Bauer Thinks Blackwell Could Bring Ohio GOP Much Needed 'Star Power'
by Chad Groening
May 2, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A Christian conservative and former presidential candidate is watching today's Republican primary in Ohio with interest. Gary Bauer of American Values believes the state's GOP primary features a number of important races, including the contention for governor. Current Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell hopes to be one of two black conservatives to be elected to the office of governor in the U.S. this fall. So far he has been leading Attorney General Jim Petro in GOP polls and has been receiving the endorsements of some high-profile leaders, including Bauer.
Blackwell has what the American Values spokesman describes as "star power," and he is hoping the Ohio GOP will start hitching their wagon to someone he sees as a rising conservative statesman.
"It's a tough year for Republicans in Ohio for a lot of reasons," Bauer says, "but I just think that Blackwell is the ideal candidate. I mean, he's a solid, pro-family, pro-life conservative. He's also conservative on all the economic issues. He's not afraid to talk about his faith."
The Christian pro-family leader is hopeful that the Republican Party establishment in Ohio, which he notes, "is always talking about the need for the party to reach out to minorities and yet with this gentleman has been very hostile," will recognize Blackwell's potential. "I think he's got a great future ahead," Bauer asserts, "and not only in Ohio politics but perhaps nationally."
The conservative spokesman and political observer believes his ideal candidate's "star power" emanates at least in part from his character and spiritual forthrightness. "He's not afraid to talk about his faith and the fact that that is what motivates him in public life," Bauer says.
Also, he notes, that Blackwell, as an African American, "certainly is a great positive for the Republican Party and for conservatives," many of whom have acknowledged the need to build bridges into the black community. Blackwell, according to Bauer, may be just the bridgebuilder the Ohio GOP needs. "It is my great hope that I will someday soon watch him being sworn in as the governor of that great state," he says.
Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
