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The Republican Gazette
Thursday, September 18, 2008"When news breaks, we fix it!"Past EditionsContact
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VISIT NO MO MOJO
In the text box below, nominate your Republican of the Year, and describe in a few words why he or she should be selected.
REPUBLICAN OF THE YEAR
UPDATED DAILY!
Mojo9/18/08
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RUSS WEEKS
MEETS THE PRESS
GOP candidate for governor unveils ad campaign, new treat for donors
Russ Weeks held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the problems he wants to fix and the new initiatives he's ready to unveil.
Weeks' press conference -- his first as a candidate for governor -- was well attended by virtually all Charleston news media outlets.
Weeks said he was looking forward to
the four debates agreed to by Gov. Joe Manchin, but chided Manchin for not agreeing to more debates, and for not agreeing to any in southern West Virginia.
Said Weeks, "I am disappointed that the governor apparently does not believe the people of West Virginia deserve that consideration. There are important differences between Joe Manchin and me that voters have a right to understand.
Whether in the United States Navy, or as a husband and father, or in the West Virginia Senate, my life has been devoted to the principles of honesty, integrity and accountability.
"But our state has been victimized by cronyism, lack of accountability, and the consolidation of power into the hands of one man. Whether it’s the scandal at West Virginia University – where a president was named because of his political connections, leading directly to the scandal involving the governor’s daughter receiving a degree she did not earn – or the naming of close family members to important positions, or treating the governor’s mansion like it belongs to him personally, or the failure after nearly four years to move our state out of last place in most national economic comparisons, I know West Virginia can do better."
Weeks said the scandal at WVU offered the best example available of the problems created by the cronyism and favoritism rampant in state government. To highlight the issue, Weeks announced that donors to his campaign will be receiving a mock MBA "diploma" from the "University of Mojo."
Weeks also announced the beginning of a newspaper and radio ad campaign starting Monday, with newspaper ads directing voters to a new website, www.nomomojo.org, which highlights the problems in the Manchin administration through news reports over the past four years.
Weeks said Wednesday, "We must help West Virginia break free of the grip of politicians who use their office to enrich themselves, consolidate power, and who are more concerned with enhancing their personal celebrity than doing what is best for the people of our state. During my twenty years in the U.S. Navy, I learned how the actions of one individual can have a drastic effect on the successful outcome of a mission, and the success of everyone around him.
"I learned that if enough people put their minds and energies to achieving a goal, no mission was too difficult to be accomplished. West Virginia can accomplish great things, but it requires a population deciding as a whole to take the first step. I hope they’ll take that first step with me."
GARY HOWELL
Howell gets best of his opponent in face off in Morgantown
Candidates for the state Senate seat in the 14th District seat being vacated by Jon Blair Hunter met this week with the Morgantown Dominion
Post editorial board, and the newspaper produced a story on the session for Wednesday's edition.
GOP candidate Gary Howell clearly outperformed his opponent, Bob Williams. Williams is a former executive secretary of the state Farm Bureau, but shockingly said he was in favor of countywide zoning. Howell stressed that he was "100 percent opposed to zoning."
You can read the story here. 
Del. Mel Kessler leading 'Dems for Weeks' coalition
Del. Mel Kessler, who ran against Gov. Joe Manchin in the Democratic primary election, says he is leading a “Democrats for Russ Weeks” coalition because “I believe Russ is accountable. My heart tells me Russ is honest and accountable and he has no friends in Charleston to pad their pockets.”
Kessler said his decision to support Weeks is not based on sour grapes, and pointed out that Manchin himself supported Republican Cecil Underwood for governor in 1996 after Manchin lost a gubernatorial primary election.
Kessler says in today’s Beckley Register-Herald, “When $3.5 million gets stolen out of the old workers’ compensation fund and no one even gets a slap on the wrist, I have problems. When the money was missing from the forestry (division), and it’s never been brought up, and all the other confusion. When you’re awarding bonds to your lawyer friends that are the head of the Democratic Party, I just don’t think Russ will let that stuff go on.”
Kessler shared his thoughts with the Register-Herald in a story that appears today and is linked here.
In debate, Blair shows why he's effective
By Jonathan Miller
Wednesday night, Delegate Craig Blair showed why he is one of the strongest and most effective leaders in the area and the state of West Virginia. Blair participated in a debate co-hosted by The Journal and WEPM. Without a doubt, Delegate Blair outperformed his opponent on every question all night long.
Blair showed great command for the most pertinent issues facing not only our Eastern Panhandle, but also our state. From strengthening our business climate and creating jobs with tax and legal reforms to increasing the homestead exemption, improving education by passing locality pay, and building more roads through the cost savings of prevailing wage reform, Delegate Craig Blair demonstrated to the voters of the 52nd District that not only was he on their side of the issues, but he was the right leader to be fighting for them in Charleston.
Voters witnessed a strong, effective leader in action who has tremendous knowledge of the issues and the legislative process. They also saw a candidate who can be humble, colorful and
convicted all in the same answer. After Wednesday's performance, the choice is clear in the 52nd Delegate District.
Delegate Craig Blair proved to the voters that he must remain in the legislature to continue battling for them. No Craig Blair as Delegate of the 52nd District means no quality representation for the District. That message was crystal clear tonight.
Voters of the 52nd District, please vote for a strong, effective leader on Election Day. Vote for Delegate Craig Blair on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
CRAIG BLAIR