WVGOP Speaks Frankly On Taxpayer Paid Mailings

Democrats call it a tempest in a teapot, but the aura of scandal has attracted the attention of both state outlets and the Washington Post.  Officials with the West Virginia Republican Party, after an exhaustive study, say that House Democrats have abused their franking privileges.

Franking dates back to the beginning of the Republic, well before the advent of broadcast media and the internet.  Newspapers did not even really report news as much as attack those holding other political ideals.  Constituents in far flung areas relied on their congressmen or legislators to send them news through the mail. Under law, legislators can send constituents mail with the understanding that it is for information, not politicking.

Republican Party chair Conrad Lucas claims that House Democrats, fearful of losing their slender majority, have sent campaign style letters to targeted voters.  Specifically, 12 House Democrats mailed nearly 65,000 items to overwhelmingly Democratic recipients.  Delegates David Walker (Clay), Justin Marcum (Mingo), and Nancy Guthrie (Kanawha) mailed, according to the WVGOP, 95 percent of the time or more to Democrats alone.

Interestingly, Walker sent over 8,300 pieces of mail.  His district, men, women, and children, adds up to approximately 24,000 individuals.  Almost 2,800 of them turned out to vote in the primary in his 33rd District.

The letters sent out include photographs of the delegates.  This is highly unusual in constituent correspondence because the extra ink needed to print color photographs is cost prohibitive.  Typically, the body contains a list of Democratic accomplishments and good wishes for the constituent.  Since the mass mailings did not include regular GOP voters, however, the letters are seen as campaign mobilization rather than trying to inform every voter.

Democrats fired back by saying they do mail to Republicans.  Delegate Don Perdue from Wayne, who sent out over 4,000 pieces himself, noted on West Virginia Metro News' Talkline that it was "much ado about nothing" because he had gotten a complaint from one Republican voter.  Democrats also attacked the mailing practices of Congressman David McKinley, who has returned almost $370,000 to the US Treasury from his office budget since taking office. (Author's note: As a long time and regular 1st District voter, I can say that I have never received mail from David McKinley except in response to a specific concern.)

What makes the scandal more noteworthy is that elected officials have more free ways to reach the public than ever before.  Instead of a deluge of thousands of letters into Mineral County, Delegate Gary Howell writes a regular newspaper column and puts live legislative updates on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.  For no charge, the State Legislature itself puts out a comprehensive bulletin of all its activities while in session to anyone interested.  This renders a specific mailed list pointless.

Republican's figures date back to the beginning of the year and analysis is not complete.  Democrats may well fall back to the defense that the mailing added up to mere thousands of dollars out of millions in the state budget.  First, every bit counts.  The state may be on the verge of cutting the popular Courtesy Patrol, which helps stranded motorists on state highways.  Budgets will get vastly tighter when Medicaid expansion costs, agreed to by Democrats, start to sink in.  West Virginia cannot afford to pay for delegates' campaigns.

Second, this reflects an arrogance that has plagued state politics for a long time.  Elected officials too often exploit the gray areas.  Board of Public Works officials used state funds to pay for trinkets and billboards featuring their names until voters finally punished the most egregious offender, Darrel McGraw.  The state deserves better.

Senator Stephen Benton Elkins: Carpetbagger or Savior?

West Virginia is closing in on the 120th anniversary of a milestone achievement in the life of one of its most important figures.  In early 1895, the West Virginia State Legislature chose Stephen Benton Elkins to represent the state in the United States Senate.

Elkins did not have to win in a popular vote.  Before 1913, legislatures chose senators.  His career, however, had been remarkable.  Elkins had helped to build one of the most powerful coal companies in the United States, extended railroads deep into the West Virginia countryside, and had served under President Benjamin Harrison as Secretary of War.  Since 1888, he had guided the once lowly state Republican Party to the brink of decades of political dominance.

He officially came to West Virginia in early 1888.  The Republican Party paper Wheeling Intelligencer rhetorically rolled out the red carpet, announcing his arrival almost like royalty.  Civil War veteran and POW Nathan Goff of Clarksburg had capably led the party through much of the 1880s while a congressman.  Elkins' arrival coincided with a tightly contested Goff run for governor.  When Goff lost, many state Republicans switched their allegiance to Elkins.

Goff handled the shift with grace, likely consoled by appointment to the federal bench and eventual elevation to the US Senate.  Meanwhile, Elkins and his regional allies strained to make the party and county Republican committees and clubs more active and effective.  Elkins recruited Preston County newspaper editor W. M. O. Dawson to help run the day to day affairs of the state party.  With the onset of free public school in West Virginia in the 1860s, experience and knowledge of the new media environment was crucial to helping build coming Republican majority.

Not everyone supported the new party leadership.  In 1890, rumors swirled of an Elkins run for Congress.  One Preston County Republican promised future congressman Alston Gordon Dayton that "If Elkins is to be the nominee . . . there will be many 'stay at homes' when election day rolls around."  Despite Goff's quiet acceptance and willingness to work with Elkins, his former allies resented the new guard.  They expected to be ignored and rejected by the newly minted West Virginia, but more often than not Elkins extended his hand to former Goff men willing to accept it.

Elkins' businesslike administration of the state party built on the prior work of the charismatic Goff.  By 1894, the GOP had gained ascendancy in voter registrations, fundraising, and elected offices.  West Virginia remained a Republican state until 1932.

Unlike his father-in-law Henry Gassaway Davis who was a powerful Democrat from West Virginia, but spent most of his time at a Maryland residence, Elkins embraced his new state.  In 1890, he built for himself and his family the beautiful mansion Halliehurst.  Not long before construction, the site of the home was near wilderness.  Starting in 1890, the Randolph County city bearing his name grew up around his home and the new railroad connection.

On reaching the Senate, Elkins kept his eye on both state and national issues.  During the 1896 presidential campaign, Elkins resisted considerable pressure by William McKinley advocates on the West Virginia and national level.  While he could have gained personally by joining the McKinley bandwagon, Elkins was trying to obtain federal funds to dredge the Monongahela River.  Other presidential aspirants sat in the Senate and Elkins feared antagonizing them.  He explained "You know what is pending here and the reasons that move me to my opinion . . . Hope you can trust my judgment."  He won the improvements and also ensured that a new United States Weather Service tracking station would be built in the state.

In national and foreign affairs, Elkins also had influence.  In 1898, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst conferred with Elkins on ideas about national war policy.  Several years later, Elkins authored legislation that ended the use of free passes by railroads to buy influence with politicians, editors, and others.

Rivals in his day and leftist historians later harped on Elkins' origins.  John Alexander Williams called him New York's senator in West Virginia.  In his personal and public correspondence, however, Elkins demonstrated his love for the state, concern for its people, and willingness to work very hard for the betterment of his adopted home and its Republican Party.  West Virginia owes Elkins for much of its early 20th century prominence and prosperity.

He was certainly no opportunistic carpetbagger, looking for short term gains with plans to abandon his new home.  Elkins brought his family to West Virginia to serve his new state and to grow along with it.

Unfortunately, Democratic machine rule cancelled out many of his achievements.

But now it is a new century and a new day for West Virginia Republicans.  It is only right to occasionally honor the transplant from New York who worked so hard and did so much good for the Mountain State.

Is the EPA Afraid of West Virginia?

List of cities where the EPA will hold hearings on carbon dioxide emissions, including from coal power plants.

Notice that none are in West Virginia or any other major coal producing state.

Outrageous.

Cecil Roberts needs to join with the West Virginia Republican Party and demand a hearing in West Virginia.

National Democrats Convince Cannon Fodder Candidate

By all accounts, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant will enter the US Senate race to take on presumed Republican nominee Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito.

On the surface, it looks like an appropriate move for a popular young statewide officeholder with definite ambitions to rise higher.  She has a strong background as an elected secretary of state with experience as a Charleston television news figure.  Even in a loss, Tennant can use the campaign to reintroduce herself to voters across the state in preparation for a run at the Governor's Mansion.

It is this ambition most threatened by her Senate run. A deeper look shows how dicey this campaign could be for Tennant.

Images like this one have already reappeared.  Standing in front of a sparse crowd of Obama supporters will not win Tennant any support in a state whose Democrats preferred a prisoner in 2012.  Obama has only lost popularity since then.  She struggles to argue that coal jobs have slightly ticked up, but cannot defend the power plant closings that are coming.  Or the dramatic rise in health insurance costs from Obamacare.

In a race for governor in 2016, Obama matters less.  Tennant will have difficulty shaking the perception that she will be anything but a water carrier for the presidency and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Senator Joe Manchin learned that even piecemeal support for Obama policies can take a drastic toll on polling numbers.

Capito's fundraising prowess, formidable campaign team, and popularity have vanquished all comers since 2000.   Few major donors outside of the Democratic Party will seek to invest in a race that has little chance of success.

Tennant's run only makes sense in the national Democratic big picture.  A viable candidate forces the Republican Party to spend resources and raise money in a race that they should ultimately win.  Those resources will not go to tighter races with less chance of success.

She will also have to tie herself even more securely to the highly unpopular national Democratic Party agenda.  A gubernatorial race allows her to stand aloof as Earl Ray Tomblin did.  Tennant cannot erase images from a Senate run that will place her even more strongly into the camp of individuals heartily disliked across West Virginia.  She also cannot haul out the well worn liberal "War on Women" card against a respected, accomplished, and popular female candidate like Capito.

This serves the purposes of the West Virginia Republican Party nicely because it will weaken an individual who was expected to make a strong run  for governor in 2016.

Charleston Gambling: the Wrong War At the Wrong Place At the Wrong Time

Disagreeing with my conservative brethren publicly does not fill me with happy thoughts, especially when it comes to a major party position, but sometimes it must be done.

I cannot fathom why the state Republican Party has selected this time and place to mount a major assault on table gaming at the Mardi Gras casino in Kanawha County.

A much more eloquent pundit than I, Don Surber, has emphasized repeatedly that this election in the Year of Our Lord 2012 must be about the economy. We must target jobs. We must target inflation. We must target the Democratic Party as a whole with its unwillingness to address either one of these issues with a real plan that does not collapse the economy in 2027.

In the Mountain State, we must focus on creating a plan for more aggressive taxation reduction and deregulation. The business and residents that we can steal from "tax and regulate until it dies" Maryland alone can pay for the costs. The state Republican Party needs to articulate a tangible and concrete vision on the economy, then hammer it home.

Republicans also must establish alliances with young independents. Give these people credit, they came out of a school system built to teach milquetoast socialism with a hardened belief in liberty. They support Ron Paul and are suspicious of government regulation of personal choices. They fear Obama, but do not trust the Grand Old Party, either. Most of them are socially conservative on some important issues, such as abortion, but libertarian on strict personal choice matters.

We need these people on our side, not on the sidelines.

That makes the fight against table games at the Mardi Gras casino somewhat baffling. Perhaps it did not live up to inflated expectations that it helped to set. Taking on its privilege to do business on these points may be the correct action.

The problem is that this should not have been undertaken by the state Republican Party. State party leaders need to concentrate on an economic plan that creates job growth. Average voters will wonder why the party promises job growth while trying to shut off a business. Young libertarian-minded individuals will wonder why the party talks about liberty, but goes on a crusade over gambling.

If the party succeeds in Kanawha County, this might rattle voters in Jefferson County and other areas that have casino gambling. We need these critical areas if we have any shot at winning statewide races this fall.

The West Virginia Conservative Foundation, which has apparently not uttered a peep since last November, should take the lead role in these kinds of actions. It can advance whatever for of conservative agenda it wishes while the West Virginia Republican Party remains free to focus on the task at hand, winning in 2012.

Governor's Race Heating Up

The Potomac Highlands Conservative, reluctantly, cannot endorse a Republican nominee for governor. We are members of a county executive committee and ethically, if not legally, cannot endorse anyone in a primary.

We have a very solid field of candidates this time in terms of experience, personality, and electability. If nothing else, the West Virginia Republican Party is continuing to grow into a more viable political force within the state.

When looking at who to choose in this cycle, look at issues and electability. This state needs a governor who can take the ship of state and wrench it into a completely different direction. The candidate needs to have the right principles, but also more than a snowball's chance in hell of beating the Democrat. The perfect candidate is the right mix of principles, experience, and electability. I do believe that there are a few candidates among the field that fit this bill.

Other random thoughts...

Thank you Congressman David McKinley. Even though both senators' offices were also called, David McKinley was the only congressional representative to greet the Keyser High School "We the People" team when they went to Capitol Hill this week. It was the day after the killing of Bin Laden, so it was likely a busy day, but the congressman made it down to see them.

West Virginia Red has obviously morphed into a Bill Maloney campaign mouthpiece. While there is nothing wrong with that per se, they would be more effective if they were more subtle. Right now, they are preaching to the choir and that won't accomplish their goal of spreading the campaign message. Also mix it up with some news and commentary.

How is it that Earl Ray Tomblin gets away with using "More Jobs and Less Taxes" as his motto? As Senate President, he was in a much better position to create those conditions.

Secretary of State Tennant Is Too Thin Skinned

I saw this first on House candidate Cindy Frich's Facebook page. Then, thinking it was a statement by the Secretary of State herself, I looked up a part of the piece. It actually comes from the website of a TV station in Harrisonburg, Virginia of all places. Obviously a journalist wrote this piece at some point. Note the heavy bias in the piece.

But that is not the issue. The issue is that this is an election year and each political party and candidate will try to gain whatever advantage it can. WVGOP chair Mike Stuart is putting pressure on the Democratic Secretary of State in the same way that Bobby Huggins this winter will work officials at West Virginia basketball games. You want them to know that you are paying attention and will react if you are not doing your job properly.

It's business. It's part of the job. It's Mike Stuart's job to gain advantages for the state Republicans and part of Tennant's job to fairly administer elections. Secretary of State Tennant needs to toughen up a little because she is reacting too personally to Republican challenges.


CHARLESTON — Once again West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant is standing by the law when it comes to conducting elections in the state of West Virginia.
The latest baseless allegation from the state Republican Party says that Monongalia County Democratic Headquarters cannot be located in an area near an early voting site.
“Instead of working in a posi­tive manner for the betterment of West Virginia, the West Virginia Republican Party chairman con­tinues to issue personal attacks and frivolous lawsuits against me and this office, when in fact we are standing on the West Virginia code,” Tennant said.
West Virginia code section 3-3-2a(d)(5) says: “No person may do any electioneering … on the property of the county court­house, any annex facilities or any other designated early vot­ing locations within the county, during the entire period of regu­lar in-person absentee voting.”
This code shows that a head­quarters can be located near a county’s early voting site because the 300-foot election­eering zone is not applicable during early voting.
“GOP Chairman Mike Stuart threatens to open a Republican location near the site and I say ‘go for it.’ I am sure the Mountaineer Mall would appre­ciate the boost in its economy for the next three weeks.
“Furthermore, if he wants to continue with his personal attacks on me, my background and who I am, that is fine, I can stand up to them. If he is attack­ing me, then he is not picking on someone else,” Tennant said.
Tennant also said that she has the utmost confidence and respect for the Monongalia County Clerk Carye Blaney and knows that the clerk will not tol­erate any campaigning at the early voting site.
“Time and time again we have proven Chairman Stuart’s frivo­lous allegations incorrect and at every turn we have followed the law.”

West Virginia Republican Party Strategy Attracts National Attention

WVGOP Press Release
‘Obama Says Vote Democrat’ Signs Get National Attention
Thousands of Signs Raising Thousands of Dollars, Eyebrows

CHARLESTON -- The calls and dollars are flooding in to the West Virginia Republican Party after national media took note yesterday of the ‘Obama Says Vote Democrat’ sign campaign in the Mountain State.

“It’s not a confusing message. Barack Obama wants you to vote for Joe Manchin, Nick Rahall and Mike Oliverio for Congress,” said West Virginia Republican Chair Mike Stuart. “He needs their help to make sure he can keep ObamaCare and raise our energy taxes. A vote for those guys is a vote for the liberal Obama-Pelosi Team.”

The signs and their message were highlighted in a report on the now-leading in the polls campaign of John Raese on the ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, and several other national outlets.

“You can tell the signs are working from the reaction they receive,” said Stuart. “West Virginia voters couldn’t stand Barack Obama two years ago. Imagine how mad they are now with unemployment doubled?”

Mike Stuart Selected As State Party Chairman

At the state Republican Party summer meeting yesterday, Mike Stuart won election as party chair.

Regular readers of this blog know that I personally supported Doug McKinney's re-election. I felt that he had accomplished a great deal as party chair in retiring the debt, hiring an experienced executive director, and finding a good headquarters location. I would say that the party owes Dr. McKinney its thanks in leading it through a difficult time for Republicans across the nation.

That all being said, this is one of the most important election cycles we have seen in recent years. West Virginia has an opportunity to help overturn the left wingers currently running Congress. We need Maynard, McKinley, and one of the Republicans running for Senate representing this state. We need to end the assault on our rights and the ideals of this nation. Mike Stuart is now our party chair, so we need to get behind him and his efforts to get Republicans elected in West Virginia. Party unity is essential at this point, especially since the Democrats in West Virginia seem as divided as ever.

We also call upon Chairman Stuart to reach out to McKinney supporters and make this party whole. One party working together will get Republicans elected this fall and that is why we are here. Doug McKinney counted many devoted and principled Republicans among his supporters, as did Stuart. We hope that Stuart will personally reach out and invite these men and women to help him build his team and keep the West Virginia Republican Party momentum moving forward.

Statement from the Republican National Committee

July 7, 2010
CONTACT: Press Office202-863-8614
View This Statement At GOP.com
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN PARTY ANNOUNCE VICTORY CAMPAIGNWASHINGTON –
The Republican National Committee today announced the West Virginia Victory campaign to establish the in-state political operation to ensure Republican candidates are successful in November. In partnership with the West Virginia Republican Party, the RNC is providing funding and resources to promote strong Republican leadership grounded in small government, low taxes, and fiscal responsibility. In addition to staff and resources on the ground, West Virginia Victory will have full access to communications, research, and political support.

By leveraging these tools, Republicans will compete aggressively in West Virginia and deliver a clear message to voters that it’s time to stand up to Barack Obama’s big-government agenda.“The RNC is excited to partner with the West Virginia Republican Party and invest in the Mountain State to provide voters with a clear choice between the tax, borrow and spend agenda of Washington Democrats and the fiscally responsible, pro-growth Republicans. “West Virginia Victory will tap into the high amount of voter energy, excitement and momentum we are experiencing within the Republican Party and use it to ensure that Republicans are elected across the state,” said Chairman Steele.

“I’d like to thank Chairman Steele for providing the West Virginia Republican Party with these essential resources. They will have a tremendous impact on our ability to deliver the Republican message of lower taxes and fiscal sanity directly to West Virginia voters,” said West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Doug McKinney. “With a sophisticated operation at the state and local level, we can capture the outpouring of support that we are already seeing here in West Virginia. Our volunteers are energized and ready to stop the tax and spend policies of Democrats across our state.”

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Potomac Highlands Conservative Endorses Dr. Doug McKinney to Remain State Republican Chair

The Potomac Highlands Conservative is proud to endorse Dr. Doug McKinney to be re-elected as West Virginia Republican Party Chair.

At the end of July, the state Republican Party will have its annual summer meeting. At that time the state executive committee will vote to either retain Dr. McKinney as party chair or select Mike Stuart of Charleston.

The old adage says that you don't change horses in midstream. That in itself is true, unless the horse cannot get across the river. Lincoln had to change his horses several times in midstream before finding a winning general. However, Dr. McKinney has been able to put together a strong list of accomplishments since becoming chair. Under his leadership the state party retired its fairly considerable debt. He also worked to build upon the professional staff in place, trying to obtain for the party an experienced and professional executive director to build up the organization and other efforts. In the past few years, the evolution of the state party's internet presence has been very worthy of praise. Finally, Dr. McKinney led the effort to get the state Republican Party into its new headquarters on Kanawha Boulevard.

Dr. McKinney's opponent and his supporters have led an aggressive campaign that has tried to attack the incumbent chair's record. The attacks create some serious questions:

They have voiced their dislike of Executive Director Troy Berman. What would Stuart propose to do with Mr. Berman and the executive director position?

They have also attacked almost every aspect of the relocation of the party headquarters. Would they move the headquarters again?

And finally, what is Stuart's vision? In what way would he operate that would be substantially different?

The biggest problem created by a changeover in leadership at this time is the inevitable learning curve. Unless you have actually done the job before, there is a period of time where you have to get acclimated and learn the job. If you are cleaning house and bringing in your people, they also have their own learning curves. It is a short period of time from July to November. If elected, how long would it take for Stuart and his people to learn the job and then become effective?

Another obstacle in the path of a Stuart chairmanship is the byproduct of the negativity spawned by his campaign. On the blog that backs his candidacy, you get a daily dose of hatefulness, albeit generally from those leaving comments. They get their shots in at Dr. McKinney and his wife most often while also occasionally attacking House of Delegates candidate Gary Howell and Buddy Randolph. Some of Stuart's supporters have raised issues of method and leadership, but others more often stick barbs into other loyal Republicans. The cloud of negativity won't disperse quickly. A few words from Stuart would have shut down his supporters who simply seek to insult rather than raise legitimate questions.

Not only do we endorse Dr. McKinney, we also believe that the selection of a new chair should take place after the election. Changing the leadership on the eve of the contest makes little sense.

Addendum to Today's Call For Banding Together

Just took a quick peek over at West Virginia Red, something I do about once a week. Sometimes they have articles of interest when they are not continually and relentlessly attacking Chairman Doug McKinney, Executive Director Troy Berman, or any number of other state executive committee members. Today they did something that went a little too far.

Young Republicans Chairman Mike Howerton occasionally indulges in a little small time professional wrestling. It's an activity that lies somewhere between sports and performance art most certainly. To be good at it requires some acting that is more than a little over the top.

Wrestling's not my thing, personally, at least not since I was a teenager. However, I can see how doing it would be a fun way to earn a little extra cash. Don't tell that to a few of the folks over at West Virginia Red. The responses not only bashed Howerton, but also eventually became somewhat offensive with anti gay remarks. (For the record, Mike is about to get married, he is not gay.)

You know, if you have issues with how he was chosen for his position, or how he performs his job that's one thing. Insults should be beneath us.

Also for the record and by way of example, I remember Republican Sonny Bono being elected to the House of Representatives after singing and starring on a variety show. Christopher Guest, formerly of Saturday Night Live, was a member of the British House of Lords until reform laws disqualified him. Comedy sketch shows are about on the same respect level as professional wrestling, but that did not seem to hurt either of them. I guess the folks who don't like Mike were mortified to see "The Rock" sitting in front of former President George H. W. Bush at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Oh the humanity.

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Another thing that is a little more amusing is the attacks they have made on this blog. Basically their beef is that we don't bash Doug McKinney or other people involved with the WVGOP. Maybe they are not aware that not every conservative blog is eager to throw Republicans overboard at least twice a week or more. Over here we do local, regional, and state news along with commentary on current events and pieces on conservative thought, values, and ideals. Maybe that's not as interesting as some of what goes on over there, but our reason to exist is not to insult, tear down, or otherwise carry on against other conservatives and Republicans. There is a serious factional fight taking place in this party. Regardless of what happens this summer, we have to come together afterwards and fight the leftists instead of each other.

Not everyone who writes or responds to West Virginia Red creates vicious attacks, but there are enough to cause hard feelings that won't just vaporize in August. We will all need to work together for West Virginia to do their part, returning Ms. Capito and electing David McKinley and Spike Maynard, plus gaining as many legislative seats and other elected positions as possible.

I don't understand why some folks over there want to make that necessary August reconciliation (again, regardless of what happens!) as difficult as possible.

It's Inevitable, Democrats Will Lose Power in West Virginia Within a Few Years

It's inevitable. It has a momentum all its own. And no one is pushing it faster than those that stand to lose the most.

West Virginia will soon be a Democratic minority state. I would say this process will be complete by at the latest 2014.

Yes Democrats have the majority of registered voters now, but they face a steady stream of defections from their ranks. New voters who see little future in what Obama promises, who understand that leftists want to steal the rewards of ambition and work, they are leaving. Miners and their families, even in die hard Democratic counties, are leaving. People who have clung fiercely to the Democratic Party for generations have found that Obama, Pelosi, Mollohan, etc do not follow policies that will put food on workers' tables in West Virginia. Demographics do not favor Democrats. The older generation is passing on, taking away the last of the FDR voters and some of those inspired by Kennedy. Younger people tend to choose Republican or Independent registrations.

But will West Virginia be a Republican majority state? It all depends. In state history, party switches happen quickly. Chaning conditions and party stances often provoke powerful and fast changes. West Virginia has never been a two party state.

In the 1890s Stephen Elkins, pictured to the left, brought organization and leadership to West Virginia in a time when major party shifts took place nationwide. Elkins sold the GOP vision in West Virginia. Not everyone was entirely on board in support of Elkins, but the people favored the development policies he advocated. West Virginia moved from the Democratic to the Republican Party.

Republican leadership in West Virginia is moving forward to take advantage of the shift taking place in the state. It must continue to remind voters that Republicans here support development and oppose additional federal burdens. They must stay committed to lowering taxes and reducing spending at all levels of government to gain support.

Democrats are declining quickly in West Virginia, but it is not yet inevitable that Republicans will gain a clear majority. Disgusted Democrats and Tea Party style libertarians for different reasons are choosing to remain independent. To gain and keep the support of both, the GOP must continue to support basic anti-tax and pro-development issues. Elected officials must also act on the principles that got them elected.

It's Your Gov't - McGeehan

Underwood Fellow Michael Holt interviews Delegate Pat McGeehan (R- Hancock) about his priorities for 2010.

It's Your Government Episode 01

It's Your Government Episode 01 Underwood Fellow Eric DiVito interviews Republican Minority Leader Tim Armstead about the 2010 West Virginia legislative session

State Republican Discussions Resolved By Recent Supreme Court Ruling

Under American law, corporations and individuals enjoy the same legal status with only a very few exceptions. The United States Supreme Court on Thursday in a 5-4 vote eliminated one of them and allowed corporate entities to freely donate in federal elections for the first time since 1907. This also undercuts the McCain Feingold campaign financing act.

According to the majority opinion, laws that restrict corporate donations violate the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. The Court historically gives free speech issues the widest possible latitude. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy explained that “The 1st Amendment does not permit Congress to make these categorical distinctions based on the corporate identity of the speaker and the content of the political speech.” This decision also possibly indirectly overturned a ban on labor union donations that extends back to World War II since the same standards would likely apply. Predictably the president and his cronies screamed that it means Big Oil will dominate politics, but they will soon be encouraged by their friends in Big Labor to not complain so loudly since it helps them as well. Of course it remedied a problem in that the law banned some corporations and other combinations from making political statements via donations, but placed no limits on Big Media. Now all corporations will have the same right as media outlets to make funded political statements.

This ruling automatically solves an issue oft discussed within the ranks of the West Virginia Republican Party. A corporate donation allowed the WVGOP to purchase the headquarters building in South Charleston. Recently its leadership decided to move from there to a more appealing central location across Greenbrier Street from the Capitol Complex in Charleston. To cover some payments and expenses, the leadership proposed to use part of the money generated from the sale of the former headquarters. Some argued that under campaign finance laws, this money could not be used for this purpose. State Party leadership interpreted the law otherwise. Now that the Supreme Court declared that law as a violation of the Constitution, active Republicans can hopefully come together and work together for victory this coming November.

The Dream

Two years ago I was getting to know West Virginia's Republican nominee for Secretary of State, Charles Minimah. Minimah, an immigrant from Nigeria, operated a home health care business in Charleston and ran the the request of the West Virginia Republican Party.

In asking for Minimah's help, the state party hearkened back to its roots. In the 1870s, civil rights leader Booker T. Washington was asked by the Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee to speak in Charleston and points east. As a loyal Republican and resident of Malden, his oratory struck a chord among residents. Although it failed to win many victories in those lean years, it did push Washington towards his famous career and contributions. The 1870s were a fearful time as Republican president Ulysses S. Grant attacked Ku Klux Klan violence and terrorism with federal laws, attorneys, and troops. It was a dangerous time for anyone to advocate for black rights, much less promote black civil rights leaders.

By 1900, Republicans gained control of the state. Black legislators won election in several districts and West Virginia GOP governors proudly appointed blacks to some leadership positions in the executive branch. The Black Republican newspaper McDowell Times urged blacks to come to West Virginia to find work and the freedom to vote. Democrats complained about the efforts of Republican appointees to US Attorney and US Marshal because they worked tirelessly to ensure black access to the polls on election day. Decades later, Cecil Underwood led the smoothest transition to desegregated schools of any southern state. West Virginia Republicans, among states considered southern, took the lead time and time again in trying to defy the oppressive Jim Crow culture dominating much of the country in that time. We can be very proud of that history.

Today we rightly reflect on the struggle made by blacks in the hundred years after the Civil War for their political rights and ability to enjoy full citizenship. We also remember our West Virginia Republican Party's own contribution to that fight. Finally we remember the martyrdom of Martin Luther King who strove so hard to create a world not of racial preferences, but of racial blindness.

WVGOP Senate Caucus response to Gov. Manchin State of State Address

As Governor Joe Manchin prepares to deliver his State of State address to the people of West Virginia this evening, Senate Minority Whip Clark Barnes urges West Virginians to not get caught up in the governor's rhetoric. With unemployment hovering at 10% jobs are leaving West Virginia at a rate faster then they can be created and Obama and the EPA have all but declared war on West Virginia prosperity.

Republicans are worried that the democratic leadership is just covering up the problems until they become unfixable. Senator Barnes is urging state law makers to return back to basic conservative values that can save the state from a fiscal, energy, and taxation crisis.

Taylor County Republican Executive Committee will host their annual Christmas dinner

The Taylor County Republican Executive Committee will host their annual Christmas dinner on December 22, 2009, beginning at 5:00 p.m. for our gathering. We will eat at 6:00 p.m. The menu will be Chicken or ham, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Green beans, Salad, Drinks of Coffee or tea. Desert and gratuity will be on the participant. The cost for non members of the committee will be $9.00 plus tax and what ever else you may order. If you would like to attend, please let the chairman know the following: How many will be attending from your group, and whether you desire to have Chicken or Ham.

The speaker will be Senator Dave Sypolt, senator of our district. The event will be at Jerry's Restaurant at 242 Barrett Street, Grafton, WV. 26354. The registration may be made by contacting Rev. Davidson as listed below. We will be able to have up to 45 persons. The deadline for registration is December 18, 2009. Thank you for your participation.

The Changing Political Map of West Virginia

This is the current political look of the of the state by county. Between 1996 and 2006 the Democratic Party in West Virginia went down from having 63.48% to 57.05% of registered voters, while Republican gained from 29.69% to 30.15% in the same time frame.

If current trends continue, next election cycle Wood county will move into the Red County column, they only need 45 more Republicans. Jackson County will switch to a red county in 2011, and Putnam in 2013. By 2017 the Democrats in WV will drop below the 50% level state wide.

The question is why is this switch occurring? The Democrats have held power in West Virginia since the 1930 election, and the state peaked in the 1950's when the population exceeded 2 million. While the rest of the nation has grown we have now declined to 1.8 million. We are last in all the good categories, first in all the bad categories, and the voter registration shift is a sign the people want change.