I’m getting Ohio Republican backlash:

Don’t be so quick to jump on the bandwagon. I know NR/NRO didn’t like Taft and for many good reasons, but no one has explained exactly how his resigning suddenly fixes everything. One could argue that personal integrity or embarrassment requires his resignation, but I have yet to read any real explanation of how his resining helps anything.
As to the sorry state of the Ohio GOP, it is worth remembering that this is the same party that controls all statewide offices, the Ohio Supreme Court, both houses in the General Assembly, and the Governor’s office. And it was the party that helped narrowly carry Ohio for George Bush thus insuring his re-election. Do you think all of this goes out the window because Taft failed to properly report golf with his friends? If Taft was a conservative somehow I don’t think you would be so quick to call for his resignation.
The Ohio Democrats are going to run against “one-party-rule” no matter who is in office or who is running for governor. This despite the fact that there is absolutely no evidence of any real corruption or “pay-to-play.” Forcing Taft to resign will only further embolden the D’s in my opinion. People seem to forget that Taft and the legislature passed its most successful budget – including a major tax structure overhaul – in the midst of the ongoing “coingate” controversy.
Lastly, conservatives would do well to remember that Ohio as a whole is not as conservative as they are (think urban centers like Cleveland, Columbus, Akron, Youngstown, Toledo, etc.). Bush has the foreign policy angle post 9/11 and the benefit of being able to run a massive deficit (not to mention a better personality). Take those away and Taft and Bush aren’t that different. Compassionate conservatism just doesn’t play well with the base in the states.