"I guess I'm just more optimistic about Ohio's future than Mr. Kasich's comments would indicate that he is," Strickland told reporters after an event this morning.

The governor was asked for his reaction to Kasich's probable 2010 run for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and the former Westerville congressman's assessment that dramatic action is needed to stem Ohio's economic decline.

Kasich, in an interview with The Dispatch, said he believes the state income tax "has to be phased out." The tax provides the state with more than $9 billion a year, or 34 percent of its operating money. Kasich said he would detail later how he would make up for those tax revenues.

Such a move, Strickland contended, could mean "you're going to dismantle higher education, and elementary and secondary education, and variouis departments of government," which, he claimed, would put Ohio in a death spiral.

"I would just be interested to know how such a loss in revenue would be possible without basically giving up on the state of Ohio," Strickland said.

Strickland, a former congressman, said it was not the time "to get into a back-and-forth with John Kasich. I like John Kasich. I served with him in the House and I find him just a delightful person, I really do."

Strickland said who becomes the GOP nominee in 2010 will have no bearing on his decision whether to seek a second term. Strickland said he will "more than likely want to stay in this position," the strongest indication to date that he will seek a second term.

"I enjoy being governor," he said. "I think I have a wonderful team of people helping me carry out my responsibilities, people I enjoy being with. I like to come to work every day. I look forward to what I do. I'm spending a lot of time getting out trying to stay close to the people of Ohio. I do that on a continuous basis. I find pleasure and satisfaction in doing that, so I don't know of any reason why I wouldn't seek a second term."