Saturday, October 21, 2006
Conservative Ohio paper takes back endorsement of GOP gubernatorial candidate, calls his conduct un-Christian
by John in DC - 10/21/2006
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/10/conservative-ohio-paper-takes-back.htmlCourier Editorials
Unendorsed
We've been following Ken Blackwell's career for years. Our file on him is more than an inch thick. We've talked with him personally and come away impressed with his intelligence and commitment to change -- both of which are much needed in this state.But while Blackwell may still get some of our individual votes, he's lost our endorsement, for whatever it's worth. His total nastiness at the Monday debate with his opponent, Democrat Ted Strickland, has proven that he's really not the kind of man we need as our next governor. Personal attacks of dubious accuracy should have no place in a political campaign. As Strickland said, "Mr. Blackwell, you should be ashamed of yourself."
Both Blackwell and Strickland have campaigned as religious people. Blackwell is an evangelical Christian and Strickland an ordained Methodist minister. The Monday debate showed which one has a greater understanding of Christian conduct.
When will the politicians learn that most people hate this sort of negativism? For a bright man, Blackwell apparently hasn't figured out that when you're polling badly, you don't just do more of the same. The only people who react positively to negative campaigning are those who are as mean-spirited as the message. And thankfully, there aren't enough of them to make a difference at Ohio's polls.
Blackwell was already hurting due to some policy missteps that could have been overcome if he'd handled them openly. His signature policy, the TEL, turned into a fiasco because he refused too long to acknowledge a careless error that needed to be changed. Then he alienated educators by promoting the "65-cent solution," which would have required 65 percent of school funds to be spent on the classroom.
But Blackwell still had some good ideas -- a state health insurance plan modeled on the one Massachusetts just adopted; a flatter state tax with fewer brackets; leasing the turnpike to promote economic development. It's a shame that these will likely be abandoned now, particularly since Strickland's proposals don't even come close to what Ohio needs. But in order to get his policies passed, Blackwell would need to have both a decent working relationship with the Legislature and enough influence with Ohio voters to convince legislators to take a chance. He decisively blew both of those Monday night.
more at:
http://www.thecourier.com/opinion/editoral/ar_ED_101806.asp