For Yard Signs. Enjoy them sprouting up in a yard near you.

From Cleveland.com

In an interview, Koncelik noted that Ohio has the nation's seventh-largest state population, has 11 million registered vehicles and has a manufacturing-based economy that ranks third in manufacturing output.

"Those factors all combine to create levels of air pollution and water-quality challenges that translate into the complexities that we see in our environmental regulations," he said. "I don't believe that we have an unfavorable climate toward business development as it relates to environmental regulations. Do we have a complex set of regulations? We do, but I think that's directly attributable to the nature of the state that we have."

Pollution indexes show that 10 Ohio counties rank among the top 100 in the nation for toxic chemical releases. Five counties rank among the top 25 in long-term particle pollution, and three of the state's metropolitan areas rank among the top 25 in ozone pollution.

Those statistics, spokesmen for environmental groups say, demonstrate why Ohio needs to have the ability to exceed federal regulations.

At the other end of the business-vs.-the environment debate are studies that Blackwell says prove Ohio's environmental policies are anti-business and anti-job creation.

One study, by the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University, says Ohio's regulatory policies are more restrictive than those of all but three other states. Another, by the Pacific Research Institute, ranks Ohio's policies as fifth on the job-killing meter.

Blackwell dismissed Koncelik's concerns, calling the director's letter "an in-your-face from an angry bureaucrat."

Add him to the Suhadolnik clan.

From the PD

What's your number?:

Congressional candidate Betty Sutton, a Democrat vying with Republican Craig Foltin to replace U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, warned potential donors in a recent mailing that there was a Republican plan to run attack ads in races like hers. Perhaps it was to confuse those Republicans that she pleaded: "Now is the time to stop the Republican attacks and protect the Third Congressional District."

These are just 3 more reasons to vote for Ken Blackwell.

From ONN's report of The Columbus Dispatch's, The Plain Dealer's and The Toldeo Blade's endorsement of Ted Strickland:

The newspapers were critical of Blackwell's ideas to slash spending and taxes and privatize government entities such as the Ohio Turnpike, but also assailed Strickland for a lack of vision.

HA HA. So here is a translation: Ted may not have a plan, but atleast he isn't evil Ken Blackwell who wants to... GASP!... slash and shrink state government while cutting taxes.

Any candidate that annoys liberal editorial boards this much will always get my vote.

From a reader's email

I take that back, they did come up with one unsubstantiated reason (two, if you count the joke someone slipped in):

Reason #1)

Strickland's moderation and consensus-building style are more likely to be effective regardless of the legislature's political makeup.

 

Can anyone present any evidence that TS possesses these qualities? The Dispatch couldn't either. They did offer this, though:

Strickland proposes to continue and to expand some of the best policies to come out of the governor’s office and the legislature in recent years. He has endorsed Gov. Bob Taft’s Third Frontier proposal... He also wants to allow the tax reform passed last year to play out until its effects can be judged. He pledges that all of his initiatives… contain the means to pay for them and do not require tax increases.

 

More Taft?! That’s what they want? Isn't that what we have been saying for months what a potential Strickland Administration would be, just carrying the handbasket faster to NJ/MI/NY status? Didn't The Dispatch just spend a year complaining about Taft and crying how Ohio needed a change? Oh...and we're supposed to trust a Democrat not to raise taxes with all the "investing"-- i.e. spending-- that he's promising? Puh-leez!

Reason #2) [I still think this one was a joke.]

Strickland also has the superior running mate. Tom Raga, Blackwell's running mate, is a third-term state representative who is bright and promising but untested at this level.

 

This one kills me! Of the two candidates and their running mates, Strickland is the one that has the least experience in state government or leadership of any kind! Now they want us to believe that Fisher, a leftist dinosaur that Ohio already rejected once-- in favor of Taft no less!-- is going to be the steadying hand that the executive novice, Strickland, needs to guide him through a job for which he is uniquely unqualified.

Pardon me if I find this less than convincing. If that was't enough though, below is what they chose as the highlight of Strickland's vision for Ohio that is supposed to evoke confidence in their man:

Strickland proposes to lead an effort to reach a consensus solution on how to retool funding. Yes, this could become just another go-nowhere, blue-ribbon commission, but…Strickland would be held accountable if he fails to follow through as governor.

 

Wow! How's that for a ringing endorsement. Wait... wouldn't a Gov. Blackwell be be held responsible if he failed, too?

Here's the real reason they are endorsing Strickland:

Blackwell is a polarizing figure, even within his own party, and his bull-in-the-china-shop approach to politics is as likely to alienate the legislature as win it over.

They are afraid that Blackwell might actually deliver the change in government they said they wanted but now fear. They grudgingly admit, though, that it's at least an even bet that the legislature will change their profligate ways with Gov. Blackwell at the helm. That's better odds than I'd give a Gov. Strickland.

Tonight, Joe Hallett of The Columbus Dispatch joined Matt Dole of Lincoln Logs, Paul Miller of Northwestohio.net, and Russell Hughlock, who is STILL waiting for his royalty check for playing drums with The Beatles before they left Liverpool and struck it rich.

Click here and download the full audio in an .mp3 file.