Blackwell gets audience in unlikely territory

The GOP candidate for governor gets a positive reaction at the Urban League's Dayton office.

By Anthony Gottschlich

Staff Writer

DAYTON | — Statistically speaking, a group of black women might not be the friendliest audience to a conservative Republican running for high office.

But J. Kenneth Blackwell, a black man and the GOP candidate for Ohio governor, managed to sway at least a few traditional Democrats and fence-sitting voters Saturday morning during a chat with the Dayton Women's Roundtable at the Dayton Urban League's office, 907 W. Fifth St.

"He impressed me today," registered nurse Felicia Hill of Huber Heights said. "I wasn't quite for sure but after hearing him firsthand, I'm pretty sure he'll get my vote."

Blackwell, seated with his wife Rosa, spoke for more than 90 minutes to about 50 people on a variety of issues facing Ohioans and how he'd tackle those if elected Nov. 7 in the race against Democratic candidate Ted Strickland, the congressman from Lisbon.

Topping the Blackwell agenda:

• Taxes: He would work to lower the state's income tax to a flat rate of 3.25 percent to stem the exodus of businesses, young entrepreneurs and college graduates from the state. He also wants to ensure that blacks get their fair share of bank loans and economic development opportunities.

• Health care: He said Ohio should look at Massachusetts' compulsory health coverage plan, which aims to provide universal health coverage with citizens, businesses and government sharing the costs.

• Education: He supports vouchers and charter schools; boosting the state's share of public school funding and requiring 65 cents of every education dollar to be spent in the classroom.

Audience members also questioned Blackwell about abortion (he's against it, even in the case of rape), gay marriage (against that, too) and being a black Republican (for it).

"I don't think half the African-American community is ready to walk through the open door of Republican party," he said. "But neither party is perfect and the most imperfect situation is where one party takes you for granted and the other writes you off."