Ohio still carries political clout despite loss of 2 congressional seats

4/6/2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian says Ohio still carries political clout despite its loss of two congressional seats as a result of the last Census.

Author Doris Kearns Goodwin told reporters Wednesday that she believes the traditional swing state would continue to play a pivotal role in the 2012 presidential race.

No Republican has ever won the White House without carrying Ohio.

She said the next GOP presidential nominee will have to do three things to win: excite the base, unify the party and appeal to independent voters. She says that won’t be easy given the strong tea party movement.

Goodwin was in Columbus to take part in an event series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Ohio Statehouse. She’s the author of “Team of Rivals,” among other works.