Almost two years on, controversy surrounding Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's decision to simultaneously co-chair the Bush/Cheney campaign in Ohio and act as Chief Election Officer overseeing that same election hasn't completely subsided. That's why Blackwell's prospective GOP successor was pressed on the question yesterday by a local Ohio newspaper.

Having avoided the question previously, Republican candidate Greg Hartman admitted that Blackwell's decision has been "a mistake," and not just in retrospect. Things already aren't going well for the controversial gubernatorial candidate, so having prominent members of his own party turn against him can't help.