Posted on 04/10/2005 9:08:30 PM PDT by smoothsailing
April 10, 2005
Hiram Lewis Announces Candidacy for U.S. Senate Against Byrd
by HNN Staff
Charleston (HNN) — On the second anniversary of the fall of Baghdad to American forces, Hiram Lewis IV, an Army National Guard Captain, Iraq War Veteran, lawyer and 2004 Attorney General candidate announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate from the base of the Robert C. Byrd statute inside the State Capitol rotunda Saturday afternoon, April 9, 2005.
Stated Lewis: "My candidacy is not a personal vendetta against the senior Senator; rather it is simply time for a change. I am offering up my service to the voters of West Virginia."
Lewis nearly upset a high name-recognition, twelve-year incumbent in the state's Attorney General race last year, losing by only 5,946 votes, or less than eight tenths of one percent. It was the closest Attorney General race in West Virginia's history.
Lewis acknowledged that defeating Byrd next year will also be a big challenge, adding, "either way, I will continue to dedicate my life to improving our state so our children won't have to leave to find a job elsewhere."
Lewis said Senator Byrd has served his state well over the years, bringing in a lot of money from Washington. However, Lewis said Senator Byrd has lost touch with the average West Virginian."
"From his recent appearance at a MoveOn.org rally in Washington and his service as a co-chairman for John Kerry's campaign in West Virginia, Senator Byrd has allied himself with the liberal left wing of the Democratic Party. West Virginians are generally moderate to conservative. Byrd was hired to represent West Virginia; not liberal special interest groups in Washington, D.C."
An Iraq War veteran, Lewis disagreed with Byrd's stance on the Iraq War in 2003, explaining: "He basically called my service unconstitutional. Personally, that hurt. But, more importantly, his stance against the war encouraged the enemy and depleted troop morale. You cannot say on the one-hand that you support the troops, and then say that their service is unconstitutional. It is impossible to do both."
Many believe Byrd cannot be beat, but Lewis thinks differently: "Just ask the 1980 US hockey team or the 2004-2005 'Elite Eight' WVU basketball team; anything is possible."
Political observers say the resurgence of the Republican Party in West Virginia will help Lewis. In 2004, President George W. Bush won West Virginia by 13 points, Republicans picked up three seats in the State Senate, a Supreme Court seat, and the office of the Secretary of State.
"For years now, West Virginians have settled for near last in every good category and near first in every bad category," Lewis said. "We have watched as our children leave the Mountain State to find jobs. We don't want handouts anymore; we want hand-ups. We 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."
"I look at it like this; I am not running against Senator Byrd, I am running 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. Ultimately, it is up to West Virginia voters to decide who can best do the job. I believe I can."
As long as there's no TeRAY-sa impersonator with him!
No he won't.
Hiram will not be the nominee.
Yes he is a lightweight. He will not be the nominee,
his own grandfather, a yellow dog Democrat, campaigns against him. He has been treasurer of the state GOP since December and has raised less than $4,000. He is about ready to be booted from that post.
He raised less than $20,000 in a statewide run for AG last year and he is a poor public speaker. He almost beat a flawed vulnerable incumbent, but many other more qualified candidates had thought the incumbent AG unbeatable. The AG's brother was defeated for reelection to the State Supreme Court.
Hiram lost the 2002 Primary to challenge Jay Rockefeller to Jay Wolfe by a 2:1 margin. He also lost a State Senate race in 2000 by a 3:1 margin.
I believe McGraw beat him by less than 6,000 votes statewide.Not bad for a guy who raised less than 20K and was in Iraq part of the year.
But hey,I tend to be an optimist!
BTTT !!!
Thanks for the ping!
Who do you support?
Correcto! Byrd is a major problem when it comes to forcing this country into bankruptcy. I hope his tombstone has a big old fat hog engraved on it.
BTTT!!!!!!
"And just as Pericles said: "Time is the wisest counselor of all, therefore I am wise. I am wise beyond measure, and the Naval observatory atomic clock must be located in Wheeling West Virginia, because as I, the great Senator have stated, Congress is not an ATM, except when it comes to me.
...Hmmmmfff! Razzzit. My dog Billie, he make me laugh.
We've read your naysaying on Hiram. Now let's hear about the candidate(s) you feel are favored to run for Byrd's seat.
Give him hell, Captain Lewis!
Let's clear the air shall we?
The failure of the state GOP in WV has absolutely nothing to do with Hiram Lewis. In fact, he has been the ONLY person stepping out in a positive way to try to move the broken party forward.
Furthermore, there is hardly any talent in the state of WV that can rise to GOP leadership the way that Hiram can. Hiram choosing to run DESPITE the fact that his own family is entrenched in the democrat bondange in this state is evidence of his uncompromising leadership ability. Not only that, it proves that his message is close to home for him AS A WEST VIRGINIAN.
There IS no one raising money for the state party...not even our Republican hero Shelley Moore Capito, who everyday becomes more and more a part of the D.C. hoity-toities, that she is completely loosing touch in her district. If she wanted, she could dump $50K into the state party to help save it. But no....she is too concerned about her politicking than she is about helping a Conservative state become Republican - and being able to take the credit for it.
There is no GOP leader here with the courage that Hiram Lewis has. Period.
Byrd just switched from the KKK to the Teamsters. Union work is big in WV. Thuggery and outright cheating, can't be dismissed. I think if there's going to be change, it will happen because of church leadership. there's a sign posted on a local highway that reads, "You Can't Be Both Pro-Choice and Christian!" I believe that the church mobilized it's membership to elect GWB. Byrd wouldn't know anything about what's happening inside the churches in his own state.
You are exactly right. West Virginians are a deeply religous people and the Churches are the key to real reform. The time is now.
Hey Bow. If not Hiram, who? Who else has run statewide? Who else has the critical name ID? Who else can win?
In the mean time...
GO HIRAM!!!!!
Not necessarily. He has done a lot to open up WV. He was responsible for the Rt. 19 to 77S corridor which cut the travel time from Pennsylvania to Virginia by about two hours or more. This brought WV into the 21st century. That being said, prior to 2000 WV had always been a blue state. In 2000 it went for Bush by two or three points. Last year it was 13 points. I believe Byrd can be beaten. Besides this race we will have the Swift Boat Vets on our side to help. They plant on targeting specific races. Let's see how this plays out.
Daschle lost because the Death Tax coalition targeted him with lots of TV ads.
Well, if WVB was serious with his/her post, then I'm hopeful to get a response. I'd like to hear about some alternatives (besides SM Capito) to Hiram Lewis.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.