[xzins]

Ohio is historically conservative and republican. If someone says the polls are 50/50, then they have to put Ohio in the republican's column because that is the way it would slant.

[Maumee]

I live in Ohio and it is no shoo in state for the republicans.Cuyahoga County,Toledo,Cinncinati,all big Dem strongholds,lot's of work to do here.I only hope Kookie Kucinich keeps his traveling freaky show out of town his district is doing just fine without him!

[chimera]

Historically yes. But there is a huge demographic shift underway. The cause? Immigration. Central Ohio, traditionally a Republican stronghold, went "blue" in the last election, in no small measure due to the flood of immigrants. If you go into any Wendy's here you're going to hear Mexican spoken as a first language by many of the employees, and if you stay at a hotel be ready to give the traditional Hindu greeting to your hosts.

Kerry has a better-than-even shot at the state because of this and the jobs/economy issue. Manufacturing job losses have hurt, and Kerry is clobbering Bush with the issue. The last tracking poll had Kerry ahead. It's by no means a "lock" for Bush.