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A friend of mine who is a longtime political activist in West Virginia asked me recently, after a bit of a philosophical discussion about politics, "Do you really think the Republican Party can ever get its act together and win in this state?"
My answer without hesitation was, yes, it can, but I also recognize the validity of the question.
Republicans in West Virginia have had their hopes raised, then dashed, more often than the Chicago Cubs. Every time some reason for optimism has arisen over the years -- the election of Republican governors, a few pickups in the House or Senate, the state voting Republican in a presidential race, the elections of Betty Ireland and Brent Benjamin in 2004 -- it has been just as quickly reversed by two giant steps back, often as the result of party infighting or petty bickering.
But despite what state Republicans are sometimes led to believe, party infighting is not a special circumstance of the West Virginia Republican Party. It exists within the Democrat Party, and within every party in every state in the union.
What makes it more obvious within the West Virginia GOP ranks is the relatively sparse number of Republicans doing anything of an active nature at any given time. If 5 people out of a thousand are griping and complaining, it's barely noticeable. But what 5 people out of 10 do is much easier to spot.
Frankly, that's why Republicans in West Virginia have to be especially cautious about badmouthing their fellow GOP'ers, or complaining even quietly about their party in general.
We have a relative handful of active Republicans in the public spotlight -- state party officials, county chairs and committee members, elected officeholders -- so their actions are magnified tenfold. The discipline required on the GOP side to present a unified front is much more than that required by the Democrats.
These thoughts are not being expressed here with any current issue in mind. In fact, the GOP in West Virginia seems to me right now to be as free of internal complaints as it has been in a while,
and that's thanks in no small part to Chairman Doug McKinney and his wife, Sue, who have been earning the respect of Republicans around the state with their work ethic and focused approach to the business of restarting and growing the party.
But a moment of unity is probably the best time of all to warn about the lessons of the past so they can be recognized as they develop. And as we prepare for the 2008 election cycle, there will be plenty of opportunities for complaints.
Some Republican will not like how the state party is spending its money. Another Republican will be unhappy that the party is not talking enough about a certain message. The party will be accused of supporting one Republican over another in a Primary race, and some county GOP organization will complain that it's not getting as much attention as another county.
These things will happen, and sometime after June 5, you can bet on it -- at least in four counties.
When these things do begin to happen, fellow Republicans must recognize it and, as West Virginia's Don Knotts used to say, take action to nip it in the bud.
All spin and rhetoric aside, 2008 really should be a very good year for Republicans in West Virginia. The Democrats seem determined to nominate Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama for president, which should ensure a victory in West Virginia for the Republican nominee. That fact alone will help interrupt the practice of straight-ticket voting by the Democrats, which will in turn be very good for all Republican candidates on the ballot in this state. Further, the new breed of Democrat now dominating the legislature -- liberals in control of key committees, gamblers in control of everything else -- will be great fodder for conservative Republican candidates.
If Republicans in West Virginia can demonstrate the self control and willpower necessary to play nice with each other for one election cycle, we might actually win some major victories -- even enough victories to ensure that in the future, a few Republicans bickering will hardly be noticed at all.
Media examines gambling addiction
A radio story on seniors and gambling addiction will be broadcast today at 3 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. on all West Virginia Public Broadcasting stations, according to reports.
Also, WOWK-TV reportedly plans to air a story today featuring a problem gambler. The report may also air on some or all of West Virginia Media's stations across the state.
Being on D.C. Madam's list might not be a bad thing for everyone
Deborah Jeane Palfrey is the "D.C. Madam" who apparently is prepared to name high-profile politicians who used her escort service over the years. The revelations will reportedly occur Friday on ABC's "20-20." One smart-aleck officeholder suggested to me that for some -- like maybe an 89-year-old U.S. Senator -- ending up on Palfrey's list would actually be a positive thing, indicating continued vigor and good health. I don't expect to see his name on the list, but it would give new meaning to "Big Daddy."
