Blackwell’s governor’s race takes him to Washington

WASHINGTON -- Cincinnati Republican Ken Blackwell took a day off from running for Ohio governor to woo his conservative base on Thursday with a trip to the nation's capital to promote the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

Blackwell, Ohio's secretary of state, faces two other major Republican opponents in the race - Attorney General Jim Petro and Auditor Betty Montgomery - and the trip could help him stand out among conservatives.

Blackwell, however, said that although his trip was paid for by his campaign, it wasn't directly related to the governor's race but more of a reflection of the fact that he's long been an advocate for conservative values, such as opposing abortion.

He said Alito represents those values, and joined the Coalition of African-American Pastors to call for Alito's quick confirmation. Hearings start next week in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“We don't want an activist court. We want to preserve the balance of power,” Blackwell said before rushing from the National Press Club, where the news conference was held, to a meeting at the Republican National Committee.

On his way out, Blackwell said he has spoken recently to Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Cedarville, about supporting Alito’s nomination. He also said he’s defended DeWine to other conservatives who criticized DeWine for brokering a compromise with Democrats to bar judicial filibusters.

“I am perfectly confidant that he’ll be true to his commitment in not being interested in advancing judicial activism,” Blackwell said of DeWine.