If the Taft situation creates problems for the Ohio GOP, the blame belongs with Taft, those who’ve supported his policies, and the Ohio GOP’s historical willingness to place seniority over merit in selecting candidates for statewide office. Ohio has one of the highest combined state and local tax burdens in the counrty — a burden that Taft increased as he jacked up state spending. Ohio is also in the bottom fifth in the Pacific Research Institute’s economic freedom index. This creates political problems by alienating economic conservatives and suppressing economic growth within the state, which has the secondary effect of reducing voters’ perceptions of the GOP as their taxes go up and their economic prospects decline. Continued GOP success in the state requires a decisive break with Taft’s policies — and now with Taft himself given the association of his administration with scandals. I believe his resignation and replacement with someone who is not running for governor would help. But whether or not he resigns, anyone seen as Taft’s heir will face substantial liabilities — and with good reason.