Boehner: Obama Can’t Win Ohio

House Minority Leader John Boehner said Barack Obama can’t win his prized battleground state of Ohio.

Boehner made the remark responding to a reporter’s question Thursday about Democrats’ confidence of winning races this year. While Boehner acknowledged the uphill fight he has against the better-funded Democrats, he said that Republicans will do better than many expect.

“And I’ve got to tell you that I think the issue matrix that we’re going to see in this election favors us,” he said. “And while some people think Obama is a strong candidate for them, I’m going to tell you what: He can’t win Ohio. It’s probably why his campaign people are saying, ‘Well, we can win without Ohio.’

He continued: “But I think he’s going to have serious problems winning Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. You can’t forgo all four of those states. As a matter of fact, you can’t forgo three of those states. And so I’m growing more optimistic as each day goes by.”

When asked why Obama can’t win Ohio, Boehner touted the voter turnout operation that President Bush put together in 2000 and 2004.

“I think John McCain has a big advantage on him on the western side of Ohio and southeast Ohio, I think — the places where Democrats have to make big gains if they’re going to win,” Boehner said.