We've having a convention is a SWING state (sorry, I refuse to use the colors that the media tells me to, and even so, Ohio is a 50-50 state, not a safe Democrat one) because you win elections by convincing swing voters to support your vision, not by preaching to the choir in a state you're guaranteed to win no matter how badly you do nationally.
The GOP doesn't win elections by drumming up support only in Texas and Wyoming, and the RATs don't win elections by drumming up support only in Massachuttes and San Francisco. (see Walter Mondale and John Kerry).
In short, I have no problem holding the convention in Ohio. I DO have a problem with having a backstabbing RINO scumbag like Portman get a major speaking slot and having him represent the face of the party.
As a citizen of Ohio, you are spot on. Ohio is a 50-50 state - and never to be taken for granted. Kasich is running again for governor this November, and I expect he will win. He also is neither true conservative nor true liberal, but a moderate. He has put our state in a good financial situation, but of course, like everyone I’ve voted for - he has his warts. I wish Portman would get primaried. The true evil we need to get rid of is Sherrod Brown.
Period. WHY? Because the GOP, with my ignorant help by voting straight party ticket over the last few decades, has devolved into a knock-off cheaper brand of Democrat. Americans are WISE to this. Instead of participating in an increasingly ridiculous charade, they stay home and say, "Screw that."
We need a Second party. I have been voting straight Republican for decades. I ain't no spring chicken; instead I'm a little sadder and wiser. The Republican party gives me virtually ZILCH to vote for, and expects me to fall for the fantasy that I get to vote "against" the other guy.
When I was a spring chicken, I believed in voting "against." I've figured a few things out over the years, and one of them is that you ONLY get to vote FOR; anybody who wants you to vote for someone because it is "the same as voting against" the bad guy, is feather-brained -- maybe well-meaning and sincere, but feather-brained just the same.
You only get to vote FOR, or you don't vote at all. IT IS BINARY, 0, or 1. So the ONLY thing that counts is what you vote FOR. Ignoring that physical, material reality is HOW the GOP became the Democrat Lite party that it is today. You can ignore reality all you want -- but it won't ignore you!