Also for the most part at the state & county level a WV Rat on gun ownership and social issues is indistinguishable from a GOP’er. The problem is the average WV’er is abysmally ignorant on economics. The nuts and bolts of how jobs are created. Having grown up there I have heard incredible statements about economics, commerce and just how local businesses operate. Listening to this is how I developed the notion of “Scrooge McDuck Level of Economic Understanding”, many there truly believe that “bosses” go home and do the equivalent of rolling around in piles of money. Like Uncle Scrooge did in the old Disney comic books.
All in all at the state level Manchin is better on economic issues then the average WV Rat politician. Raese made 3 mistakes that cost him his chance. The “big one” was pointing out that “minimum wage laws” increase unemployment and in general are bad for the economy. All true but not the thing to say in WV. The other two he had less control over, he is rich and also came from a family that has had successful businesses in WV. He should have had a ready answer for that and turned it into a positive. His wife spends most the year in Florida, he should have had a ready answer for that. it still might have not made any difference, a guy with money has 2 strikes against him in WV. The exception is being a Rockefeller, then you spread the rumor that you personally will put money in the state and you will use your family influence to bring jobs in. Yeah that worked for Rocky but the state got nothing. However people bought it hook line an sinker. The other great argument to support him was, 'Rocky is too rich to steal!'
I've only lived here for a little more than eight years and I'd say you are absolutely correct. Had it not been for Raese's personal wealth, the GOP would have had NO viable campaign against Manchin. In McKinley's campaign the same situation existed, but he defeated Oliverio for Mollahan's seat. (much to my surprise)
That WV GOP Presidential Convention that was initiated last Super Tuesday is a perfect example of the problems of the WV GOP.