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News Coverage and background of Ohio two senate candidates Lee Fisher (D) and Rob Portman (R).
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2010 Midterm Elections:Ohio
Veronica HoukMelanie Wicander
Vanessa Nunez
The Candidates
• Rob Portman - Republican
• Lee Fisher - Democrat
• Each competing for incumbent George Voinovich’s (R) Seat (incumbent won by 63.85%)
Rob Portman
• History 1993-2005: U.S. House of Representatives
representing Ohio’s 2nd Congressional Court
Held two federal cabinet positions under George W. Bush
2005-2006: U.S. Trade Representative
2006-2007: Director of the Office of Management and Budget
• Ran uncontested in primary elections
Rob Portman• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJKtNX4YD
YU
Lee Fisher• History
1981-1982: State House of Representatives
1982-1990: State Senate
1991-1995: Attorney General of Ohio
Lost bid for re-election to Republican Candidate
Failed candidacy for Governor of Ohio in 1998
Current Lieutenant Governor of Ohio under Governor Ted Strickland
• Beat Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner in Primary Election
Lee Fisher• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VUf0kB6
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Ohio’s Background• Population – 11,542,645 in 2009
Ranked 7th in the country
• Unemployment 10.7% in May 2010
• Largest Bioscience Center in the Midwest
• Largest producer of plastic, rubber, fabricated metals, electrical equipment, and appliances in the country
Ohio’s Background(continued)
• Largest industry by employment is trade/transportation/utilities
• Largest industry by Grosse Domestic Product is manufacturing/financial activities
• 84.7% White; 12.1% Black; 2.8% Hispanic; 1.6% Asian
– (2009)
• Median household income $48,011 (2008)
• Bachelor’s Degree or + - 21.1% (2000)
• High School Graduates - 83% (2000)
Ohio’s Political History
• Key swing state in past elections
– Big and industrialized
– Conservative and liberal population; a microcosm
– Battleground with major influence
– Winner usually takes Ohio; 2004 Presidential election
• Control has oscillated between Democrats and Republicans
– Balance in Ohio government
– Blue Northeast, red Southwest
Key Issues
• Hurting economy
– Jobs losses• Attacks on Portman (R) for his support of free trade as trade
representative and budget director for George W. Bush
• Counter attack on Fisher (D) for failing to bring in new jobs and stop jobs for going to other states as lieutenant governor and development director
• Frustration with the establishment
– “Washington is broken” – Fisher
News Coverage
• As of right now the media coverage for the senatorial race in Ohio has been pretty sparse.
• There hasn't been much coverage, mostly the focus seems to be on the gubernatorial race between Strickland and Kasich instead.
Prevailing Topics
• Possible shift of Ohio from blue to red. – Portman leading in the polls with a 55-35 lead.
• Each candidate’s fundraising:Fisher: $4.9 millionPortman: $10.7 million
• Some think that maybe its because Fisher is a Washington " outsider" and was never been "popular" with the Democratic party and there is questions on whether they will continue to fund his campaign.
• Thoughts that voters are losing hope with the democrats and Obama administration as reason why republicans are fairing well in the polls. – “bad environment” for Democrats right now.