Ted Strickland’s Blame Game: Ohio’s Mess is Everyone Else’s Fault

2006 Promise: Create Jobs; 2010 Reality: 400,000 Jobs Lost

“Ted Strickland presented himself to Ohioans as a leader who would create jobs, but sadly, that has not been the case.  Ted Strickland has disappointed the voters who believed in him four years ago.”

– Tim Murtaugh, Republican Governors Association

Despite Ohio’s precipitous drop in economic viability as compared to other states, embattled Governor Ted Strickland and his allies continue to lash out and blame others for his disappointing tenure in Columbus.  First Strickland himself struck with negative attack ads against Republican candidate for governor John Kasich, and now his political allies are piling on using the same tactic.  The negative ad campaign is a transparent attempt to shift focus away from Strickland’s own substandard record as governor of Ohio.

“Ted Strickland presented himself to Ohioans as a leader who would create jobs, but sadly, that has not been the case,” said Tim Murtaugh, spokesman for the Republican Governors Association.  “Ted Strickland has disappointed the voters to whom he promised progress four years ago.”

While other states presented themselves as more attractive to business development, Ohio plummeted, according to a leading financial rating, casting a pall over Strickland’s stewardship.  According to a leading business publication, Ohio posted the second-worst decline in rank for business environment over the last five years.  In 2005, Ohio was ranked 20^th.  In 2010, Ohio is now listed as 44^th among states.

Strickland’s effort to shift the focus away from himself is highlighted in a new video from the Republican Governors Association.

“Ohio’s business climate is at the bottom of the bucket right now,” said Murtaugh.  “Now Ted Strickland wants a do-over?  Ohio can’t afford that.”