just another biased political hack that comes on DDN and adds to their biased spin
By Robert
June 7, 2011 10:29 PM | Link to this
Strickland was, by far, a better governor than Kasich.
By whome
June 7, 2011 8:46 PM | Link to this
Well, it figures that Kasich wouldn’t come… I know I shouldn’t say that, but I don’t think he is a class-act, after what he said about the policeman who gave HIM a ticket! I can’t help but feel that he has no respect for anyone who opposes his ideas. But it’s just my opinion.