The Strickland mandate
11/8/06
Akron Beacon Journal Editorial The first Democratic governor-elect in 20 years can hang his win on more than Republican misdeeds. He stressed school funding. On Tuesday, Ohioans embraced change, most notably in the race for governor, electing Ted Strickland, the first Democrat to capture the office in 20 years. Voters practically shouted their frustration. If Bob Taft and his fellow Republicans have real accomplishments, tax reform, school construction and the Third Frontier, Ohioans have increasingly recognized the absence of the necessary leadership to push the state toward greater prosperity in a knowledge-based, global economy. Ohio would benefit from direction, energy, purpose in its leaders. In that sense, Republicans have compounded their problems by appearing all too often to govern merely to fatten their own. Tom Noe became Exhibit A. Others fit into the corrupting pattern. Ken Blackwell tried to portray himself as a different kind of Republican. His deepest flaws as a candidate? He unnerved voters with his ideological bent and bumpersticker bromides. Look closely at the leading Blackwell proposals, and you consistently discovered a dismaying sloppiness. How many Republicans shook their heads at the thinking of the Blackwell camp? Where was the plan to attract independent voters? All of this isn't to suggest that Ted Strickland won by default. Democrats loved his campaign profile, a moderate with roots in rural Ohio, a friend of gunowners, a candidate with broad appeal. Yet, in an important way, Strickland exceeded expectations in the substance of his run. He campaigned aggressively enough to achieve a mandate. At stop after stop, he insisted his tenure as governor would be a failure if Ohio didn't repair the punitive way the state pays for public education. Ohioans had as much in mind as they increasingly cried, ``We're with you, Ted!'' Strickland made no secret of his desire to turn around Ohio. His showing at the polls signals the wish of voters to see him succeed. A much-improved school funding system marks the start. The governor-elect wants to expand health coverage. He sees the imperative for making college more affordable and fulfilling the role of universities as economic engines. None of this will be easy. Those numbers frequently cited on the campaign trail by Democrats, yes, 48th of all the states in economic growth or 40th in support of higher education, are now the responsibility of a Democratic governor, ways to measure progress the next four years. Republicans may be tempted to play the obstructionists. Democrats may want to wallow in victory. Both sides would do well to look again at the election results. Ohioans want change, and they understand well enough the dynamic of the state: A revolution isn't in the cards. Rather, Ted Strickland stands at the center, in position to build a coalition that will give the state new direction, energy and purpose.
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