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Having Fun
With Mojo
Gotta play Hillary's visit just right
Hey kids! Mojo here! Well, here we go -- my worst nightmare is ready to begin. Hillary Clinton is visiting West Virginia in a couple of weeks, and they're going to expect me to be all over that! They'll want me to greet her at the airport, or introduce her at the fundraiser! The last thing a super popular governor of a conservative state needs is to act like he wants Hillary Rodham Clinton to be the next president of the United States! On the other hand, there will probably be a lot of national media in town to cover her, so I guess I should be there! I'm already a "National Governor," you know, but you have to keep getting national exposure to keep that title! So, I'll welcome Hillary, or introduce her, but then I'll have somewhere else to go while she collects checks from trial lawyers and union bosses! Probably something good on the Discovery Channel!
GOP exec committee joins call for special session to fix Mullins issues
Statement on immigration also passes; members hear convention update, State of the Party address Saturday
The West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee on Saturday approved a resolution requesting that Gov. Joe Manchin and legislators convene a special session to do the work necessary to address the state's wiretap questions regarding drug investigations.
The resolution, offered by member Tom O'Neill, who works with the Taylor County prosecutor's office , is the latest voice added to various law enforcement officers, legislators and editorial writers demanding Manchin do what he so far has refused -- call lawmakers into special session to address the issues that led the state Supreme Court to rule against the state in the State v. Mullins case.
The committee also approved unanimously a resolution offered by National Committeewoman Donna Gosney urging that America's borders be secured against illegal immigrants. West Virginia becomes the latest in a string of state Republican parties across the nation to pass such a resolution.
Meeting in Huntington, the committee also heard Chairman Doug McKinney's State of the Party address, with McKinney telling members, "No single individual and no other organization can replace the effectiveness of a strong state party, no matter how much money they spend."
McKinney urged the committee to focus on the future, and said the party is at a crossroads, with its future depending on them and their dedication toward making the GOP strong and vibrant.
McKinney said, "From this day forward, never let there be any question that the state of the West Virginia Republican Party is strong."
McKinney also introduced the party's new finance director, Allison Plants.
Bob Fish, CEO of the West Virginia Republican Convention, updated committee members on the February 5 state convention, and fielded several questions about its format. Fish also later briefed county chairs in more detail.
In the afternoon, a Business and Economics Panel featuring Secretary of State Betty Ireland, Morgantown businessman and former U.S. Senate candidate John Raese, and Matt Ryan, co-editor of "Unleashing Capitalism," and moderated by Charleston attorney and former House of Delegates candidate Mike Stuart, discussed those items necessary to improve the state's woeful business climate.
A contingent of AFL-CIO members staged a rally outside the Pullman Plaza Hotel, protesting on the subject of Right to Work, and chanting, "No Right to Work." But GOP committee members could not hear or see them from their meeting location, and the union rally soon marched on after chanting, "No right to work," standing around a giant inflatable skunk.
Later, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan spoke to about 125 attendees at a fundraising dinner, followed by music and dancing with the Jailhouse Rockers. (HNN Duncan interview here.)
State GOP Chairman Doug McKinney, left, and GOP Convention CEO Bob Fish, right, addressed committee members Saturday.
Earlier, during lunch, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Adams addressed committee members, discussing his background and experience. In addition to Adams, a large contingent of Eastern Panhandle lawmakers and guests made the long trip to Huntington.
Representatives of three presidential campaigns were on hand throughout the day, including Robert Gould on behalf of Rudy Giuliani; Bill Phillips, John McCutcheon and P.J. Wenzel on behalf of Mitt Romney; and Tennessee's lieutenant governor, Ron Ramsey, on behalf of the Draft Fred Thompson committee. Ramsey was a guest of state Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin.
Sponsors for the fundraising dinner included Buck Harless, John Raese, Jim Reed, Jack Smith, Larry Pack, Carroll Justice, Zane Lawhorn, Michael Stuart, Frank Tuckwiller, Chris Wakim, David Wasman, Bob Adams, Shirley Hooten, Hiram Lewis, Larry Swann, Alex Vence and Troy McClung.
July interims appear timed to coincide with Hillary visit
Normally, interim committee meetings of the State Legislature are held each month on Sunday through Tuesday, but July's interims were changed to occur July 27-29, Friday through Sunday.
The change seems designed to coincide with Hillary Clinton's Charleston fundraiser on July 27th, and Democrat lawmakers will likely have their arms twisted to donate and attend the event.
One longtime lawmaker said Saturday he could not remember ever holding interims beginning on a Friday.
