Strickland clarifies refugee remarks 'one more time'

A visibly testy Gov. Ted Strickland today clarified his comments on Iraqi refugees for what he hopes would be "the final time." See full story here.

Strickland, on his 44th day in office, told an impromptu Statehouse news conference that he is frustrated with all the media attention he's getting on the topic. "This story has gone on for several days, almost as long as Anna Nicole Smith's death and burial has gone on, or Britney Spears' bald head. . . I think there are a lot of really important issues."

Last week, Strickland said Ohioans could not be expected to have open arms for Iraqis displaced by the war.

"It was an inartful response. This is not an excuse, but an explanation from where I was coming from. I am angry at our Iraq policy. I am angry at President Bush's continued refusal to admit we've got a serious problem," Strickland said today. "There are an estimated 2 to 2 1/2 million refugees as a result of this war. . .This is a Band-aid approach to a huge international refugee problem."

"I'm not worried about national attention, quite frankly. I'm worried about what I've got to do in Ohio to get this state turned around, this economy moving, the system of education improved. . ."

"This is not something that I've lain awake nights and worried about," he said, prompting more questions. "The welcome mat is out."

"Ted Strickland is not going to stand at the borders of the state and turn away any suffering people," the governor reiterated.