You would think that Ohio Republicans would have learned by now.  Ted Strickland and Marc Dann are playing for keeps. 

First, Strickland vetoed legislation that capped lawsuits against manufacturers of lead paint based upon legal advice from Dann. Here's the visual, Strickland and Dann stand up for consumers and sick children, Republicans stand with greedy, evil paint manufacturers with their high powered lobbyists and big campaign contributions.

Today, Strickland and Dann did it again.  Ohio voters have three times rejected efforts to expand gambling in Ohio, most recently a proposal last fall to allow slot machines at Ohio horsetracks. This spring Ohio Senate Republicans passed legislation to allow slot like devices at Ohio racetracks and the House was poised to pass it too.  Strickland had promised not to veto the language.

This morning Governor Strickland and Attorney General Dann reversed course and announced their support for legislation to ban prizes from gaming machines, including so called "skill games".  At the same time, Strickland stated that voters have spoken and threatened to veto the slots like Senate bill.

Again, here's the visual.  Strickland and Dann stand with voters, while Republicans stand with lobbyists and special interests. 

It's called triangulation, Strickland style.  Strickland cuts into the GOP base, which generally opposes gambling, while at the same time promising property tax cuts for seniors, another core GOP issue.

Meanwhile, in the runup to the 2008 elections, Republicans are portrayed as corrupt, out of touch, and promoters of an extreme social agenda that wants to outlaw strip clubs and gay adoption.  Ohio Republicans better wake up before it's too late.

Scott Pullins
Publisher,
The Pullins Report