Strickland Resorts to Recycled Attack Ads

(Columbus) - Devoid of ideas for turning around Ohio's economy, Gov. Ted Strickland took to the airwaves today with a recycled attack ad from the 2008 presidential campaign.

Strickland's ad, called "Good Work," features the same person and "story" as an ad funded by the SEIU labor union in October of 2008, which targeted Republican presidential nominee John McCain.  

See the Strickland ad here.

See the SEIU ad here.

"It's not surprising that a governor with no original ideas for improving Ohio's economy would borrow a stale attack ad from the last presidential campaign," said Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine.  "More than 320,000 Ohioans have lost their jobs since that ad aired two years ago, and Ted Strickland has nothing to offer them but a negative campaign.  The voters know a ruse when they see one.  Ohio deserves better results than we've been getting, and it's time to stand up and take back our state.  November cannot come fast enough, so we can shuffle Ted Strickland off and get John Kasich and Mary Taylor's strong leadership in place to unite Ohio, revive our economy and create jobs again."

Strickland in 2006:

"I think I'm the jobs candidate."  (Dayton Daily News, 1/19/06)

Strickland promised to "rescue" Ohio's economy:

"U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, a Democratic candidate for governor, says his Turnaround Ohio plan will rescue the state's economy."  (The Columbus Dispatch, 2/25/06)

Strickland promised to "return Ohio to greatness":

"Strickland promoted his 'Turn Around Ohio' plan as a 'bold, progressive, comprehensive vision to return Ohio to greatness.'" (Call & Post, 5/4/06)

Strickland promised to "jump-start Ohio's economy":

"Strickland touted his 'Turnaround Ohio' plan as one that can jump-start Ohio's economy, without raising taxes." (Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/5/06)

Strickland promised to hold himself accountable for job creation:

"Every morning when I get out of bed, I'm going to look in the mirror and I'm going to say, 'Governor Strickland, what are you going to do today to create jobs for Ohioans to provide economic security for Ohio's families?'" (The Other Paper, 9/11/06)

Strickland called job creation "central" to his responsibilities:

"The issues that I've said are central to my responsibilities as governor are economic development and job creation," Strickland said. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/13/06)

The Strickland-Fisher record:

• Ohio has lost 427,300 jobs since Ted Strickland became governor. (Ohio Department of Job & Family Services)

• "Since taking office in January 2007, Gov. Ted Strickland has seen a significant downturn in the state's economy." (David Skolnick, Youngstown Vindicator, 10/02/09)

• Ohio's unemployment rate stands at 11 percent, up from 5.3 percent in May of 2005, when he launched his campaign. (Ohio Department of Job & Family Services)

• As of 2009, 85 of Ohio's 88 counties had reached their highest unemployment rates in at least 20 years. (The Plain Dealer, 09/27/09)

• Ohio ranks worst in the nation in manufacturing job loss. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, 08/27/09)

•  The Dayton area's second-largest employer moved to Georgia. (Associated Press, 06/02/09)

• Nearly 60 percent of college students plan to leave Ohio after graduation in search of job opportunities. (Associated Press, 06/16/09)

• Since Strickland took office in 2007, "Ohio has lost... about twice as many jobs as there are residents of Dayton." (Dayton Daily News, 09/05/09)

• Ohio's credit rating has been downgraded to a "negative outlook," and the state is "in danger of having its rating dropped again." (Associated Press, 08/29/09)

• The number of Ohioans who have exhausted their unemployment benefits has risen to levels not seen since the early 1980s. (The Columbus Dispatch, 10/08/09)

"The Strickland administration has turned out to be one of the most dysfunctional in Ohio history." (Editorial, Columbus Dispatch, 10/01/09)

"With breathtaking ineptitude, this governor has almost single-handedly created one of the worst budget crises in the state's 206-year history." (Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer, 09/27/09)

"Gov. Ted Strickland is recklessly, obstinately and selfishly putting Ohio on a horrible course." (Editorial, Dayton Daily News, 07/12/09)

"No one should believe he's a good governor - because he's not.  The lack of leadership this governor has shown throughout this crisis is nothing short of appalling." (Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer, 6/28/09)

"Why were Strickland and the Democrats so eager to regain the Governor's Mansion and legislative power, only to run from the very responsibilities they fought so hard to win?"  (Editorial, Columbus Dispatch, 5/1/09)