"GOP sees Ohio as key to capturing Senate; Aids bid to unseat liberal incumbent" September 27, 2011|By Alex Katz, Globe Correspondent
DAYTON, Ohio - Liberal Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown’s approval ratings [are sagging] along with Ohio’s economy.
The Ohio race is seen as fertile territory for Republicans in next year’s election, as the party attempts a second anti-Democratic wave that could help complete a takeover of Congress that began in 2010. The party needs to pick up just four seats to win a majority in the Senate.
Analysts say that 10 of the 23 contested seats held by Democrats or their independent allies are vulnerable to a Republican takeover, including in the crucial swing states of Florida and Virginia, as well as Ohio. Of the 10 Republican seats being contested, only two are considered vulnerable, including Scott Brown’s in Massachusetts.
“The numbers don’t lie, which is why you need to look at the Republicans as favorites to win a majority,’’ said Jennifer Duffy, senior editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report....
--more--"
