President Barack Obama will deliver remarks on the economy Wednesday afternoon at Cuyahoga Community College West Campus in Parma.

The event is open to invited guests only, according to the White House. Guests include students and faculty of Cuyahoga Community College, elected officials, and members of the Greater Cleveland community.

The president is scheduled to speak at around 2:10 p.m.

UPDATE: 11:49 a.m. 9/7/10

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, will join Obama in Parma.

Brown will first greet President Obama on the tarmac of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport prior to the President making a major address on the economy before Cleveland-area families, students, and faculty at Cuyahoga County Community College.

Brown is working alongside President Obama to pass the Small Business Jobs Act and to create jobs through a nationwide investment in transportation infrastructure.

UPDATE: 12:20 p.m 9/7/10

Gov. Ted Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher will also attend the event, according to the governor's office.


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

Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray will appear Saturday at the Great Geauga County Fair in Burton Township, according to the Geauga County Democratic Party.

Fisher is slated to appear at 6:30 p.m. and Cordray will appear at 12:30 p.m. Both men will be at the Democratic Party tent at the fair.

Update:
Mary Jane Trapp, who is running for seat on the Ohio Supreme Court, will visit the Democratic Party tent at 2 p.m.

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

U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jennifer Brunner and her Courage Express bus tour will make a stop Wednesday in Willoughby Hills.

Brunner, who is currently Ohio Secretary of State, will appear at National College, 27557 Chardon Road. The bus will be on site from 4 to 4:45 p.m.

Brunner plans to speak with students and faculty as part of her appearance, said Julie Daniels of the campaign.

Brunner is a candidate in the May 4 Democratic Party primary against Lee Fisher, who is the state's lieutenant governor.

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

I was somewhat surprised to see that both Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner have now decided to run in a Democratic primary in 2010 for U.S. Senate.

They are seeking to replace Republican Sen. George V. Voinovich who said he won't seek re-election and plans to retire to spend more time with his family.

Perhaps Fisher and Brunner feel they can make a difference in Washington serving loftier goals and, for now, are throwing their names into the hat to see what may happen.

Keep in mind a win comes with a 6-year term, two years longer than their current office. Running once every six years would be a lot easier than running once every four.

Both Democratic candidates are probably more well-known statewide at this point, than former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, who is the only announced candidate on the Republican side.

My guess, as of now, is there won't be more than one Republican candidate. One reason is that I wonder, in this economy, whether there is enough money to spread around?

If there is another Republican candidate forcing a contested primary (perhaps state Auditor Mary Taylor?), I look for both Fisher and Brunner to stay in the Democratic race to the end.

But if there is just one Republican showing interest, I'll watch for Fisher or Brunner to possibly drop their Senate bid and seek re-election to their current office.


-- John Arthur Hutchison