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The Republican Gazette
COMMENTARY
Obama's grandstand play in football stadium a smart political move
Democrats announced Monday that Barack Obama will make his acceptance speech at the national convention in Denver from the 76,000 seat Mile High Stadium, leaving the comfy confines of the Pepsi Center for what is bound to be a spectacular visual event.Obama has proven capable many times of filling large arenas, but 76,000 seats in Colorado is a different animal. But free tickets will be given away, and chances are they will fill it to the brim.The move is a smart one by the Obama campaign. Not only will television viewers witness Obama addressing a huge throng of people, but the will also make a big deal over the fact it is the "people's convention," or some such nonsense, since everyone is invited and admission is free.As the Dems said in a press release, “When we said we wanted to ‘bring down the walls,’ open up this Convention like never before and truly speak to the American people, we meant it,” said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. What has been interesting about Obama is that while he is able to fill coliseums like a rock star, he hasn't necessarily won the states where those big events have taken place. What it demonstrates is that Obama has no more supporters or followers than any other Democrat candidate from the past, but those he does have are rabid.The good news for Republicans is that the Democrat convention comes first, and by the time the GOP event rolls around the following week, much of the luster of the Obama event will have passed. John McCain should, and probably will, stick to the plan to deliver his remarks inside the XCel Center in St. Paul, and make the point that while we love our rock stars, we wouldn't want any of them to be president."Leaving carbon footprints every chance we get"
This week, my special guests will be...
As mentioned last week, yours truly is guest hosting the Tom Roten Morning Show this Wednesday and Thursday from 6-9 a.m. on News Talk 800 WVHU, Huntington.The only downside is that it is a morning show, and it starts at 6 a.m. Those who know me must wonder if I'll even bother going to bed the night before. I wonder too. We'll see.Anyway, we'll talk about all sorts of interesting subjects, and I'll be having special guests such as Kentucky Congressman Geoff Davis, Ben Beakes, the McCain director in West Virginia, gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks, Delegate Craig Blair, 3rd District Congressional candidate Marty Gearheart, Jean Smith of Marshall University (who just had a piece published in The New York Times wondering why Eisenhower is not more beloved in the modern day GOP), and some surprises as well. Also inviting some Dems to come on, but we'll see.Gary Howell, candidate for the State Senate from the 14th District, was the focus of a story last week about the announced move of the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining center and the CNC Turning Center from the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) in Mineral County to the RCBI location in Bridgeport. Monday, Howell said he will fight in the State Senate to prevent actions like this from occurring in the future.CNC machines are sophisticated milling machines for low-volume production, giving businesses the ability to make small, precise parts. The move was announced last week by RCBI CEO and Director Charlotte Weber.But Howell, owner and operator of Howell Automotive in Keyser, told the Mineral Daily News Tribune, “The ability to make small parts has given us a competitive edge in our businesses — otherwise we wouldn’t be able to make these parts.” Howell added, “A CNC Machine can do a part in half-hour whereas the same part will take the manual machine three days to make — it’s basically useless. The difference between using a CNC Machine and Manual Machine is like the difference between sending a package to California through Fed Ex next day air and sending the package on foot.”In a follow-up editorial, the News Tribune said, “It's difficult to view this week's news from Rocket Center as anything other than a setback for economic development in Mineral County.” The editorial added, “Gary Howell, a local businessman who has used the milling machines … said the relocation is a setback not only for local businesses, but for the larger economic development effort in the county.”The newspaper added that the decision reinforces the impression that the region is “something less than a top priority for state and regional economic development.”Howell said today that one of the main reasons he wants to serve in the State Senate is to make sure the 14th District is not taken for granted.“The jobs and working families of the 14th District deserve more attention and respect from the rest of the state,” said Howell. “Serving in the Senate, I’ll make sure jobs, businesses and services are not stolen away from the people of Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor and Tucker counties and moved to parts of the state that currently seem to have more clout.” Howell pledges to fight for services like CNC to stay
Gary
Howell
(Press Release) Everyone is welcome to attend the Greear picnic tonight, Tuesday, July 8th, from 5:30-8pm at Ritter Park in Huntington.Campaign coordinator Mike Ankrom and his wife Nora have been working hard to get the picnic set and we hope for a big turnout!Huntington and Cabell County are key areas for the campaign where many volunteers are needed. The picnic is a way for Dan to thank those supporters, encourage new volunteers and raise awareness of the campaign in Cabell County. AND, of course, we always hope to raise a few contributions to help us in the fall campaign.Candidates who have announced their intention of being there are House of Delegates candidate Lisa Peana, Delegate Kelli Sobonya, Delegate Carol Miller, Sheriff Kim Wolfe running for Mayor of Huntington, and Mike Teets, our statewide AG Commissioner candidate. Come out to Ritter Park, meet Dan, Amy and his wonderful family and bring a friend to get our Cabell County volunteers off and running!Greear picnic in Huntington tonight
OK, let's pretend Capito-Barth is a really tight race
If the Democrats are good at anything -- and that's a big if -- it's trumpeting how close races are, or how important they are, when in fact they are not close or important at all.Such is the case with the Anne Barth campaign, impressively feigning excitement because people are taking her seriously.A press release this week from Barth breathlessly says "The Cook Political Report ... has moved the Congressional race in West Virginia’s 2nd District from the 'Likely Republican' category to 'Lean Republican' based on the growing strength and momentum of challenger Anne Barth’s campaign..." Right.This comes on the heels of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee swearing that Barth v. Capito is one of their top-tier races. I liked this movie when it first came out two years ago under the title, "Callaghan v. Capito." Same script, different candidate, same result.