Kasich Having A Very Bad Week It Seems
Forget the poll that shows Strickland re-taking the lead, Kasich has bigger problems brewing. Just today I’ve read several well researched stories that all clearly point out that John Kasich actually bridges the gap between the two types of most hated public figures today: Washington and Wall Street insiders.
First up we have Bill Sloat pointing out that Kasich was able to invest in a lucrative Goldman Sachs fund months before it was announced and available to the public.
Next up comes a couple day old post by ModernEsquire about a very odd land deal Kasich was involved in.
Modern also finds Kasich on the record refusing to say he wouldn’t except stimulus money.
The Dayton Daily News puts another nail in the coffin of Kasich’s only policy position, eliminating the state income tax. The story, rather bluntly titled “No state income tax would lead to big problems”, details the severe budget holes the plan would create and clearly mentions Kasich’s support for the idea (which he’s tried to backtrack from a bit).
The Dispatch also ripped the tax plan to shreds in a rather impressive manner.
OH-15 blog picks up on a Toledo Blade insight into the Kasich campaign, that Kasich hasn’t been forthcoming in saying what he plans to cut to balance the budget. Instead, they’ve just been attacking Strickland’s actions without offering an alternative of their own. While I know I’ve alluded to this in the past, it’s good to see it hit the MSM.
Is it really going to be this easy?
...be that easy. Kasich hasn't even started his 30-second assaults on Ted yet. If anything, given the difficult year Ted had in 2009, Dems would be well-advised to define Kasich before he gets the chance (maybe with IE ads) or Ted's own campaign should do positive accomplishment ads to blunt the "no turnaround" 30-spots that will come from the GOP as sure as death and taxes. Do it now before it looks reactive by Strickland later.
The good news you have found is that that progressive Ohio bloggers like Sloat and Modern (two of the best) are taking on Kasich hard and fast. Too many times (not necessarily Sloat and Modern) progressive bloggers lack the discipline of the rightie bloggers to not savage their own -- or each other at times. Wingnut bloggers seem to stay on wingnut messages with more consistency than lefties. Particurlarly Ted has been taking a beating for months from the likes of Third Base Politics, Kyle Sisk etc. Let 'em have it, guys. It's almost March, 2010.
As for MSM, they will be even-handed for most part and go after both -- or perhaps "off-setting" is a better word than even-handed. Kasich will be able to count on Fox and a few others for foul and unbalanced coverage.