Strickland running for OH Gov

Interesting guy.

WASHINGTON - Ohio Democratic Rep. Ted Strickland formally announced Monday he is running for governor in 2006, declaring that after 14 years of Republican governors the state is "in desperate need of change."

Strickland, 63, listed what he said has been a series of bad news for the state under Republican governors: thousands of manufacturing jobs have been lost, college tuition costs are rising and many young people are leaving Ohio in search of jobs.

"They have governed as if they are trying to get through the next week, the next month or the next year. They have had no vision," Strickland said in a conference call with Ohio reporters.

For a legislator, his resume is pretty unusual:

Career experience: Associate minister at Trinity Methodist Church; director of social services at Kentucky Methodist Home; consulting psychologist at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility and professor at Shawnee State University. First elected to Congress to serve from 1992 to 1994. Defeated in 1994 re-election bid. Re-elected in 1996 and every two years since then.

•  What a horrible article

  They blathered on about Republican spin not even attempting to point out the fact that Strickland has been a moderate throughout his career, including receiving the NRA's highest rating.

  Voting against Bush's tax redistribution plan hardly makes Strickland the far left extremist the Republicans would like him to be.

  by SonsofLabor on Tue May 10, 2005 at 11:13:32 AM PDT

•  Strickland v. Coleman

  Should be a fun primary.  I hope they play nice, rip on the GOoP establishment, and work together in a positive way to raise both of their name recognition.

  by pacified on Tue May 10, 2005 at 11:14:16 AM PDT

  •  What I'm looking forward to..

    ...is Strickland vs. Blackwell. Ho ho ho!

    by maxomai on Tue May 10, 2005 at 11:21:01 AM PDT

  •  I have to admit I'm disappointed

    I really like Michael Coleman - I think he is a very strong candidate and could be a rising star in the Democratic Party, but now he's going to face an extremely tough primary. I would have preferred if Strickland would run for Senate against Dewine, but c'est la vie.

    by elsaamo on Tue May 10, 2005 at 12:26:07 PM PDT

•  Ted is the man

  I met him in Iowa when we were both up there for Gephardt.  Great guy, tons of potential.  I hope the OH Dems can clear the field for him.  He has a REAL shot at winning.  Moderate voting record, strong on almost every blue collar issues (guns included) and pro choice.  

  by Samaritan on Tue May 10, 2005 at 11:19:51 AM PDT

•  Yeah, Strickland is

  a star. I can't wait to sign up as a volunteer for his campaign.
  What's really great about him is he is a moderate in the traditional sense of the word, rather than the DLC meaning. He's a former minister, which is definitely a plus. He also voted to withdraw from the WTO which will play well with populists all over the state.

  by John Dingell is my hero on Tue May 10, 2005 at 11:55:20 AM PDT