"Ted Strickland used to call himself the jobs candidate. We just didn't realize he meant losing them. Ohio has now lost more than 330,000 jobs on his watch, and he's no closer to turning around our economy than he was on the day he took office. In fact, we're headed in the opposite direction. Gov. Strickland's budget puts Ohio on the brink of fiscal disaster by setting up a $6 billion deficit with few alternatives beyond a massive tax increase on already-struggling Ohioans. Unfortunately, the governor would rather play politics than do his job, and our economy is paying a severe price for his lack of leadership."
For the Record
Ted Strickland: "I think I'm the jobs candidate."
Asked about Fingerhut's comments on the choices for Democrats, Strickland good-naturedly said, "Was he describing himself as the politics of the past? I think I'm the jobs candidate." (Dayton Daily News, 1/19/06)
Strickland said he would "rescue" Ohio's economy:
U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, a Democratic candidate for governor, says his Turnaround Ohio plan will rescue the state's economy. (The Columbus Dispatch, 2/25/06)
Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher vowed to be "very aggressive" on creating jobs:
Fisher said that as development director he would be 'very aggressive, very proactive' in helping Ohio businesses expand and attracting new companies. (Columbus Dispatch, 11/29/06)
Ohioans give Strickland "failing marks" on his handling of the economy:
A new poll shows that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's job approval rating has dropped dramatically over the last two months. The same poll finds that about half of all Ohioans give the governor failing marks on his handling of the economy and the state budget. (Associated Press, 7/3/09)
Strickland "couldn't be more wrong":
Gov. Ted Strickland is recklessly, obstinately and selfishly putting Ohio on a horrible course. (Editorial, Dayton Daily News, 7/12/09)
Strickland's lack of leadership called "appalling":
Almost everyone thinks Ted Strickland is a good guy. No one should believe he's a good governor -- because he's not. As Tuesday's deadline for resolving the state's budget crisis approaches, the governor's standing is clearly diminished. The lack of leadership this governor has shown throughout this crisis is nothing short of appalling. (Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer, 6/28/09)
Strickland has "shamelessly" failed to lead:
The governor alone isn't accountable for Ohio's well-being. But he is the man at the top. And he has an obligation to level with people about what will happen if Ohio just cuts its way out of its hole. He has shamelessly not done that. And it's because his foremost concern is being re-elected. (Ellen Belcher, Dayton Daily News, 6/26/09)
Strickland's budget called "political fiction":
For all practical purposes, Strickland handed his fellow Democrats in Ohio's House a book of political fiction, with a cover calling the contents a budget. (Tom Suddes, The Plain Dealer, 5/24/09)
Ohio's unemployment rate reaches highest level since 1983:
A wide range of job losses has pushed Ohio unemployment higher for the seventh month in a row, to 11.1 percent in June. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services spokesman Brian Harter said today that's the highest since August 1983. (Associated Press, 7/17/09)
Ohio's credit rating "significantly downgraded" for the first time in nearly 20 years:
Credit ratings on Ohio's $9.6 billion of debt were cut by Moody's Investors Service as the state's manufacturing-based economy shrinks more than the nation's. (Bloomberg, 6/15/09)
While ratings outlooks have fluctuated over the years, it is believed to be the first time since at least the early 1990s since Ohio GO debt was significantly downgraded. (Gongwer, 6/10/09)
Major employers cutting jobs, shutting down factories & moving to other states:
General Motors yesterday announced it will cut about 1,000 jobs in the state, with 860 coming at a Mansfield stamping plant that will close next June. (The Columbus Dispatch, 6/2/09)
NCR Corp. says some of the roughly 1,250 workers at its corporate headquarters in Dayton will be offered transfers when the company moves the operation to Georgia. (Associated Press, 6/2/09)
College graduates are leaving Ohio because they can't find jobs:
A new study of 800 Ohio college students found that most don't plan to stay in the state after graduation unless a good job keeps them here. (The Plain Dealer, 6/15/09)
