Rove endorses DeWine

[Algorem]

Ohio GOP, Rove endorse DeWine for re-election

By MALIA RULON
Gazette Washington Bureau

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051004/NEWS01/510040312/1002

WASHINGTON - The Ohio Republican Party voted unanimously Friday to endorse Sen. Mike DeWine's re-election campaign after getting a phone call from White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove.
"We want to do everything we can to get this good man back in here," Rove told the party's executive committee, according to a news release from the party.

"He is a loyal stalwart," Rove said. "He's voted for our judges. He's supported our budgets. He's supported our tax cuts. He's supported our education reforms. He supported the Patriot Act. He supported legal reform. This guy has been a loyal and strong supporter of the president."...

Former Republican Rep. Bob McEwen has been mentioned as a possible primary challenger to DeWine, whose approval ratings have fallen as he has drawn criticism from conservatives for taking part in a bipartisan compromise to bar judicial filibusters.

Another possible Republican primary challenger, former AK Steel Corp. president John Hritz, decided recently not to run against DeWine and is instead running for Ohio state treasurer.