There are those who may listen to what he says that would not were he of a different race, and there are those who will ignore what he says because of his race, but I don't think either group is huge.
Racism does exist, it is a factor, but it tends to be a secondary factor in political races. Many who exhibit some level of racism from both parties will say he's not representative of his race.
This still is "all-out important race to win for the Democrats". I think Parker stated it pretty well in the article.
Blackwell also is a man of principle and is that rare and unusual politician who is clear, upfront and uncompromising about those principles. He serves up his agenda, a combination of limited government, fiscal conservatism and traditional values, in a straightforward way that makes typical political gurus and consultants wince.
Blackwell, it a small government conservative with strong moral fiber, integrity, and the will to fight for what he believes is right.
Ohio is a mess economically and government spending is out of control, and it's gotten that way with Ohio "Republicans" clearly in control.
Big government has been devastating to Ohio. If Blackwell is committed to making real, not cosmetic changes in the government. If he can force those changes through and they make a noticeable difference in a State that has a large blue collar workforce and is bleeding manufacturing jobs, it could really change the face of politics in Ohio, and have a significant influence outside Ohio.
That has both the big government liberals in the Ohio Republican Party and the far left that makes up the Ohio Democratic Party scared.
They can't even rely on the legislature to undermine Blackwells efforts. Blackwell has had to deal with opposition to his conservative fiscal policies from within his own party for a very long time. He knows that his policies will have a rough time in the legislature. However, he does have some ability to go around the legislature and take issues directly to the voters through ballot issues. In November we not only get the opportunity to vote for Blackwell, we get to vote for an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that will limit growth in government spending.
Blackwell scares them because he's an honest reformer that isn't going to be dissuaded by their political games. He's withstood their smear campaigns in the past and isn't going to go away. The liberals are very afraid of him, and for good reason.
I don't think Blackwell scares the media or Democrats in Ohio at all. Every politican who has won major races against strong competition knows the following. Every media person who has covered contested races know the following as well.
Deciding what you are for and then running on those issues is a prescription for defeat. In nearly all cases it involves changing the minds of voters on at least a few issues. That is next to impossible in the space of a single campaign.
What successful politicians do is find out what a majority of the voters want done and then propose to do exactly what the people want. One of the reason's Gingrich was able to get much of the Contract With America passed and signed into law by Clinton was every item on the contract has at least 70 percent voter approval. The contract with american had nothing to do with principles. It had everying to do with 70 percent voter approval.
If a campaign proposes to do what 70 percent of the people want they tend to get elected. And since opponents know they can't get elected with 30 percent support even opponents adopt those proposals or oppose them at their peril.
Men like Blackwell decide what they are for and then run on those issues. Blackwell is a principled candidate who will not bend to public opinion and then run for office while bent. Those that agree with Blackwell's positions rise to his support with obvious glee. But that is not the majority of voters reaction.
You can bet the farm that the Democratic candidate will know exactly what a majority of Ohio voters want done. Strictland will propose to do exactly what they want. No more and no less.
The choice will be between a Strictland that comes across as the candidate with which most voters agree and a Blackwell who has some positions that lack voter support. Strictland will go to great lengths to point out the Blackwell positions that voters don't accept.
The media will do its best to throw softballs at Strictland and hardballs at Blackwell. They will use footage of Strictland that shows him in a positive light. They will use footage of Blackwell that will show him in a negative light. They will say the name Blackwell and describe him as Governor Taft's secretary of State.
Blackwell like all principled conservatives will tell the voters what they need to hear while Strictland will tell them what they want to hear.
Taft and his crew have done a great job of making Democrats look fiscally conservative and pro growth. It is not a good year to be a Republican in Ohio.