 | ||||
RepublicanGazette
Abernathy Strategies
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.
-------
Search the Republican Gazette ---->
Monday, June 23, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Serving West Virginia since 2005
SPECIAL WVGOP CONVENTION EDITION
Russ Weeks: An American Life
Beakes to lead McCain effort in WV
BEN BEAKES
New role with McCain
Ben Beakes, former political director of the West Virginia Republican Party who then became chief of staff for Secretary of State Betty Ireland, will serve as the executive director of the John McCain campaign in West Virginia.Beakes was introduced in his new role on Saturday at the summer convention of the West Virginia Republican Party in Flatwoods.Beakes served at the state party from 2002-2004, and was instrumental in recruiting record numbers of GOP candidates for legislative races when significant gains were made by the party. He served as Ireland's chief of staff from 2005-2007, then went to work in the private sector for Petroleum Products, Inc. Beakes and his wife Sarah are the parents of a daughter, Chloe Noelle, born last August. Beakes' appointment was announced by McCain regional director Trey Walker and West Virginia McCain chairman Larry Swann. GOP adds 'Right to Work' to platform
WEST VIRGINIA VISIT -- Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele offered remarks Saturday at the WVGOP convention. Pictured above, from left, Sherry Tolbert (Russ and Helen Weeks' daughter), Helen Weeks, Steele, and GOP gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks. At right, Steele poses with Gary Howell, candidate for the State Senate in the 14th District.
McKinney names five electors, convention ok's alternate delegates, Gosney wins reelection
After several years of trying to add the plank to its official platform, the West Virginia Republican Party on Saturday mustered the votes to add a "Right to Work" statement to the official party document.The position statement generated considerable discussion, with Del. Ray Canterbury arguing against its inclusion. But in the end, delegates passed the issue on a voice vote.In other action Saturday, State GOP Chairman Doug McKinney presented delegates to the state convention with a slate of five presidential electors who will cast their votes in December if McCain wins the state.McKinney's slate included his wife, Sue McKinney, party treasurer Terry Waxman, party office manager Marti Riggall, Princeton optometrist Zane Lawhorn, and Bob Fish, who chaired the presidential convention earlier this year.Earlier in the day, the state executive committee re-elected Donna Gosney as its national committeewoman. Gosney edged out challenger Lynn Staton in a close vote.National committeeman Jim Reed was unopposed and was reelected by acclamation.Convention attendees also approved 27 alternate delegates to the national convention in Minneapolis.The convention was held at an outdoor unshaded amphitheater in Flatwoods, and many of the nearly 300 in attendance retreated to their cars to grab umbrellas to cover themselves from the sun on the warm day.Steele warmly received by delegates; Ireland promises to watch for doors to open
Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele told the delegates to the West Virginia Republican Convention Saturday that 2008 would be a great year for Republicans, and naysayers who think Democrats are on the ascension will be proven wrong.Steele was accompanied to the event by Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, who introduced him and also told her fellow Republicans that John McCain would lead a strong ticket in West Virginia and across the nation.Conventioneers were welcomed to the afternoon session by Secretary of State Betty Ireland, who commended Chairman Doug McKinney and each of the Republicans on the statewide ticket. She also said she was disappointed in the national criticism that came West Virginia's way after Hillary Clinton's resounding defeat of Barack Obama in the primary election, and was critical of Gov. Joe Manchin for not more aggressively defending the state.Ireland also commented on the recent passing of both her parents, saying that her decision not to seek reelection was the right one under the circumstances. But she also promised to watch for future opportunities and pledged to stay involved.Also speaking were Jay Wolfe (U.S. Senate), Dan Greear (Attorney General), Beth Walker (Supreme Court), Charles Minimah (Secretary of State), Michael Teets (Ag Commissioner), and Marty Gearheart (U.S. Congress).Weeks draws cheers with remarks on WVU, need to return trust to government
State GOP OK's Blair resolution
on marriage
A resolution introduced by Del. Craig Blair urging Gov. Joe Manchin to add the protection of marriage issue to the agenda for the upcoming interims was passed unanimously by members of the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee over the weekend. The resolution urges the governor and legislative leaders to approve placing a “Marriage Protection Amendment” to the West Virginia Constitution on the 2008 General Election ballot.In remarks before the committee, Blair noted, “Twenty-seven other states have passed amendments to their state constitutions protecting the family by guaranteeing marriage as a union between one man and one woman.” He pointed out that recent court and executive actions in California, New York, Massachusetts and other states have resulted in bringing the issue back to the public arena. California’s recent Supreme Court decision has resulted in same-sex couples from across the country rushing to California to be married, since the Golden State does not require residency to be married there. For example, same-sex couples from West Virginia could be married in California, then return to the Mountain State and attempt to manipulate the legal system to force their unions to be recognized here.Blair also noted that in some cases the tax exempt status of churches is being threatened if they refuse to allow or perform gay marriage ceremonies.Blair’s resolution was passed unanimously with no dissenting comments.Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks on Saturday won cheers and applause when he pledged to return honesty and accountability to government, and said that Gov. Joe Manchin was in for a surprise in November."There’s hardly any place I go where I’m not approached by teachers who are upset at broken promises made by the governor, and they’re ready to vote for a new direction," said Weeks. "There’s almost no event that I attend where I’m not approached by state highway workers anxious to tell me the truth about what’s going on at the Department of Highways. There’s no place I go where I’m not asked to meet privately with healthcare workers who have horror stories about the poor care of patients and the lack of oversight from the state. There’s seldom a county I visit where I’m not taken aside by alumni and faculty of West Virginia University who are fed up with the cronyism and corruption and are ready to vote for honesty and integrity."Weeks said that politicians are often the subject of lies, and that one of the biggest lies often spread about Manchin is that he is really a Republican.Weeks rattled of a list of Republican issues opposed by Manchin, and said, "I am here to tell you today that I am the only candidate who really is a Republican."Weeks commented at length on the scandal at West Virginia University, saying, "There are those who say it’s wrong to make the scandal at West Virginia University a political issue. I agree. I agree that it was wrong to make the selection of the president of WVU a political decision. It was wrong to award grades to a student at WVU just because of her political connections. It was wrong to have a system where the WVU Board of Governors is stacked by a governor who fills the positions with political cronies."Weeks added, "So I am sorry that the WVU scandal is a political issue. But we’re not the ones who made it a political issue. I promise you this, though. When I’m governor, I’ll take the politics out of West Virginia University."Weeks also talked about his 20 years of service in the United States Navy, noting, "I proudly served under the colors of our flag, and I still proudly salute and honor that flag today."Weeks said the state is hungry "for a new attitude, a new commitment to honesty and integrity in government, a new hope, and a new direction. I invite you — I challenge you — to join me in leading this state in a new direction."