Blackwell testing Bush master plan for 08?

How can this even be legal? In the latest twist in Ohio's governor’s race, "Republican nominee, Kenneth Blackwell, who is also the Ohio secretary of state, could rule that his opponent is ineligible to run because of a technicality." The challenge rests on totally bogus nitpicking over which of two residences the Democratic candidate used when he registered to vote. The NYT sums this monkey business well.

Election administration should be removed from partisan politics, in Ohio and everywhere else. Decisions like these should be made by nonpartisan bodies or, failing that, by people who do their utmost to insulate themselves from partisan politics. In 2004, Mr. Blackwell chose to become co-chairman of President Bush’s Ohio campaign, and then issued rulings that helped the campaign. Now we have the even more bizarre prospect of Mr. Blackwell, or his deputy, potentially participating in the baseless disqualification of his opponent.

Blackwell has been a thorn in the side of ethical conduct and a detriment to democracy since at least the 04 election. The real question is why hasn't he been removed from the office he currently holds? If his conduct isn't illegal, it certainly should be. And if he gets away with it, will Bush use it as a model in 08 to cancel the election altogether?

Six years ago, that question would have sounded pretty far-fetched. Today, it rings to me of a real and frightening possibility.