Ken Blackwell has probably destroyed his shot at becoming Ohio Gov in 2006

[NEOBuckeye]

At least he's provided us a long stick in the voter registration debacle with which we can beat him over the head. And now, the Ohio Dems are calling for his resignation. Looks like the Ohio GOP may finally be on the verge of imploding!

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. The guy is only human, he got into some kind of a lunatic

frenzy and figured he could save the world for * by doing this. Lost any common sense he had, and went nuts. He will pay for this idiotic move.

[realisticphish]

2. i imagine a time

when kucinich is our governor. i know its way more important to have him in congress, but still, wouldnit it kick ass?

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[NEOBuckeye]

3. I think Dennis needs to move to Washington State

He'd have a real legitimate chance there. Ohio has such a long way to go before it will truly be ready for Kucinich.

[realisticphish]

4. true,

but we also need such people here, trying to get change. its kind of a good/bad thing to have him here right now. we arent ready for him, but we need to have someone like him working for us...:shrug:

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

5. Ohio GOP Imploding

...sort of like the "Death Star" in the first Star Wars movie!

[FatSlob]

6. I disagree.

Ken has enourmous personal charisma, and will be stronly backed by Republicans and other conservatives. Ken is solid on lowering taxes and trimming fat from the Ohio budget. He's strong on gun rights, which will go over well in the rural areas and the Cincy and Dayton suburbs. Ken Blackwell could have beaten Bob Taft in the primaries a few years ago, if he had stayed in teh race. Blackwell is a very formidable opponent. I would not underestimate him. (yes, I am personally familiar with him) Ken Blackwell, if he can win the primary against Jim Petro, will have an excellent shot at the mansion in Bexley. Beware of Blackwell.

On edit: Don't forget the fact that he is black, and traditionally picks up a big percentage of the minority vote. Also, the man is enourmous. He's got to be 6'6" tall and 300#. He is SCARY big, not that it has anything to do with electability. Beware of Blackwell. He is anti-gay, and very religious. Blackwell can win this, be very wary.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

7. He is black...

which means that 5-10% of Ohio Republicans will not vote for him.

Blackwell has also mightily pissed off Republicans in the General Assembly by working to repeal their temporary tax increase. Sure the anti-tax lunatics love him, but he won't get any support from the big money.

Blackwell never had a chance to begin with...

[FatSlob]

8. I think a message of lower taxes and smaller government...

...would resonate with Ohioans. The Republicans, under Bob SHAFT have jacked up taxes and have raised spending astronomically. With Blackwell's leading of the repeal the tax campaign, he'll get tons of positive publicity. He could win. We'll have to wait a while to see, though. Are there any Dems who have said they would run?

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

10. I've heard that Strickland is a possibility

.

[FatSlob]

11. He has good name recognition around here.

Other. He could be a good choice. I think the way we can win back the legislature is to decry the tax and spend attitude of the Republicans in office.

[NEOBuckeye]

13. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is strongly considering a run.

He's been successful in Columbus as far as I can tell. Columbus has surpassed Cleveland to become Ohio's largest city, and it's about the only place in this state that's thriving right now.

[NEOBuckeye]

12. I agree that we shouldn't underestimate any potential opponent. But...

As ritc2750 pointed out, Blackwell's charisma won't win him the backing of his party's leadership, some of whom are already pissed off at him, and seeking their own turn in the mansion. Keep in mind that Blackwell is further to the right in his views than much of the current Ohio Republican leadership, who are traditionally more moderate-right in Rockefeller fashion. Blackwell poses a legitimate ideological threat to the continued stability their machine, in much the same way that Gov. Howard Dean threatened Terry McAuliffe's DNC. (And note what became of Dean.) Keep in mind that House Speaker and Republican, Larry Householder was preparing a smear campaign to deliberately destroy Blackwell's image and his career. Ken Blackwell may yet win his party's nomination, but he certainly faces an uphill battle to get it.

[cmd]

9. Stand back, because when it blows it will be big

The greedy pigs hate each other. They are crowding into the trough and coming out dirty. Householder is the worst of the herd. I think Blackwell will be the first one served at the roast.