(CNN) – In the final two weeks before Election Day, the presidential race is coming down to just a few states–with Ohio as perhaps the most contested battleground.
For Mitt Romney, the Buckeye State may be even more crucial, as no Republican has ever won the White House without carrying Ohio.
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A number of newspapers in the state published their endorsements within the last week – two siding with President Obama and the other with Romney. The largest paper, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, rolled out support for Obama but with far less enthusiasm than in 2008.
The paper said Obama has fumbled and "often been his own worst enemy," but he has the potential to continue economic growth after leading "the nation back from the brink of depression."
The paper acknowledged the obstacles Obama inherited when he took office and said Obama's failings and lacking "vision for the many challenges that still confront America" in this campaign almost led the paper to endorse GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
"This litany of missed opportunities, as much as the grim economic statistics that have become America's unacceptable new normal, left us sorely tempted to endorse Gov. Romney this fall," the editorial board wrote. "Like President Obama, he is a man of public achievement and private honor. He was born to wealth and power, but used those advantages well."
On the other hand, Obama made the "unpopular but gutsy" decision to further bail out automakers Chrysler and General Motors, significant players in the Ohio economy. "Romney," the newspaper wrote, "urged the companies to file for traditional bankruptcy – at a time when private-sector credit was frozen even for healthy firms."
According to a Quinnipiac University/CBS News survey released Monday morning, 50% of likely voters in Ohio say they support the president, with 45% backing Romney. Obama's five point lead is right at the edge of the survey's sampling error. Throughout the fall and summer, polls in Ohio have shown a tight race, some with a slight advantage for Obama.
Ohio has 18 electoral votes. Both candidates and their campaigns have made frequent stops in both states in the weeks before Election Day. Vice President Joe Biden heads to the Buckeye State on Monday for two events and Obama campaigns there this week.
The Akron Beacon Journal of Ohio printed more supportive ink for Obama. In fact, the editorial sharply defended the president against critics.
"Disappointment burdens the president's pursuit of a second term. Yet he shouldn't be measured merely against his soaring words. What matters are his real accomplishments and the direction he proposes for the years ahead. On both those counts, he has succeeded far more than his critics contend," the paper read.
While the editorial board criticized the president for lacking "political skills" and failing to "address more directly the battered housing market," the board wrote that Obama has set solid measures in place.
"What is telling about a presidency is its tilt, its direction, spirit and priorities. Thus, to those who argue the president lacks a plan for a second term: Look at the foundation that has been set. He has used the levers of government to bolster the economy, investing in education, innovation and health care, understanding the essential role of the public sector in competitiveness," the paper wrote.
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Romney, meanwhile, picked up an endorsement from the Columbus Dispatch on Sunday.
"After nearly four years of economic stagnation, massive unemployment, record-setting debt and government intrusions into the economy that have paralyzed the private sector, the United States needs a new direction," the Dispatch editorial said. "For this reason, The Dispatch urges voters to choose Republican Mitt Romney for president in the Nov. 6 election."
The Ohio paper's editorial proceeded to lay out the results of Obama's four years in the White House in bullet point form, ticking off a series of economic woes from unemployment to the poverty rate still plaguing the country.
The Dispatch, which endorsed 2008 GOP presidential nominee John McCain, said it "warned" readers last cycle of the dangers of an Obama presidency.
"Just as we warned four years ago, this master orator has pushed America toward a European-style social democracy," the Florida paper wrote. "We don't question Obama's motives. The president sincerely believes in the inviolable ability of the federal government to make all things right. But Americans should see that this top-down approach doesn't work."
"Romney, in contrast, would capitalize on individuals' ingenuity, not Washington directives."
The Dayton Daily News and the Toledo Blade, which both supported Obama in 2008, have yet to make their endorsements. The Cincinnati Enquirer has also not printed an endorsement. It backed McCain four years ago.
– CNN's Ashley Killough, Gregory Wallace and Dana Davidsen contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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.....the socialist state of ohio...can it be??
These guys came out endorsing obama, and yet so many still support this socialist lefty looon.
Obama draws praise from Chavez, Putin - and Castro family
Helene & DebasisA, how many etch a sketchs do ya'll want for Christmas!! Twits vote for Twits!!
The Columbus Disgrace never endorses Democrats...they endorsed Nixon, Goldwater, etc.
It's amazing the negative comments from the Republicans on this site. It's also amazing the endorsements and their comments. When these newspapers and their boards endorses Mitt, it's clear to me that these people want to keep the Deficit growing and believe me it WILL GROW by leaps and bounds IF Mitt is elected. Look at what Mitt stands for:-
Women: No More Abortions – even in cases of "Legitimate" Rape. A TOTAL BAN. Ask Paul Ryan to be honest with you.
Minorities/Latinos: Cops will be able to pick you up AT WILL and deport you if your "Papers" are not in order.
Healthcare: Forget it, they will Repeal Obamacare and issue vouchers. God help the elderly. They just don't care.
War: You bet it will happen under Mitt. You may not want it, but Mitt will start it. First with IRAN. Just a matter of time.
Economy: ALL the rich guys will get TAX relief like NEVER Before. But forget about trickle down.
Wall Street: No MORE Controls whatsoever. 100 Madoffs will be on the prowl again.
The poor masses BOTH White, Black, Hispanic: Prepare to be sent to the war fronts to die for your country as you will be seen as expendables. BUT forget Mitt or ANY of his sons being sent to ANY WAR. Daddy knows how to duck that.
Foreign Affairs: With constant war talk from Mitt and Bullying China. The Chinese will call in the debt USA owes them.
Hell: You Americans who want Mitt will then be living it.
So go ahead, think on your backsides. Vote Romney and live in Hell.
I know where I want to live. And it is in peace with my fellow-man and woman. OBAMA/BIDEN is where it's at.
If you want to keep your mortgage interest deduction that makes you a liberal right? Wrong – Far from the truth. Mitt Romney is for eliminating "Loopholes" that benefit the ever shrinking middle class. After all, we don't have a Super-Pac to buy off his positions.
Romney doesn't want to talk about his governorship because he left with a 34% approval rating.
Romney doesn't want to talk about Bain Capital because he looted American companies and shipped their jobs overseas.
Romney doesn't want to talk about his religion because its a weird cult.
Romney doesn't want to talk about his taxes because he supervised the biggest tax fraud in American history at Marriott....
i am sorry i like ronney but he is not telling me anything about his plans if he come the president?he is all over the place when he is ask questions, he never say what he means, so on that i am going with obama, ill see about tonight debate.
You can see steam coming out of neo-cons ears on this posting. Even racist Charlie is loosing his mind on his post. They know Mitt Phony will not win Ohio and therefore not the election.
Mitt Phony...the Outsourcer in Chief.
Choice is clear:
Slow recovery from Bush/Cheney disaster, or
another armaggeddon with Iran war and financial collapse
I Can NOT believe that the Columbus Dispatch picked Romney. They are extremely left leaning.
R= Republican
R= Romney
R= Reverse
We cannot put America on Reverse. Lets move Forward with Obama.
Romney keeps criticizing president Obama of economic stagnation but it is a lie. Things are certainly looking better and very optimistic considering the abyss the country fell into because of G.W. Bush's (and his entourage of crooks) pathetic policies. Any one with some brain can clearly see it. Just because the republicans keep pitiching the gloom and doom scenario it is not the way things are. I hope that president Obama looks strainght into this liar's face and tell him that. After tonight Romeny is history.
>>Americans should see that this top-down approach doesn't work.
If the 'top down approach does not work why why trickle down economics work?
ANY & ALL undecided voters, just look at the post on here from Republican voters and you'll see their inner emotions toward the average American who is willing in this Country of Christian Values to live up to Deuteronomy 15:7. Deuteronomy 15:7; If there be among you a poor man of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD GOD giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother. Obama is his brothers & sisterskeeper. FORWARD 2012
The main thing dividing our politics is right wing rhetoric. No wonder so many conservative voters perceive such a strong divisive atmosphere. Their own political leaders are doing it to them.
Why the Hate repugs! You are ridiculous.... look at the history books. I know you have hard time reading but you remind me of the black and white photos and video of the 60's beating minorities (blacks).
Ohio has many patriots, suburbanites, small business owners and farmers. They will vote for Romney. It also has many on public assistance and in unions. They will vote for Obama. Obama will surely employ massive vote fraud. As a former resident of Ohio, I hope the voters do the right thing.
What have the Republicans given this country over the last four years?? A vow to make Obama a 1-term President !!!
Despite all they have blocked and filibustered (and added anti-abortion and Defense spending riders to); despite the debt-rating downgrade in which they haggled out the cuts that will hit us Jan 1st and blame Obama for; despite their refusal to pass the Jobs and Veterans bills; despite the 700,000+ jobs a month being lost in Jan 2009; despite the Repugs taking ACA to the SCOTUS and failing to reverse their own health care plan – and blaming Obama; despite the $3 TRILLION added to the debt to payt for Dubya's UNFUNDED wars; despite the double-talk, the 20% UNFUNDED TAX cut, the Willard 5-point plan (which differs from Ryans 5-point plan – HILARIOUS) and the etch-a-sketch policies of the GOP candidates – JOBS are UP, the DOW IS UP, UNEMPLOYMENT is down, 5.4 MILLION jobs have been created (after losing 4.4 Million to the Depression and OBL is DEAD. Here's a short list of accomplishments that the GOP HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH !!
1. Affordable Care Act
2. $789B economic stimulus package
3. U.S. auto industry bail out (GM and Chrysler)
4. Cash for clunkers
5. Incentives for buyers of hybrid automobiles
6. Housing rescue plan and incentives for first time home buyers
7. Credits for purchasers of energy efficient appliances
8. Equal pay for women
9. $716B MEDICARE savings over next 10 years to keep program solvent
10. Lower drug costs for seniors and elimination of donut hole
11. Ended policy forbidding Medicare from negotiating for cheaper drugs.
12. Limited lobbyist’s access to the White House
13. Ended the war in Iraq
14. Closed secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and ended renditions
15. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell and biomedical research
16. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
17. Funded high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
18. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
19. Expanded Pell grant program and implemented easier loan repayment policy
20. Phased out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems
21. The Guantanamo prison camp is being phased out
22. Torture banned. U.S. now in compliance with the Geneva Convention
23. Better body armor provided to our troops
24. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear inspection talks
25. Increased pay and benefits for military personnel
26. Improved housing for military personnel and veterans benefits
27. Proposed a Veterans Jobs Act (filibustered by the GOP 3 weeks ago)
28. Ended no-bid defense contract policy
29. Closed offshore tax havens (sorry Mitt)
30. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to allow US government access to records of tax evaders and criminals
31. Ended tax benefits to corporations that outsource American jobs
32. Championed credit card consumer protection legislation
33. Expanded loans and tax credits to small businesses
34. Appointed the first Latina to the Supreme Court
35. Limited salaries of senior White House aides to $100,000
36. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
Ordered the raid that killed Osama bin Laden and authorized drone strikes against Al Qaeda targets in Pakistan,
JOHN
.....the socialist state of ohio...can it be??
These guys came out endorsing obama, and yet so many still support this socialist lefty looon.
Obama draws praise from Chavez, Putin – and Castro family
ANOTHER RACIST
I believe in America. I just don't believe in Myth Romney. He's certainly not going to take us "Somewhere over the Rainbow". If anything, he'll divide the rainbow up into its separate colors and sell them off for a profit
1 in 6 women in poverty, millions on Food Stamps and out of jobs, gas prices off the charts and a dead ambassador that begged for security from this administration and you think he deserves four more years? Ohio-we can do better than this! Romney Ryan 2012
Helene, the U.S. you knew died with free trade, the internet and thousands of other reasons. I don't know which candidate can make this country economicaly viable again and I may not vote for either one of them. Romney is too much of a changling for me and Obama only talks the game. My sense is because what was fundamentally wrong with our economy and the financial system in particular was not fixed, no one can fix anything. And it will take Congress to do whatever fixing there is. We elect a president, not a dictator.
Rudy NYC- how so?
Two BIG construction projects in my area that were mothballed as Bush, Jr. left office have re-started within the last couple of months. The beginning of recovery, despite Boehner. GOBama!
Newspapers shouldn't be making political endorsements. period. Since we don't have any unbias reporting left in American, I guess it doesn't matter.