Rob Portman Camp Unveils New Nickname for Fisher: It's Not 'Landslide Lee'

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The sobriquet for Ohio's lieutenant governor appeared today in a Portman for Senate press release. Lee Fisher was branded "Ohio Job Czar." It's a disparaging description dripping in sarcasm and rooted in truth about Fisher's abdication as state development director during a recession. It's shorthand meant to convey the state's workforce has cratered and the unemployment rolls have soared while Fisher headed the Ohio Department of Economic Development. Portman would not be able to make that case against Jennifer Brunner, Ohio's current secretary of state and Fisher's foe in the May Democratic primary. But from this day forward, Portman will be hammering Fisher on this anvil: the "Ohio Job Czar" quit as economic development director during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Portman is targeting Fisher's greatest flaw as a candidate in 2008, the fact that Fisher bailed out when the times turned toughest for Ohioans. Portman is saying Fisher abandoned his post to look for another job, a seat in the U.S. Senate. It's a narrative perfect for 30-second attack commercials.

Matt Hurley at Weapons of Mass Destruction posted the Portman press release on his blog. Hurley chose not to write any commentary, nor did he mention the "Ohio Job Czar" taunt. He ran the straight news that Portman's campaign spokesperson Jessica Towhey said the Republican will report stronger 4th quarter fundraising numbers than Fisher. Portman, of course, has his own spots for pot shots. Portman was the trade representative under George W. Bush, when thousands of American manufacturing jobs vanished into China. Portman ran the budget office for Bush when federal deficits began exploding. Brunner could make those arguments without being tarred as the "Ohio Job Czar" who was supposed to lead the state's economic recovery efforts. In an election year when the economy is going to be the dominant issue, Fisher is running as the job czar who abdicated.

Appalachian Ohio And The Hunger Factor: In A Sinking Economy, Ohio's Poorest Region Needs Help

ATHENS, Ohio (TDB) -- Ohio's Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher -- who heads the state's economic development office -- surely goes to bed each night without having to worry about where he'll find his next meal. But for a lot of Ohioans in the state's Appalachian region -- never prosperous to begin with -- a deteriorating economy threatens families with empty pots and dinner dishes. Fisher needs to deliver a virtuoso performance soon, or step aside. Simply put, Fisher needs to score some jobs, a tough task for sure. He's clearly been dealt a bad hand. But the time for big talk and big plans is probably over. After all, he did run two summers ago on a ticket promising to turn Ohio around. From the Athens News comes a report of increasing concern about food shortages in the state's hill country. Dick Stevens, district director of the Second Harvest Food Bank, is worried about rural Ohioans squeezed by high gasoline prices and a never robust regional economy:

"And the food couldn't come soon enough, Stevens said. In 2007, the food bank put out around 8 million pounds of food, down almost 2 million pounds from the previous two years. Rising gas and food prices, Stevens said, 'have had a tremendous impact on our operation here.' While the average family's budget is being stretched further by the month, Stevens said, 'More and more people are resorting to going to a food pantry for assistance.' In the Second Harvest Food Bank's service area, about half the population is at or below the poverty line."