Toledoans happy to see Biden

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Amid gray skies, up to 10,000 people lined Summit Street Monday morning to catch a glimpse of Vice President Joe Biden and Gov. Ted Strickland Monday morning for the city's annual Labor Day parade.

There might ave been more attendees this year due to special guest Mr. Biden, who visited Toledo for the second time in two weeks.

The vice president dashed along the downtown parade route, shaking hands and hugging supporters, many of them wearing shirts with the names of local candidates.
He seemed to energize the crowd, smiling most of the way.

"Beautiful dog," he shouted to a man sitting with a yellow Labrador.

Biden didn't make any public remarks during his hour-long appearance before flying home to spend time with his family.

Democrats hope he delivered some much needed enthusiasm. Gov. Strickland acknowledged they face a challenging climate.

A poll released Sunday by The Columbus Dispatch said Republican candidates have double-digit leads in the races for governor and U.S. Senate.

"I think I'm down," Strickland said. "I don't think I'm down by 12 points."

Still, he said he's confident he'll win with his campaign strategy to get out early voters and frequent visits from Biden and Obama. The president will be in Cleveland Wednesday to talk about research and development tax credits for businesses.

"I hope both of them come back often," Strickland said, denying any suggestion that wavering support for the president could hurt his campaign.

The second-in-command was in Toledo just two weeks ago visiting the Toledo Supplier Park and the Chrysler Toledo North Assembly Plant. He also attended a fundraiser for Gov. Strickland in Perrysburg.

The vice president and Gov. Strickland are campaigning together in a state where Democrats are trailing Republicans by double digits in races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Many are wondering, though, if Mr. Biden will tour June's torando devastation, mainly Millbury, Moline and Lake Township. During his recent August trip, FOX Toledo News media partner the Sentinel-Tribune pointed out that while in Wood County for the governor's fundraiser, the Biden motorcade bypassed the tornado recovery effort.

Republican Rich Iott, a businessman who is challenging longtime U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Toledo, blamed the Democrats for slowing the economy.

"Those who run big and small businesses are not hiring because they are uncertain about what Washington is going to do next to either tax or regulate their business or industry," he said.

Dennis Duffer, a member of the local bricklayers union who marched in Monday's parade, said there seems to be less interest in the election this time around compared with two years ago when Obama was on his way to become the nation's first black president.

"This is just not as dramatic," he said, adding that anyone in office is in trouble this year. "People are looking for someone who turn the country around. They just want someone with a plan."

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.