By Jim Siegel
Enquirer Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - Ohio's ongoing struggle to climb out of the economic doldrums offered ripe pickings for Sen. John Kerry's message that many middle-class Americans don't see the economy on the upswing.

"We need to strengthen and expand the middle class, not squeeze it," Kerry told a crowd of about 2,000 rain-soaked supporters gathered for an early evening rally at Westgate Park on Columbus' west side.

"Some people are working two jobs, three jobs just to make ends meet," he said. "But guess what? Wages are staying the same or going down."

Kerry's two-day swing through Ohio comes in the midst of a two-week focus on the national economy. He raised an estimated $1 million at a Cincinnati fundraiser Tuesday and is expected to raise at least $500,000 at a Columbus event today.

Although employment figures nationally are on the rise, with 1.2 million jobs created so far this year, Kerry argues the middle class still feels the pain through a combination of lower-paying jobs and higher costs in areas such as child care, college tuition and gasoline.

Kerry singled out Ohio State University's recent 13.4 percent tuition increase for the 2004-05 school year.

"Twenty years ago in America, one parent working had the ability to buy a home and pay for college," he said.

"Now you're lucky if two parents together working 24/7 have the ability to keep up and put money away and look forward to a college future."

Just prior to the rally, Kerry visited with two sisters, each single mothers, who were concerned they couldn't afford to put money away for their children's college.

Kerry's top aides point out that Ohio's 5.8 percent unemployment rate remains above the national average of 5.6 percent - a change from early 2001 when Ohio's rate bested the nation as a whole.

Larry Less, a state labor economist, said Ohio has seen job growth in three of the last four months, but not in the same magnitude being experienced across the nation.

He blames Ohio's high concentration in manufacturing, which is projected to grow slower than many other industries. And regardless of who is elected, Less said, it likely won't mean an instant turnaround for the state.

"To a large extent, the industry mix of the economy is something that doesn't change overnight," he said.

"No matter what polices are put into place, it will take time to have an impact over the long term."

The Bush campaign notes Ohio's unemployment figure is falling, down from 6.2 percent a year ago. The president's team has dubbed Kerry's latest campaign swing "Doom and Gloom Tour 2004."

As part of his economic plan, Kerry pledged to better enforce trade laws, particularly with China. He also criticized President Bush for placing the burden of the budget deficit on children, veterans and local emergency crews through potential program cuts.

"You don't make America strong by attacking the weak," he said.

Since the week leading up to the March primary, Kerry has made repeated trips to Ohio, a state Bush won by 4 points in 2000.