Ohio's Race for Governor 2006

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

In just over six months, voters will decide who will lead Ohio into the next decade. The person selected will either preside over the state's continued economic decline, or will find a way to staunch a devastating out-migration of jobs and talent.

The former is not an option.

Ohioans will choose between Secretary of State Ken Blackwell or Rep. Ted Strickland, the two winners in Tuesday's primary election.


These two now prepare for a general election campaign that must be one of ideas - thoughtful ideas premised on workable solutions. Voters must reject any emerging campaign banter that is unrelated to vital issues like job creation, job retention, education, tax policy and Medicaid expenditures.

Both Democrat Strickland and Republican Blackwell have talked to some extent about how they would attempt to reverse Ohio's decline. They have stressed the importance of shoring up Ohio's manufacturing base, while attracting new and emerging technologies. Both have addressed the failure of Ohio's public schools and the need for universities to form and sustain a talented work force.

But over the next six months, each man must spell out clearly how his administration would remove the corrupting stench of scandal from the Statehouse while propelling Ohio toward prosperity. Any reflex toward divisive social issues or gutter politics should be repressed, as Ohio voters have grown weary of candidates whose consuming focus on side issues keeps the real issues from their rightful place at the top of the agenda of public debate.

While it's fair to expect that Blackwell and Strickland will sometimes get rough as they engage in philosophical and intellectual warfare, this state no longer has the luxury of tolerating discussions that fail to advance prosperity and the overall public good.

In many ways, this race is the most important gubernatorial election in Ohio history. This is not a time for pandering. It is a time for candidates who advance thoughtful and sensible ideas.

Blackwell and Strickland owe that much to the 11 million people they want to lead.