Kenneth Blackwell's Rising Star

One of the rising GOP stars is Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell. Recently in the national news due to his place in charge of the Ohio vote, Blackwell is also a man who has it all - with the added strength of being a solid conservative who will play well outside the urban, liberal enclaves. As Ohio Secretary of State he doesn't yet have the political stature necessary to run for national office, but as he's planning on running for Governor of Ohio in 2006, the sky is the limit if he can win that election. 2008 would be too soon for a Presidential run - and probably also too soon for a VP slot, but you can never tell. But a 2006 governorship opens up a 2012 Presidential run (if the GOP loses in 2008), or 2016 (if the GOP wins in 2008). However, campaigns are full of surprises and you knever know what could occur between now and 2008 to put him in favorable position for the coming Presidential campaign.