Heard a rumor from 2 different sources that Ohio Gov. Taft,

is going to "quit and/or resign" mid term so that who ever takes over the office will have a lock step on being "re-elected" in 2006.

One source said that Bush is going to make Taft an ambassador....

I mean 2 voting machines in a democratic presict an people have to wait 6 to 8 hours to vote and LOTS dont get to vote...etc etc..

Anybody taking bets on whether or not they shoehorn Ken "I hate my people" Blackwell into the position? If I have to suck it up and accept another corrupt GoOPer as my guv, I'd rather it was the somewhat less corrupt and offensive Jim Petro (he, at least, was against the gay hate amendment), but anybody bet the Bushies want Blackwell to have it, but they know he can't win it outright since he screwed any chance he might have had to actually win an election here the way he conducted the election this year?

Between all the Repub contenders who see themselves as ideal candidates. Fat Betty Montgomery, Petro, Blackwell, Portman? It will be fun to watch, pass the popcorn.

When Blackwell started gunning for some of the really high-profile paleocons in Ohio. He's a wholly owned subsidiary of Bushco, and I don't think the old-line Republicans here like him. Of course, he did start out as a Dem in Cincinnati (what Cinci bigot Republican in his right mind would vote for a 'colored' boy?), until he had the 'capital' built up to run as a Republican.

I'd venture a guess somebody's going to have to illegally shoehorn him into a spot, since the Ohio GOP actually seems to think it can 'go it alone' without the help of Bushco, and Ken Blackwell is all about sucking toes for Bushco.

I think Petro could actually win it honestly -- there are some serious mouth-breathers in this state, and when they can be frightened into coming out to vote, they have numbers. All they have to do is put a 'gas the atheists' amendment on the ballot, and voila -- Republican governor!

As I say, though, I doubt most of the Republicans in this state would vote for a 'colored' boy. I laugh when I read south-bashing posts, because it would be hard to find anybody in any given state south of the Mason Dixon line who was a more obvious genetic throwback than the people I grew up around down in the Ohio River Valley.

ROFL

1. He's a whore for Bush.

2. The Ohio GOP is out to get him.

On #1: The coming 1-2 punch of the economic and energy crisises over the next few years is going to be a nightmare for the Bush Administration, and has the very real potential to bring them down with a vengeance for all of their corruption. Even the media won't be able to put much spin on a demolished dollar and $7.00+ per gallon gas prices, and will be finally forced to expose them, lest they look totally irrelevant. Bush, and everything (and everyone) he's touched, Blackwell included, instantly becomes radioactive by association, and subject to massive popular backlash.

On #2: House Speaker Larry Householder was willing to wage a major campaign to discredit Blackwell and demolish his career to keep him out of the Governor's mansion in Columbus. Just imagine what kind of conflict would erupt between a Gov. Blackwell and a GOP-dominated Ohio Congress. If Ohio Democrats can finally pull themselves together over the next few years, they could reap major rewards from Republican infighting.


Not that I really want to see any of this happen, of course (except the collapse of the Bush Administration). I plan to do everything that I can to see a Dem take the Governor's office in 2006.

As I say, though, I doubt most of the Republicans in this state would vote for a 'colored' boy. I laugh when I read south-bashing posts, because it would be hard to find anybody in any given state south of the Mason Dixon line who was a more obvious genetic throwback than the people I grew up around down in the Ohio River Valley.

Don't kid yourself. "Colored" or not, Blackwell is the darling of the disgruntled right-wing religious conservatives in Ohio. My mostly right-wing gun buddies would tolerate Petro, but all love Blackwell.

Despite that, I expect Petro to get the Republican nomination for governor. He has the party establishment behind him and will have a huge edge in money over Blackwell.

stated the party is split down the middle between Petro and Blackwell. Fundies and wackos and those leaning hard to the right - Blackwell....those more moderate - Petro

In order to protect the person/people who I had the conversation with, I will not say who they are or anything else to reveal other than they were lifetime polls and very highly placed. And their half of the party are EXTREMELY disgruntled by the heavy handedness of the WH in this state which will cost them BIG time. They freely admitted they knew if the Dems brought in good, funded candidates and did not have to go through a primary for any of them, they would lose most of the state positions, the governorships, and quite a few house seats, and for sure DeWine's senate seat. Most of them stated if Blackwell was running, there could be quiet a few Repubs voting Dem, or if they could not stomach that, there would be a lot of "election day flu" for repubs. They hate GW...they understand buyers remorse is not an excuse and they may be very content to sit back and let the WH ruin it for their party in 06 and 08 because they no longer view it as party politics....they have BECOME "the people" themselves, and realize SOMETHING has to be done...and since they cannot raise a vocal finger against the party (they actually fear the Rove controlled RNC), they are counting on US to fix it. Chastisement all around for them, and they were rightfully shamefaced and sincerely apologetic.

They also stated that even in the counties, the fundraisers for Blackwell are done covertly...i.e. he is literally SNUCK into the county for a fund raiser...otherwise, the moderates find out, and the whole thing blows up. They stated there have even been fisticuffs, and many lifetime friends are no longer speaking to each other.

Ohio in 06 and 08 is ours to lose according to them. And I believe these folks.

Where do those morons think they are--Texas???

LOL!

Will anyone actually miss this joke of a chief executive once he's gone? In stark contrast to motor-mouthed, camera-whore Ken Blackell, Taft has been virtually non-existant for his entire six years in office thus far.

Most Ohioans probably still think Voinovich is Governor.

Will anyone actually miss this joke of a chief executive once he's gone?

No. No one. Not Democrats and not Republicans. I don't know anyone anywhere on the political spectrum who likes him. (The sad thing is that we couldn't do any better than Hagan as a candidate in 2002.)

the Governor.

I wonder how they'll all like working for radical Condi as opposed to the comparitively moderate Powell (never did I think I'd call Powell moderate). I was always under the impression the Tafts all were weenie Republicans, meaninglessly moderate.

http://www.bettymontgomery.com/




She's their girl!!

Betty would be the one if he did resign.

Makes sense.

or is this still just an old rumor?

I am amused at the thought of how the Republican grassroots in southwestern Ohio would implode at the thought of Betty Montgomery taking a hand off from Taft. My largely Republican shooting buddies would especially--pardon the pun--go ballistic at the thought of anti-gun Betty. Many of them would gladly vote for pro-gun rights Ted Strickland over Betty.

n/t

I doubt that even if Taft resigns, Blackwell will be the one appointed. His current L-Gov. is Bruce Johnson. His former is now Treasurer of State (I think Jeanette Bradley). It would probably be one of them over Blackwell. BTW - I think Bruce Johnson has a PR campaign going on. Not sure if it is just to help the 3rd Frontier initiative and help with the "coingate" counter-spin, but, he could be someone under the radar with hopes. He seems pretty unlikeable tho.

they are behind her ALL THE WAY!!!

you made me laugh for the first time today (it's been a BAD day).

That would bring Bruce Johnson into his seat. The last thing ORP wants is Bruce thinking he can run for governor. They would have to tell him before hand that he was not allowed to run next year. Supposedly, these conversations have taken place, but I don't know that for sure.

"who ever takes over'

is proscribed by the State Constitution which would be the Lt, Governor.

Bonus points for knowing who that is!

He would be only a caretaker.

The GOP is so fragmented than NONE- repeat- NONE of the major contenders would ever get the temp job.

Jeebus, people are awfully ignorant.

who was appointed after Joe Deters quit. Appointed, not ELECTED, which may be a legal problem.

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