An Ohio 527 website and my state is out in the cold!

[Laz]

A friend in Ohio sent me this link and it got me thinking about how states like mine (Indiana) are just forgotten in this election. When I visit Ohio, I am amazed how many political ads are shown (We see almost none of them on local Indiana TV). It raises some questions in my mind:

Is Ohio really THE KEY State to the election?

How does the rest of the nation feel about that fact that their vote means very little?

Indiana has been "given" to Bush. How does that make Indiana Kerry supporters feel that their canidate pays no attention to them? As a Bush supporter, at least I know my canidate will take my home state.

Bush or Kerry supporter, it doesn't really matter. If you live in a state like Indiana, your vote will have no influence on this election.

Bring Back Ohio

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I feel the same way in MA. Polls have all given the election in MA to Kerry. I suppose it is interesting to see which states vote which way, but I have to wonder how many individuals in those states don't even bother to go to the polls because they hear things like this and feel like their vote does not matter.

Regardless of which candidate you are voting for, I see it happening to supporters of both Kerry and Bush in various states and I don't like it.

I really think it keeps people away from the polls.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Hey, I live in Ohio and you can have it! Don't get me wrong, I love my state, but I've had it with the policital ads already and we have over 2 months to go to the election! I am listening to satellite radio and CDs from this point on.
Robin M.

 

[helenabear]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
Hey, I live in Ohio and you can have it! Don't get me wrong, I love my state, but I've had it with the policital ads already and we have over 2 months to go to the election! I am listening to satellite radio and CDs from this point on.

AMEN to that!!!!!!!

I don't have satellite radio, but trust me, radio and even TV are more or less out at the moment. I cannot stand living here with all the ads and political mud slinging. I'd give anything, right now, to be in a state where it didn't "matter so much"

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I, personally, find it terribly exciting to live in a swing state. I'm very interested in seeing which way we end of going. I do have to wonder (and am interested in reading the opinions) how those who live in "decided" states feel. I would hope that whichever side they support, they'll still get out there and vote on election day.

 

[Tinkbell]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I, personally, find it terribly exciting to live in a swing state.

Me too. I love how both sides are really going after my vote here. Makes me feel important.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I, personally, find it terribly exciting to live in a swing state. I'm very interested in seeing which way we end of going. I do have to wonder (and am interested in reading the opinions) how those who live in "decided" states feel. I would hope that whichever side they support, they'll still get out there and vote on election day.

I live in a decided state and I really don't like it. It's nothing against John Kerry, I just really don't like knowing my state has pretty much made up it's mind. It won't keep me away from the polls, but it's still disheartening.

 

[DVC Jen]

Try being a democrat living in Texas. My vote rarely counts.

 

[lucky_bunni]

I live in Ohio - Thank god I have Directv TV and not cable because I'd probably be putting up with all the ads on cable channels. I don't watch the local networks that much to see what they're running on there.

 

[Microcell]

I live in a battleground state and you all can have the political ads!!! I do find it interesting to see how often they come here! There was a primary in Kansas for congress that we got to watch and the two candidates have 207 votes separating them, so probably a recount in the works. It reminded me that every vote can count!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Tivo is a wonderful thing. Fast forwarding through commercials.

As soon as I hear I'm so and so and I approved this message, I press the >> button!

 

[Fire14]

I'm right with the other ohioians Thank goodness for DirectTV, I only have to suffer an hour and half during news. I miss living in MI at times like this.

 

[binny]

Im in Idaho I hear BOTH the Idaho democrats get together once in awhile

Democrats dont even COME to Idaho
oh wait I take that back... Clinton was here ONCE for 4 hours declaring a fire zone a disaster

Ill still go to the polls though

 

[orvilleair]

Historically, Ohio has carried every Republican president and most of the Democratic presidents. Yeah, it's cool to have the candidates visit my area multiple times. I think both are going to be in Cincinnati next week. As for the commercials, I've tuned them out, and remember "I'm Orvilleair, and I approve this message."

 

[caitycaity]

the only way your vote doesn't count is if you don't vote. i live in a state that usually goes to the democrat, though we did recently elect a republican governor, so anything could happen, i guess.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I have voted in every election since I turned 18--you do have to vote to have the right to complain, IMHO--I just dread the next two months of "I'm .....and I approved this message".
Laura Bush was in Toledo Monday, and Kerry was just south of here about 10 days ago....Bush himself was here in the spring and once in the winter too...I have seen Reagan, Bush Sr., and Gore in person here in town over the years...but when it's not election time we never see these people.
Robin M.

 

[wvrevy]

Originally posted by Laz
Is Ohio really THE KEY State to the election?

Everyone else seems to be addressing what it's like in the swing states, so I wanted to address this.

In a sense, there are only two states that really make a HUGE difference in this election: Ohio and Florida. To put it simply, Bush absolutely HAS to win both of those states in order to be reelected. A loss in either pretty much guarantees the election for Kerry. If Kerry should happen to win both of those states, and no major surprises happen elsewhere, then there is just no way Bush can get the electoral votes needed to win. Period.

So yes, Ohio is a VERY important battleground state, as is Florida. Also Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and a handful of others, but all to relatively minor degrees compared to the big two.