Struggling economies in big cities could sway votes in November

[Nicholas_J]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Some urban mayors believe Democratic challenger John Kerry could score big in Ohio cities that are struggling economically. Others say the economy is recovering just in time for President Bush to avoid a backlash.
Polls show the economy has been the top issue for voters in Ohio, which has lagged behind in the nation's recovery. Nowhere is that more true than in Youngstown and Cleveland, where Kerry will visit Tuesday. The two cities have been forced to lay off workers to close budget gaps.

"You know the old saying, 'All politics is local?' You can apply that to the economy as well," Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said. "In a presidential race, local economies are critical."

Coleman will be one of the Ohio mayors meeting with Kerry on Tuesday for a discussion about the state's manufacturing industry, which has lost 190,000 jobs in the last four years.

Pundits have called Ohio a key to the presidential election. Ohio's statewide offices are dominated by Republicans, but the state contains islands of blue-collar strongholds led by Democratic mayors.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-04-26-ohio-cities_x.htm

[ACK]

1. Very cool

Ohio ... Ohio ... Ohio...