."That Hiram is a right nice feller and I'm a-votin fer him"
Posted on 04/09/2005 6:46:14 PM PDT by Perelandra
Hiram Lewis to run for Senate nomination
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- State Republican Party Treasurer Hiram Lewis IV announced Saturday he planned to seek his party's nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd in 2006.
Lewis, an Army National Guard captain who served in Iraq, picked the second anniversary of the fall of Baghdad to announce his plans. The Morgantown lawyer made his announcement near the base of a statue of West Virginia's senior Democratic senator at the state Capitol in Charleston.
"My candidacy is not a personal vendetta against the senior senator; rather it is simply time for a change,'' said Lewis, who lost the GOP nomination to challenge Democrat Sen. Jay Rockefeller in 2002. Lewis came close to upsetting Democrat Attorney General Darrell McGraw in November.
Byrd has been targeted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee for defeat in next year's election. The 87-year-old Byrd has served 45 years in the Senate and has yet to declare his re-election bid, but his office has said he intends to seek a ninth, six-year term. Byrd spokesman Tom Gavin could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday.
Lewis, 34, said he is not running "against'' Byrd, but "with'' him.
"I believe we both have the interests of West Virginians at heart. It is just that we disagree over the way to protect and serve those interests,'' Lewis said.
AP-ES-04-09-05 1755EDT
Wonder what our WV folks have to say about this guy. The commentary herein suggests he's running smart....
Give old Bobby Byrd a white sheet and say bye!
Sheets is 87 years old. Father time will defeat him before anyone else does.
Byrd will need to answer the unanswered questions about his participation in cross burnings and lynchings as a KKK member and recruiter.
."That Hiram is a right nice feller and I'm a-votin fer him"
Here is the Press Release from the WVGOP:
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2005
HIRAM LEWIS ANNOUNCES U.S. SENATE BID
CHARLESTON, WV – Hiram Lewis, IV, Iraqi war vet, Jag Officer, and former Army Ranger, announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate from the base of the Robert C. Byrd statue in the capitol rotunda this afternoon.
“Like many of my fellow West Virginians, I believe it is time for change in this state and I offer the new conservative vision.” Lewis nearly upset a twelve-year incumbent in the state’s Attorney General race last year, garnering 49.6% of the vote. It was the closest Attorney General race in the state’s history.
“Senator Byrd has served our state well but there is a new generation of West Virginians who agree it is time for a change,” Lewis said.
“As an Iraqi war vet, many of us are disappointed by Senator Bryd’s stance on the Iraq war. He called our service unconstitutional. His stance has encouraged the enemy and discouraged troop morale. You cannot say on one hand you support the troops and then say our service is unconstitutional. It is impossible to do both,” Lewis added.
“I understand America’s role in an increasingly dangerous world. I have been on the front lines of protecting freedom. I will advance a U.S., not a U.N., foreign policy and continue to modernize our military.
“I believe government should do a few things and do those few things well.
“For too many years now, West Virginians have settled for near last in every good category and near first in every bad category. We have watched as our children leave the mountain state to find jobs. We don’t want hand-outs anymore. West Virginians want jobs, education, security, and healthcare. Pork can only go so far. Good, solid economic principles can grow the economy and create opportunity for everyone.
“As a father, I believe we must rebuild the moral basis of a free society - from appointing Supreme Court Justices, defending marriage, and fighting teen drug abuse to protecting the freedom to be born and live happily and securely until natural death.
“Now more than ever we need elected officials with honor and integrity. We need political leaders with a commitment to serve us and protect our children’s future.”
Although West Virginia has remained a Democratic stronghold for more than seventy years, political observers agree the resurgence of the Republican Party in recent years will help. In 2004, President Bush won West Virginia by 13 points and Republicans picked up three State Senate seats, a Supreme Court seat, and the Secretary of State office.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) released a poll on Friday showing Byrd polling at 52 percent. For the first time in decades, Senator Byrd is vulnerable.
Lewis believes that Senator Byrd has lost touch with the average West Virginian. His recent appearance at a MoveOn.org rally with Ted Kennedy and his service as co-chair for John Kerry’s failed presidential campaign, indicate that Senator Byrd has allied himself with the liberal left.
“West Virginians are generally conservative. Byrd was hired to represent us, not the liberal special interest groups in Washington D.C.,” Lewis said. “It’s time we put a West Virginian in the Senate.”
“To move West Virginia forward again, we need strong families, not more government programs, which will lead to a better future for our children and grandchildren. As your Senator, I will fight to lower our taxes, protect innocent life, improve our children’s education, and be a voice for the traditional conservative values of faith, family and freedom.”
--30--
What difference does it make when none of our elected leaders say "boo" to the likes of him, Teddy Kennedy, etcetera....
Yeah, considering the condition of the Republican Party in WV, Hiram Lewis is definately a likeable guy who has taken the lead in GOP politics...It's good that he announced when he did. I hope that there is no primary...
Well, the idea is that Byrd will continue to run - he will be "young in spirit" until the last few months of 2006 and hopefully he'll just snap and start ranting like the old crazy man that he truly is.
Who is gonna make him?
Repeal the 17th Amendment, people!
You know why Barak Obama came out for Byrd don't you? It's because he wanted to demonstrate that the "new" Democrats are willing to overlook his cross burning. This is only effective for the Dems...Barak is their forgiving black hero
"Yeah, considering the condition of the Republican Party in WV"
I don't know much about the Republican Party in WV, but hopefully it's not as bad as Illinois. In any case, at the Presidential level, WV is becoming very Republican - and that does not bode well at all for sheets or Democratic sheet wannabees.
I have a friend who worked the Keyes election in Illinois...I heard about the condition of the party there...I think it is about the same...except I am not sure if the ILGOP members are planning a party coup or not but they are all but successful here.
Yea - I heard about a year ago that the chairman of the IL Republican Party was on the lead float in the Chicago gay rights parade. I think it's past time for a coup.
I don't want to burst anyone's bubble here, but they used to say the same thing about Strom Thurmond.
THe case has to be made that Byrd is no longer a revered figure in the Senate and is seen now as more of a buffoon than anything else. I don't see any Senators making a big deal out that (Senatorial courtesy, and all).
"I believe we both have the interests of West Virginians at heart. It is just that we disagree over the way to protect and serve those interests,'' Lewis said.
This is exactly how you beat an incumbant rat. Good luck Hiram.
While I think that you have a point regarding Strom, West Virginia broke for Bush by 13 points. Senator Byrd, while he is a historical figure in the state, supported John Kerry by chairing his presidential campaign.
The point is, West Virginia is in the dark ages...it's economic depression and general feeling of oppression rivals that of Arkansas. While Byrd has done some nice things for the state, what has he done for WV lately? Most of the people who have supported Byrd in the past are ready for fresh West Virginian blood to be in the Capitol...I mean, for crying out loud - Rockefeller is from New York City and Byrd is from North Carolina!
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