Tuesday, July 20, 1999
Taft gives Bush Ohio thumbs-up
Endorsement precedes visit
BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft on Monday endorsed Texas Gov. George W. Bush for president, adding his name to 20 other governors working to help the Republican win the White House in 2000.
Mr. Taft, who also will serve as Mr. Bush's campaign chairman in Ohio, said he had held back an endorsement while Rep. John Kasich of Ohio was exploring a run for president. Mr. Kasich dropped out last week and endorsed Mr. Bush.
“We had an Ohio candidate. I wanted to do what I could to give him a chance and see what he could do,” Mr. Taft said of Mr. Kasich. “I want to make sure we have someone up there who remembers us here in Ohio. I think Gov. Bush would do that.”
Mr. Bush, the GOP front
runner, is coming to Cincinnati Thursday for a campaign fund-raiser that's expected to net at least $500,000. Just last year the Texas governor was in town and raised that much for Mr. Taft's own gubernatorial campaign.
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett said he expects Ohio to be fertile ground for Mr. Bush financially and politically.
“Any time a presidential candidate gets the endorsement of a sitting governor, it's good for his campaign,” Mr. Bennett said. “Gov. Taft obviously has a good grass-roots organization and a good finance organization. That's a real big boost for Gov. Bush.”
Mr. Taft also announced a line-up of Ohio heavy hitters to serve as co-chairmen of Mr. Bush's Ohio campaign.
They are: Attorney General Betty Montgomery; Auditor Jim Petro; Treasurer Joe Deters; Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor; House Speaker JoAnn Davidson; Senate President Richard Finan; Rep. John Boehner; Rep. David L. Hobson; Kasich; Rep. Steven La Tourette; Rep. Robert Ney; Rep. Michael G. Oxley; Rep. Rob Portman; Rep. Deborah Pryce; and Rep. Ralph Regula.
g Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is national chairman of publisher Steve Forbes' presidential campaign.
In a statement, Mr. Taft said he shares Mr. Bush's “vision of limited government, local control, individual responsi bility and strong families.”
He noted that no Republican has won the White House without winning Ohio.
Mr. Bennett said the Bush family is well aware of what an important and supportive state Ohio can be.
“The Bush family has traditionally done well in Ohio,” he said.
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