The situation here is a bit different this time.  With a presidential race on the ballot and with Barack Obama trailing John McCain by high single digits, 2008 looks to be less severe on the Grand Old Party.  Also gone are dead weights Governor Taft and Congressman Ney, not to mention Senate RINO Mike DeWine.  Without Republicans bad guys to point their fingers at, Ohio voters will be inclined to maintain the status quo this year.

That's why The Blogging Caesar is forecasting no party switches in Ohio this fall.  The presidential race as well as the congressional races in Districts 1, 15, 16, 18 will all be held by the incumbent party.  Of those races, the GOP will be the benficiary of the status quo in all but District 18 where 2006 upset victor Democrat Zack Space seeks re-election for the first time.  His race and the open seat in District 15, featuring a retry by 2006 nominee Mary Jo Kilroy, are the most likely to switch if any do.

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