Ohio Republican Party chair Matt Borges told members of the Ohio Newspaper Association that Rob Portman will be the GOP candidate, and that he thinks Ted Strickland's record as governor makes him a weak candidate for the Democrats. Therefore….
"We'd be happy to pay his filing fee if he decides he wants to be the candidate for the United States Senate."
But Ohio Democratic Party chair David Pepper said a recent poll shows the Republican incumbent is vulnerable to Strickland - or any candidate.
"A 37% re-elect number is very weak. A 40% favorable number is very weak."
Borges alluded to last year's problem-riddled candidate for governor Ed FitzGerald, and suggested Democrats fully vet Cincinnati City Councilman PG Sittenfeld, who's announced he's running. Pepper said Sittenfeld and Strickland would both be good candidates against Portman.
