Kicking It Off Right

Last Saturday the Potomac Highlands Republican Club kicked off its existence with an exciting dinner in Romney. The event featured Secretary of State Betty Ireland. Our Secretary of State is easily the most charismatic and energetic member of West Virginia's executive branch and last Saturday she definitely did not disappoint.

Her speech emphasized Republican unity and focus going into the 2008 election year and she presented it in her usual "take no prisoners" style. Ireland always challenges state Republicans to do more to support candidates as well as the party organization. Additionally she endorsed the idea of regional clubs such as the PHRC as models for the future. Ireland had strong praise for club president Christy Barnett's organizational skills and energy.

Senator Dave Sypolt handled the master of ceremonies duties with his usual grace and good humor. Apart from Ireland, he also was able to introduce GOP strategist Gary Abernathy who gave the assembled guests an update on the state presidential nominating convention. Following Abernathy's explanation of the convention process, Sypolt presented three presidential candidate representatives. Tom O' Neil described the ideas of Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney while Senator Vic Sprouse endorsed former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Finally Abernathy explained the virtues of former United States Senator Fred Thompson.

Senator Clark Barnes gave the final talk of the night. The feisty Barnes opened fire on critics of the administration of George W. Bush, reminding the guests of the president's many successes over the past seven years.

This dinner served as a key event to introduce the public to the PHRC. The club's most important goal lies in strengthening Republican involvement even in off years. Supporting candidates also remains an important function. Secretary Ireland emphasized the benefits of an organization that crosses county boundaries. Such a group can better assist those candidates who seek to represent multiple counties.

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The club wished to thank those who helped to sponsor the event: Bob Adams, candidate for governor; Gary Howell, candidate for state senate, Chris Wakim, the Grant County Republican Executive Committee, and two unnamed Democrats who decided to support the conservative values many of us share regardless of party. Of course one of the main themes of the night could be expressed in two words.

BEAT HILLARY!

Will Wakim Run?

That's a good question. Chris Wakim may have suffered a disappointing result in his first shot at the United States Congress, but a 2008 run may be the best choice for the state Republican Party.

Why, one might ask. He lost by a margin of about 65-35. Numbers can deceive, however. By all accounts, Republican voters lost confidence in their Congress in the midterm elections. Few people acknowledge this fact, but choosing to stay home is just another form of voting. Unfortunately Chris Wakim suffered from the malaise afflicting the GOP nationwide.

Look at 2008. Next year looks to be different, especially if the Democrats run You Know Who. It does not take a village to figure out that conservatives could potentially swamp the polls to keep their worst nightmare from becoming reality. Nancy Pelosi was a Johnny come lately horror for conservatives. Hillary Clinton is considered only slightly less palatable as a national leader than the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Chris Wakim will benefit from a very strong turnout of conservatives in West Virginia determined to keep the state out of the "Hillary" column.

Why Wakim? He has established himself as a known quantity among state Republicans and now can broaden that base. Wakim continues to work hard for the state party and that means something to the faithful. To be frank, he also has a great issue brewing in the northern panhandle custom made for him. Like many other West Virginians, Wakim comes from a family of recent immigrants. Like many of us, his family came here legally and became citizens the right way. Through hard work, obedience to the law, and determination, they became strong productive citizens. That story resonates with so many West Virginians tired of illegal aliens draining our resources.

If Wakim takes his positive program to the people again in 2008, it will pose a serious challenge to Representative Mollohan. If anyone doubts his ability to win a race after losing before, all they need do is look at the example of State Senator Sypolt of the 14th district. Or look at Ronald Reagan who lost the 1976 primary to an uninspiring incumbent, but won the presidency in the very next election.

Running a new candidate in the 1st district means starting over from scratch. Chris Wakim is the strongest candidate for 2008.

Bennie Thompson's War on the War on Terror

Looks like the Democratic Congress is already striking blows in favor of the enemy. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, launched a campaign to eliminate the immunity from civil lawsuits that tipsters now enjoy. If Thompson has his way, calling in suspicious activity aboard an airplane can result in a massive lawsuit against those that turn in the information. Why? Representative Thompson has more concern about the possibility of profiling than the possibility of a passenger filled airplane being used as a weapon. It must have been Thompson’s vast expertise in agricultural and rural issues that got him selected to one of the House’s most important chairmanships.

I will be the first to say that the Republican Congress deserved what it got in 2006. Two years of non productive power earned it a defeat. They had chances to pass legislation to reform the tax code, to save social security beyond 2040, and expand our energy resources among many other things. Instead they played prevent defense, did nothing, and let the Democrats define the issues. In a narrow sense the defeat washed away some old blood and allowed new leaders to rise to the fore, regenerating the Gallant Old Party.

In the long run that may not be good for the nation. Now we have veritable fools running Congress that do not realize that the United States faces enemies around the world. They have held up funding the military for political reasons. Now they try to erode the methods we use to help protect airline passengers every day. Thankfully some Democrats, such as the always sensible Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut (whom the Democratic Party tried to run out of office last year) remember that we are at war with dangerous enemies and need the help of concerned citizens.

Yes, congressional Republicans needed a turnover in leadership and ideas. Hopefully this turnover will not mean a sacrifice in lives, property, and prestige. I tell you though, I would feel much more secure with people like Shelley Moore Capito and Chris Wakim helping to lead our House of Representatives than left wingers like Bennie Thompson and the woman that put him in charge of Homeland Security issues.