"The same problems exist just across the border in Western PA. Bush should be strong in SE Ohio and Western PA; he ain't."
SE Ohio and W PA are Appalachia. The economy hasn't been any good there in forty years since coal and steel began to play out. And it has not been a strong republican area, historically.
Fact is, jobs are picking up briskly in the Cleveland area, if not the City itself; but there are a large clot of braindead democrats who will never admit it, like the parasite from Toledo, even as they leave the house for their job every morning.
One other thing is Kerry's sudden discovery that he needs black voters. He did or said something yesterday that pandered to the black vote...can't recall what. Before long, he'll show up in black churches, bible in hand, drumming up support. Oh, I forgot. Politicians aren't supposed to mix church and state. Silly me. That only applies to republicans.