By Gerard Valentino

(This commentary has also been published at CNSNews.com)

Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell has been described by some conservatives as a rising political star.

Blackwell's platform includes support for the Second Amendment right to bear arms as well as fiscal and social conservatism. But that apparently hasn't helped him, as the latest polls put him between 4 and 20 points behind the Democratic nominee Rep. Ted Strickland.

Yet, Blackwell has stayed true to his conservative base and refuses to run to the center.

Blackwell, regardless of his conservative pedigree, is tainted by the two previous GOP governors, Bob Taft and George Voinovich, who for sixteen years between them, held up legal concealed carry in Ohio.

Now as the 2006 gubernatorial race comes down to the final weeks, gun owners have a hard choice to make: trust Ken Blackwell to change the face of Ohio's liberal GOP -- or make a deal with the perceived devil and vote Democrat Ted Strickland into office.

Click on 'Read More' for the entire commentary.

This week Buckeye Firearms volunteers will be making phone calls, going door to door, addressing post cards, attaching postage, helping with literature drops, placing yard signs, educating friends and neighbors about our endorsed candidates and many other campaign related tasks.

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Thanks to all who are truly with us. If we all act together, we will not fail.