LS,
We moved to Georgia a year ago from Ohio. My family and friends are in Northeast Ohio and I have asked them whats going on there this election cycle...since none of them are political junkies like us, the answers have been pretty vague. Good news is they are all voting Romney.
Anyhow, what are you seeing in your area of Ohio, if you don't mind sharing....
I'm seeing not huge enthusiasm for Romney. I'm also seeing extreme dislike of Obama, even from former supporters. Now, that said, the Romney ground game has been focused on calling, calling, calling. They are just now starting to walk. I think they took Rove's 04 campaign and doubled it. My county made 85,000 calls last month alone---a national record. My friend in SE OH/NW W VA says that the sentiment is strongly anti-Obama there even among union people.
So Romney probably won't have the "Palin love" but it still may translate into a lot more votes.