[West Virginia] GOP sets its sights on 2004

CLARKSBURG -- About 200 Republican Party supporters attended the annual Lincoln Day fund-raising dinner Saturday night in Clarksburg.

It was the first time in several years the fund-raiser had been in Clarksburg, said Dick Laughlin, chair of the Harrison County Republican Executive Committee. Laughlin and other GOP officials were encouraged by the heavy attendance Saturday. The event sold out.

"The Republican Party is back and kicking again in Harrison County," Laughlin said.

The dinner's guest speaker, former Gov. Arch Moore, agreed. Moore noted the GOP has made several advances in the last few elections, both statewide and nationally. The party has made significant gains in both the state House of Delegates and Senate.

While Moore, and other Republicans obviously are happy to see an increase in membership and party activity, he said a truly two-party system is healthy for the state and the nation.

"We haven't been a two-party state for 70 years. I think that competition among the political parties is good for the state and its citizens," Moore said. "It produces better candidates, which in turn benefits the constituents."

While the party has made significant inroads recently, much more work is needed to grow the party, said Jay Wolfe, who lost a bid in 2002 to unseat U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller. Although Wolfe lost the election, he carried several counties, including Doddridge.

"I think a candidate, as a Republican, needs to have an organization behind them to help, which is typically what we haven't had in the past," Wolfe said. "It will be a hard task, but I think we've got a lot of Republicans who are motivated."

The party has lofty goals, but many in leadership positions believe they are achievable goals. In 2004, the GOP wants to fill all 117 open ballot positions in the state House and Senate races, said Kris Warner, chair of the state Republican Executive Committee. Delegates serve two-year terms, with all seats open at the same time. Senators serve four-year terms, with half of the seats open every two years.

By 2008, the Republican Party wants to "take back the House and Senate," Warner said. GOP leaders are encouraged by their successes in 2002. Half of the contested races were won by Republicans, Warner said, and all incumbents retained their seats.

"I believe that in 2000 we started to see a historic shift in West Virginia politics. It started with President Bush and (U.S. Rep.) Shelley Moore Capito," Warner said. "In 2002, we knocked off the chair of the Senate Finance Committee and the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. If it can happen south of Route 60 in the coalfields, there's no reason it can't happen here in Harrison County."

Staff writer Jim Fisher can be reached at 626-1446 or by e-mail at jfisher@exponent-telegram.com

From the WV Secretary of State website: http://www.wvsos.com/elections/candidates/precandidatesoffice.htm (in .pdf format - Adobe Acrobat viewer needed)

2004 Governor, Republicans: Robin C. Capehart (Wheeling, WV) & purported nutcase Henry Paul Kizer
Hmmmm, why don't I see Mr. Jay Wolfe's name listed yet!?

27th delegate district: yes, 6 Republicans listed. Very cool!

"I don't presume to know all of the reasons Underwood lost in '00, but do know - from covering some of Wise's campaign stops as a reporter - that it couldn't have hurt him (Wise) that he promised the sun, moon and stars to senior citizens wherever he went. By now, they all should have received all those free prescription drugs that were expressly or impliedly promised, but I doubt they'll remember that Wise failed to deliver, come 2004."

I had strong concerns that he wasn't likely to win reelection in '00 namely because of how he won in '96. Had the 'Rats not put up a lunatic like Charlotte Pritt as the Gubernatorial nominee, Underwood never would have won (I believe even Gaston Caperton cast his vote for Underwood). Underwood was a nice man and ran a fairly clean outfit, but I'm not sure he ever projected that he was aggressively leading the state and bringing in the jobs (not to say he wasn't, since he was, just that how it was perceived after the 'Rat attacks). The question is whether we have anyone that could take down Wise next year (because no matter his failures to deliver on his promises, a 'Rat is always going to have an advantage in that state, sad to say). It's hard to ignore the fact that the only two Republicans of any conceivable stature (especially ones who can raise serious money) who have won since '56 are Underwood and Arch Moore, and neither one is going to be running next year (although Arch's daughter has potential, I think we should hold Shelley in reserve until Byrd buys the farm).

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.