West Virginia Heads Down a Political Road Less Taken

NY Times ^ | November 16, 2004 | JAMES DAO

[neverdem]

KKK Byrd's seat in 2006 and Jay Rockefeller in 2008 look ripe for the pickin!

[CWOJackson]

Good news for West Virginia, the GOP is starting to make progress. Which must be why the Constipation Party has just announced that it is starting up in West Virginia to giver conservative voters an option.

Strange timing.

[speedy]

It is a rule at the Times that any story mentioning Byrd has to refer to him as a "revered elder statesman." Just like Ted Kennedy must always be described as a "liberal lion." Of course, they never can find Republicans for whom these descriptions apply. Look out, Sheets, you're next on the West Virginia hit parade.

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

From the post: ""I have always known where the values of West Virginia lie - patriotism, faith, family, opportunity, a clear sense of right and wrong, and justice," Mr. Byrd said."

Every state should hold those values -

[LNewman]

Iffin we ever kneed a village idiot, weel awls knows wear ta fine won, eh CWO?

[CWOJackson]

They have their own party...the CP.

[goldstategop]

Joe Manchin should switch and become a Republican. Why is he still a Democrat?

[SoDak]

Looks like the old Byrd has his finger in the air checking the wind at least. A good sign.

[Robert357]

Drawn by a powerful conservatism on issues like abortion, gun control and same-sex marriage, and fed up with the state's shrinking population and perpetually high poverty rates, voters are leaving the Democratic Party in substantial numbers, party leaders say.

No wonder that organized labor has some serious explaining to do to the union membership about the heavy-handed tactics on volunteering labor to work for Democrats campaigns and giving labor money to loosing candidates who will do nothing to repay organized labor.

Also good to see the NRA recognized as opposed to just a focus on "values" and religion.

[goldstategop]

West Virginia is lost to the Democrats in perpetuity... I won't be surprised if its Governor switches to the GOP and I think the party will take over the State Legislature either in 2006 or by 2008 at the latest. WVA is trending Republican.

[neverdem]

Why is he still a Democrat?

It's probably a heritage thing like Zel Miller.

[goldstategop]

Yeah probably.... he might show up at the 2008 GOP Convention. You never know. <wink

[neverdem]

Also good to see the NRA recognized as opposed to just a focus on "values" and religion.

I didn't see the NRA mentioned. I saw gun control mentioned twice. I reread it. Are you sure it's there? Which paragraph is it? Maybe I'm reading carelessly.

[goldstategop]

I guess WVA hunters and gun owners saw a phony when Jean Francois went geese hunting in a camoflauge outfit.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

The defections have so alarmed the state chairman, G. Nicholas Casey Jr., that he sent a memorandum to county leaders this week demanding that they pledge loyalty to the party or resign their positions.

Seig Heil. I suggest that Mr. Casey first gets the donks to clean up their act...

[somniferum]

Yea right, if Byrd ever switched to the GOP the MSM would have that Klansman story running 24/7 faster than you can say "Gotcha!" :P

[goldstategop]

Governor Bob Wise resigned in disgrace after his affair with his own intern. You may consider Bush's win this month in WVA an effect of "Wise's Curse."

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Wasn't so wise, was he?

[RockinRight]

Ya mean we can get rid of the Klansman AND the carpetbagger??

I have to call my aunt. I have family in WV that for decades thought they were the only Republicans in the state!

[RockinRight]

He's a Zell Democrat. Can't let go of the Truman legacy. That's JMHO.