I don't think Blackwell is going to win the governorship. He will not likely win the primary.
Betty Montgonery has essentially signed up the Ohio team George Bush used in 2004. A number of the full time and most of the volunteer Bush people in Ohio have been signed up by Betty. Blackwell will have to beat that team and I don't think he can.
I contacted Blackwell's campaign by email, and got a form email asking for money. Betty's people contacted, me invited me to a get together with her here in Chillicothe. She has over 50 volunteers signed up in Ross County and they were all at the meeting. Except for one or two people it was the Ross County Bush team meeting to donate money and support Betty Montgomery. She spent 15 minutes talking to me and asking for my support. Blackwell sent me a form email.
Montgomery has had a committee formed in everyone of Ohio's 88 counties for three months. She even has the endorcement of Summit County Republicans. She has the best people in nearly every county signed up to work for her.
Blackwell is still laying low. It is a terrible mistake. With Montgomery having the best grass roots people signed up, Petro and Blackwell are way behind.
I figure it will take 2000 votes to win the primary here in Ross County. I did a quick count of the party workers at Betty's Ross County meeting. Betty has signed up people whom I figure will directly produce between 1700 and 1800 votes on primary election day. She needs media to pick up 200 votes to win Ross County. The other two need media and personal appearances to produce 2000 votes. I don't think Radio and TV spots plus personal appearances can do it.
Politics, as Karl Rove proved, is GRASS ROOTS. As far as I can tell Blackwell has not done much to organize the grass roots. I hope he can But I doubt if he can catch up.
Is Montgomery conservative?
You say that she has the "grass roots", but its funny, as a Texan, Blackwell is about the only name I have heard about, except the one already in congress, that is...