 | ||||
-------
Search the Republican Gazette ---->
The Republican Gazette
Please make sure to hit your refresh button for the current edition
VISIT NO MO MOJO
In the text box below, nominate your West Virginia Republican of the Year, and describe in a few words why he or she should be selected.
REPUBLICAN OF THE YEAR
UPDATED DAILY!
Mojo9/24/08
9/24/08GET YOUR 'DEGREE!' (Click image for details!)
Weeks hits hard,
scores points in first gov debate
As he promised he would do, former state Sen. Russ Weeks took the issues directly to Gov. Joe Manchin in their first debate Monday night, hitting hard on issues ranging from the degree scandal at West Virginia University to cronyism in state government to the failure of the state to fully capitalize on the energy boom by reforming its economic policies.
the winner of the debate by a 56-44 margin.
During the debate, Weeks:* Said that it was impossible to believe that a governor who has his finger on almost everything happening in the state was not involved in the scandal at WVU that resulted in his daughter receiving a degree she did not earn.* Spelled out the rampant cronyism and nepotism in the Manchin administration, highlighted by the hiring of Manchin pal Mike Garrison as WVU president, the stacking by Manchin of the WVU Board of Governors, and the ensuing degree scandal.* Criticized Manchin for failing to adopt bold tax reforms to take advantage now of an economic climate favorable to the state.* Criticized the governor for his policy of selling off state highway equipment and turning to private contractors for needed road work rather than utilizing state highway workers.* Promised to bring teacher salaries to levels equitable to border states.* Said he believed that while man may be contributing slightly to global warming, the science is not definite enough to base governmental decisions on the premise.* Hinted at evidence that an official with the state highway department is also benefitting from state contracts.* Said the governor should stay out of issues involving athletics, including the hiring of coaches and forcing a WVU-Marshall football series.For his part, Manchin said everything is rosy, and getting rosier.The two will square off again Thursday in Martinsburg, then return to Charleston on Sunday for a Public Broadcasting debate which will include Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson, then travel next week to Morgantown for a final face off. DEBATE COVERAGE
MetroNews
Charleston Gazette
WCHS-TV
WOWK-TV
WSAZ-TV
Huntington Herald-Dispatch
WDTV
The debate was moderated by "Talkline" host Hoppy Kercheval, and sponsored by the West Virginia Broadcasters Assocation. The audience at the Clay Center in Charleston was by invitation only courtesy of the WVBA, and was weighted heavily toward Manchin supporters, many of whom defied admonitions before the debate not to exhibit reactions during the event.An online poll taken by WSAZ-TV during live blogging showed Weeks Above, Hoppy Kercheval, Joe Manchin and Russ Weeks just before the start of the debate. At right, Weeks conducts a post debate TV interview. Below, the heavily pro-Manchin Clay Center invitation-only audience at a reception prior to the debate.
Weeks garners rave reviews for debate
Russ Weeks garnered rave reviews for his debate performance Monday night after he aggressively challenged Gov. Joe Manchin on a number of issues.Weeks won an online poll at WSAZ-TV, and another at WDTV (reported at the end of the video), and as one blogger posted at the nomomojo.blog, "Great debate tonight Mr. Weeks. General consensus from people I've talked to is that you whipped up on Mojo pretty bad. I don't think he expected to be called on the carpet for some of the things he's been getting away with there in Charleston." Weeks was greeted enthusiastically at a local restaurant after the debate by patrons who had viewed the event on TV, congratulating him for his hard-hitting approach.Attorney General Candidate Dan Greear announced the campaign’s third statewide television and radio commercial set to begin airing on Tuesday, October 14. The campaign titled “Fighting for Seniors and Working People” discusses Dan’s commitment to protect senior citizens from fraud and to fight for the working people of West Virginia.“I am proud to have two great supporters, Lou Cook and Wendell Drake, speak on behalf of my campaign and tell other seniors and working people I’m on their side,” Greear said. “Our ‘Fighting for Seniors and Working People’ ad campaign allows Lou and Wendell to talk directly to the people of the state and discuss who I am and who I will fight for as Attorney General.”The ad can be viewed here. The ad will also be available on the Greear for AG website, www.dangreear.com. The advertising will run in all major markets of the state.“Darrell McGraw, with his poor record of mismanagement including six months of missing records in his office, is trying to scare our seniors. While Darrell claims to be a champion of working people, his office has done more to run off businesses in our state than any other single officeholder currently in place. I am humbled by Lou and Wendell’s words and I am pleased they send such a powerful message to West Virginia voters. Seniors will be protected. Working people can rest assured I will fight for them. Defeating Darrell McGraw will bring back respect and honor to the office.”The campaign plans to run both TV and radio ads until Election Day, including a mix of broadcast ads as well as web ads focusing on the candidates’ differences and the reasons to vote for Dan Greear.Greear unveils third statewide TV, radio spot
Weeks was right about Manchin interfering in coach hiring
A handful of Republicans were on hand Monday, including, seated, GOP Chairman Doug McKinney, and Del. John Overington, right, shaking hands with Weeks. Standing at left is Weeks' son, Russell Weeks III.
While most audience members at Monday's gubernatorial debate were well behaved, a few -- including individuals close to Gov. Joe Manchin -- made a point of chuckling or laughing out loud in an effort to ridicule challenger Russ Weeks.The comment that brought the loudest guffaw was Weeks' assertion that Manchin has injected himself into the hiring of coaches at West Virginia University. But the facts bear out Weeks' contention, and Manchin's interference has been noticed by more than one commentator. One of the most notable comments on the subject came back in January from CBS online columnist Gregg Doyel, who wrote, "Any ofus working stiffs should have the free time of West Virginia's Gov. Manchin, who vacations with Alabama coach Nick Saban and speaks frequently with Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and held job interview-like discussions with WVU coaching candidates Doc Holliday, Terry Bowden and Butch Jones while pushing unsuccessfully for the hiring of Jimbo Fisher." Read more of Doyel's comments here.
WATCH THE DEBATE!
