Mike DeWine, fresh from a humiliating defeat after twelve years in the senate is back on the trail, this time for John McCain:

"I have known John McCain for almost 25 years. We both were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. I worked closely with him during our years together in the House and during my 12 years in the U.S. Senate. No one is more qualified to be our next President. While our Party is truly fortunate to have such a strong field of qualified candidates, I believe that John McCain has what it takes - the experience, knowledge, and foresight - to lead our Nation. He is decisive. He has guts. And, he leaves no room for ambiguity or uncertainty in his reasoned policy decisions.

"I don't agree with John McCain on every issue. But, I do know that when we elect a President, we elect the Commander-in-Chief. We elect someone who is going to be making life and death decisions every single day. There is only one person I want making those decisions - and that person is John McCain.

"The fact is that the future and security of this country hinges on next year's election. The Presidency requires a person of sound judgment, with an extraordinary grasp of foreign and military affairs - someone who can navigate our country through very dangerous and unchartered waters. Again, that person is John McCain.

Reaction from the Ohio Republican blogosphere was swift, fierce, and for those familiar with the situation, completely unsurprising.

Brain Shavings: The first sentence was enough to instantly seal my decision to vote against John McCain in the Ohio primary...

Viking Spirit: Now, there are plenty of reasons not to support John McCain in the upcoming Presidential race, but this one is icing on the cake for us Ohio Conservatives. Not only is Mike DeWine supporting McCain, but he is heading up McCain's Ohio campaign!

NB & S: And why does McCain think DeWine can get Republicans to turn out for him, when DeWine couldn't even turn out the vote for himself?

RotC: For those wondering if there was anything in the email about McCain's Conservative credentials, there wasn't...

Mike DeWine had some support because he was an incumbent senator with decent approval ratings, but he was not at all liked by the rank and file, his positions on judges, the environment and gun control were definitely on the lefty side. Take the winning away and what do you have left? Not much in Mike DeWine.

In the meantime, in Ohio, there are few names left to sway the Ohio GOP voter, and one of them is former congressman and talk show host John Kasich, who has been doing the rubber chicken circuit. As for DeWine, he's hurting McCain's chances.