Many people across the state, both Democrats and Republicans, are looking to make a mountain out of Gov. Bob Taft's molehill while Mount Everest looms in the background.

Taft, who was convicted last week of four ethics violations stemming from not reporting golf outings and other gifts worth $6,000, made a big mistake and probably forever tarnished his name.

The governor maintains that the entire problem was inadvertent and he has owned up to his part in it once it was made public. Taft says he will not resign despite the urgings of some Democratic leaders including gubernatorial candidate Michael Coleman.

Rep. Chris Redfern, the top Democrat in the House, has asked for clarification of the impeachment process - a not-so-subtle hint that Taft's toughest road may still be ahead.

While the governor's oversight of claiming the golf trips is inexcusable, he has been fined under a court of law and made the proper restitution.

The far bigger problem remains the other scandals that popped up during Taft's final term. These are issues the governor, his administration and the entire state government must be challenged on.

Taft's recent $6,000 golf blunder hardly compares to the $13 million vanishing act perpetrated by coin dealer Tom Noe or the millions wasted by the Bureau of Worker's Compensation in overpaying for treatment.

Attorney General Jim Petro has accused Noe of stealing more than $4 million but still Taft seems to be getting more attention.

We have no problem with challenging the governor for his crimes but the good of the state must still come first for the remaining year-plus of Taft's term.

Plus, any actions against the governor should be made with the big picture in mind, not with the focus on politics or laying the groundwork for future political battles.

This should be the focus because millions in tax dollars are still out there somewhere hiding under a mountain while everyone keeps digging up the molehill.