Carnival of Ohio Politics, Post-Election Edition 2008

Well it was quite a couple of weeks in Ohio. For the first time since 1996, Ohio went "blue" on the national level, choosing Barack Obama over John McCain. Democrats, out of power in the Ohio House for 14 years, retook control last Tuesday. They had only a few seats to win in order to get back in the majority and they did it. Our state also had a plethora of ballot initiatives. Issues 1, 2, 3, and 5 all passed. Issue 6, casino gambling, was shot down again. And of course, there were many local issues as well. It was a period most of us will never forget, win or lose. Here is what Ohio bloggers have been saying about it all.

Bearing Drift-Ohio has three entries this week. The first calls out Governor Strickland over his handling over a state employee using state records to investigate Joe the Plumber. What is next for the GOP after this loss, BDO wonders. This blog says the key is fiscal conservatism and self reliance, not bowing to the social right. BDO also posts a new flag for the GOP.

Over at The Chief Source, site founder Kyle thanked Clinton Democrats for coming together with Obama supporters to work hard in Ohio and bring home the state.

Every thing is complete with the end of the election. What hasn't ended are the questionable words and ideas, writes Conservative Culture. Well, one thing that isn't over is the idea of casinos in Ohio. CC is already looking ahead to 2009, when it may reappear on the ballot in a different form. Finally, there is a battle ripping through the Republican Party. It is evidenced in the way Governor Palin was treated. It will rip through Ohio as well, CC opines.

Another corrupt Toledo politician bites the dust, according to Roland Hansen Commentary. Karyn McConnell Hancock was indicted for stealing over $500,000. The history of politics in the City of Toledo and in Lucas County, Ohio is full of stories like these, says Roland.

Network Weaving congratulates the President-elect and says he won by doing things his way - despite being mocked. The post says that we tend focus on Barack Obama's ethnicity, but he won through his message, his vision, and his leadership.

The Ohio Republic has some thoughts on what transpired on Tuesday for both Republicans and Democrats. The post tells Republicans that "success is never final," as they now find themselves out of power. While he congratulates Obama and the Democrats on their win last Tuesday, Harold says that in the end Obama is just a man and to expect very little change.

John Michael Spinelli of ePluribus Media went to a Joe Biden rally the weekend before the election at Bowling Green University. The wrap is complete with pictures. Next up, a post about the deposition of Mike Connell, a long-time Bush associate. Connell was "very relaxed" but an "obstructionist" when it came time to answer questions about his role in 2004 and 2004 designing Ohio election computer systems.

Jason Rowsey of his self titled Rowsey Blog writes that Governor Strickland is doing the right thing by putting a state employee on leave until an investigation into how "Joe the Plumber's" records were found and distributed is completed.

Seneca County Blog has a roundup of many of the local races there and what went into winning them. Not only did this blog correctly pick the winners, their site traffic skyrocketed. Lesson: Even a small blog can make a big difference.

Buckeye Rino chimes in with three posts. First, he went to see a John McCain and the Straight Talk Express rally in Sandusky. Next, DJW writes about his lack of confidence in the Erie County voting and says there was an atmosphere "simultaneously conducive to both vote fraud and vote suppression." And a little bragging never hurt anyone, as the site says that an Ohio House race prediction made back in April came true last Tuesday.

Tim Higgins at Just Blowing Smoke was also good enough to send three posts this way. The first piece focuses on the Toledo area bus system, TARTA. Lets just say it is not a complimentary piece. In another piece, Tim hits on what he describes as one of his favorite subjects, government inefficiency. Lastly, Tim gave out some Halloween costume suggestions, some that were specific to the Toledo area.

Jill Miller Zimon of Writes Like She Talks has photos and a review of an event from today in Pepper Pike. Jill said it was an interesting gathering but somewhat more sedate than the 2006 version. The second story is about an 80 something woman who went from surgery to the polls to vote on the West Side of Cleveland. Jill also shot some video during her two hour wait while lining up to vote early.

The Cincinnati Beacon points out that Obama is actually the first multiracial president, not the first black president. This website wrote to the Cincinnati Enquirer to ask them to correct a headline they published just after the results were final.

Lastly, at The Point, I am already looking forward to the Senate showdown here in 2010: George Voinovich vs. an unknown Democrat. Kyle had a roundup of Ohio Congressional races, one of which has yet to be decided. The two of us also made a joint appearance on NewsNight Akron last Friday night to discuss the events of the week.