Note: The following was published prior to Arnold Schwarzenegger's California victory.

As fun as California's recall circus may look, Ohio is stuck with its answer to Gray Davis

by J. Caleb Mozzocco

Say you're the governor of a state that's experiencing economic crisis and,
though you won reelection nine months ago, you're not terribly popular or
especially well-liked, even among some members of your own party.

And say that you're accused of misleading voters about a looming budget
shortfall, having refused to venture an educated guess about the size of the
deficit before the election while discrediting your opponent's (entirely
accurate) projection so as to avoid mentioning taxes and cuts while on the
campaign trail. What would your future hold?

Well, if you're Gray Davis, governor of California, you'd find yourself the
target of a special election that will ask voters whether you should be
recalled and, if you are recalled, who should replace you-Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Gary Coleman, the founder of Hustler, your own number-two
man or one of 131 other candidates.

If you're Bob Taft, governor of Ohio, the short answer is absolutely nothing.

Click on the "Read More... link below for more.

Top post will boost Ohio’s profile, Taft claims
November 22, 2003
Columbus Dispatch

Heading into a year in which Ohio will be a crucial battleground in President Bush’s re-election bid, Gov. Bob Taft takes on a new role today as head of the Republican Governors Association.

He said becoming the lead Republican governor for a one year term will raise his and Ohio’s profile, allowing him to push his agenda on a range of issues.

"It’s an opportunity to have an even more receptive ear in the White House," Taft said.

He shrugged off the suggestion he has more respect outside Ohio.

"We’ve done a lot of unpopular things," he said.

Contact Information:
Republican Governors Association
555 11th Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 662-4140 phone
(202) 662-4924 fax
www.rga.org

Related Stories:
(Another) Taft holds Ohio GOP on the brink

Letter to the Editor: Franklin County wonders, ‘Where have all the Republicans gone?’
(For an archived version of this letter, click on the "Read More..." link below for more.