Midwestern United States Politics

Furor over rising taxes could cost Republicans at least two governorships in the Midwest, and active campaigning by President Bush, whose own popularity has taken a nose dive in the midst of budget woes in Washington, may not be able to help. Even though Republicans appear to be in a good position to capture the governor's office in Ohio and retain it in Wisconsin, Iowa and possibly Illinois, GOP governors in Kansas and Nebraska are in trouble.

Furor over rising taxes could cost Republicans at least two governorships in the Midwest, and active campaigning by President Bush, whose own popularity has taken a nose dive in the midst of budget woes in Washington, may not be able to help. Even though Republicans appear to be in a good position to capture the governor's office in Ohio and retain it in Wisconsin, Iowa and possibly Illinois, GOP governors in Kansas and Nebraska are in trouble.