In 1992, then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton's now famous campaign slogan was "It's the economy, stupid," a pinpoint if not sarcastic phrase that summed up the issue of most concern to the nation at the time.

Sixteen years later, the short political phrase that replaced a Republican president named Bush with a Democratic president named Clinton may do so again.

THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

Registered voters were asked their perception of economic conditions in the United States. Three percent rate economic conditions in the U.S. as "excellent," 23 percent rate conditions as "good," 47 percent say "fair" and 26 percent rate U.S. economic conditions as "poor." Democrats and Republicans are more pessimistic than optimistic about the national economy.

However, pessimism among Democrats (91percent "fair" or "poor") is far greater than that among Republicans (54 percent).

THE OHIO ECONOMY

Registered voters were also asked their perception of economic conditions in Ohio. One percent rate economic conditions in Ohio as "excellent," 19 percent rate conditions as "good," 46 percent say "fair" and 33 percent rate Ohio economic conditions as "poor."

As was the case with the national economy, Democrats and Republicans are more pessimistic than optimistic about Ohio's economy. Pessimism among Democrats (89 percent "fair" or "poor") is also greater than that among Republicans (70 percent).

When asked about the direction of Ohio's economy, registered voters see Ohio's economy as "getting worse" (58 percent) more frequently than "getting better" (21 percent). Eighteen percent of registered voters see Ohio's economy as staying about the same and four percent don't know.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN

The Ohio Poll also presented series of issues facing Ohio's economy and asked registered voters'
perception of the problem presented by each. The cost of health care (72 percent), gasoline prices (61 percent) and jobs leaving Ohio (61 percent) were most frequently cited as a "very big problem."

Additional issues presented to respondents, and the percentage saying each is a "very big problem," are listed below:

• Home heating and energy prices (46 percent);
  
• Unemployment (38 percent);
  

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• Inflation (29 percent);
  
• Interest rates (26 percent); and
  
• Ohio's minimum wage (24 percent).
  

Whether these results from the relatively small sample of random voters portend any voter dissatisfaction with new Democratic Governor Ted Strickland, who continues to enjoy high job performance ratings from voters, has yet to be seen.

In spite of Strickland's 11 months on the job so far, he inherited policies and practices left over from 16-years of Republican domination of all executive offices and the Ohio General Assembly. Strickland has made several important improvements so far, but he cannot proceed unfettered because Republicans still control the legislature, although not by the same veto-proof margins they had as recently as last year.

It's unlikely Democrats can retake the Senate, where the ration of Rs to Ds is 21-12, but they are within striking distance of retaking the Ohio House since they lost it in 1994 if they can keep the seven seats they won last year and add another four.

Making matters worse is news that Ohio has fewer jobs today than it did before the recession of 2001. This fact by itself is tragic and troublesome. But with another recession poised to hit again, as some leading economists speculate could happen, it puts Ohio and Strickland even more solidly behind the Eight Ball, a precarious position for anyone, especially a state, to be in.

John Michael Spinelli is a former Ohio Statehouse government and political reporter and business columnist. He now serves as the OhioNews Bureau Chief for ePluribus Media Journal