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Abernathy Strategies
RepublicanGazette
Monday, March 17, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Published daily except some days
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All opinions are those of The Republican Gazette and its editor, Gary Abernathy, except letters or commentary signed by others, and do not reflect the views of anyone else, including clients of Abernathy Strategies.
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Happy St. Patrick's Day
Out of debt!
First black candidate to win WV? Not Obama
The more they get to know him, the more voters will like Minimah
It's very possible that 2008 could make history as the year that West Virginia elects a black person on a statewide ticket. But it won't be Barack Obama.Charles Minimah is the Republican candidate for Secretary of State, seeking to keep the office being vacated by Betty Ireland in GOP hands. Outside of his closest circle, no one today is giving Minimah any chance of victory, and the assumption is that whoever wins the three-way Democrat primary will win the office in the fall.But Minimah would make the best Secretary of State, and if West Virginians have the opportunity to get to know him, most voters will agree.Charles Minimah is qualified and motivated to make a positive impact on the state he adopted as his home more than three decades ago.
Minimah brings the education, experience and passion needed today in public service. Read more of his impressive story.CHARLES MINIMAH
(Press Release) WVGOP Chairman Doug McKinney announced to the WV Republican State Executive Committee Saturday that the Party has completely satisfied all its creditors as of one week ago. McKinney inherited a debt of more than $100,000 when elected chairman in July, 2006. He attributes the current debt-free status of the party to a combination of factors. Former Chairman Rob Capehart and Treasurer Scott Reed organized a Debt Reconciliation Committee chaired by Senator Donna Boley at the time of Capehart’s election as chairman in 2005. Chairman Boley with extraordinary assistance from the late Bob Gould, a former party treasurer, organized the list of creditors, obtained statements from them, and prioritized the debts. However, Chairman McKinney inherited the information and the debts when Capehart resigned to accept a Fulbright scholarship to study in Moldova. A number of county executive committees contributed in early 2007 as did a number of county chairmen and State Executive Committee members as well as Party members across the state. The Party found slow going in whittling away at the debt until recently. In the past two months National Committeeman Jim Reed and Republican fundraiser Larry Pack, who with his wife Lisa hosted a Victory 2008 fundraiser featuring former Bush advisor Karl Rove, made a determined effort to eliminate the debt by enlisting a number of Chairman’s Circle contributors who made maximum allowable contributions, including themselves and state committee member Dr. Diane Shafer. McKinney also credits his wife, Sue, and current party treasurer Terry Waxman with diligent efforts to negotiate settlements with creditors. As result of all these efforts, the Party paid its last creditor and is now anxious to begin preparations to help its candidates to win elections in 2008. McKinney expressed his gratitude to all the faithful Republicans who helped to achieve this goal of a Republican Party which is debt-free and which will again be a force in WV politics.Jim Reed, Larry Pack led effort to clear debt and put party in black
State GOP Chairman Doug McKinney had reason to be in a celebratory mood Saturday. Not only did he announce that the party is out of debt, but today -- St. Patrick's Day -- is also his birthday, and party staff decked him out in appropriate garb while presenting him with a cake.
Combination of forces led state GOP to return to financial solvency
With Saturday's news that the West Virginia Republican Party has emerged from debt that has plagued the party for more than three years, the state GOP today finds itself on the road to competitiveness with state Dems. The state GOP currently has more than $26,000 in the bank, with all debts and current bills paid, according to information shared in the public meeting of the state executive committee at the Ramada Inn in South Charleston.By contrast, the state Democrat Party has about $75,000 cash on hand, but is carrying nearly $14,000 in debt, according to its last FEC report.While party stalwarts Jim Reed and Larry Pack -- as well as a few other individuals and county party committees -- are largely responsible for eliminating the debt, the party owes its positive cash on hand status to the success of the GOP presidential convention.That event grossed about $85,000, with expenses totaling roughly $66,000. Thanks to the efforts of Reed, Pack and company, little if any convention revenue had to be used to pay old debts.Also on Saturday, committee members and guests heard from various statewide candidates, including gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks, U.S. Senate candidate Jay Wolfe, Attorney General candidate Dan Greear, Secretary of State candidate Charles Minimah, and Agriculture Commissioner candidates Lawrence Beckerle and Michael Teets.Secretary of State Betty Ireland reminded the committee of early voting dates and the fact that this year unaffiliated voters are permitted to cast ballots in the Democrat primary as well as the Republican election.Selection of alternate delegates will differ this year from the past
In recent history, Republicans elected as delegates to the national convention were empowered to select their own alternate delegates, and most people were under the impression that the situation was the same this year.But as detailed Saturday by Chairman Doug McKinney, the state party changed the format in 2006, when the details for the presidential convention were approved.At least 18 of the WVGOP's 30 delegates to the convention will be representing Mike Huckabee, based on Huckabee's win at the Feb. 5 convention in Charleston. But rather than being able to select their own alternative delegates, the party will instead choose those positions at its June 21 convention in Flatwoods.State law says at-large delegates will choose their own alternates -- unless the party has a contrary plan of its own on file with the Secretary of State's office.In fact, the GOP does have such a plan on file, received by the SOS office on Dec. 19, 2007, which states, "Alternate National Delegates as defined by the National Party Rules shall be elected by the State Republican Convention to be held during (the) months of June, July or August of the Convention Year."The GOP convention referred to in that rule is separate from the presidential convention, and is held every four years to attend to such business as writing the party platform, determining the five individuals who will serve on the Electoral College from West Virginia, hearing from statewide candidates, and dealing with other party matters. Four years ago, the convention was held at Tamarack in Beckley.Weeks attends meeting on property issue
Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks on Saturday evening traveled to Doddrige County to attend a meeting of about 150 individuals concerned with the issue of surface vs. mineral rights. He also plans to attend similar meetings in other counties in the coming months.The meetings are connected with the West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization, which seeks to "level the playing field between the drillers and surface owners." Weeks attended along with Sen. Clark Barnes.