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Both state parties recently filed their FEC reports, with Democrats showing about $24,000 cash on hand, Republicans $8,000, but the GOP is making gains in ridding itself of its debt, and actually outraised the Dems in February by a 2-1 margin.Once approaching the $200,000 mark, the Republican Party's debt has been cut roughly in half, thanks to the efforts of Chairman Doug McKinney and his wife, Sue, and fundraising efforts by party staff.Recent GOP high dollar donations in February included $10,000 from national committeman Jim Reed, and $5,000 from Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito's campaign account. Democrats had no contributions for the month more than $1,000, but they did receive that amount from several donors.During February, the state GOP raised almost $27,000, while the Democrats raised just under $13,000 for the month.He's not even a candidate, but former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson jumped to third place in a USA Today GOP presidential poll, behind Rudy Giuliani and John McCain.Interestingly, Thompson's support seems to have come straight from Rudy supporters. A previous USA Today poll had Giuliani with 44%. The new poll, this time including Thompson, had Giuliani, while still leading, down to 31% -- a drop of 13%, about what Thompson polled. McCain's numbers remained roughly the same, around the 20% mark.It seems that most of the people who oppose gambling in West Virginia want to protect West Virginia citizens from the evils of gambling. That is a most worthy goal.But gambling, unfortunately, is an excellent, but addictive, source of revenue for the money-starved and money-grubbing state government.I suggest that Boobus Virginiana Occidentalis (the WV legislature) enact a statute that allows EVERYONE EXCEPT WEST VIRGINIA CITIZENS TO GAMBLE IN THE STATE.Gambling proprietors should be required to "card" gamblers. Those under 21 years of age and/or those who are WV citizens should not be allowed to enter and partake of the gambling activities.This sort of legislation would allow us to "have our take and beat it, too."There were those guessing that Gov. Joe Manchin would decide against signing the prison nursery bill passed by the Legislature, but on Wednesday he proved them wrong by affixing his signature to SB 411.The bill means that babies born to inmates can spend their first 18 months of life behind bars. Can you imagine the conversation these kids will have with their friends in later life, about where they were born and spent their first year or so?When Del. Kelli Sobonya, an opponent of the idea, was on Hoppy Kercheval's program last week discussing the bill, callers were 10-1 in agreement with Sobonya.South Charleston Mayor Richie Robb today withdrew his candidacy for the State Senate race in Kanawha County.Robb's name apparently disappeared Tuesday from the list of precandidacy filings, and a call to the Secretary of State's office confirmed he had withdrawn his filing.Robb had filed to run for the seat currently held by Sen. Vic Sprouse. Recent speculation has centered on Secretary of State Betty Ireland running for Sprouse's Senate seat if Sprouse decides not to seek re-election, which could be a factor in Robb deciding to withdraw from the race.There are rumors that Sprouse is considering an announcement about his future within a few days. He addresses the issue on his own blog, answering some of the reasons often given as to why he would not run again.