Republican Gazette has revamped format, new features beginning today
Abernathy
Strategies
adds services for '08 cycle
Abernathy Strategies is announcing new services for its clients in the 2007-08 election cycle, including fundraising, polling and website design.
"In the last cycle, because of client needs, we provided some aspects of fundraising for some clients, and website design for others," said Gary Abernathy. "But now Lora and I are happy to announce those services for all clients, as well as a new polling service."
Abernathy said many clients on a tight budget will still be able to afford to conduct comprehensive polling under the new service.
As always, Abernathy Strategies will offer a full range of services in strategy, media relations, communications, research, and other areas.
"We're excited about the upcoming election cycle, and a rebound by the GOP in 2008," said Abernathy. "We look forward to being part of a very big year for the Republican Party."
To read about all the features offered by Abernathy Strategies, including the new services like fundraising, polling and website development, check out the links elsewhere on this page.
Submissions welcome
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.
The Republican Gazette today unveils a new format, and an expanded variety of topics.
While politics will continue to be the main focus of the web-based newspaper, there will also be a more consistent expansion
into features and commentary on subjects like sports, religion, entertainment and philosophy.
Thanks again for reading, and please make sure to visit the redesigned features of the new Abernathy Strategies website.
Unger seems to be promoting himself as Capito challenger
Reports offer clues he's busy recruiting himself
As is often the case with many politicians, state Sen. John Unger is trying to create the appearance he is being courted to challenge Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito next year.
But despite Unger's best efforts to portray himself as a reluctant suitor, there are tell-tale signs that he personally is trying to generate more buzz about himself than is anyone else.
One of the most telling giveaways was a line out of an online publication called the Swing State Project, which is touting an Unger run for Congress and had this to say about Unger:
"He did extremely well against Republican candidate Jerry Mays despite the fact Mays received considerable support from the Martinsburg Journal and coal baron Don Blankenship."
In fact, of course, Jerry Mays received zero -- that's ZERO -- support from The Journal, which practically put Unger on its back and carried him across the finish line, as previously documented here and here.
Further, the only support Mays received from Blankenship was a couple of personal contributions. That was it. Blankenship was focusing his attention on House races, and never got his campaign organization, And For The Sake Of The Kids, involved in Mays' campaign, or any other Senate race.
The only way the Swing State Project or any other group is under the impression that Unger overcame The Journal and Don Blankenship is because Unger is spreading that misinformation himself in order to inflate his credibility.
The online magazine, The Politico, recently reported that Unger has traveled to Washington to meet with DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen and the committee’s recruitment chair Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.).
The Politico said, "According to Unger, Davis told him the race was a 'top ten target' for the committee." Key phrase: "According to Unger."
Here's a scoop. The Capito race is in no one's top 10. Or top 20. John Unger beating Shelley Moore Capito is as likely as "The Three Stooges Meet Hercules" beating "Citizen Kane" as best movie of all time.
The Politico goes on to report, "Unger said one of the highlights of his career was coordinating the distribution of relief supplies with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India during his work there as a missionary in 1990." Gee, we've never heard that one before.
In fact, Unger's neverending retelling of his experience with Mother Teresa has frayed the nerves of most Eastern Panhandle residents who have had to hear it over and over, and more than one has suggested that the story has expanded over time, along with Unger's nose.
Additionally, no one really knows what Unger does for a living. He claims to work in some capacity for the Department of Homeland Security, but no one is quite sure about that. He does a part-time radio gig on WEPM, actually broadcasting sometimes from a makeshift studio in his Senate office, believe it or not. He denies that he lives with his mother in Martinsburg, which is largely irrelevant since everyone knows he lives in Charleston.
There are three good reasons an Unger candidacy would be a complete disaster, which is why Republicans should hope it happens.
1. The Eastern Panhandle is Capito's strongest territory. Even if Unger breaks even with her there, she'll smoke him in Kanawha County and other parts of the district, enjoying the luxury of having an opponent for once from somewhere besides Kanawha. (Only a strong candidate from Kanawha could have a prayer of beating Shelley.)
2. Unger is one of the most unpopular members of his own caucus. His fellow Dems might pay lip service to supporting him, but behind the scenes they'll be working on behalf of Shelley.
3. All the questions about Unger's employment, his residency, whether his claims about his relationship with Mother Teresa are entirely accurate, and other issues will finally receive the scrutiny they deserve -- scrutiny he has avoided via a friendly local press "covering" his state Senate campaigns.
That John Unger considers himself congressional material is no surprise. That anyone else would take him seriously is evidence of the power of spin over reality.
Elvis & Dion: Awesome, or just creepy?
Last week's American Idol "duet" between Elvis Presley -- dead now 30 years -- and Celine Dion -- reportedly alive -- was later described with adjectives ranging from "awesome" and "amazing" to "creepy" and "disturbing."
My own reaction is somewhere in between. As an Elvis fan, it's a gratifying feeling to know Elvis' star continues to shine brightly. But witnessing the program, and watching what appeared to be Elvis walking onto the Idol stage side by side with Dion, was indeed a creepy feeling -- and a sad one.
As someone who saw Elvis in concert four times when he was actually alive, the Idol gimmick gave me a feeling I haven't had in years -- a surprising sense of loss, and a reminder of how much fun it was to have Elvis alive and with us. In that sense it was bittersweet -- and creepy.
But in a season of meager talent on American Idol, it was also a good reminder of what real star power is about.
With Heat out and Mavs on ropes, NBA title up in air
The Miami Heat, the defending NBA champs, were swept out of the playoffs in the first round with Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. The Shaq era is likely at an end.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks, whom the Heat defeated in the NBA Finals last year, have their hands full in their series with the Golden State Warriors, losing again on Sunday to go down 3-1.
Even if the Mavs do survive Golden State, they could meet their match with the exciting Phoenix Suns.
What it all possibly spells is a Finals matchup between the Suns and either the Bulls or the Detroit Pistons. If it's a Suns-Bulls Finals matchup, it's a sign that the NBA power structure is shifting for the next few years.
