The Republican cannibal
Nov30
Whenever I read the opinion section of the Charleston Gazette I wince a little. While the Gazette has a top-notch reporting staff, its editorial board allows their liberal viewpoint to take license with the facts. Their left-wing reputation has garnered a loyal following that write in from time to time. If it weren’t so sad it would be funny. Just recently one reader adamantly predicted that Bush is going to stop the 2008 election so he can stay in power – the exact thing they inaccurately predicted for 2004.
Last Sunday’s Gazette had an interesting – and similarly bizarre – letter that bashed the state Republican Party. According to the writer, the Republicans don’t deserve to control West Virginia because the party is in debt and former Party Chairman Rob Capehart resigned because of “impropriety.” Now who would write such an asinine thing?
Fordham Foundation gives West Virginia a “C-” in education
Nov20
The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation recently released their scorecard for the education system of each of the states. In a study entitled 2006: The State of State Standards, they give West Virginia a C- — down from 2000’s ranking of C+.
Random thoughts for the week
Nov17
In this menagerie I discuss mold, Michael Jackson’s face, Steve Harrison’s plan to run for Congress in ‘06, a phone booth, and my 30 seconds of fame in a book.
Did the new election system aid Republican loss?
Nov14
I spoke to a Kanawha County poll worker last week who told me one of the reasons Kanawha County had so many straight ticket voters was because of the difficulty of some voters with West Virginia’s new voting system. As you may know, West Virginia went from the punch ballot to a mixture of an optical scan ballot and electronic voting machines.
Senator Walt Helmick in the hot seat
Nov14
It looks like Senator Walt Helmick (D-Pocahontas) is going to be taking his suits to the cleaners after all the sweating he has been doing lately.
Senator Steve Harrison says goodbye
Nov13
Last Friday Senator Steve Harrison (R-Kanawha) stood for possibly the last time in the Senate chambers to say his farewell. After 14 consecutive years in the legislature, Harrison had many things to remember and victories to celebrate. While he admits he is not leaving fully satisfied – no legislator could – he is very happy that he departs as tax proposals he initially introduced in the house over 10 years ago are finally passing.
Post election mumblings
Nov8
Well it looks like West Virginia won’t be pulling out of last place any time soon. The election is over and the dust has barely settled, but here are my initial thoughts.
Vote today!
Nov7
Guess what? Today is the day for you to do something about all the politicians you have been complaining about for the last 2 years. Don’t look so innocent, we all heard you.
The comments are open so tell us all who you are voting for and why. It doesn’t have to be long or eloquent. And yes, feel free to use all-caps.
The top three candidates I’m voting for are John Raese for U.S. Senate, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito for Congress, and Delegate Mike Hall for State Senate.
What it means to be Democrat and Republican
Nov6
In one day the voters of this state will be faced with a multiple-choice test. Do they vote for candidate A or candidate B (or for some in Kanawha County, candidates A through N)? Unlike many of the tests we took in school, we will not know whether we got it right until years later.
Sprouse decides against reelection
Nov3
Today Senate Minority Leader Vic Sprouse (R-Kanawha) announced he would not run for reelection as Minority Leader. Unfortunately there is a faction in the Republican caucus that does not appreciate the stands Sprouse has taken over the years against the Democrats. They want the Senate Republicans to be more conciliatory.
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