By John McCarthy
The Associated Press

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - Gov. Bob Taft dropped by a Republican pancake breakfast in this GOP-dominated Cleveland suburb on Sunday and almost was upstaged by his predecessor, George Voinovich, who implored the faithful to put politics aside and focus on problems the country faces.

Mr. Voinovich, now a U.S. senator, was stumping for the Republican ticket at the breakfast sponsored by auditor and attorney general candidate Jim Petro.

The former Cleveland mayor and Ohio governor told the 2,000 Republicans who attended that Mr. Taft and the rest of the Republican ticket represent the best Ohioans can get in public service.

Then, he delivered an emotional plea for unity once the election is held. He said President Bush has "the fullest plate" of any president, comparing the problems facing the country to those that faced Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Mr. Voinovich mentioned the war in Afghanistan and a possible war with Iraq, along with problems in the Middle East.

"Your senator is very concerned about our great country," Mr. Voinovich said.

Then, his voice cracking with emotion, Mr. Voinovich asked the crowd to pray "so we can come together after this election and put our country first and our parties second."

The speech received a rousing ovation.

While Mr. Taft worked on getting his supporters to the polls, Democratic challenger Tim Hagan shook hands with fans on their way to the Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns game. He scheduled visits to Toledo and Dayton, while Mr. Taft visited the same cities. At a union rally in Dayton, Mr. Hagan urged about 300 union members to get the vote out in competitive Montgomery County.

Those attending the breakfast paid $7.50 to Mr. Petro's campaign fund to get in. Leftover pancake mix and sausage would be donated to a shelter, Mr. Petro said.

Mr. Taft spent about an hour shaking hands and asking people to vote for him. It hardly was necessary.

"These are all supporters here," Mr. Taft said.

Mr. Taft seem buoyed by a poll that found he was favored 58 percent to 40 percent over Mr. Hagan.

The mail poll conducted by the Columbus Dispatch was based on returns of 2,048 randomly selected Ohio registered voters who said they intend to vote on Tuesday. It was conducted Oct. 24 through Thursday. The margin of error was 2 percentage points.

At a restaurant in Middleburg Heights, a few suburbs south of Rocky River, Mr. Taft greeted customers waiting for lunch and the start of the Steelers-Browns game.

Despite saying "I don't believe in polls," Mr. Taft was confident about his chances on Tuesday. "In about three days it will all be over, then we can go back to work," Mr. Taft told Arnold Dickerson of Grafton and Rick Przeneslo of Parma.

Both said they were backing Mr. Taft. Mr. Dickerson, 63, said he hoped Mr. Taft could do more for seniors, including providing more discounts on prescription drugs.

"I think he's for the people," said Mr. Dickerson, 63. "I hope he takes up for the retired people."

At the rally at the International Union of Electrical Workers Hall in downtown Dayton, Mr. Hagan said that labor and Democrats should be tired enough of 12 years of Republican governors to get him elected on Tuesday.

"Democrats and labor are riled up and they want to take their government back," Mr. Hagan said.