Polls: Ohio governor's race a "toss-up"; Race for U.S. Senate looks to be a blow-out

by Chad D. Baus

After showing as much as a eight point spread in August (and with some polls having burdened Governor Ted Strickland with a double-digit deficit as recently as a few weeks ago), Rasmussen Reports now shows John Kasich's lead over Strickland down to just three points (48% - 45%), and within the margin of error.

The tightening of this race has also been reflected in other recent polls, with both Fox News and The New York Times showing the race to be at one or two points, also well within the margin of error.

According to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Ohio, three percent like some other candidate in the race, and four percent are still undecided.

The narrowing of the race for governor has prompted Rasmussen to to re-categorize the race from "Leans GOP" to a "Toss-Up" on the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Gubernatorial Scorecard.

The race is tightening just as differences between Strickland and Kasich on the gun issue are receiving increased attention in both the state and national media, and in conjunction with the launch of statewide campaign advertisements targeting Second Amendment voters.

For much of the 2010 campaign season, the economy has dominated voters' thoughts as to their plans for the voting booth - far outweighing factors that often make the difference in close elections. But with several polls now showing the race has closed to with the margin of error, the gun issue could again become a deciding factor in determining Ohio's next governor.

While Rasmussen provides positive news for Strickland, a pro-gun Democrat who earned endorsements from both the National Rifle Association and Buckeye Firearms Association, the news for vehemently anti-gun Democrat Lee Fisher's Senate bid is anything but rosy.

According to Rasmussen, Rob Portman, a pro-gun Republican who is also endorsed by the NRA and BFA, has now jumped to a 23-point lead over Lt. Gov. Fisher.

The Portman record stands solid for gun owners and is in stark contrast to opponent Lee Fisher's life-long pursuit of gun control, plus Fisher's service on the Brady Campaign's (Handgun Control Inc.) Board of Directors.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.