Politics

Ohio's delegation to the Republican National Convention - set to begin Monday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in downtown Tampa - is already gathering in the city on the bay, hoping for a convention that will give its presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, a bounce in the polls.

They're also hoping to stave off disaster - natural disaster, in this case, which is entirely possible given the fact that Tropical Storm Isaac could be at hurricane status by the time it passes by the Tampa Bay area in the Gulf of Mexico, probably on Monday.

Hamilton County Commissioners are navigating the budget process for next year. No decisions have been made but they're already responding to comments from outgoing Sheriff Simon Leis that they plan to gut his department.

Leis threatens proposed cuts would mean laying off employees and reducing space at the overcrowded county jail.

Commissioner Chris Monzel says public safety is a top priority.

Hamilton County Commissioners are considering a proposal that would cover the projected 2013 deficit in the stadium fund.

Howard Wilkinson talks about Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted's decision on voting hours, Paul Ryan as the Republican Vice Presidential nominee and the Republican Convention which begins in a week.
 

In politics, as in most human endeavors, a compromise solution that leaves both sides less than ecstatically happy is probably the right solution.

That may be the case with Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s decision this week to set uniform hours for early, in-person voting at all of Ohio’s 88 county board of elections.

Vice presidential hopeful Rep. Paul Ryan returned to his alma mater Miami University to rally support for the Romney campaign. Several thousand supporters cheered and waved American flags as he jogged to the podium.

The 1992 Miami grad called it good to back on campus.

“I spent a lot of my formative years here. I like my Skyline 5-way, turkey gobblers, cheese fries at Skippers, Bagel and Deli is still here for sure, right? Oh, I also went to school here,” he laughed.

Ohio's Secretary of State says he's leveling the playing field to ensure the Presidential Election in Ohio will be "uniform, accessible for all, fair and secure."

Today during a news conference Jon Husted directed Boards of Election throughout the state to have the same hours leading up to the election. From October 22nd through November 1st the boards will be open until seven each night Monday through Friday. There won't be any Saturday hours.

"All Ohio voters will have the same amount of time--23 days or 225 hours--to vote in person prior to Election Day," said Husted.

The Miami University College Republicans Facebook page says Paul Ryan is coming to his alma mater tomorrow.

Doors open at 3:30 for the 5:30 event on the Miami University Engineering Quad. Parking is at Millet Hall. The Facebook page also has a link for tickets. https://www.facebook.com/MiamiCRs 

Ryan, the newly announced Republican Vice Presidential candidate, graduated from Miami in 1992.