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Benjamin J. Marrison
A Division of The Columbus Dispatch
Today’s Top StoriesPollsOhio & The PresidencyOpinionTop Stories: File Mark D. Lay in October 2007 Must repay nearly $213 million, federal judge says AKRON -- Mark D. Lay was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison today and ordered to repay nearly $213 million to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation for his role in the loss from a hedge-fund investment as part of a series of scandals that rocked state government. More political coverage Polls: Poll: Pet owners favor McCain WASHINGTON (AP) -- If the presidential election goes to the dogs, John McCain is looking like best in show. Ohio & The Presidency:
No state has been a better barometer of the nation as a whole in presidential elections than Ohio and in the two contests since the dawn of the 21st century Ohio emerged as the political fulcrum for America. In 2004, Republican George W. Bush beat Democrat John Kerry by 2 percentage points in Ohio and the state's 20 electoral votes were enough to cinch Bush's re-election. In 2000, Bush's 3.5-point victory in Ohio against Democrat Al Gore put the onus on Florida to decide the outcome, spurring the historic two-week recount. Opinion:
Jeff Stahler Editorial Cartoon Keeping trackThe recent outbreaks of illnesses from salmonella and E. coli in the food supply should underline for Congress and administration officials that the nation's food-safety system is broken. Insecure in EuropeA blistering internal review of nuclear-weapons procedures led to changes at the top of the Air Force. And amid the advisory panel's criticism of the Air Force for losing track of six nuclear warheads for 36 hours was a mention of lax security for U.S. nuclear weapons stored overseas. Thomas M. Stephens: Zelman's replacement has lessons to learnState school Superintendent Susan T. Zelman has been nudged aside after months of pressure from Gov. Ted Strickland, who says he wants a real leader. Daily BriefingOther BlogsEye on OhioGot a Tip?Blog 
From the Statehouse to the White House, your window on government and politics.
The best of the blogsDispatch Senior Editor Joe Hallett picks the best of the blogs. National Ohio 
Republican National Committee's 'Balance' spotThe ad: "Balance," a 30-second television commercial Campaign Ad Watch: Obama's 'Country I Love' adTHE AD: "Country I Love" Got A Tip?Got a news tip or story idea about politics or government? Send them our way:
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MultimediaAudio PodcastsWednesday, June 18, 2008 Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett and political reporter Mark Niquette talk about the idea Obama could win the presidency without winning Ohio. No. 33: Legislation, Replacement and 'the Bull' Friday, May 30th, 2008 Dispatch political reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about business before the Ohio Legislature, the state's new attorney general and "the Bull." Monday, May 19th, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and James Nash talk about the events that led to the ouster of Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann last week. Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and James Nash talk about the sexual-harassment investigation in Ohio Attorney General Mark Dann's office. No. 30: Can Reregulation Work? Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about the state's efforts to regulate electric utilities again. No. 29: Economic Stimulus For Ohio Friday, April 4, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Jim Siegel and Mark Niquette get into the details of a new economic stimulus plan proposed by the governor and GOP legislative leaders. Monday, March 24th, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Jim Siegel and Cathy Candisky talk about the friction between Gov. Ted Strickland and Susan Zelman, superintendent of public instruction for Ohio. Friday, March 14th, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about some of the items on the Ohio Legislature's agenda. Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Mark Niquette talk about the Ohio primary contests. No. 25: John McCain: Yesterday and Today Friday, February 22nd, 2008 Dispatch public affairs reporters discuss coverage of Sen. John McCain's campaign over a 24-hour period. Thursday, February 14th, 2008 Public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and James Nash talk about courting the youth vote Thursday, February 7th, 2008 Public affairs reporters Jim Siegel and Mark Niquette discuss the highlights of Gov. Ted Strickland's State of the State address. Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 Public affairs reporter Alan Johnson and Dispatch Washington bureau chief Jonathan Riskind talk about political events following the Florida election. Friday, January 25th, 2008 Public affairs editor Darrel Rowland talks with reporter Mark Niquette about Ohio's voting systems. Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 Alan Johnson and Mark Niquette discuss the results of the Michigan primary. Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 Public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks with Dispatch Washington correspondent Jack Torry about the New Hampshire primary results. Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 Public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks with Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett who is on assignment in Iowa. No. 17: On The Ground in New Hampshire Thursday, December 20, 2007 Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett talks to public affairs editor Darrel Rowland, who is on assignment in New Hampshire. Thursday, December 13, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks to Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett, who is on assignment in Iowa. Thursday, December 6, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporter Alan Johnson talks to Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray about a proposed bonus for military veterans. Thursday, November 29, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Mark Niquette, and senior editor Joe Hallett preview the paper's series on Ohio cities. Thursday, November 15, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Mark Niquette and Cathy Candisky talk about efforts to reform how Ohio's schools are funded. Wednesday, November 7, 2007 Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and city hall reporter Robert Vitale discuss the election results. No. 11: Sex Sting at the Statehouse Thursday, November 1st, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson, Jim Siegel and Cathy Candisky talk about Barry Mentser's arrest, tuition for all-day kindergarten and social security offsets Thursday, October 18th, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about developments in Ohio's strip-club and gambling legislation. Friday, October 12, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson, James Nash and Cathy Candisky talk about Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. No. 8: Games of Skill, Games of Chance Thursday, October 4, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson, James Nash and Jim Siegel talk about new developments in the state's fight against gambling machines. No. 7: Death Penalty Developments Thursday, September 27, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Cathy Candisky and Alan Johnson discuss new developments in the death penalty debate. No. 6: Limiting Payday Lenders Thursday, September 20, 2007 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Jim Siegel talk about new legislation to regulate fees charged by payday lenders. 09/12/07 Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and Dispatch Washington bureau chief Jonathan Riskind talk about the sentencing of former congressional staffer and lobbyist Neil Volz, a key figure in the Ney-Abramoff scandal. 09/05/07 Dispatch public affairs reporter Alan Johnson and Dispatch Washington correspondent Jack Torry talk about the death of Ohio Rep. Paul Gillmor. 09/05/07 Dispatch public affairs reporters Alan Johnson and Cathy Candisky tackle a new ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court. 08/22/07 Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland, senior editor Joe Hallett and legislative reporter Jim Siegel talk about likely successors to Rep. Deborah Pryce, who announced her retirement from Congress, and the state Controlling Board's approval of a controversial $22.7 million deal by the University of Akron to buy a hotel complex. 08/14/07 Dispatch reporters Alan Johnson, Mark Niquette and Jim Siegel talk about Akron industrialist David L. Brennan, his contributions to a pro-school choice education political action group and new audits of his existing charter schools. 08/09/07 Statehouse reporter Alan Johnson, public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and senior editor Joe Hallett talk about the results of the latest Quinnipiac poll and how one state is attempting to leapfrog New Hampshire in the presidential primary elections. 
Capitol SquareGo behind the scenes at Broad & High Streets. Download our weekly look at state government. Guantanamo: Beyond the Law
An eight-month McClatchy Newspapers investigation of the detention system created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has found that the U.S. imprisoned innocent men, subjected them to abuse, stripped them of their legal rights and allowed Islamic militants to turn the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into a school for jihad. The Dann Scandal
Attorney General Marc Dann stepped down amid a swirling controversy that cost his job, his reputation and probably his political career. Chillicothe: American's Bellwether
Smack in the MainstreamChillicothe's voting record makes it just the place for tracking the '08 campaign ---- Advertisement ---- |
