What Do Out of Office Ohio Governor's Do? They Teach



The Human In Photo Is Bob Taft



CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Former GOP Gov. Bob Taft has become a first time teacher this fall at the University of Dayton, where he's leading an upper level political science class.  Taft left office in 2006 after completing two terms.  At the time, polling showed he was the nation's most unpopular governor.  He landed at U of D in 2007 as a distinguished research associate in the School of Education.  Dayton put out a press release today announcing Taft's shift to the classroom. Taft said about his teaching debut: "I've done a lot of lecturing on political topics, but this is my first time leading a course. I've always been passionate about education, and my primary interests at the University of Dayton have been on improving education and access to college.

"It was a lot of work for me to prepare the syllabus, select the textbook, develop the writing assignments for the students and then, of course, class presentation and grading are a new adventure for me," Taft said. "But it's giving me a great opportunity to connect with students and contribute to the University in a new way."

The press release doesn't mention that Taft was the first sitting Ohio governor to be convicted off a crime. He failed to disclose on ethic statements that he was given free golf outings, 52 in all. One was with Tom Noe, a swindler who is serving prison time. Others were with lobbyists. The press release also doesn't mention that Ohio lost about 250,000 jobs under Taft, who served in the governor's governor's mansion during periods of economic boom in other areas of the nation. Taft also drew the ire of conservative Republicans for signing legislation that enacted the largest tax increase in Ohio history. Back in 2007, when he landed on campus, Dayton's student newspaper, The Flyer, was ballistic.  Here's a link from from The Daily Bellwether's archives about Taft's arrival on the campus of the Catholic university.

U Of Dayton's Student Paper: Flyer Ballistic Over Bob Taft's New Post

DAYTON (TDB) -- Former Republican Gov. Bob Taft is the only chief executive in the state's 204-year history to face a judge for criminal conduct. Now the campus newspaper at the University of Dayton is wondering angrily how the disgraced and ethically challenged ex-governor landed a prominent position at the Catholic school. It points out that Dayton's student handbook urges honesty, truth and integrity -- traits where former Taft seems to have come up short.

When Taft left office in January, he was considered one of the nation's worst governors; Time Magazine called him one of the three crummiest. His administration also was riddled with corruption -- witness the Tom Noe scandal at the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.

Taft, who frequently consorted with lobbyists on golf courses, is now in charge of the University of Dayton's brand new Center for Educational Excellence and is going to be recreating himself as some kind of grade school Mr. Fix-it guru. It is a role he auditioned for during his eight years in the governor's chair -- and many think he flunked. The Flyer News editorial describes Taft as a bumbler and worse, and said nobody should financially support Taft's center.

"Here's is a hint to those considering a donation to Taft's center for excellence in the field of education: forget the checkbook. The checkbook has two drawbacks. First, a checkbook leaves a paper trail. Second, a checkbook is not a golf course. During his time as governor, Taft received nearly fifty lobbyist sponsored golf outings. He was clearly too busy reading the greens to be reading the class material for POL 314: Interest Group Politics. Had the former governor attended the class he could have averted his four criminal convictions."

The Flyer also noted

"So, somehow, a man who was convicted and publicly reprimanded for a string of misdemeanors, who violated Ohio's code of professional conduct for lawyers, ends up working for this school. When former governor, and current criminal record holder, Bob Taft applied for this position at UD, was there no background check? Did no one have electricity for the last two years? How is a man with multiple criminal convictions working at this school."

The complete text of the editorial is here. It cites the UD student handbook, which says campus denizens are expected to "Be honest, truthful and live with integrity." The Flyer said Taft's hiring shows there is one set of standards for students, and another for administrators.