Joe Manchin Accuses John Raese of Trying to "Buy" Senate Seat

A certain candidate has $1.5 million in his coffers to spend over the next two months and recently sent out an e mail beating the bushes to come up with more. Looking at the title of this piece, you might think I am talking about John Raese, right?

Wrong. Governor Manchin is the candidate with $1.5 million to spend and hundreds of thousands more coming in.

In 2008, the governor did not hesitate to deploy staggering amounts of money against the poorly funded gubernatorial campaign of State Senator Russ Weeks. Now, when facing an opponent with money of his own, Manchin suddenly cries out that someone is buying the election.

No one complained on the Democratic side when John Rockefeller spent $10 million of his private funds in the mid 1980s to narrowly defeat Raese.

A self-funded campaign has certain benefits, namely that the man or woman has no special interests to consider if they win election. Who will Manchin owe after this go-round? Lots of folks ponied up and lots of folks will expect something. If John Raese's campaign remains largely self funded, he will only be beholden to those that cast ballots for him.

The money that John Raese spends will be to educate and inform people about the issues. No one "buys" a campaign unless they are illegally paying voters. That's not a crime that you generally see Republicans accused of here. Raese will spend money to inform the public that he supports the free market American economic system and that Manchin, if elected, will be increasingly beholden to Obama's plans for European style socialism.

Tennessee Teacher and Coach Fired For Criticizing Obama

In Tennessee a middle school teacher and football coach got his pink slip for composing and circulating a song he wrote about Obama. The principal said the song had "racial overtones" and he was backed by the superintendent of schools. Can you find the racial overtones here? I can't. Read and decide for yourself. I guess that teachers can sing his praises, but just can't dissent. Right?

He was a little man, just turned three
Took the present from his daddy’s hand
A genuine toy hammer
He started beatin’ to beat the band
He hit the floors and the wall, broke a lamp in the hall,
Started swinging at the puppy’s tail
When you’re holding a hammer
Everything looks like a nail.

He was the president, number 44
He says, “Trust me, I’m here to help you
I have got some big big plans
You’re gonna love what I’m gonna do.”
There’s no problem too big or small
He thinks he’s got an answer that just can’t fail
When you’re holding a hammer
Everything looks like a nail.

He thinks big thoughts and he dreams big dreams
But it’s another man’s sweat that pays for those schemes
He don’t care how the little people feel
‘Cause saving the world is a big freaking deal
So he does his business behind closed doors
And pretends that the world is just begging for more
When the stuff hits the fan he says, “Don’t look at me
If you got trouble, blame 43.”

Now Congress is saving Wall Street
While they’re watching Main Street fall
They got health care all figured out
But it don’t seem to care much at all
As soon as they save the planet
They’ll put the fire out in hell
When you’re holding a hammer.
Everything looks like a nail.

He thinks big thoughts and he dreams big dreams
But it’s another man’s sweat that pays for those schemes
He don’t care how the little people feel
‘Cause saving the world is a big freaking deal
So he does his business behind closed doors
And pretends that the world is just begging for more
When the stuff hits the fan he says, “Don’t look at me
If you got trouble, blame 43.”

There’ll be a party come this November
When we’re gonna set things straight
All good people gonna gather ‘round
Gonna show what made this country great
We’ll run off the schemers and backroom dealers
So the Red, White and Blue will prevail
When we’re holding the hammer
When we’re holding the hammer
Everyone of them looks like a nail.

Keep Manchin In the Mansion

It has to be admitted here. Joe Manchin has not been a bad governor of West Virginia.

Sure there is a lot to pick apart. He forced West Virginia University into a series with Marshall, entering into a field where he had no business. His daughter was discovered to have claimed an unearned degree. Manchin has not been nearly aggressive enough in defending West Virginia from an administration bent on destroying our industry.

That all being said, as far as West Virginia governors go, he has not done a bad job.

Part of Manchin's effectiveness comes from a style that irritates legislators. He has the ability to wield authority and shove through measures because of his personal popularity, which now hovers at about 75%. But what would happen to Manchin in the United States Senate, were he to win?

Probably something similar to Bob Wise when he moved from the House of Representatives to the Governor's Mansion. Wise abandoned a place of comfort and familiarity for a job that challenged him in different ways. His learning curve harmed the state at a vital time. Manchin would struggle initially in the Senate trying to recast his role. He would not be able to get things done through popularity and personality as he does in Charleston.

Now more than ever, West Virginia needs defenders in the halls of Congress. We know we have Capito, but Manchin has been coy lately, edging towards the left wing Obama line rather than standing up for us. As a popular governor, Manchin can defy Obama and Democratic leadership in the Senate (even though lately he has been less eager to do so0. Can he do the same as a United States Senator? No.

Add this to the fact that the Senate might be under Republican control in a year. Manchin would then be tossed to the back of the line for every consideration.

West Virginia is entering a tough transition economically. Manchin has had a steady hand on the wheel of the ship of state. We need change in the Senate, putting it back under Republican control. We do not need change at this point in Charleston.

Keep Manchin where he is. Send a stalwart defender of our interests to Washington. Vote for John Raese.

Rasmussen Moves West Virginia to Leaning Democratic in Senate Race

West Virginia may be able to duplicate Scott Brown's achievement. Brown won a special election to fill the seat of Democratic icon Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts. Now John Raese has scored surprisingly high poll results in the latest Rasmussen Poll. Joe Manchin leads by a relatively slender 48-42% margin.

Clearly West Virginians understand that Democratic control of Congress is potentially destructive to the state and nation at large. Manchin remains personally popular and a high percentage approve of his job as governor.

This race should attract a great deal of attention, especially since this is expected to be a high Republican turnout year. Raese's principles and business experience have helped him rise in polls and public esteem.