WASHINGTON - Ohio is used to being ground zero in presidential elections.
Ohio has voted for the winner of the last 12 presidential elections, as I say in my latest Letter from Washington, and right now the state is looking bluish purple.
In 1960, knowing that no Republican had ever won the presidency without
carrying Ohio, John F. Kennedy made a major effort in the Buckeye state, holding huge rallies. Although Kennedy was elected president, his Republican opponent, Richard Nixon, carried Ohio by 222,762 votes.
“Nowhere did I receive such a tumultuous reception, but less votes,†Kennedy noted.
In another close contest, Jimmy Carter's victory in 1976 was sealed when he carried Ohio by 11,100 votes, or about 0.25 percent. He achieved this by winning votes in the small, culturally conservative, Republican-leaning southeastern counties.
On election night in 2004, John Kerry thought he was winning Ohio, which
would have given him the pr esidency over George W. Bush. But when the final votes were tallied, he lost by 118,000, and he considered demanding a recount.
Four years ago, Barack Obama won the state, 51 percent to 47 percent. That was 3 points less than his national margin.
Although crucial in these national elections, Ohio is no longer the cradle of
presidents. The state sent eight men to the White House, more than any other, but the last Ohioan to be elected president was more than 90 years ago, Warren G. Harding, in 1920. He died three years later.
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