Fox News Live's Jarrett called Ohio governor's race "now a bit of a nail-biter" -- but latest polls show Democrat far ahead

Summary: Introducing an interview with Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland on Fox News Live, host Gregg Jarrett claimed that unnamed "experts say [Ohio] is yet again shaping up to be a key battleground state" and the race for governor of Ohio is "now a bit of a nail-biter." But polling data tell a different story: The most recent state polling puts Strickland far ahead of his opponent, Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell.

Introducing an interview with Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland on the May 23 edition of Fox News' Fox News Live, host Gregg Jarrett claimed that unnamed "[e]xperts say [Ohio] is yet again shaping up to be a key battleground state" and the race for governor of Ohio is "now a bit of a nail-biter." As Jarrett spoke, the on-screen text read, "Gubernatorial Race in OH Going To Be Close in Nov"; this text appeared throughout much of the segment. At the end of the interview, Jarrett called the race a "close case in an important state." But polling data tell a different story.

The most recent state polling puts Strickland far ahead of his opponent, Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell. A May 8 Rasmussen Reports poll gave Strickland a 16-point lead over Blackwell, 52 percent to 36 percent. So far, Rasmussen's polling for this year has shown Strickland's lead steadily increasing, up from 4 points in January (44 percent versus 40 percent). Rasmussen's three-month average (March, April, and May) also has Strickland ahead of Blackwell 51 to 37 percent.

In addition, an April 24-26 Mason-Dixon Polling and Research Inc. poll conducted for the Cleveland Plain Dealer put Strickland 10 points ahead of Blackwell, 47 to 37 percent.

From the May 23 edition of Fox News' Fox News Live:

JARRETT: Some experts say the Buckeye State is yet again shaping up to be a key battleground state, this time for the year 2006 elections. The question of who is in charge of the state is now a bit of a nail-biter. Joining us: Congressman and Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio Ted Strickland. Congressman, good to see you.

STRICKLAND: Thank you for having me.

[...]

JARRETT: We've got to end it here. I want to be fair and balanced in terms of the amount of time we gave Mr. Blackwell last Friday. Thank you so much. It's an interesting and a close case in an important state, Ohio. Best of luck to you. Thank you.

STRICKLAND: Thank you.

—R.S.K.