The Observer, February 24, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 18
Blackwell best candidate for gubernatorial seat
It's a tough time to be a Republican in Ohio. Even though Ohio is a decidedly purple state, the GOP has almost total control of state politics. Republicans hold 12 of the 18 U.S. House seats, majorities of both houses of the state legislature, both Senate seats, and every single statewide elected office except for one seat on the state supreme court. You may remember that lone Democrat; she was arrested last year for driving under the influence at about three in the afternoon. With the state Democratic Party in shambles the Republicans have had little incentive to do much better. Republicans have been caught neck deep in ethics and fundraising scandals.
If there has ever been a moment for the Ohio Democrats to reassert electoral strength, it will be this fall's gubernatorial election. Current GOP governor Bob Taft has a political pedigree to trump the Kennedys': his great-great grandfather was Attorney General, his great grandfather was President and U.S. Chief Justice, and both his grandfather and father were senators. Yet his approval rating among Republicans is 18 percent. Several ethics scandals, fiscal and budgetary disaster, and lackluster job growth – among other problems – have caused utter dissatisfaction with the GOP establishment and its poster child Bob Taft. The governor's office appears to be wide-open for a Democrat.
The election will likely pit Democratic Congressman Ted Strickland against Attorney General Jim Petro or Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. Independents and moderate Republicans will determine the outcome of the election. If many flee the GOP, then the Democrats will likely win. Either a Democratic victory or a victory for another weak Republican would be disastrous for the state. We, the young people of Ohio, should support Ken Blackwell, and for the following reasons:
Economic Development
Thirty years ago, before the Republicans took total political control of the state, Ohioans had one of the lowest tax burdens in the country. Today, we have the 7th highest. Not surprisingly we are now 47th in job creation, with a rate of job growth one-seventh the national average. As long as we continue to tax our citizens and corporations to death, we will create few jobs and our best and brightest will flee to freer markets. As Ken Blackwell constantly reminds voters, 65 Ohioans become Floridians every 24 hours. Jim Petro loves to pretend that he fought for a tax cut last year, but in reality he raised other taxes twice as much as he lowered the state income tax.
He believes what he says
Countless Republican candidates have expounded on their fiscal responsibility, only to raise taxes and spending. Campaign platitudes are easily forgotten when reelection or political careerism is at stake. Voters never have to fear that type of political expediency from Ken Blackwell. While you may not agree with everything Ken Blackwell says, at least you know that he believes what he says. In this age of political cynicism, honest political beliefs are refreshing.
He can win
With all of the idiotic scandals over the last few years, no candidate associated with the GOP establishment will earn enough independent and moderate votes to win. Jim Petro embodies the diseased Ohio Republican Party. The GOP establishment has been hostile to Blackwell, because he has been hostile to it. He sees himself as a reform candidate who can right the ship that has been left adrift by Taft and Co.
Though Blackwell is more conservative than the average Ohioan, he has gained support from broad swaths of the electorate. He was born in the projects of inner-city Cincinnati. His father, a meat packer, taught him the values of hard work and family that led Blackwell to reject the crutch of victimhood that many African-American politicians have relied upon. His story and his words ring equally loud in poor black neighborhoods, rural white towns, and the business community.
The race for the governor's office will be a battle. Ted Strickland will be a good candidate who is conservative on important Ohio issues such as gun rights – he has received the NRA's "A" rating. Petro's ties to Taft make his election doubtful, but victory for either Strickland or a weak Republican candidate would lead to more of the same in Ohio. Ohio deserves a change. Ken Blackwell is the candidate to lead that change.
