Sick Days

The Ohio Republican Party struck out against Barack Obama's speech, portraying the Democratic nominee as more extreme on the economy than Gov. Ted Strickland. Chair Bill Bennett specifically called out Obama on mandatory paid sick days, which Strickland has opposed.

"Barack Obama's disastrous economic judgment was on full display tonight when he advocated for the same type of paid sick day policy that Ted Strickland recently called 'unworkable, unwieldy' and 'detrimental to Ohio's economy.'  When it comes to keeping and creating jobs here in Ohio, even Ted Strickland can't convince Barack Obama to abandon his failed plans that would put more Ohioans out of work and limit opportunity in this state.  At the end of the day, Obama's grand performance cannot mask his lack of experience and judgment to be president," Bennett said.

A plurality of voters are undecided about who should be their next attorney general.

The Columbus Dispatch's poll shows 42 percent of likely voters are undecided about the race, while 37 percent support state Treasurer Richard Cordray (D-Pleasant Twp.), 24 percent support former U.S. Attorney Mike Crites (R-Powell) and 1 percent support attorney Robert Owens (I-Delaware).

Sixty-four percent are undecided about the race for Ohio Supreme Court for incumbent Maureen O'Connor's seat. Slightly fewer are undecided in the race between incumbent Peter Sikora and challenger Evelyn Statton (Straton leads by 4 points).

The sick day initiative has 60 percent support among voters.

Fewer voters support a casino between Columbus and Cincinnati along I-71, with 53 percent favorable to the idea. 

Gov. Ted Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher want Ohioans to vote against legislation that would require businesses with 25 employees to provide paid sick days.

"While we would hope that all Ohio businesses would make paid sick days available to their employees whenever possible, we believe that this initiative is unworkable, unwieldy and would be detrimental to Ohio's economy, and we will be opposing it and asking Ohioans to oppose it as a result," they said in a statement.

This pits the Democratic leaders against unions that have supported the initiative, and potentially a majority of voters.

In the last Quinnipiac poll, 69 percent of likely voters said they'd vote to approve the initative.