Democratic Sweep Predicted in Ohio

With more than a third of Ohioans ready to vote a straight Democratic ticket, Republicans could be headed for electoral disaster Tuesday unless their vaunted get-out-the-vote effort comes through.

Fueled by a huge margin favoring gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland at the top of the ticket, Democrats have moved into position to sweep all statewide nonjudicial offices, a new Dispatch Poll shows.

The elephant graveyard also appears ready to claim two-term Republican Sen. Mike DeWine, who trails Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown by more than 20 points.

Ohio voters apparently are exacting their revenge for the scandals and corruption that have plagued state government; two-thirds of poll respondents said those factors were at least "fairly important" in determining their votes.