Who's lacking 'vision and boldness'? Hint: His initials are TS

Well, this should be an interesting challenge for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate:

"...Beginning today we demand, on behalf of all Ohioans, that Ted Strickland and Ken Blackwell address these issues with specificity."

That's what the Plain Dealer writes in announcing a joint effort between three major state newspapers to focus the governor's race on the issues of "kids, college and jobs."  The Plain Dealer sets up the challenge with an editorial about the need for a bold leader in the governor's office:

Ohio cannot afford a caretaker governor. It desperately needs a leader who will focus on this state's many problems with vision and boldness - qualities too often lacking in the governor's office. It needs a governor willing, if necessary, to sacrifice his career for the greater good of saving his state.

Hmm.  Vision and boldness.  In case you're wondering who this effort is aimed at, let's review:

Michael Douglas, Akron Beacon Journal:  "The U.S. House member and Democratic candidate for governor isn't sharing details. He doesn't have specifics." (Michael Douglas, Akron Beacon Journal, 9/10/06)

Joe Hallett, Columbus Dispatch:  "So far, Strickland has played it safe, eschewing sweeping proposals for fixing Ohio’s economy and schools in favor of a series of relative baby steps encompassed in his 'Turnaround Ohio' plan." (Joe Hallett, The Columbus Dispatch, 9/3/06)

Phillip Morris, The Plain Dealer:  "The far greater issue is, can the man lead? And on that score, he remains a mystery - and vulnerable, despite his lead in the polls.  Strickland has yet to evidence anything approaching talented, senior-level leadership, either in his past or in his current uninspired and timid campaign for governor.  (Strickland plods out of the gate, Phillip Morris, The Plain Dealer, 8/29/06)

Dennis J. Willard, Akron Beacon Journal:  "Beyond those platitudes, however, Strickland admits his plans are still in the developmental stage."  (Politics of ethics play out on trail, Dennis J. Willard, Akron Beacon Journal, 8/27/06)

Mark Niquette, The Columbus Dispatch:  "On taxes, for example, Strickland usually talks more about taking enough time to assess the impact of the sweeping tax changes the Republican legislature made last year than what he thinks about those changes."  (Strickland vague on some key issues, Mark Niquette, The Columbus Dispatch, 8/27/06)

Aaron Marshall, The Plain Dealer:  "Strickland offers only 'basic principles' and the promise to create a blue ribbon task force involving all of the stakeholders to fashion a school funding solution. (Scoring at home: Strickland's panel would be about the 828th devoted to studying how to fix school funding.)"  (Ted's taxing time, Aaron Marshall, Openers: Plain Dealer weblog, 8/18/06)

Jim Tankersley, Toledo Blade:  "In a brief press conference afterward, Mr. Strickland struggled to answer a basic question about the plan: How much would it cost? He told a television reporter the figure was on his Web site, and that he couldn’t remember it — not because he didn’t know it, he said, but because he didn’t have it in front of him."  (Jim Tankersley, Toledo Blade, 9/5/06)

Jim Siegel, Columbus Dispatch: “He provided no details, and asked afterward when he would unveil those details, Strickland said, ‘I will do that if I win this election.’” (Strickland mum on details of his school funding plan, Columbus Dispatch, August 18, 2006)

Bill Cohen, Ohio Public Radio:  “Strickland almost admittedly doesn’t have as great a grasp on state issues. You won’t hear him give a lot of details or offer risk-taking ideas.” (Race for governor of Ohio heating up, Middletown Journal, August 18, 2006)

Aaron Marshall, Cleveland Plain Dealer:  “The Democrat offered no plan to fix school funding…” (Candidates for governor give educators contrasting views, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 18, 2006)

Toledo Blade, Editorial:  "He will need to show that he offers more than the Jimmy Carter formula of good looks and a bit of a southern accent." (Toledo Blade, editorial, 7/30/06)

State Sen. Eric Fingerhut (D):  "Do I think it’s a comprehensive platform yet? No.”  (Jim Siegel and Joe Hallett, The Columbus Dispatch, 8/3/06)