For Ted Strickland, visiting Athens is thrice as nice.
The former governor of Ohio made his third visit to Athens in as many months for a speech to local Democrats Sunday evening at the Obama for America office at 1005 E. State St.
Strickland spoke for about 15 minutes about Democratic candidates in Tuesday’s election and why voters should support them. Strickland began by crediting President Barack Obama’s bailout of the auto industry.
“Eighty of Ohio’s 88 counties have suppliers that supply the auto industry,” Strickland said. “That’s why this issue is so important to Ohio, and that is why Mitt Romney is trying to discredit (the auto bailout).”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has improved the economy of Southeast Ohio by putting Ohioans to work, Strickland said.
“The Nelsonville bypass is now under construction because of the stimulus bill,” Strickland said. “It is a direct result of the stimulus bill that Republicans say didn’t work.”
This funding of the bypass and Obama’s defense of the coal industry in Southeast Ohio has cemented Democratic support in Athens County, said Athens resident Ed Hitchcock, 72.
“(The issue of coal) makes it a more important area than I thought,” Hitchcock said. “There are an awful lot of people very much for (Obama).”
As long as those supporters get out to vote, Obama will win Ohio’s electoral votes and will win the general election, Strickland said.
“Every vote is important, and I think this vote in Ohio is going to be close,” Strickland said. “I think it’s important that we get every single person out to vote.”
Athens County will lead the way for Obama’s support in Ohio, said Athens resident and volunteer Kathleen Bell-Horan, 15.
“Ohio is a really key state,” Bell-Horan said. “If Athens is for Obama, hopefully it will reflect the state’s vote.”
Calling this November a “critical election season,” Strickland said this election will be the most important of his lifetime — a belief also held by Bell-Horan.
“A lot is at stake, for me and the country,” she said.
Beyond the presidential election, Strickland urged voters to vote in support of Issue 2, which would create a nonpartisan commission to draw state legislative and congressional districts.
“It would bring about a very positive change in Ohio politics if Issue 2 were to pass,” he said. “This gerrymandering is destructive to our political process.”
Voters also need to support Democrats seeking public office throughout the state, especially Ohio Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-92nd, Strickland said.
“Debbie Phillips is a star as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “She is a terrific representative.”
Rallying support in Athens is important to any Democratic candidate, Strickland said.
“We’re trying to make sure no area of Ohio is neglected, and certainly not a community like Athens and Athens County, where the support has always been so consistent and deep for Democratic candidates,” Strickland said.
sh335311@ohiou.edu
