Poet Giovanni calls Blackwell S.O.B. at Square

If Ken Blackwell does manage to become Ohio's governor, don't look for Nikki Giovanni to be appointed the state's poet laureate.

Giovanni, a native Cincinnatian, read an original poem entitled "I am Cincinnati,'' a paean to all that is good and great about the Queen City, like three-way chili and Spring Grove Cemetery. She read her poem during re-opening ceremonies to the new Fountain Square.

Then came this part of the poem:

"I am not a son of a bitch like Kenny Blackwell," Giovanni said, adding that Cincinnati is "not a political whore.''

First, there was a collective gasp from the crowd. Then applause and some amens.

Blackwell campaign spokesman Carlo LoParo said Giovanni's remarks showed "a total lack of class.''

"People are going to disagree in politics; we understand that, but there is something to be said for civility,'' LoParo said. "She is utterly without class.''