Strickland talks about his Turn Around Ohio plan

U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, the Democratic candidate for governor, opened up by highlighting his "Turn Around Ohio" campaign platform.

"We're going to end the corruption tax," he said of special state deals for major campaign contributors like Maumee coin dealer Tom Noe.

"I don't intend to raise taxes," Strickland replied to Ken Blackwell's charge that he supported 31 tax increases as a congressman.

"Mr. Blackwell is distorting my record."

For his part, Blackwell said he never supported any of the tax increases sought by Gov. Bob Taft. "When I was fighting Taft...I didn't see Mr. Strickland."

Blackwell called for getting more money to Ohio classrooms.

But Strickland retorted that even the Cincinnati schools where Blackwell's wife, Rosa, is superintendent doesn't meet the Republican candidates goal of at least 65 percent of public school funding going to classrooms and teachers.

"It is one more of his many political gimmicks," Strickland said.