FUND-RAISERS McCain visits Valley for DeWine

Both senators support Bush's Supreme Court nominee.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
HOWLAND -- If U.S. Sen. John McCain were in Gov. Bob Taft's shoes, he'd resign.
McCain, an Arizona Republican known for speaking his mind, made the comment Monday as he left Leo's Ristorante in Howland, where he and U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine were interviewed by reporters from two newspapers.
A recent poll shows Taft's approval rating among Ohioans at 15 percent -- a lower approval rating than the three most unpopular U.S. presidents in the history of polling, and the fourth lowest of any governor in the country since 1958, according to the Associated Press.
"I've seen a million polls and I've never seen a poll with 15 percent; do you think he'll resign?" McCain asked the reporters.
McCain then said if he were Taft, he'd quit. Taft, found guilty in August of four misdemeanor counts for ethics violations, has said he has no plans to resign.
DeWine, who's known Taft for years, made an unflattering face when asked about the rating, and said scandals in Columbus and Washington, D.C., "reflect poorly on the public's perception of politicians."
McCain was the guest speaker for two DeWine fund-raisers Monday. Brian Ross hosted one event at his house for $1,000 a guest, and the other was at the Avalon Inn for $250 a ticket.
The events were expected to raise about $75,000 to $100,000 toward DeWine's re-election effort.
DeWine, who is running next year for re-election, said he is concerned about political scandals in Columbus, including Taft's convictions and problems at the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
He said the problems reflect poorly on the Republican Party, but he is not concerned that his re-election effort will be damaged by them.
"Ohio voters, if anything, are independent, and they don't vote strictly along party lines," DeWine said.
National and Ohio Democrats are actively recruiting a challenger for DeWine.
Two possible hopefuls
Paul Hackett, who lost a close congressional race in August in a district that leans heavily Republican, is considering a run. U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-13th, has said he won't challenge DeWine next year. But DeWine said Monday that he's heard Brown is rethinking his decision.
If federal and Ohio elections were held next month instead of next year, McCain said Republicans "would have significant problems. But we have time to cut back spending. Things happen so quickly. It's hard to say what will happen in '06 or '08."
McCain, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, is considering his options for 2008.
"Do I want to be president? Yes," he said. "The question is: 'Do I want to run to be president?' That's a different question."
McCain said he would evaluate his options after the 2006 election, saying he needs to determine if he can raise the money for the race as well as "the wherewithal, the ability and the chance" to win.
McCain, visiting the Mahoning Valley for the first time, said Ohio is historically one of the most important states when it comes to winning presidential elections. Earlier Monday, McCain attended a DeWine fund-raiser in Cleveland.
Court nominee
DeWine, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and McCain said they support President Bush's nomination of White House counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. She's never been a judge.
"That could be a refreshing change," McCain said of Miers' lack of judicial experience.
DeWine said the confirmation of Miers "will be a contentious process."
McCain said the cost of energy is the No. 1 issue among people in this country, and something has to be done to eliminate the United States' over-reliance on gasoline. McCain suggests the increased use of nuclear power.
The senator admits that the past problems with nuclear power make it a challenge to increase its usage. But the technology and safety measures have significantly improved over the years, and European nations and Japan use it without any problems, he said.
"If the president went on TV and said that we're going to be less dependent on oil for energy, he would have a great deal of support from the American people," DeWine said.
skolnick@vindy.com