[Clintonfatigued]

I don't enjoy saying this, but West Virginia voted for George W. Bush mainly because of Federal Distrcit Judge Charles Haden. He ruled that mountaintop mining, vital to the economy, violates federal environmental laws. This put the whole local mining industry at risk, and the local economy as well. Haden is a Clinton appointee, if I'm not mistaken, and the Clinton administration supported him. For Gore, it was more than a shot in the foot, it was a shot in the heart. Gore made things worse for himself here by his support for gun control, abortion, and gay marriage, but they didn't tip the scales by themselves. Haden's ruling has been overturned by a higher court and the issue is yesterday's news. Now job losses to outsoursing is the big issue, and Senator Robert Byrd (a local icon) despises Bush. It's hard for me to imagine Bush winning here in 2004.

[Dales]

As the counter to that, drive through from 79 to 19 and stop in restaurants, stores, and other local businesses. You will find photos of the troops on the walls, treated like local celebrities. Most of the time you will see a picture of the President as well. You won't find more patriotic people in the nation than you will find in West Virginia.

[Jewels1091]

Bush can not afford to lose one state....I'm very worried about the election. Unless Bush's campaign can make people think and not believe all Kerry's crap he has poured out and most of it LIES, then we'll be in big trouble. And every terrorist in the world is hoping Kerry wins...

[buckalfa]

I agree. Add the jobless recovery and the affordable
access to health care issue, you can predict a 55%
plurality for Kerry and a possible defeat of the lone
GOP congressperson, Capito. The bottom line is that the
Dems have a 2 to 1 edge in voter registration in the
state, and despite their idiocy, Byrd and Rockefeller
are icons that can turnout the vote in WV.

[Kuksool]

West VA is going to entertaining. There is an open seat for Governor and Shelly Moore-Capito's House seat is going to be seriously challenged.