Is Bush giving up on Ohio?

[quaoar]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/9951350.htm?1c

Bush visits tail off as campaign heats up in battleground Ohio

CONNIE MABIN
Associated Press

CLEVELAND - President Bush, who for a time was making weekly visits to battleground Ohio, hasn't publicly appeared here for more than two weeks while Democratic challenger John Kerry has scheduled five campaign stops in the state both sides label must-win.

The Republican incumbent's supporters note Bush plans to be in Canton on Friday - 20 days after his last Ohio stop when he spoke in Cuyahoga Falls, Columbus and Mansfield about home ownership and other topics.

Senior Bush advisers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Monday that Bush plans to hit every media market in Ohio before Election Day, starting with Friday's visit. Details about that northeast Ohio stop were expected to be released later in the week.

< snip >

Kerry's polls show he's leading in Ohio by a few points, just inside the margin of error. They believe Bush has stayed away because advisers fear a presidential visit would actually hurt his poll ratings in the state, a phenomena that was happening in the spring.

[NMDemDist2]

1. can he even be close without Ohio? does this cause them to turn

the wick up on Florida?

[Bombtrack]

7. Bush needs to win both

[Guaranteed]

2. LOL his showing up HURT his poll ratings! nt

[gavodotcom]

3. lol that is really hilarious nt

[Bombtrack]

4. He can't give up on it.

If he's giving up on it, he's got some fix on DIEBOLD.

Which I won't believe.

[City Lights]

15. Why won't you believe the Diebold fix is in?

Call me a nervous nellie, but I am nervous about a Kerry win that hinges on Kerry winning FL and/or OH. I have no doubt that the majority of people in those states prefer Kerry, but I'm not confident the votes they cast will reflect their preference once tallied.

[Norbert]

5. No. Cheney is stopping in Dayton and Cincy today.

They are not giving up on Ohio. They can't afford to give up this state and still win.

[0007]

11. A change of pace and that CEO look may appear reassuring

....how much junior can anyone take for christ sake!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. Ohio belongs to Kerry & * knows that when he shows up there he loses more

[helpisontheway]

8. He will NEVER give up on Ohio

He might pull back in PA (which I still kinda doubt) but he would never,ever give up on Ohio since no Republican has ever been elected without it. Perhaps when he visits he can talk about this "MYTH" that Secretary Snow mentioned. His numbers should definately drop more then...lol

[quaoar]

9. Why not?

Gore gave up on Ohio.
Maybe Bush thinks he can replace Ohio with Wisconsin or Minnesota.

[Doosh]

10. If he gives up on Ohio, he concedes the election!

Because Pennsylvania is already a lost cause for Chimpy.

[0007]

12. So is Ohio!!

[quaoar]

20. Not necessarily

He may have decided he has a better shot at New Jersey. That's where he is today.

[liberal N proud]

13. We couldn't be so lucky!

I am not going to stop fighting for Kerry until after Nov 2 regardless.
It could be trick to throw Kerry off guard here.

[The Zanti Regent]

14. Bush will carry Ohio because of Issue 1.

See the Salon article about how the Xtians are pulling out all the stops to stop gay marriage and push Bush.

Sadly, this puts Ohio in the Bush column

[Renew Deal]

17. NO

The dems are also pulling out all the stops in OH. They have been working very hard there. The polls have been trending toward Kerry. Also OH has been very hard hit by jobs.

[Cha]

16. I want us to win Ohio!

I want Jeff Seeman to win in the 16th Congressional District in Ohio!

http://www.jeffseemannforcongress.com/

[Walt Starr]

18. He knows the FIX is IN!

That's why, they're concentrating on states where the election is not rigged!

[demokatgurrl]

19. MAKE him give up! Donate to the Ohio Dem. party!!! n/t

[kentuck]

21. No. He can't win without Ohio...

He cannot give up on Ohio.