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The Republican Gazette 
"The WVGOP -- Say What You Want, But We're Never Boring!"
MONDAY JANUARY 19, 2009
Inaugurations bring new beginnings for WV, U.S.
Manchin would do better if he worried less about taking credit
Obama's presidency is historic, but was only a matter of time
Gov. Joe Manchin begins his second term today, and while he was reelected comfortably and likely enjoyes strong approval ratings, second acts can wear thin quickly, and even the most seemingly invincible politicians fall prey to second term lethargies that drag them down. JOE MANCHIN
BARACK OBAMA
If the governor really cares about making progress for West Virginia, one way he can do so more effectively is by abandoning his unflattering concern about making sure he gets credit for all good things.Early in his first term, Manchin and the Democrats got caught up in a battle with Republicans over Logan's Law, a sex offender bill designed to strengthen such laws. When GOP lawmakers held out for mandatory sentencing as part of the bill, the Democrats caucused and forgetfully left behind a talking points memo that had come from Manchin's office warning them to "reclaim ownership" of the bill. The memo urged them to remind everyone that the bill was Manchin's, and the Republicans were trying to co-opt it. The bill was killed, only to be resurrected later when Manchin and the Dems could claim full credit. Hopefully, the govenor has matured beyond such petty one- upsmanship, and will work harder to take good ideas and advance them, even if the GOP gets credit once in a while. The fact is, the Republican caucus shares his agenda much more than the Democrats, who are increasingly controlled by labor and the liberals. Manchin could form a powerful coalition among Republicans and conservative Democrats to achieve much of what he claims to want, but he needs to be willing to give the GOP credit where credit is due, and if Republicans are lauded once in a while for passing good legislation, let them have the spotlight. Such magnanimity would pay dividends.Even the most diehard conservative Republican must pause this week to appreciate the historic significance of the first African American being sworn in as President of the United States.That it will be Barack Obama holding that distinction in the history books is more of a surprise than that a black person has finally achieved the highest office in the land. Millions of Americans of all colors have long understood that an African American would someday be elected; it was just a matter of time.
Many of us always assumed it was more likely, the first time, to be a moderate or conservative Republican, like Colin Powell or Condoleeza Rice. That it is instead a U.S. senator of less than one full term and holding the most liberal voting record in the Senate is the surprising part, but that is the result of where a complete collapse of our financial markets can lead.An online site called The Root offers an article on how the media has prepared America for a black president through various portrayals throughout the years, some flattering, most not. The most positive portrayal of such a circumstance was offered in the earliest seasons of the Fox drama "24," whose President David Palmer, played by Dennis Haysbert, offered the image of a strong, smart and principled leader effectively balancing both international and personal upheaval. Most Americans, regardless of their political leanings, are much less concerned about the color of Barack Obama's skin as they are curious about who he really is beneath the surface. It is beyond dispute that his presidency is the result of a nation willing, at this time of turmoil and trouble, to try anything different, much more than it is an embracing of the man himself who is the beneficiary of this yearning for change. He is indeed the accidental president, and now the nation waits and watches to see if there is substance beyond the soaring rhetoric. The Republican Gazette is owned, operated, written and edited by Gary Abernathy, and does not represent the views of any other person or organization, except for guest commentary signed by other contributors.
Daily Mail's comment on new WVGOP website makes good point
On Friday, the Charleston Daily Mail editorialized on the new WVGOP Think Tank website and the party's plans for regional roundtable meetings, saying, "All these steps are good ones."But the newspaper went on to say, "How does the party intend to reach out to, or hear from, Republicans or conservative Democrats who don't use the Internet? While some people prefer Web-based communications, others will remain unaware of Republican doings unless the party talks to them via some other medium. Inviting people to send comments to a mailing address might pick up a whole different crowd."Of course, the Daily Mail editorial, which resulted from a WVGOP press release, represents in and of itself part of the party's effort to reach Republicans and other conservatives beyond the Internet via the traditional media, so the newspaper helped fulfill the intent even while urging that more be done. But its suggestion is well taken, and is the kind of input the state GOP is seeking from all sources. Wouldn't appointed judges be more directly compromised than those elected by independent spending?
Many of the groups and organizations piling on at the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Harman Mining's appeal of a judgment in favor of Massey Energy support "merit selection," whereby judges are appointed by governors and confirmed by the Senate based on recommendations from a panel.But doesn't such a system represent even more of a direct conflict for judges than the independent expenditure campaigns which have these same groups so upset? If someone spends, say, $3 million in an independent expenditure campaign to defeat one judge and elect another, there is at least a degree of separation between the candidate and the independent campaign. But if a judge is directly appointed by a governor and confirmed by the Senate, based on the recommendation of a small number of people on a panel, isn't he (or she) even more directly compromised in regard to who is responsible for the seat he holds? Shouldn't he recuse himself from any case involving that governor, or any member of the Senate, or anyone on the panel recommending his appointment? Isn't that an even greater "perception of bias" to overcome due to its directness, than any independent expenditure?TUESDAY JANUARY 20, 2009
Manchin kicks off second term with wave tour
Gov. Joe Manchin kicked off his second term Monday with a wave tour, waving at people all over Charleston. Top picture, Manchin waves at Chief Justice Brent Benjamin, who waves back. Bottom pic, Manchin forced his entire family to march in the freezing mid-January weather and wave at the Governor's Mansion, where no one was home. Inset pic. middle right, Manchin became so frustrated at the lack of people waving back that he grabbed a rifle from Natalie Tennant and threatened to shoot anyone who did not return his wave, while shocked and bewildered bystanders looked on in fright. The governor's bizarre behavior signals that the stresses of a second term are already wearing on him, even on the first day. McGraw keeps it all in the family
In keeping with the tradition of the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court handling the duties, Brent Benjamin swore in all newly elected members of the Board of Public Works and Supreme Court on Monday, with one exception.Attorney General Darrell McGraw was sworn in by his brother, Warren, who was defeated by Benjamin in the 2004 court campaign. Benjamin was not heard to complain.New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York...
New West Virginia?
So intent was Gov. Joe Manchin on stressing Monday that he has created a "new West Virginia" that he might actually be trying to lead an effort to change the state's name.In fact, looking at the text of his speech as featured on the governor's website, the phrase "New West Virginia" contains a capital "N" after its first reference, as though that indeed is officially part of the state's name.Such a move would not be out of character for the audacious governor, who once unilaterally changed the state's slogan from "Wild, Wonderful" to "Open for Business" until public sentiment forced him to relent and change it back.Perhaps the people of the Eastern Panhandle who would like to secede from the rest of the state could be granted their own state, New West Virginia, separate from regular West Virginia.Race for RNC chair takes on pace of full-blown campaign
It's been ten years since the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee was as up for grabs as it is now, and West Virginia's three committee members -- state Chairman Doug McKinney, national committeeman Jim Reed, and national committeewoman Donna Gosney -- have been courted for their votes by all the candidates.On Monday, Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis was in Charleston, stopping in at WVGOP headquarters and speaking during the day with all three committee members. A couple of weeks ago, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele was in town seeking support. Current RNC Chairman Mike Duncan is also touring various states and has been to West Virginia several times during his chairmanship. The other candidates -- former Tennessee GOP Chair Chip Saltsman, South Carolina GOP Chair Katon Dawson, and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell -- are also stumping hard for votes from the 168 RNC committee members. National Review Online reported last week that "the state of the race is perpetually in flux," and has a good wrap up that you can read here. FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2009
(Press Release) Dr. Russ Sobel, author of “Unleashing Capitalism” and a forthcoming book, “The Rule of Law: Perspectives on Legal and Judicial Reform in West Virginia,” will be the special guest speaker at the Winter Meeting of the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee. “Dr. Sobel’s insights on our economy and the political structure of West Virginia are always enlightening, and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on the challenges facing our state,” said GOP Chairman Doug McKinney.Dr. Sobel will offer his remarks during the luncheon portion of the meeting at noon on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Holiday Inn Charleston House in Charleston. The meeting of the State Executive Committee will commence at 1:30 p.m. A meeting of county chairmen will open the day’s activities at 9 a.m.Dr. Sobel's research has been published in many journals including the Journal of Political Economy, Journal of Law and Economics, Economic Inquiry, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Southern Economic Journal, Public Choice, Journal of Business Venturing, National Tax Journal, and Public Budgeting and Finance. His edited volume on West Virginia policy reform entitled “Unleashing Capitalism: Why Prosperity Stops at the West Virginia Border and How to Fix It” has sold thousands of copies and been the subject of hundreds of media stories and public presentations including to West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and a joint session of the West Virginia Legislature's Finance Committee. The book was named winner of the 2008 Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Award by the Atlas Economic Research Foundation.He also has a coauthored book entitled “Growth and Variability in State Tax Revenue: An Anatomy of State Fiscal Crises.” He travels each summer giving lectures on the principles of economics.
RUSS
SOBEL
Dr. Russ Sobel to speak at February WVGOP state meet
Saying it often makes it true
Biden already wearing thin on Obama
I seldom watch any of the 24-hour cable news channels, because when nothing major is happening they are filled with talking heads and reporters interviewing other talking heads and other reporters. But when I have watched over the past eight years, I tended to watch Fox News to keep my spirits high, since that network generally reported that things were good and President Bush was doing great. Now, though, to keep my mood similarly high for the next four years, I'll be watching MSNBC, where Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann work hard to convince us that Barack Obama is the greatest president since Lincoln. Repeating it over and over makes it true, right? 