Thursday, February 10, 2000
Many suitors likely for Blackwell
He won't make new campaign plans yet
BY HOWARD WILKINSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ken Blackwell's ride as Steve Forbes' national campaign chairman stops today when the conservative publisher ends his presidential campaign, but the Ohioan's role in Republican presidential politics probably won't end there.
As one of only a handful of high-profile black Republican political figures, the Ohio secretary of state is likely to be courted for his support by the two remaining principal challengers for the GOP presidential nomination — Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain.
For the time being, though, Mr. Blackwell plans to keep his preference to himself.
“I know I'm not going to do anything until at least my birthday, and that's Feb. 28,” the former Cincinnati mayor said Wednesday.
If Mr. Blackwell does decide shortly after that to back another candidate, it could have an impact on the March 7 GOP presidential primary in Ohio, where most of the state's Republican Party establishment is lined up behind Mr. Bush.
Mr. Blackwell caused a stir in Ohio GOP circles last year when he signed on to the New Jersey magazine publisher's campaign, when most of the state's GOP leaders were either neutral or backing U.S. Rep. John Kasich of Ohio, who bowed out of the race in June.
After Mr. Kasich's withdrawal, most of the Ohio leaders went to Mr. Bush, except for Mr. Blackwell and U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, who is backing Mr. McCain.
Mr. Blackwell said his preference for Mr. Forbes was based on Mr. Forbes' support for a flat tax, less government and school vouchers.
Mr. Forbes' decision to withdraw came after Tuesday's primary in Delaware, where he had campaigned extensively and came in third.
“This is a very Darwinian process, and Steve Forbes outlasted a lot of other very well-established Republicans who wanted to be president,” Mr. Blackwell said.
Mr. Forbes, Mr. Blackwell said, “left a fingerprint on Republican politics. Ideas that he has talked about like tax reform and school choice are going to continue to be part of the discussion. He's made an impact.”
No matter who is nominated, Mr. Blackwell is likely to be out campaigning for the GOP nominee, as he did four years ago, when he criss-crossed the country for GOP nominee Bob Dole.
“Whoever emerges will know that I'll be willing to work for them,” Mr. Blackwell said.
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