The first debate between Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Republican challenger John Kasich tonight should prove to be quite interesting.

The event will be shown at 8 p.m. on Ohio News Network or on the Web: www.ONNtv.com

Strickland will likely allude to Kasich’s time spent working for Lehman Brothers and try to paint him as an out-of-touch Wall Street executive.

He also may try to blame Republicans and former President George W. Bush’s economic policies that led the country and not just Ohio into recession.

Strickland might also talk about school funding and his plan approved last year by the Ohio General Assembly.

Kasich will undoubtedly focus on Ohio’s unemployment rate and the number of jobs lost during the past four years.

He also is likely to blame Democrats and President Obama’s administration for their handling of the nation’s economy.

The challenger also will be making his first appearance to many potential voters, so he needs to appear as if he is calm, but in charge with fresh ideas.

-- John Arthur Hutchison, JHutchison@News-Herald.com