< NEW! Search the Republican Gazette archives!
Abernathy Strategies
New for 2007-08
RepublicanGazette
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
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.
---
Having Fun
With Mojo

This is why I can't rest for a minute!
Hey kids! Mojo here! What a difference a week makes! Last week, I was all over the news! Opening a new truck plant! Saving millions of tax dollars with my tobacco bond sale deposit! Blazing away with an M-4 automatic rifle! But this week has been a dud! All the local news is about the President coming to Martinsburg, table games passing in Hancock County, and ;the Fourth of July! My own office hasn't even issued a press release this week! Come on guys! What gives? Everyone leave early for the holiday? The good news is, it's only Tuesday! I'll do something big this week, just wait! Might just ride my motorcycle in a big parade! I could even pull a wheely! Front page, here I come!
Manchin for VP? Try the guy next door
While there has been speculation that Gov. Joe Manchin might be an attractive running mate on a Democrat presidential ticket, the guy who's getting some serious scrutiny from the Dems is the governor next door in neighboring Ohio.
Ted Strickland, a former Congressman who took over Ohio's executive mansion in January, is enjoying popularity ratings in the high 60s, and has national experience in Congress.
On Sunday, Columbus Dispatch columnist Joe Hallett offered a speculative phone call from Hillary Clinton to Strickland, with Hillary saying, "I need you, Ted. I've done the electoral math. It all comes down to Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Florida has another Republican governor and is going to be tough for me. Pennsylvania is doable. But I don't think I can win the presidency without Ohio, and I can't win Ohio without you, Ted."   
July 14 GOP event mixes business, politics, fun from morning to night
Federal and state candidates  will be represented throughout the day, leading up to dinner with RNC chairman, dancing with 'Elvis,' Jailhouse Rockers
An evening dance party, similar to one held in April at an event honoring Shelley Moore,  will cap off the day July 14 when the WVGOP gathers in Huntington. RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, below left, will keynote the evening fundraising dinner.
The West Virginia Republican Party's big July 14 event in Huntington will be an all-day affair beginning with roundtables and training sessions, continuing through a bi-annual business meeting and ending with a fundraising dinner and dance featuring RNC Chairman Mike Duncan at the dinner and the Jailhouse Rockers providing music for the evening dance.
The day begins with a 9 a.m. GOP women's meeting, as well as a concurrent training session for party treasurers.
At 10:30 a.m., GOP Chairman Doug McKinney welcomes state committee members and offers his State of the Party address. Dr. McKinney's remarks will be followed by party business, including treasurer and secretary reports, and an update on the state GOP convention by convention CEO Bob Fish.
Lunch will be followed by a Business and Economics Forum moderated by Mike Stuart.
A 5 p.m. reception for RNC Chairman Duncan will be hosted by a special donor committee, followed by the 6 p.m. dinner. Music and dancing featuring the Jailhouse Rockers, an Elvis tribute band, will cap the evening.
Cabell County Chairman John Morris was at WVGOP headquarters in South Charleston on Monday working with new WVGOP finance director Allison Plants on final plans for the event.
Bob Fish, above, the CEO of the convention, will offer an update on the Feb. 5, 2007 event.
West Virginia Republican Party 'Republican Magic' fundraiser
When: Saturday, July 14, 2007
Where: Pullman Plaza Hotel, Huntington
Schedule: 9 a.m. GOP women's meeting, treasurer training. 10:30 a.m., Chairman Doug McKinney's State of the Party address, state executive committee meeting begins. 1 p.m., Business and Economic Forum. 5 p.m. Private reception for Chairman Duncan. 6 p.m. WVGOP fundraising dinner. 7:45 p.m., music and dancing with the Jailhouse Rockers.
Reservations: Contact Allison Plants, Marti Riggall or Mike Ankrom at 304-768-0495.
Love him or love him less, Bush visit is nice for West Virginia
President Bush has visited West Virginia when his approval ratings were high, and now when his ratings are not so high.
But either way, a visit from a sitting president is a special event, and West Virginia can take pride that it is hosting yet another one.
Before Bush, presidential visits to the Mountain State were rare to nonexistent, and the state should savor the attention while it lasts.
The Republican Gazette will not publish on the Fourth of July holiday. Enjoy your Independence Day.
Happy Independence Day!
The Republican Gazette will resume publication on Thursday