The good news for Herman Cain is a new poll of Republican voters in Ohio shows him leading Mitt Romney, 28 percent to 23 percent.
The bad news - for Ohio voters, at least - is the 1,668 registered voters polled may be 1,668 more than those who get an actual choice by the time Ohioans vote in a 2012 presidential primary.
That's because, due to a disagreement over a new map defining the reduced number of congressional districts for Ohio, the presidential and U.S. House primary has been set for June 12. A primary election for U.S. senator, state and local candidates and issues would be in March - the earlier primary date used once every four years to give Ohio a greater voice in selecting presidential nominees.
Adding to the irony, Ohio should be a key battleground state next year. But then, considering the slate of early primaries and caucuses - 11 of them before Super Tuesday, March 6 - the GOP nominee may already be decided.
In short, there doesn't appear to be a good reason to have a statewide election in March - or a good reason to continue polling Ohio voters, for that matter.
