Ohio Looking Very, Very Red: While several election battles are waging in Ohio, the fight appears to be over for one Democrat: Senatorial candidate Lee Fisher, the state’s Jewish lieutenant governor. Even after boosts from actors Matthew Morrison and Martin Sheen, Fisher turned over his small lump of $100,000 in campaign cash over to the Democratic party. Fisher maintains this doesn’t mean he’s quitting. Polls show Republican opponent Rob Portman a good 17 points ahead. (Talking Points Memo)
In February, the Forward selected 10 top Jewish candidates to watch this election season. Eight months later, and with under two weeks before a contentious election season comes to a close, we check in with where the candidates stand today.
As Democrat Lee Fisher, Ohio’s Jewish lieutenant governor, struggles in the polls, he seems to need all the help he can get in his race for senator of the Buckeye State. Indeed, a new poll put him 22 points behind Rob Portman, his Republican opponent and former Bush official. Formerly, Fisher, who now polls at 36% of the vote, was only 15 points behind.
Ohio, Deep Red: Even the extra help from ‘Glee for Lee’ with Mr. Schu (or, as non-Gleeks know him, actor Matthew Morrison) isn’t doing much for Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, the Democratic candidate in the U.S. Senate race. The double-digit lead of Republican Rob Portman only continues to grow. (Cincinnati.com)
The Other [Uncovered] March: Think only Glenn Beck can lure tens of thousands to the National Mall for a march? Well, think again — because over the weekend, an estimated 200,000 liberals attended the “One Nation Working Together March,” organized by unions, civil rights groups and other left-inclined groups. (The Week)
Florida Heat: According to Politico’s Alexander Burns, Gov. Charlie Crist, running in Florida’s senatorial contest as an independent, is about to get “the full Arlen Specter treatment” as the state’s Democratic party supports an ad from Democratic opponent Kendrick Meek that points to Crist’s Republican — no less, his “Jeb Bush Republican” — past. It includes footage of Crist praising Sen. John McCain for choosing Sarah Palin as his 2008 running mate. (Politico)
Ohio’s Jewish community is getting lots of love from presidential surrogates this Columbus Day weekend.