[fieldmarshaldj]

The one thing we can say about Secretary Blackwell is that he's not some token or some affirmative-action case... he is, without question, the single most qualified individual (man or woman) to become the next Governor of Ohio, period. Just imagine the heart-attack the media, the liberal 'Rats, and the RINO country-clubbers would have if we saw a future Presidential ticket consisting of Governor Blackwell and by-then-Senator Michael Steele of Maryland ? :-D

One thing I forgot to add. If Governor Taft were truly interested in saving the state GOP and preserving (or rather, restoring) its integrity, he could instruct his appointed Lieutenant Governor to resign and then follow suit himself with his own resignation, and Blackwell would then become the Governor, being next in the line of succession. He could do it tomorrow if he wanted. But, of course, that would be the act of a statesman, and Robert Alphonso Taft the 3rd is no Robert Alphonso Taft, Sr. Maybe for once he could look to his grandfather and do the right thing for a change.

[The Foolkiller]

Never happen. Taft will remain in office to do still more damage to the state and the party for the remainder of his term. I predict they'll try to deny Blackwell, not because he's black, but because he's a true Republican (fiscal AND social conservative). And it pisses me off to think the Ohio RHINO party (which is what it has pretty much become)would shoot themselves in the foot just to deny him, but in my heart, I know they would. I'm thinking of the judge in Caddyshack again. :-D

[AuH2ORepublican]

"One thing I forgot to add. If Governor Taft were truly interested in saving the state GOP and preserving (or rather, restoring) its integrity, he could instruct his appointed Lieutenant Governor to resign and then follow suit himself with his own resignation, and Blackwell would then become the Governor, being next in the line of succession."

---

What I thought would be better was if Taft resigned in order to "allow the people of Ohio to have a clean slate and put the ethics problems behind them)" and then the Lt. Gov. could, after a week or so (but before he has named a Lt. Gov.), announce that he is interested in running for X and is resigning, and then Blackwell would accede to the governorship.

You're right about Blackwell being the most qualified gubernatorial candidate in Ohio. If Blackwell was white, we'd be writing about how Blackwell is the most qualified but we would be worried if he could get to 50% while getting less than 10% of the black vote; the fact that he's black and has a history of getting around 40% (IIRC) of the black vote only means that he is not only the best qualified but also our most electable candidate (even if Blackwell only gets 20% of the black vote, he would be almost impossible for a Democrat to defeat).