The Ohio Republican Party is setting the stage for the end of its control over state government for the first time in over 15 years. Unfortunately, at the same time, the Ohio GOP may also be setting up the national party for failure in the 2008 presidential election.

And it all boils down to a pro-gun bill that Republicans should expect their leadership to support.

Look no further than the Ohio governor’s race, where Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, a Republican, is running against U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, a Democrat.

Polls show that Strickland is the front runner, having established himself as the presumptive Democratic candidate early in the election season. He then had the luxury of sitting back and watching as the Republicans slugged it out for their nomination. Full Story »