But wait ... there's more

There's only one problem with that last part: two key people say it's not true.

Taft told The Dispatch way back in 1996 that Bennett was not the architect of the deal.

And Mike Dawson, press secretary for the late governor, says as well that Bennett's kingmaker role is an urban legend.

"Taft got out because we were out-raising him and were ahead in the polls," Dawson said earlier this year.

And there was no agreement to back Taft after 1998 once Voinovich completed his maximum two terms.

"I can tell you first-hand that Gov. Voinovich agreed to support Mike DeWine for governor when Mike agreed to run for LG (lieutenant governor)," Dawson said.

DeWine instead won a U.S. Senate seat in the 1990's. And now that gubernatorial run anticipated nearly three decades ago is finally coming to fruition.

And on the Dem side ...

One of the major questions surrounding Rich Cordray's long-expected entry into the gubernatorial sweepstakes this week is the potential involvement of such heavy hitters as former President Barack Obama, ex-VP Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Cordray just quit his post as Obama's pick to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was conceived by Warren.

Greg Schultz says Cordray can tap that list and more. With his experience saving billions for consumers from payday lenders, big banks, student loan outfits and credit card companies, Cordray also can appeal to the populist voter who seemingly is back in vogue, Schultz said.

Schultz, who has run Biden's American Possibilities PAC since June, worked at the White House as a special Obama assistant. The 2003 Ohio State grad also directed Obama's 2012 reelection campaign in Ohio and was Franklin County Democratic chairman.

Some projected Schultz as Cordray's campaign manager. But the wife Schultz met during his White House tenure is working on a cybersecurity business startup, so the Buckeye is now tied to DC. But he says he will help in any way Cordray asks.