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Abernathy Strategies
RepublicanGazette
Monday, March 24, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Published daily except some days
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The Republican Gazette welcomes Emails to the Editor and press releases. All submitted items must include the name and contact information for the author of the article, and all articles will only be published with the author's name included. Thank you for reading and participating in The Republican Gazette, another of West Virginia's most biased publications.
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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Manchin only at 57% approval among Dems
On Friday, I reported on new Rassmussen poll numbers that showed Gov. Joe Manchin with a 57% job approval rating, and even though I pointed out that the survey was taken among 702 Democrats, I did not do a good job of stressing that, in other words, only 57% of Democrats think Manchin is doing a good job. The poll did not include Republicans or independents, and it makes sense that if those groups were added, the governor's numbers would be worse. In other words, if only 57% of Democrats think the governor is doing a good job, it is likely that if Republicans and independents were included in such a poll, the governor's numbers would be closer to the 50% mark -- an even greater fall from grace from his lofty numbers in 2006. Forty-two percent of Democrats think Manchin is doing only a fair or poor job.
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Starcher's theatrics on recusal issue heating up
Justice's plan for an open hearing serves only to provide him a stage for his closeup
JUSTICE LARRY STARCHER
Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher's announcement that he will hold an open hearing to consider arguments that he should recuse himself from a second Massey Energy case is an unprecedented move that serves no other purpose than to provide Starcher with a very public forum to attempt to score some political points.No one seems able to remember or find any record of another instance when a justice held a public hearing in open court to consider arguments on a recusal request. It is actually uncertain whether a justice has the ability to commandeer the courtroom for such purposes.As reported Friday in the Charleston Gazette, Starcher has scheduled a formal hearing for 10 a.m. on April 10 on a motion filed by Massey, asking him to step down from hearing Massey's appeal of a $240 million verdict in favor of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. and its subsidiary Mountain State Carbon.In filing his notice of such a hearing, Starcher said, "This justice is of the opinion that the recusal issue in this case has become a matter of heightened public interest and concern and, therefore, a decision on this matter should not be made entirely 'behind closed doors. Also, there should be an opportunity for the judge whose recusal is being sought to hear oral presentation by [Massey's lawyers] to properly evaluate the merits of the recusal request." It could be that Starcher has grown so frustrated over the turn of events with Massey-related cases that he is resorting to this last-ditch grandstand play that could conceivably allow him to air his own personal grievances in a public setting, with cameras rolling, rather than having to work through the traditional but much less spectacular means of simply issuing a written response.As reported here earlier, it is believed that forces opposed to Massey and to Justice Spike Maynard have tried to draw various national media entities such as ABC News into covering the ongoing issue of Massey and associated recusal requests. It could be that Starcher was even planning to participate in a sit-down interview with ABC or other news organizations. But taking that step would be a likely breach of judicial ethics. So what's the next best thing? Holding an open hearing, with cameras rolling, where he can vent under cover of "official proceedings" from the comfy confines of his judicial robe.It is reminiscent of nothing so much as the old movie, "Sunset Boulevard," where faded movie star Norma Desmond, desperate for one more starring role, visits the movie studio one last time. While everyone tries to humor her, the camera zooms in on her exaggerated features as she dreamily tells the director, "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille."Larry Starcher has been ready for his closeup for quite some time, and he seems determined to have it one way or the other. The West Virginia Republican Party will provide a training session conducted by GOPAC, which Chairman Doug McKinney describes as "the most effective Republican training team in the country."The GOPAC candidate school will be held in South Charleston on April 5. All candidates for statewide, legislative, and judicial offices are encouraged to attend.The session will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Wingate Hotel, South Charleston (beside the Ramada). Cost is $10, which should be sent to the WVGOP, P.O. Box 2711, Charleston WV 25330. The registration fee includes lunch. Registration is requested by Friday, March 28.WVGOP offers GOPAC training Saturday, April 5
Ireland honored by TAR group
Secretary of State Betty Ireland was honored last week by Hurricane High School's Teen-age Republican Club as an
BETTY IRELAND
honorary member of their group, for the work she has done in encouraging young people to register and vote.
Others who have received the honor are Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, GOP activist Dreama Perdue, and Ben Hatfield of ICG Coal, among others.Ireland was honored at the annual TARS banquet, which was well attended with more than 170 on hand.Howell fundraiser April 4 in Keyser
Gary Howell, candidate for the 14th State Senate seat, will hold a fundraiser at 6 p.m. April 4 at the Old School Cafe in Keyser. Those interested in attending should RSVP to: gary@garyhowell2008.com 
Campaign stop
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jay Wolfe, left, poses with Harrison County Republican Club President Tommy Phillips at a meeting last week of Harrison County Republicans. Wolfe has been traveling the state building support for his challenge to Jay Rockefeller. Donations can be made to Jay Wolfe for U.S. Senate, PO Box 1, Bridgeport, WV 26330. His campaign can be contacted by email here.