In today's Columbus Dispatch, senior editor Joe Hallett's column includes a quote from former Cincinnati mayor Joe Luken, stating that Blackwell will be "moving to the middle and doing it quickly...but that's the magic of Ken Blackwell and why they used to call him 'Switchwell.'" I assume that Blackwell's magical move to the middle will result in his lying to Ohioans about what he stands for and what he'd do as Governor. Seems a bit hypocritical to label Kerry as a flip-flopper in 2004 but to embace Switchwell in 2006. But it makes sense in that Blackwell was Bush's "man" in Ohio in 2004 and now he's just playing at "follow the leader." I think the use of Switchwell as a moniker for Blackwell will be quite handy over the next six months, and Luken will rue the day he let that tidbit slip out! I can hear the long drawn out chants now: Swiiiiitchweeeel, Swiiiiitchweeeel. Makes me smile. Any thoughts on how to use this to maximum benefit? Also, can anyone confirm some of the polling data...after the break?
I've seen a few rumors stating that the most recent Rasmussen polling released this weekend has Democratic candidate for Governor Ted Strickland leading Blackwell by 52% to 35%, a 17 point margin, and an increase of 7 points since the March poll. This poll also apparently has Strickland over the other Repugnant candidate Jim Petro by a 51 to 31 margin, nearly doubling the margin since the March poll.
Lastly, the poll is said to show that Sherrod Brown has closed to within 2 points of Mike DeWine in the senate battle. He was down by 3 points in March and by 9 points in February. So even with DeWine also tacking hard to the middle like Switchwell the past couple of months, Brown apparently continues to close the gap.
Can anyone confirm this data? Do the Rasmussen polls have any biases? Inquiring minds...