Posted on 08/25/2005 2:56:03 PM PDT by AuH2ORepublican
While I'm disappointed that J.C. Watts decided not to run for governor of Oklahoma, I'm heartened that Ken Blackwell of Ohio and Lynn Swann of Pennsylvania give us two excellent chances of electing a black conservative Republican to a governorship in 2006. I hope all conservatives rally around Blackwell's candidacy in Ohio.
*Ken Blackwell Ping*
I think conservatives will support Blackwell for governor: the trouble is, AUH2O, there aren't enough conservatives left in OH to elect even Warren G. Harding (our last Ohio president, and his record was not nearly as bad as history has judged it) again.
Blackwell isn't part of the Taft group. That's a bigtime positive right now since Taft's popularity hoversaround Geoffrey Fieger territory. A Taft Republican will lose bigtime right now, and may take the rest of the ticket down with him. Blackwell may be the reformer and may be able to blunt the "throw the bums out" mentality down there.
Right now, there's a growing discontent with the GOP among conservatives - and the main issue is fiscal irresponsibility. Speaking as one myself, we need to get our books in order ASAP, or another Perot or worse may come back and get 20% of the vote in 2008.
"there aren't enough conservatives left in OH to elect even Warren G. Harding (our last Ohio president)"
Which is why they'll do everything possible not to nominate him. You can't run an electable, conservative, black Republican. It will upset the applecart.
Besides, RINOS don't like "his kind" any better than Deimmycraps do -- and I'm not just referring to his conservatism.
It'd be a damn shame if a RINO like Taft were to torpedo the chances to elect a genuine conservative like Blackwell. After two terms Blackwell would be well positioned for a run for the Presdency in 2016, as hopefully Hillary won't be up for reelection in 2012.
Seeing as how conservatives have obviously held their nose and supported less-than-conservative Republicans in Ohio, one would hope the 'moderates' would have the decency to return the favor if Blackwell wins the nomination, and not undermine him as their counterparts in Kansas did to a conservative candidate for governor back in 2002.
And only 73% of Republicans in Ohio voted to preserve marriage last year?
Blackwell also has another weapon in his arsenal that the other GOP candidates don't have, which is the black vote. In his past elections, Blackwell typically pulls in a big share from Cincinatti and closes the gap in Cuyahoga County (though not completely). Strickland would have to do overwhelmingly better in the rural areas, beyond the usual Democratic strongholds like Youngstown and Mahoning County, and probably have to pull in big numbers in Columbus. Even then, I'm not sure how he would offset Blackwell's numbers in the cities in addition to Clermont, Warren, etc.
Now, if Blackwell loses black support, we may have a different story.
He absolutely has GOT to win this thing. Taft needs to resign immediately, and if he took this newbie Lieutenant-Governor with him (of whom I know nothing about), Blackwell BECOMES the Governor.
"Seeing as how conservatives have obviously held their nose and supported less-than-conservative Republicans in Ohio, one would hope the 'moderates' would have the decency to return the favor if Blackwell wins the nomination, and not undermine him as their counterparts in Kansas did to a conservative candidate for governor back in 2002."
The article is correct: Ken Blackwell is the strongest GOP candidate in the gubenatorial race.
I actually think Blackwell could win the general. He'd get almost all the registered GOP vote. As far as the independent vote, he'd get a good enough share just because he is the anti-Taft and independent voters that at least lean slightly GOP may still prefer his solid conservatism to a Democrat. He would also get at least a SMALL percentage higher black vote.
I wonder how he did with the black vote during his Sec of State elections?
I am not too well-versed in Ohio politics, but I agree that he could win the general election. In fact, w/o the state GOP's troubles, I'd say he would probably be a favorite to win. But those troubles do exist, and it looks like the Dems are going to nominate a guy who can pass himself off as a moderate (Strickland is it???). With those two factors in play, I think Blackwell will need unified support for the state GOP to win. By that I don't mean the vocal support of those who have put the party in such a precarious position, but rather he simply needs to not be undermined by them out of pettiness and vindictiveness if he wins the nomination.
See post 8. Pretty well for a Republican I think.
Blackwell...the Black Ronald Reagan...
Poor Youngstown. How long can it hold on? I passed through there on Aug. 1: it looked forlorn, but most of Ohio looks quite well off and appears prosperous despite their bloated governments.
You forgot to mention the Rev. Keith Butler, frontrunner for the GOP Senate nomination in Michigan. We are fortunate to have so many qualified black candidates running for statewide office next year, and if any of the gubernatorial or Senate candidates win, it will send shockwaves throughout the system.
You're very right about this. Ken Blackwell is the only candidate with a plan and a platform for improving the economy and public sector of Ohio. The other two candidates are just Taft-Lite. In fact, Bob Taft may have single-handedly ended the Taft family legacy.
KEN BLACKWELL FOR GOVERNOR!
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