Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell talks to Scholastic Student Reporters Viviana Solomon and Ayda Suberoglu at the Republican National Convention in New York on September 1. (Photo: Suzanne Freeman)

Wednesday, September 1—In 2000 all eyes were on Florida. This year, Ohio could be the key to winning the White House.

"Ohio has a history of what I call political swings," Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell told Scholastic News Online. He pointed out that although all of the state's elected officers are Republicans, Ohio voters twice chose Bill Clinton as President. "Ohio is not an easily predicted state and cannot be taken for granted," he said. "The state is in play and can go either way."

Ohio has traditionally been half Republican and half Democrat, explained Ohio Congressman Rob Portman. "That's what makes it a swing state," he said. "It swings back and forth between Republican and Democrat."

Ohio Congressman Rob Portman explains what the term "swing state" means to Scholastic Student Reporters at the Republican National Convention in New York on September 1. (Photo: Suzanne Freeman)

While other voters may say terrorism is the biggest issue, in Ohio it is the jobs and economy, Portman said. "Ohio voters will be looking at who is the better leader as far as providing the jobs and opportunities."

The battle for Ohio's 20 electoral votes will become very apparent this week, after the conclusion of the Republican Convention. Both presidential candidates will hold several election events in the Buckeye State over the next week. Democrat John Kerry plans to kick off his post-convention election push at midnight Thursday in Ohio. Bush will be there by Friday afternoon.