Perry County is the poorest county in the state and oddly enough borders one of the richer ones where, oddly enough again, I live. But then again, Perry is a literal stone's throw from my door and New Straitsville is about 20 miles down the road.

In this very traditionally Republican and conservative part of a state well known to be Republican, Obama has far better support than I would ever have dreamed. From both the better off in Fairfield county to the unemployed poor in Perry, there's been some great activity in the past 2 months. I truly believe (as do the other Move-On members here) that the negative campaign tactics combined with the economy have brought about a change. Its not that so many like Obama especially, but a lot of folks are going to vote Democrat because they are willing to try something different. They believe that there has GOT to be something better than what's going on now so why nopt give it a chance?

Maybe that sounds trite but I think its true. The feelings have changed so radically among these folks about Bush and company that they might just try anything. The local morning coffee drinkers at the Quik-Stop Shop can actually be heard saying nasty things about Bush. They are mainly too old school patriotic not to respect McCain the ex-POW but he's too closely tied to the failure of all things Bush. THAT is the most remarkable change to have taken place in rural Ohio over the past year. They feel a bit betrayed.

Ohio is a strange place politically. We have had extreme conservative Republicans in most offices and quite a few very liberal Democrats as well. This is the home of Taft Republicanism but also the home of Dennis Kucinich and one of the most extreme liberal Senators ever to have graced the Congress, Howard Metzenbaum. What will happen here tomorrow is up in the air but I'm willing to bet the state goes for Obama.

I'm also willing to bet there are election problems even with everything they have tried to do......We'll see. I don't see any way McCain can win without this state.

Spaw