Ohio: a microcosm of the U.S.

I was searching on-line for material for another post when I stumbled onto this old CNN article by Richard Quest, entitled Ohio: a microcosm of U.S. Below, I’ve extracted just the beginning of this article, which points to the importance of Ohio in the bigger political picture. With the primaries coming up, I thought that this might get some reaction. Further, it will be interesting to see how accurate this plays out. Here's the article:

WELLINGTON, Ohio (CNN) – It has been said many times, but repetition does not diminish its importance. In the race for the White House, the state of Ohio has taken on an importance quite out of proportion.

Only a visit to the state really underscores why this is so, and why with its 20 electoral votes, Ohio will define who wins the presidential elections.

The reason is Ohio is a microcosm of the entire United States.

The major newspaper, The Plain Dealer, has called it “The Five Ohios,” with differing economies and politics.

The northeast for instance, which includes Cleveland, and where the voters traditionally turn democrat.

The Southwest, which is deeply conservative and traditionally votes republican.

And in between, a huge farming belt (where church and family are strong), a desperately poor Appalachian region with the highest concentration of Veterans in the U.S., and a central region which is suburbia personified.

This is America writ small.