repubgazette3-14-07manchinfamilyfirstladymanchincoalition

One by one, the coalitions that helped elect Joe Manchin governor are beginning to see their hero in a glass not so dark as it used to be.

First, teachers across the state have realized Mojo's campaign promises were as hollow as the Capitol Dome, if just as colorful. So far, teachers in at least 12 counties were planning a one-day strike today to protest what they see is a lack of serious attention to their salary concerns. As one teacher from Cheat Lake said about last week's sick-out, "This is a grassroots group of teachers who called in sick. They are sick and tired of Joe Manchin, I guess. How much more can you say?"

Now, oil and gas operators are starting to see the light, especially after Manchin cancelled plans for a special session to adjust legislation in the wake of the multi-million dollar judgment against Chesapeake Energy and other natural gas companies.

Manchin's decision not to call a special session seems to be in retaliation after his proposed phase-out of coalbed methane tax credits failed to pass in the regular session.

Instead, Manchin chillingly told The Associated Press on Monday, "We're going to allow the courts to do what the courts do best," which, as we know, is drive business out of West Virginia.

Corky DeMarco of the state Oil and Gas Association told the Daily Mail that Manchin's decision to not call a special session "is very disappointing to the industry. It appears that it's almost like retribution although we were told time and time again the two issues were not connected and there was no interest on the administration's part to connect the two issues."

Welcome to reality. What Joe says and what ends up happening are two very different things.

Chesapeake, meanwhile, continues to mull over its options regarding future activity in the state. Even though it had once promised to spend big bucks in the state, it may well change its mind -- a trick they've learned quickly from the Gov.

For Manchin, it's all in the family

Monday's announcement about who Gov. Joe Manchin has appointed to the state board of education should come as no surprise, given the fact that when Mojo looks around for people to fill appointments, he apparently begins his search at family dinners.

Manchin, of course, has appointed his wife, Gayle, to fill an open slot on the state board. That comes on the heels of Mojo appointing his son, Joseph Manchin IV, to the West Virginia Tourism Commission, and then his cousin, Mark Anthony Manchin, as executive director of the West Virginia School Building Authority in November.

The heavy-handed nepotism is the price paid for creating a governor who feels impervious to criticism.

Newt Gingrich led the charge against President Clinton in regard to Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. At the same time, we now know, Gingrich was having an affair of his own.

So how could conservatives possibly support Gingrich for president? Do their values and beliefs mean nothing to them?

The answer is, yes, they do, but they realize their goals are achieved through the legislative process and court rulings, and not through the personal private life of any individual. Newt Gingrich has probably been the most consistent and high-profile carrier of the conservative banner of this generation (non-candidate radio talk show hosts aside). Conservatives have no doubt -- no doubt whatsoever -- that if he were in the White House, Gingrich would fight for tax cuts, pro-life legislation, one man-one woman marriage initiatives, and court appointments that meet the conservative litmust test.

They also know -- as do liberals who hate him -- that Gingrich is one of the smartest politicians alive. He knows geopolitics. He knows history, he knows nations, he knows the names and backgrounds of every world leader.

Conservatives didn't perpetuate Monicagate because they were horrified Clinton had an affair. No, they saw it as an opportunity to stop the leftwing policies and liberal court appointments Clinton was injecting on society.

Conservatives in particular are typically attacked for failing to personally achieve every ideal of their beliefs. There are some newspapers, even in West Virginia, that take delight in pointing out the personal foibles of Republicans here and there, snootily reminding readers that the target of their attack is a member of the "family values" party, as though being a Republican who is divorced or who has had an affair is the height of hypocrisy above all heights.

You would think that liberals never faulter from their beliefs. And yet, it is a safe bet that not every liberal has installed solar panels on their roofs, or forsaken their gas-guzzling SUVs, or quit their evil corporate jobs.

If Gingrich runs, he will face charges of hypocrisy from his enemies, who will also claim that conservatives who support Gingrich are themselves hypocritical. But conservatives will embrace Gingrich anyway, not because they trust that he is personally pure and wholesome, but because they trust completely, because of his long record of doing so, that he will advance the issues that are important to them.

Messengers are usually imperfect. It's the legislative achievement of the tenets of the message that counts.

The West Virginia Republican Party will honor former First Lady Shelley R. Moore at a fundraising event April 14 in Charleston.

The gala will start at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Marriott Hotel. Former Gov. Arch Moore Jr., Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito and other dignitaries are expected to attend.

“This should be an exciting evening for Republicans to celebrate our party, energize our troops and prepare for the opportunities ahead,” said GOP Chairman Doug McKinney.

Shelley R. Moore was First Lady of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977, and from 1985 until 1989. Gov. Moore has been quoted as saying that as First Lady, his wife “put as much into it as I did” in regard to working on behalf of West Virginians.

The evening will include dinner, surprise guests, and entertainment by the “Runaway Band featuring Memories of Elvis.”

Tickets are $75 each. For more information or to make reservations, contact the state party headquarters at 304-768-0493.