Republicans make their move; West Virginia may become a two party state after all

Morgantown Dominion-Post ^ | Aug. 26, 2003 | editorial board

[mountaineer]

State Democrats are nervous.

It's not anything we are being told or even something substantive we can put our finger on that makes us think that. But if the reaction of state Democratic Party leaders to recent news releases and speeches from the state Republican Party is any indication, then they aren't sleeping well lately.

Two examples just this month tell us reams about who's starting to crack. On Aug. 6, in a state GOP news release, the media was informed that Gov. Bob Wise had informed some cabinet heads and other staffers he would not seek re-election in 2004.

Just stirring the pot or seeing if it would stick was our first thought. And the immediate reaction of the governor and his staff gave us good reason to think either.

The governor's spokeswoman denied this "rumor" within hours of it being faxed and e-mailed to state media outlets. A day later the governor made it more emphatic: "That is so incredibly off-base, totally unfounded and absurd that I don't want to comment on it except to say it's absurd."

Five days later, guess what happens? The governor announces he won't run for re-election in 2004. Imagine that.

Then in another unguarded moment, within days of Wise's decision, a Democratic legislator complained to the media he had not received a letter from the state GOP inviting him to switch sides.

That insecurity was in reference to a speech that state Republican Party Chairman Kris Warner made in July calling on Democrats to join the GOP before they had to face a steam locomotive in the 2004 election.

According to the Democratic lawmaker, whose name we will reveal to expose the innocent, state Sen. Wayne Bailey, D-Wyoming, Warner vowed to send out formal letters attesting to that invitation. In response to Bailey's whining about the lack of a formal letter asking him to jump ship, Warner immediately ordered letters mailed to him and all Democratic legislators.

Republicans had their best electoral showing in 30 years in 2002, upping their House ranks from 25 to 32, almost a third of the seats, and their Senate ranks from six to 10 of 34 members.

Warner is a Morgantown native, and his brother, Monty Warner, is running for the Republican Party nomination to vie for the governor's office.

That being said, it also should be noted that we do not blindly favor our native sons or their party casually. There are Democrats this newspaper has endorsed in the past and may endorse in the future.

And we are not above disputing policies or candidates of the state GOP. But we believe what the state GOP is accomplishing now is an extension of what it was able to do in 2002 and we encourage that.

Democrats have controlled both houses of the Legislature for more than 70 years, not to mention most state and federal offices.

We think a two-party state is a noble idea and deserves our support. It also helps to keep us all honest. Why would that make anyone nervous?

[mountaineer]

ping

[Our man in washington]

In 2005, could we have a governor of Virginia, a Senator from Virginia, and a governor of West Virginia all named "Warner" and none of them related? I wonder how many people will think Virginia and West Virginia are governed by the same guy.

[samanella]

Keeping fingers crossed that the masses realize they are not better off under the Democratic wing.....

[mountaineer]

That would be interesting, though I'd rather see a W.Va. governor named Capehart than Warner!

[JohnnyZ]

In 2005, could we have a governor of Virginia, a Senator from Virginia, and a governor of West Virginia all named "Warner" and none of them related?

No one will believe than any three people from the Virginias are not related, regardless of whether they share a name. :)

[samanella]

Y'all know that all the DNA in WV is the same....we just spread it over the border....

[Marysecretary]

Hmm, is this a Jeff Foxworthy joke???

[JohnnyZ]

Hmm, is this a Jeff Foxworthy joke???

Careful or I'll extend my comment to central NY!!!! ;-)

[countrydummy]

lol lol

[mountaineer]

Democrats have controlled both houses of the Legislature for more than 70 years, not to mention most state and federal offices. We think a two-party state is a noble idea and deserves our support. It also helps to keep us all honest. Why would that make anyone nervous?

This is the bottom line. Even if the Republicans never gain the majority in the Legislature, the fact that they put up a fight and made the Dems - who have been so comfortable with their "legislator for life" status - actually have to explain themselves to the electorate, will help improve this state's pathetic condition.

[Marysecretary]

Well, we CNYers probably deserve it (smile).

[sonsofliberty2000]

I'd love to have a Conservative in the Governor seat and to replace both of the fossils we have in the Senate. We have a good state senator I like up here by the name of Chris Wakim.

Patriot Paradox

[samanella]

If the Republicans would just ask the electorate: Are you any better off than you were 20 years ago? It may make them think it's time for a "regime change" in the state, as well as right to work laws, and deserting the unions.

[hresources]

Would a Republican Governor of West Virginia appoint a replacement for Byrd when it is time to freeze dry him?

[samanella]

I believe so. Byrd's tirades against the war have really PO'd people in WV and an earlier post said he is fracturing his loyalty. You've got to remember that a great percentage of young folk from WV enlist as the only way to escape or get a job. And for your senator to rail against what you're doing your job for rankles the enlisted. Yes, he has brought jobs into WV, but they are FEDERAL gubment jobs, for which the taxpayers pay their salary. Byrd has not brought in BUSINESSES, which is what the state desperately needs.

[itzmygun]

I thought he was already freeze dried...(?) Or maybe that was just his head (a la Futurama - LOL).

[Xthe17th]

I wouldn't hold your breath for Capehart. I heard him speak and, while more energetic than the half dead-sounding widow Minear, he doesn't really say anything. He has no plans, nothing. Just a bunch of feel good political analogy stories.

What we need is a Tom McClintock type. Someone with bold new plans who's not afraid to explain and raise support for them. I.e.

• 1) Eliminate all personal property taxes.
• 2) Eliminate sales tax on food!
• 3) Phase out state income tax completely over a ten year period while at the same time, to accomodate this in the budget,
• 4) Strip the state government to bare bones over the same period and thus
• 5) Transfer powers, programs, and duties to local counties and municipalities.
• 6) Promote right to work.
• 7) Phase in the total replacement of Workman's Comp with compulsory minimum private health insurance (same type of system as with auto insurance today).

Numbers 3 and 6 will be a BOON to bringing businesses back into this state. Numbers 3 and 7 will be a BOON to bringing workers into this state!

Additionally, seek the following election reforms:

• 8) Expand the state senate to 55 with one senator per county. See Number 5 above for why this will be important.
• 9) Promote current efforts for SINGLE DELEGATE DISTRICTS and thus accountablity and responsibility from our elected reps.
• 10) Eliminate the Primary and replace it with party run caucuses (such as is done in Iowa and other states) thus saving the state millions of poll worker dollars every other year.
• 11) Eliminate straight ticket voting (following the lead of states like Michigan who have already done this). Promotes an educated voter.
• 12) Take the next logical step and eliminate party designations from general election ballots. Further inspires an educated electorate.

Well that's a dozen. I could go on but hey, I'm not running (for governor)! wink.

[Retired COB]

I kind of like Sarah. At least you don't have to wonder where she's coming from.

I like your platform, though. Are they copywrited, or are we free to copy as our own?