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Jonathan Riskind
A Division of The Columbus Dispatch
Today’s Top StoriesPollsOhio & The PresidencyOpinionTop Stories:Flings and risk-takingPoliticians' confidence does 'em inAttorney General Marc Dann says he won't resign and doesn't deserve to be impeached because the pain he is enduring for a scandal of his own making is punishment enough. More political coverage
Polls: Obama's appeal to working-class whites faltering, polls show WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama's problem winning votes from working-class whites is showing no sign of going away, and their impression of him is getting worse. Ohio & The Presidency:
No state has been a better barometer of the nation as a whole in presidential elections than Ohio and in the two contests since the dawn of the 21st century Ohio emerged as the political fulcrum for America. In 2004, Republican George W. Bush beat Democrat John Kerry by 2 percentage points in Ohio and the state's 20 electoral votes were enough to cinch Bush's re-election. In 2000, Bush's 3.5-point victory in Ohio against Democrat Al Gore put the onus on Florida to decide the outcome, spurring the historic two-week recount. Opinion:
Jeff Stahler Editorial Cartoon Parading protestersIs the Washington County Fair Board a public entity and is the annual Labor Day parade it runs in Marietta a public event? Those are key questions to answer in determining whether the board violated anyone's free-speech rights when it stopped an environmental group from marching in that parade last year. Jonah Goldberg: Extra tax on Big Oil is wrongheadedImagine this. You've built the better mousetrap. (Because lasers and pneumatic tubes are cool, let's imagine it uses them.) You've persevered through years of trial and error in your garage, enduring sleepless nights, the mockery of friends, the eye-rolling of family and the nonlethal laser-wounds to the family cat. But it was all worth it. You take your invention and, with your last few pennies, manage to bring it to market. It's a smash hit. It starts flying off shelves. You earn back the investment in raw materials and maybe something close to compensation for your time. Now you're ready for the big payoff. Robyn Blumner: Media focus on trivial, inane issuesTaking an obvious swipe at President Bush, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last month about the coming presidential election, "At least we'll have an adult in office who can lead and can accomplish something." Daily BriefingOther BlogsEye on OhioGot a Tip?Blog 
From the Statehouse to the White House, your window on government and politics.
The best of the blogsDispatch Senior Editor Joe Hallett picks the best of the blogs. National Ohio 
Eye on Ohio: Obama's 'Leader' 2-minute TV spotTHE AD: "Leader," a 2-minute TV commercial for Sen. Barack Obama. Eye on Ohio: Clinton's 'Partner' TV adThe ad: 'Partner,' 30 second TV ad Got A Tip?Got a news tip or story idea about politics or government? Send them our way:
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MultimediaAudio PodcastsWednesday, April 23, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and James Nash talk about the sexual-harassment investigation in Ohio Attorney General Mark Dann's office. No. 30: Can Reregulation Work? Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about the state's efforts to regulate electric utilities again. No. 29: Economic Stimulus For Ohio Friday, April 4, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Jim Siegel and Mark Niquette get into the details of a new economic stimulus plan proposed by the governor and GOP legislative leaders. Monday, March 24th, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Jim Siegel and Cathy Candisky talk about the friction between Gov. Ted Strickland and Susan Zelman, superintendent of public instruction for Ohio. Friday, March 14th, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about some of the items on the Ohio Legislature's agenda. Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Mark Niquette talk about the Ohio primary contests. No. 25: John McCain: Yesterday and Today Friday, February 22nd, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters discuss coverage of Sen. John McCain's campaign over a 24-hour period. Thursday, February 14th, 2008 Public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and James Nash talk about courting the youth vote Thursday, February 7th, 2008 Public affairs reporters Jim Siegel and Mark Niquette discuss the highlights of Gov. Ted Strickland's State of the State address. Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 Public affairs reporter Alan Johnson and Dispatch Washington bureau chief Jonathan Riskind talk about political events following the Florida election. Friday, January 25th, 2008 Public affairs editor Darrel Rowland talks with reporter Mark Niquette about Ohio's voting systems. Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 Alan Johnson and Mark Niquette discuss the results of the Michigan primary. Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 Public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks with Dispatch Washington correspondent Jack Torry about the New Hampshire primary results. Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 Public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks with Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett who is on assignment in Iowa. No. 17: On The Ground in New Hampshire Thursday, December 20, 2007 Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett talks to public affairs editor Darrel Rowland, who is on assignment in New Hampshire. Thursday, December 13, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks to Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett, who is on assignment in Iowa. Thursday, December 6, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks to Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray about a proposed bonus for military veterans. Thursday, November 29, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Mark Niquette, and senior editor Joe Hallett preview the paper's series on Ohio cities. Thursday, November 15, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Mark Niquette and Cathy Candisky talk about efforts to reform how Ohio's schools are funded. Wednesday, November 7, 2007 Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and city hall reporter Robert Vitale discuss the election results. No. 11: Sex Sting at the Statehouse Thursday, November 1st, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson, Jim Siegel and Cathy Candisky talk about Barry Mentser's arrest, tuition for all-day kindergarten and social security offsets Thursday, October 18th, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about developments in Ohio's strip-club and gambling legislation. Friday, October 12, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson, James Nash and Cathy Candisky talk about Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. No. 8: Games of Skill, Games of Chance Thursday, October 4, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson, James Nash and Jim Siegel talk about new developments in the state's fight against gambling machines. No. 7: Death Penalty Developments Thursday, September 27, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Cathy Candisky and Alan Johnson discuss new developments in the death penalty debate. No. 6: Limiting Payday Lenders Thursday, September 20, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about new legislation to regulate fees charged by payday lenders. 09/12/07 Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and Dispatch Washington bureau chief Jonathan Riskind talk about the sentencing of former congressional staffer and lobbyist Neil Volz, a key figure in the Ney-Abramoff scandal. 09/05/07 Dispatch public affairs reporter Alan Johnson and Dispatch Washington correspondent Jack Torry talk about the death of Ohio Rep. Paul Gillmor. 09/05/07 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Cathy Candisky tackle a new ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court. 08/22/07 Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland, senior editor Joe Hallett and legislative reporter Jim Siegel talk about likely successors to Rep. Deborah Pryce, who announced her retirement from Congress, and the state Controlling Board's approval of a controversial $22.7 million deal by the University of Akron to buy a hotel complex. 08/14/07 Dispatch reporters Alan Johnson, Mark Niquette and Jim Siegel talk about Akron industrialist David L. Brennan, his contributions to a pro-school choice education political action group and new audits of his existing charter schools. 08/09/07 Statehouse reporter Alan Johnson, public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and senior editor Joe Hallett talk about the results of the latest Quinnipiac poll and how one state is attempting to leapfrog New Hampshire in the presidential primary elections. 
Capitol SquareGo behind the scenes at Broad & High Streets. Download our weekly look at state government. The Dann Scandal
Attorney General Marc Dann stands alone amid a swirling controversty that has cost the jobs of several of this top aides. Chillicothe: American's Bellwether
Smack in the MainstreamChillicothe's voting record makes it just the place for tracking the '08 campaign ---- Advertisement ---- |
