Some of Today's State News Headlines
Today is Monday March 10, 2008
Superdelegates key to White House bids, but who are they?
COLUMBUS (AP) - Neither Hillary Rodham Clinton nor Barack Obama can win enough delegates from voters before the nominating convention this summer. Instead, they'll have to rely on Democratic Party honchos' support to settle their already 14-month contest.
Ohio has 21 so-called superdelegates who can support either campaign and aren't bound by voters' picks. They include Clinton-supporting Gov. Ted Strickland, Obama-supporting Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin and neutral Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern.
Here are questions and answers about Ohio's superdelegates:
Q: Who are these superdelegates?
A: The Democratic governor and members of Congress automatically get superdelegate status, as do members of the Democratic National Committee.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Coveted economic prize not directly tied to jobs
COLUMBUS (AP) - Ohio boasted last week that it had received the coveted Governor's Cup for the second year in a row, signaling that more businesses had invested in new plants or expansions here in 2007 than in any other state.
Amid the flurry of celebratory statements released in tandem with the award were plenty of references to the most sought-after economic prize of all for state policymakers: jobs.
Senate Democratic Leader Ray Miller said the award "clearly shows that we as a state are succeeding in our efforts to attract new businesses and jobs."
"This honor speaks to the direction Ohio is taking to draw in business and create the jobs that will sustain the state," said House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty.
Yet, despite two straight years of capturing the Governor's Cup - awarded by Site Selection magazine after an analysis of state economic data - the employment picture in Ohio is no better.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Longtime GOP leader fights back against critics
COLUMBUS (AP) - Critics are lining up against one of Ohio's longest-serving, most powerful political bosses.
Summit County Republican Chairman Alex Arshinkoff, a man President Bush has called the most effective party chairman in America, was removed from his seat on the county board of elections last month by Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. The move was based on concerns that employees in Akron were being harassed, intimidated and threatened, she said.
Arshinkoff challenged her decision to the Ohio Supreme Court, where depositions were scheduled to begin this week.
Within his own party, Arshinkoff faces a power struggle with a Republican state senator who wants Arshinkoff dethroned as GOP chairman.
"I think that people are just fed up," said state Sen. Kevin Coughlin, whose ouster effort is dubbed The New Summit County Republicans. "Everyone's got their own reason for letting him go, whether it's how he treats people, how he spends the money, or his losing record of 10 wins and 67 losses over the last six years."
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
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