[WVNan]

I think Hyram Lewis has a good shot at beating the Grand Klagle. He will need lots of support and workers on the ground.

[smoothsailing]

Hiram is down in the Gulf Coast with the WVNG. Here's a report he gave the Beckly WV paper by cell phone about a week ago.

Beckly Register Herald

[qcfio]

That is one case where the numbers lie. Hiram got a boast from the anti McGraw campaign. A factor that is not going to play in this cycle. Other variables come into play this time. A senator that is for the most part loved, even if his value system doesn’t represent WV, and if you ask around Lewis’s name id and availability to get earned media is low. Remember too that this will be his 3rd statewide race. He was up against Wolfe in 02. Also you do not have BC04s GOTV in place.
And even if he has raise 300,000 of out of state funds from what I am hearing his new FEC report will not show a big gain. We have to remember you can’t attack Byrd; you have to show that he has done a lot for the state but it is time to go. – If Lewis is going to push a head he needs to start working with a consultant with some credibility in the national stage. Showing that good ground work is in place will help boost his credibility.