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Friday, June 13, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Serving West Virginia since 2005
Russ Weeks: An American Life
West Virginians for Life in turmoil
Rodriguez: Manchin too hands-on at WVU
Meeting Saturday in Morgantown, the pro-life group is being torn between obvious nod for Weeks, pressure from Manchin loyalists
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Abortions in WV on rise under Manchin administration
Abortions in West Virginia are on the rise under the Manchin administration, according to statistics released Thursday in an email from West Virginians for Life to WVFL members. According to data from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources there were 2,038 abortions performed in West Virginia in 2006, an increase from the 1,674 abortions that were performed in 2005. "Local factors may be the cause of the increase," according to the email. "West Virginia has two abortion clinics, the Kanawha Surgi Center and the Women's Health Center of Charleston. After years of only performing abortions a few days a week the Kanawha Surgi Center has expanded and now performs abortions Monday through Saturday. Furthermore the Women's Health Center of West Virginia now offers the abortion drug RU-486. "The expansion of abortion services may have been aided by the taxpayers of West Virginia. Abortion clinics in West Virginia have received over five million dollars from the state since the West Virginia Supreme Court issued the Panepinto decision in 1993. The Panepinto decision required the state to pay for abortions for poor women."
The rise in abortions is particularly disturbing because they had been on the decline since the mid-1990s.Longtime stalwart Melissa Adkins
appears to have left because of
battle over whether to endorse gov
When West Virginians for Life holds a meeting tomorrow in Morgantown to discuss endorsements for the 2008 general election, a battle is likely to ensue between those who believe Gov. Joe Manchin has failed to advance the pro-life agenda during his first term and therefore want to endorse challenger Russ Weeks, and those who are beholden to the governor and are bowing to pressure from him to hand him the nod.Saturday's meeting was confirmed this week by two WVFL board members. Well into his fourth year as governor, Manchin has failed to advance bills or issues important to pro-lifers. That reluctance was actually signaled loudly during his 2004 campaign. For instance, in the summer of '04, Manchin met with pro-choice activists to quell their fears that he would fight for anti-abortion positions.According to an Aug. 2, 2004 article in The Charleston Gazette, "Margaret Chapman, director of West Virginia Free, described the meeting as 'upbeat' and 'cordial.'... 'What he did say is, he would like to keep controversial issues out of the running for the first year at least, and focus on advancing the economic condition of the state,' she said." During the primary campaign in 2004, future First Lady Gayle Manchin -- who is openly pro-choice -- said her husband would not be focusing on the abortion issue.According to a May 7, 2004 Charleston Gazette article, "Her husband 'certainly stands by the Supreme Court ruling [legalizing abortion], and always has,' she says. He also believes the issue is divisive, and it is not on his agenda."After 3 1/2 years, the issue is still not on his agenda, and yet he has been pressuring West Virginians for Life to again endorse him for the coming general election. Aside from ignoring legislation important to the group, some pro-lifers also point to other actions the governor has taken, including:* Appointing the pro-choice Martha Walker as director of the Department of Health and Human Services.* Supporting state campaign finance restrictions which negatively affect WVFL.* Supporting a million dollar increase in funding for contraceptives while failing to advance abstinence programs.After longtime WVFL executive director Karen Cross resigned to join the national organization, Mary Anne Buchanan briefly served as the E.D., followed by Melissa Adkins, who had been involved with the group for at least 15 years. But Adkins suddenly resigned in late May, and so far has refused to talk to news reporters who have tried to contact her for comment. Her departure comes on the heels of an apparent disagreement among WVFL officials on whether to endorse Manchin in his primary election against Del. Mel Kessler. After the initial decision was made to make no endorsement in the primary, the governor angrily confronted WVFL officials, and eventually they agreed to endorse him, along with Republican candidate Russ Weeks in the primary.Now, WVFL finds itself in another dilemma. In 2004, the organization found it easy to endorse Manchin over GOP challenger Monty Warner. In the State Senate, Manchin had a pro-life voting record, while Warner, although a dedicated pro-lifer, had no voting record, having never served in elective office. But this year, Manchin's opponent is one of the staunchest pro-life activists in the state, having Joe
Manchin
Russ
Weeks
served two decades on the board of his local pro-life chapter, and building a solid pro-life voting record during his four years in the State Senate.
In fact, Weeks is promising to include, as governor, at least one pro-life item in each of his legislative packages, and to end taxpayer funding of abortions through executive order, among other items important to pro-lifers.In a side by side comparison, the choice for the WVFL endorsement is crystal clear. But Manchin is exerting pressure on certain WVFL officials who are personally friendly and loyal to the governor, and that influence might end up trumping a decision to support the candidate most dedicated to the pro-life cause.Weeks calls on gov to add pro-life issue to special session
Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks today challenged Gov. Joe Manchin to include legislation to further limit taxpayer funding of abortions to the agenda for the anticipated upcoming special session of the State Legislature.Such a measure has been sought annually by West Virginians for Life.Weeks noted that the state of West Virginia spent almost $350,000 of taxpayer money to pay for abortions in 2006. "The federal government requires that we pay for abortions for rape, incest and life of the mother, yet West Virginians are forced to pay for abortions for any reason, even as a method of birth control," said Weeks. "West Virginia is one of only 18 states that uses tax dollars to pay for abortions on demand."Since 1993, the state of West Virginia has spent $5 million to pay for more than 12,000 abortions, said Weeks."As governor, I will end taxpayer funding of abortion on demand either by executive order or, if necessary, legislative action," said Weeks. "I challenge the governor, who claims to be pro-life, to demonstrate some kind of commitment to the issue through the office he holds." "I don't think he was very comfortable with me being open with him about his role of staying out of our football program, in particular."
-- Former WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez discussing Gov. Joe Manchin, as reported in the Charleston Daily Mail's story about Rodriguez' interview this weekend on "Decision Makers."
Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez says Gov. Joe Manchin was too hands-on with the WVU football program, and used the controversy over the coach's departure to deflect attention from the Heather Bresch diploma scandal.Rodriguez says Manchin apologized for things he had said about the coach and promised to rectify that. "Then two days later, they sue me," he said.
Manchin sends congrats letter to candidates at taxpayer cost
At taxpayer expense, Gov. Joe Manchin is sending letters of congratulations to both Democrat and Republican candidates who were victorious in the primary election.GOP State Senate candidate Gary Howell received his letter this week, in which the gov discusses the "noble" aspects of public service, and even quotes Mahatma Gandhi."I thank you for putting your name and ideas before the voters this year and congratulate you on receiving your party's nomination for State Senate 14th District," Manchin wrote to Howell.