TAFT EDUCATION PRIORITY--Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Taft gestures as he announces a proposed educational program titled "OhioReads," at a news conference held at the Gladden Community Center, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 25, 1998. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

FORUM OF ONE--Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Taft waits to be introduced to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, during the Campaign '98 Candidates and Issues Forum, in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, March 31, 1998. Democratic hopefuls Lee Fisher and Bruce Douglas did not attend. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

CAMPAIGN TRIP--Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bob Taft waves to his supporters as he boards a bus for a two-day state-wide campaign trip, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, May 7, 1998. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

TAFT EDUCATION PLAN--Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Taft gestures during a news conference concerning his plan to reduce truancy, at Schiller Park, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

FIRST NEWS CONFERENCE--Governor-elect Bob Taft and running mate Maureen O'Connor speak with reporters following his first news conference, at the Riffe Center, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)