TIME Features Ohio as a Key Battleground

I was leafing through my most recent TIME magazine, and I was fairly delighted to see Ohio's races being talked about.  The races between Strickland and Kasich for Governor, Fisher and Portman for Senate are seen as key midterm referendums on Democratic behavior the past couple years, specifically in regards to the recession.  Photo gallery here and story here!

Anyhow, let's do a quick profile on Strickland since we're speaking (sorta) of him.

He's been the Governor of Ohio since being sworn in back in 2007.  He's presided over the economic implosion of the last couple years, when unemployment in the state has shot up to 10.5%.  He's also faced incredible budget shortfalls, and reacted primarily by having state agencies slash budgets and payroll.  There's also been other efforts to increase revenue, primarily through gambling: Keno, trying to put slots in racetracks, and the casino gambling referendum have all happened during the current administration.

But...the budget is still facing an incredible deficit, and many of the state agencies are claiming they cannot make further cuts without serious damage to services.  Unemployment is still highest in years, and recovery is SLOW.

According to the Strickland campaign site, the Governor has done much to lay the foundation for recovery.  Increasing primary and secondary education funding, keeping tuition at public colleges and universities, encouraging clean energy investment, and improving government efficiency are all accomplishments Ted Strickland claims, and all would indeed put Ohio in an excellent position to capitalize on the recovering economy.

Tune in next time when we look at John Kasich!

Back in the Saddle Again?

One of the things that annoys me lately, in a totally irrational way, is the way Time magazine is doing Presidential Election coverage.

Picture it: A normal TIME cover. The art. The titles of key articles. All normal, well and good. But then, two of the articles will definitely be a point/counter point written by McCain and Obama.

Part of me goes, "Wonderful. We need to know what they're thinking on issues like the war in Afghanistan."

Another part goes, "Why the hell do they get to babble about this? I read TIME for expert insight."

Yet a third part: "It's just campaign rhetoric in print. They aren't saying anything they'll actually act on. Which means they're wasting paper that could be printing useful insight."

So while I like to see the candidates' positions getting put out there to a demographic that is at least semi-informed on the topic, I'm worried about their stances being confused with news and informed analysis.

Or am I just feeling ornery?

...And Now for Some News...

No Drugs for Depression

Senate Blocks Energy Bill (The best part? The Dems added the ammendment about off shore drilling that the GOP wanted, and they STILL filibustered)