U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland may have a crystal ball that he is keeping a secret.

Even if Strickland could see the future, he would not have been able to plan his bid for the Ohio governor seat any better than the opportunity he now has.

The stage is set for the Lucasville native to take his southern Ohio values and representation to the statehouse in Columbus if he can win the Democratic nomination and then the gubernatorial post next year.

Strickland's chances just got much better Tuesday when one of Strickland's biggest foes for the Democratic nod, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, announced that he would not seek the position.

This comes after other high-profile Democratic candidates, including Sherrod Brown, have said they will not run for the office. Strickland should be all but assured of getting the nod from his party now.

And anyone who thinks the Democrats don't have a chance in taking back the statehouse may be in for a rude awakening.

Republican Gov. Bob Taft's administration has been plagued by ethics scandals and the implication that the leadership is not getting the job done.

From the Bureau of Workers' Compensation debacle to Taft's own &#8220Golfgate,” the governor and his entire group of supporters have taken serious hits in the court of public opinion recently.

The Republicans have maintained a hold on the governor's post for more than a decade and a half but that could change. We are not sure if Strickland is lucky or good but it appears that the stars may be aligning for him to make his run.

It also won't hurt that many of his expected Republicans opponents include current Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, Attorney General Jim Petro and State Auditor Betty Montgomery are all part of the current leadership in Columbus that many voters may feel is &#8220tainted.”

Plus, the GOP candidates will have to spend big money in the primary as they try to beat each other.

Strickland on the other hand may now have the chance to amass funds and prepare for the real battle in the fall of 2006. Still, some analysts believe that a primary would be good for the Democrats since it well help give them statewide exposure.

It doesn't take a fortuneteller to see that this may be the Democrats best chance to wrestle away Ohio's top job.