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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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Thursday, June 19, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Serving West Virginia since 2005
Russ Weeks: An American Life
Some people see Gov. Joe Manchin as an invincible superhero, impervious to political attacks and invulnerable to the kinds of scandals that would bring down most politicians.In fact, though, the governor exhibits the opposite traits of a typical superhero. Superman, Batman, Spiderman -- they all rise to the occasion and seem to gain strength when faced with a crisis. Not Supermanchin. Supermanchin flies to the rescue and lands squarely in the spotlight when things are good and there is credit to be taken. But when Supermanchin is faced with Controversy, he actually loses his powers. For example:* When popular state archivist Fred Armstrong was abruptly fired, Supermanchin agreed it was an unfortunate thing, but said he was powerless to do anything about it.* When the West Virginia University Board of Governors was wrestling with what to do in the Mike Garrison case and the state was crying out for leadership from the governor,Supermanchin's tragic loss of power when Controversy strikes keeps him on sidelines
Supermanchin said he had no power over the board, most of which he appointed.
* In regard to the legislative pay raise he signed into law, Supermanchin originally said he shouldn't be sued just because he signed it, and this week he said he should be dismissed as a defendant because he had no power to remedy the situation. Just how Supermanchin's immense powers disappear so quickly is a mystery. It seems that Controversy is to Supermanchin as Kryptonite is to Superman -- it immediately robs him of his powers and abilities, and only by removing the Controversy from his presence can he recover.(Press Release) Congressional candidate Anne Barth is using the tired old playbook of negative politics to avoid discussing the real challenges facing West Virginians. Less than 48 hours after winning her primary, Anne Barth went on the attack against Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito calling her record a "disaster" for our nation (Barth Email, 5/14/08). In a press release yesterday, she launched another negative, partisan attack based on talking points developed by a Washington attack machine that did nothing but distort Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito's real record of results for veterans. Anne Barth said, "The record shows that Shelley Moore Capito has cast a lot of votes that have not been good for our troops and veterans," (Barth Press Release, 6/15/08). "West Virginians understand that Congresswoman Capito has made caring for our active-duty troops and military veterans one of her top priorities. She's been a strong voice for improvements in veterans healthcare, an advocate for veteran entrepreneurs and recently supported a much-needed expansion of educational benefits for our military men and women," said Capito Spokesman Kent Gates. "It is clear that Anne Barth has adopted the tired, partisan tactic of distorting her opponent's record. It is time for Anne Barth to face reality and avoid empty rhetoric," remarked Gates.Setting the Record Straight
Barth Rhetoric: Shelley Moore Capito voted for the war in Iraq, and has maintained a 100% voting record with George Bush and Dick Cheney on Iraq votes since. Reality: Congresswoman Capito has voted with a bi-partisan majority in Congress to fight the war on terror, protect our borders and secure our homeland. Congresswoman Capito supports our troops - including the Troop Surge in Iraq, which the Democratic nominee for President, Senator Barrack Obama, described as "encouraging" yesterday to reporters while campaigning in Michigan. Barth Rhetoric: Capito opposed the FY08 Democratic budget that included a $6.7 billion increase in funding for veterans' health care needs and services. [H. Con. Res. 99, Vote #212, 3/29/07]Reality: Congresswoman Capito joined a bi-partisan group of legislators in opposing a budget that would have resulted in the largest tax hike in American history. The bill that Anne Barth blindly attacks Capito for voting against would have raised taxes on every taxpayer in West Virginia. The bill would have: * Raised the 10% Tax Bracket to 15%* Eliminated the Marriage Penalty Relief for 23 million people - increasing their taxes by an average of $466 in 2011* Reduced the Child Tax Credit by 50% - forcing 31 million parents to pay an average of $859 more in 2011* Raised taxes for middle class families - a family of four who earn $60,000 would see their tax bill rise 61% from $3,030 to $4,893 in 2011* Reduced tax benefits for single parents - a single parent with two children who earns $30,000 a year would see a 67% decline in the tax relief in 2011* Raised taxes on 587,000 West Virginia taxpayers in 2012 by an average of $2,428 per yearThe most deceptive part of the Barth attack is that she fails to point out Congresswoman Capito voted on the exact same day with a bi-partisan majority against an amendment that would have cut spending for veterans and seniors by $270 billion over five years. [Con. Res. 99, Vote #211, 3/29/07]Barth Rhetoric: Capito sided with President George Bush against a 2007 Iraq emergency spending bill that included significant funding for veterans, including $229 million for healthcare treatment and $550 million to upgrade facilities like the crumbling Walter Reed Army Medical Center. [HR 1591, Vote #186, 3/23/07]Reality: Congresswoman Capito voted in a bi-partisan way to oppose this bill because it would have set a clear time table for withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq starting on March 1, 2008, to be completed by August 31, 2008. The bill also sought to slow down the Troop Surge that has been described as "encouraging." In addition, the liberal House majority leadership loaded up the bill with pet projects that did nothing to help our active military fight the war or our veterans at home in a desperate attempt to get the bill passed.[6] Below are a few of the outrageous things that Anne Barth would have voted for instead of focusing on the real issues of West Virginians:* $75 million to store peanuts in Georgia* $25 million for spinach farmers in California* $125 million for shrimp and Atlantic menhaden fishermanBarth Rhetoric: Capito opposed a motion that would have expanded TRICARE to most of the 20% of Reservists and National Guard members who currently don't have health insurance, even if they are called to active duty. [HR 1815, Vote #76, 3/16/05]Reality: Congresswoman Capito voted with a bi-partisan majority to oppose this motion because it was a partisan attempt to delay passage of a supplemental appropriations bill that provided critical funds needed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as aide relief for tsunami victims. The motion was offered as an attempt to send the bill back to committee and stop its passage. Is Anne Barth against relief aide for tsunami victims? Congresswoman Capito voted the very same day for final passage of HR 1268 [Vote #77], that provided critical tools to our troops including body armor, up armored Humvees, electronic jammers and other protection gear. Barth Rhetoric: Capito voted against a Democratic motion to the FY 07 Department of Defense Authorization bill that would have ended the Military Families Tax, which penalizes more than 50,000 survivors in military families, most of whom are widows. [HR 5122, Vote #144, 5/11/06]Reality: Congresswoman Capito voted against a partisan attempt to delay passage of the bill that would fund the entire Department of Defense for FY 07. She did not vote against a specific amendment as outlined by the Barth campaign. Anne Barth is trying to deflect attention away from her desire to raise taxes on these taxpayers and every single person and family who pays taxes in West Virginia."Anne Barth has spent her entire public life engaged in partisan politics. She is now willing to drag her campaign into the partisan gutter to mask her real tax hiking agenda on already struggling West Virginia families," concluded Gates. Capito sets record straight re attacks
Greear reacts to unethical practices
(Press Release) Charleston attorney and former member of the House of Delegates, Dan Greear, responded to the latest political hires of Attorney General Darrell McGraw. McGraw appointed four Special Assistant Attorney Generals to aid in an investigation of Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC), questioning if the company misled teachers to invest in its low interest fixed-rate annuities. Jim Lees, Anthony Majestro, James Peterson and Jonathan Turak were the four Special Assistant Attorney Generals appointed by McGraw. Majestro, Peterson and Turak have each donated to McGraw’s political campaign and directed contributions from their respective law firms and family members. Historically, Peterson’s firm has delivered over $20,000 in campaign contributions to McGraw. McGraw has also received contributions from Majestro’s and Turak’s law firms in the past. Greear weighed in by citing that this is not a first for McGraw, “If you review McGraw’s campaign finance reports and the corresponding appointments he has made during his tenure you will easily spot the parallel.” “McGraw receives contributions from a number of trial lawyer firms and in return hires those same contributors rewarding them with lucrative employment at taxpayers’ expense,” stated Greear. “I absolutely refuse to believe the only capable attorneys in this state are those who contribute to Darrell McGraw,” added Greear. “This is yet another example of the arrogant practices of our current Attorney General. He continues to abuse the powers of the Attorney General’s office and most notably, it is always at taxpayers’ expense.” Greear cited his continuous position on appointments, “Since day one of my campaign, I have stated our office will only appoint Special Assistant Attorney Generals when absolutely necessary. If there is ever a need for a expertise in a specific area of law, I will implement a fair and open bidding process, open to all attorneys of West Virginia. This will ensure that West Virginians get the best possible legal representation for their dollar.“Greear is a lifelong resident of Kanawha Cty.