All eyes are on Ohio for the upcoming 2004 election. As November 2nd nears, even greater attention is focused on southwest Ohio, considered the swing portion of a swing state. But what are Ohio voters really concerned about? And what will be the key factors in their decision-making? ThinkTV’s “By The People: Ohio Votes 2004” goes behind the media spotlight to look at what really matters to Miami Valley voters.
From the ThinkTV studios, a roundtable of Miami Valley journalists, political scientists and commentators will offer lively conversation and regional perspective on the issues at the heart of the upcoming elections. “Ohio Votes 2004” host Michelle Gailium will be joined by guests: Robert W. Adams, Associate Professor of Political Science at Wright State University; Edwina Blackwell Clark, Publisher of the JournalNews in Hamilton and the Middletown Journal in Middletown, Ohio; William L. Hershey, political reporter Dayton Daily News; and Eric W. Rademacher, Co-Director, The Ohio Poll, Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati.
“Our panel of experts will briefly introduce Ohio’s history as a swing state, its voting patterns, and why it is considered so crucial,” notes “Ohio Votes 2004” producer, Thomas Purdy. “They will also discuss recent changes and trends in Southwest Ohio that make it one of the most closely-watched areas of the country, and a favorite campaign stop for the presidential candidates.”
As a springboard for discussion, “Ohio Votes 2004” panelists will listen to ads outlining the issues that candidates believe are important to Miami Valley residents. Then we’ll hear from the residents themselves.
Results from The Ohio Poll, a regularly scheduled survey about the attitudes of Ohioans, will be compared to issues in the political ads and those mentioned in interviews with area residents. The Ohio Poll is conducted by the Institute for Policy and Research at the University of Cincinnati.
“By The People: Ohio Votes 2004” will provide in-depth analysis and commentary, as well as lively conversation, in the best tradition of public television,” says Gloria Skurski, Director of Content Development and Broadcast Services for ThinkTV.
“While most media attention is inevitably focused on the candidates and their message, ‘Ohio Votes 2004’ will offer insight into one of the most important and unknown factors in the upcoming elections: the voters themselves. “
“Ohio Votes 2004” host Michelle Gailium is an Emmy-award winning news reporter and anchor from Columbus who recently hosted ThinkTV’s public affairs series, “Point of View.” Program producer, Tom Purdy is also a news and public affairs veteran. His Emmy awards for documentaries and news broadcasts include the first historic news broadcast for CNN, which established the broadcast style and created the model for future 24-hour networks.
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