Congratulations to the dividers, the contentious, the cannibals of the Republican Party. You know who you are. You have effectively waged war on the race for Chairman and have given the Democrats enough ammo for the election.
How? Politics as usual: lies, rumors, half-truths, and whispers. It’s a well-worn arsenal that has worked in the past and is not failing now. You have effectively gotten the Republicans to shoot at their brethren in the trenches. Why must there be an enemy? We have our fellow Republicans and ammo aplenty.
McKinney was an easy target for the mudslingers. He did things contrary to the “Republican way” in the past and the dividers in our party are making him pay.
Is he pro-abortion? Absolutely not. He simply opposed one provision in a bill championed by a Democrat front organization posing to be pro-life. It doesn’t matter anymore. The whisperers have done their work. If McKinney is elected, the Democrats will swear he is pro-choice and will win over those who are pro-life and gullible enough to trust the Democrats.
Did McKinney give money to Democrats? Yes. But instead of laying the facts out and letting each man decide for himself, the dividers resort to name calling and insinuations that McKinney is a traitor. I have said that this fact gives me pause and still does to this minute, but that does not mean his actions reach Benedict Arnold proportions.
The entire barrage flung at McKinney has made everyone assume it came from Mark Scott. Scott has had absolutely nothing to do with it, but that doesn’t matter either. The damage is done. Those who have opposed McKinney did a great disservice to Scott. Some have told me, “if [name your troublemaker] is for Mark, I’m for Doug” and vice versa.
Suddenly, Mark Scott is errantly linked with the Warners and the crooked dealers who need to leave our state. Instead of portraying his true personality as a peacemaker, the opposite is perceived. The attacks on McKinney have angered Mark Scott. He even called McKinney one day to apologize for what others were saying.
Meanwhile, the truth slips silently to the side as the hair pulling, the biting and scratching and the name-calling continues.
Who is the best man? I do not have a vote, just an opinion. I think Mark Scott would be a great choice. He is dedicated to the party, extremely energetic, successful in Randolph County, young, visionary, and works well with others. He has a clear plan that involves uniting the party.
May I suggest each of you who vote on Saturday put aside your bias and whatever you have heard and talk personally with each candidate? Hear their vision in their own words and make your decision then.
The lynch mob is ready, but instead of getting their man, they will find they have hurt the party.
- Add your comments (24 so far)
© Copyright 1999-2007 William Stewart. All rights reserved.
Comments
Seriously, Will… I’m not having a lot of fun at this party either.
It’s time to unite and stop eating our own.
Enough said.
Jim Ashley
How are republicans to gain a majority in the House of Delegates when GOP ground forces spend their time defending democrats? Most particpants in the recent blogs have ripped apart republicans and/or glorified democrats. Keep promoting democrats and continue to reap the rewards of being last in everything.
I absolutely agree with Jim, as I said in a previous post that I will fully support whoever wins the race, but we MUST stop the backbiting & destroying our own, need I say again that we are outnumbered more than 2-1 in this state, as Jim says “it’s time to unite and stop eating our own”… Hopefully come Saturday night, 1)we’ll have a united party, 2)a good, strong leader, 3)and instead of destroying ourselves, we can all move forward and work to destroy once and for all the 74 year old Democratic Machine, God help us if we don’t…
Tommy Phillips
President
HCRC
Interesting bit of information from Britannica Online as to how Psychological warfare is used to turn an enemy so they defeat themselves.
“Although often looked upon as a modern invention, psychological warfare is of ancient origin. Cyrus the Great employed it against Babylon, Xerxes against the Greeks, and Philip II of Macedon against Athens. The conquests of Genghis Khan were aided by expertly planted rumours about large numbers of ferocious Mongol horsemen in his army. Centuries later, in the American Revolution, Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was but one of many pamphlets and leaflets used to strengthen the British-American colonists’ will to fight. With modern scientific advances in communications, however, such as high-speed printing and radio, together with important developments in the fields of public-opinion analysis and the prediction of mass behaviour, psychological warfare has become a more systematic and widespread technique in strategy and tactics, and a larger ingredient of warfare as a whole.”
So, what is the greater harm - a few support dollars or twists of the truth meant to cast doubt? Reminds me of a portion of a verse from Genesis - “yeah, hath God said?” You get the idea…..
PERSONAL FOR William Stewart
The Warner Family, everyone of them, are personal friends of mine and hard core Republicans. The group is a family of American Patriots and loyal to traditional West Virginia conservative values. They deserve a lot more respect than has been given them no matter what sin you, or anyone else, believes they have committed. I did not like the tone of your latest post and go even further than you in bemoaning the party nay sayers who push rumors, falsehoods and disinformation. You are getting on the borderline yourself—–if you want people to read what you write, then please do not cast even a hint of mud on any of my WV Republican friends. Mark and Doug would both make good party leaders,,and let’s hope 100% of the party faithful will march in step with the one who wins the truly thankless job of Party leader.
“Doc” Bahnsen
1st Senatorial District State Executive Committee member
Those who call for unity and stopping the backbiting have it absolutely right. We need a NEW FOCUS. And even if we do focus, it will take much longer than we think to climb out of this mess.
The focus should be on PRINCIPLES. How do you think we can win over conservative DEMs if we “go along to get along?” Only one other person in this whole debate has mentioned PRINCIPLES! How come?
First, we must establish a set of COMMON PRINCIPLES upon which EVERYONE can agree.
For example, ABORTION. Not EVERY Republican agrees that GOVERNMENT should prohibit it.
Many, many agree that it should be between the woman, her man, and her God and that government has absolutely no business trying to control a matter of conscience.
I am PRO-LIFE, but it’s like “burning the flag.” Sure, it’s a horrible thought to disrespect the flag, but you boil it all down and it’s still a matter of conscience.
You can’t legislate control of someone’s thoughts. And besides, “It’s MY flag.” (Private property rights, you know!)
You CAN legislate resentment. (Helmets for motorcyclists, gun control, etc.) So, leave things alone. Don’t play the Democrat game of trying to control every little twitch of an eyebrow.
Focus on PRINCIPLES like:
Inviolable Property Rights (What’s mine is mine. What’s yours is yours. What’s his is his.)
Free Markets (Anyone can make and sell anything he wants so long as it doesn’t deliberately attack others.)
Minimal Governmental Intervention (Laissez faire — That government is best that governs least — Government should do ONLY that that the market absolutely cannot supply. [Does garbage collection require an official governmental agency?]
All the other principles of a truly free society are derived from the above four, fundamentals.
FOCUS ON PRINCIPLES, not nitpicking, personality peccadillos.
Our task is really and truly only to educate the electorate into following our example of industry, self-reliance, integrity, consistency, equality-before-the-law, and finacial and fiscal responsibility.
Only then will we achieve a majority in ANY house: House of Delegates, Senate, or Governor’s Mansion.
***************************
To “Doc” Bahnsen:
RIGHT ON !
William:
You declared in public that Doug McKinney “supported liberal Democrats” and that his pre-2003 contributions give you “serious concern” and base your endorsement of his opponent on those factors. Then you complain about how McKinney is being unfairly victimized for his maverick ways.
That’s just silly.
Will,
I enjoy reading your blog and I usually agree with your perspective. However, I have to agree with Doc Bahnsen that it was inappropriate to refer to the “Warner Family and the crooked dealers who need to leave our state.” They are one of the most patriotic families I have ever encountered. I personally watched as they tirelessly worked and sacrificed to improve our state party. Where would our state Party be today if not for Kris Warner’s ambitious plan to take control of the Legislature. They may have made mistakes as we all do, but please remember that they to were victimized by the same infighting, whisper campaigns, and jealousy that has divided our party in the past. That comment aside, I agree with your main premise that we need to put the immature behavior aside and start working together to support which ever candidate wins this weekend.
Republicans,
You need to support more than your chairman. Try supporting your republican incumbents and candidates for the state legislature. Do you have any idea what the “conservative” democrat officials have done to this state? Quit defending them. You must not know what your good democrat senators and delegates have been doing in Charleston while you are patting them on the back. Your GOP House incumbents are fighting your battles while you stab them in the back.
Larry Pack Jr has it right.
It’s not the Warners who “. . . should leave our state.” I think it’s the backbiters, infighters, and whisperers who should leave our party and join the opposition where they belong.
I watched Kris Warner slave selflessly and tirelessly, attempting to build the party with knowledgable, loyal workers.
And, then along comes a self-aggrandized, swelled-head, Johnny-Come-Lately pipsqueak who suddenly knows more than everyone else.
His attacks and demands for Kris’s ouster were unconsionable. Did YOU send him money to help?
We’re in for serious trouble and strife.
Unfortunately, vast plans cannot be executed by half-vast planners.
Larry and Doc: Thanks for your comments. The sentence I wrote was not clear, let me clarify:
I did not mean to link the Warners with the “crooked dealers” or say they should leave the state. There is still bad blood between the Warners and some in the party. Mark is being painted with a broad brush that he is in the Warner “camp” while simultaneously being associated with a separate group of slanderers who need to leave us alone. That’s all I meant.
Any fair-minded person would agree that Chris did a fantastic job as chairman until the debacle with his brother.
Carl: I support Mark Scott because I like Mark Scott, not because I dislike Doug McKinney.
There is nothing wrong with stating the facts. My offense is when people take it to extremes
I thought you were doing the dividing.
The Warners aren’t connected to crooked dealers…they are the crooked dealers.
Hows Camp Lincoln coming along Doc?
William,
McKinney was an easy target because He made himself one. No excuses. The powers that be (fiefdoms) put him there. Lets see how they do. Accountability.
I said this in the bathroom, in the lobby and on the sidewalk, they (the fiefdoms) will not reach out to the grassroots. We will see how many workers from Mark Scotts supporters or even Mark himself will have any part to play other than the one we’ve wrested by the sweat of our brow from County & State Executive Committee’s that didn’t work or just would not work.
Lets see how well the new Chairman gets the Party platform, under section I The Government, item E. Maintaining roll call voting of bills on passage in the
Legislature for increased accountability along with internet posting of legislative
proceedings in a timely manner. Accountability. Makes elephants happy, gives em grass to chew on.
To the poor Sad Elephant,
You don’t know who the ground forces are do you? You think it is the executive committee members to include the county executive committee’s. You need to talk to Senator Boley when it comes to defending democrats she is the one who got on the radio to defend Mike Ross. Candidates only need to reach out to grass roots ( the Ground Forces) to win. Thats why President Bush did not put his chances in the State Party’s hands but taught grass roots how to get it done and we will! We will bag our share of Rhino’s too!
Lets see our incumbents to the legislature stand up! I’m tired of hearing about their
inability to get things done. I gave an example above, they have a chance to create an opportunity to give us real ammunition to use against their foe, but we can’t get them
to propose it. Do you realize the dems could not defend not supporting a bill telling how they voted on a bill being posted on the internet.
Keep being sad, it works for you.
Thanks Doc, Front Line Grunt, Larry & William too!
Here is what I want to say, metaphorically anyway.
Mad elephants don’t respond well when the heard is treatened. Many turn rogue and
charge things like Rhino’s, Donkey’s and sometimes even other elephants. We’ve had
Mad Elephant’s for a while now. Capehart was a chance to stand back and cool down.
Now the hurd is in trouble again. Mad Elephants, Accountability, Principle’s….
Two things about Mad Elephants, they don’t feel sorry for themselves and they may not charge right away (giving ample warning) but they do charge!
Look! There are Elephants in the Grass, they don’t hide well do they.
thanks again,
Elephant in the Grass
To Elephant in the Grass:
You are right. I was confusing “hangers-on” and “resume builders” for those who think they are the ground forces. Good thing too, considering their reliability.
Both chambers have had roll call votes since the House began this practice. Contact the House or Senate Clerks for specific roll call votes on bills.
It would be helpful to have some of these roll call votes broadcast and defended by party leaders.
Your state GOP legislators have accomplished a great deal, but it can be a painful uphill battle for them. Especially when they turn around to look and there is no support behind them.
To Front Line Grunt:
Instead of reshaping your reality and waxing poetic try electing republicans to office. Nothing breeds success like success. Trying to abandon the pro-life plank of the Republican party won’t get you there.
Sad Elephant,
We need grass (ammo) not red tape on voting histories. What has been done is grat but elephants need grass we get hungry waiting on red tape. Maybe Chairman McKinney needs to get the voting histories for the dems posted to a download site on the WVGOP site. Lots of grass easy access, no wait, chomp, chomp, chomp.
Get with it!
We will grow our young elephants up strong on good grass! Chomp! Chomp!
Feels good to anticipate a good meal, I’m getting all worked up just thinking about it!
After talking to me awhile we may have to change your name to Happy Elephant! How bout it!
Congratulations to the new chairman. We need to now pull together and work hard to build the party. The more republicans we elect this year into important decision making positions, such as the WV House and WV Senate, the more money the party will be able to receive later in order to make even more gains.
Critics like Jess do not want that to happen. Jess called me a joke recently. Here’s what Jess said about me June 15th with respect to protecting children from sexual predators after the democrats killed strong legislation because it was a republican bill:
So you see, to Jess I represent all of the republican legislators who are working to turn this state around. You must not let the thinking of Jess prevail.
It is unfortunate that even though I was not a candidate for state chairman, my name was tossed into the cauldren. I guess it was relevant. By now, my skin is thick enough to endure just about anything. We need to learn one thing from the democrats. They are able to stick together.
Now let’s go out and win. West Virginians are counting on us!
Cindy Frich
WV House of Delegates, 44th
www.cindyfrich.net
Stop talking in metaphors.
No metaphors? Do you want it straight?
It is cowardly to criticize and slander people anonymously as Jess has done to me at least twice recently. I doubt that mystery Jess would like the same treatment.
If the state committee focuses on the wrong thing between now and November, they will miss a unique opportunity to increase their numbers in the state legislature this year. When republicans hold a significant number of seats in the legislature, the entities wanting access to power will donate to the state party. That is why the democrats receive so much financial backing. It isn’t necessarily because they are more in tune with a donor’s wishes. It is because they are in power.
Even though we are not in the majority yet, republican legislators have driven the major reforms of the past four years. The ruling party takes notice when the republicans are coming on strong and find ways to placate the voters. Sometimes they actually submit, and do what is best for West Virginians. Think what will happen if we were to lose republican seats.
It would be helpful if interested folks, like yourself, help motivate republicans and democrats to go to the polls and vote for republican candidates.
With respect to the chairman’s race cauldron, I didn’t ask for my name to be used by the candidate’s campaigns. I remained uncommited until the vote.
www.cindyfrich.net
I wasn’t addressing you Cindy, lol. I was addressing the comment before yours. Sorry for not making that clear.
To Holywriter,
With a name like yours I would not think you would need an interpreter.
What we are asking for is easy access to Dem voting histories. Not a one or two week wait for a fax of them. Our party has a web site where they could be posted, then easily accessed for download by people writing articles for local papers, and local radio talk shows.
When we do write or speak of our opponents we need to be accurate. If you are worried about Dem counters have someone talk to a conservative benefactor like Don Blankinship and ask if he could put it on a site. Basically it gets posted, we download it,
We write about it, we talk radio it, we blog it, and we give the website address out so it can be verified by anyone. It has to be accurate.
We win.
Now Holywriter I have just given you a very basic grassroots Elephant in the Grass strategy. I’m not in a box and, (pause here for effect) I don’t think in one.
One more thing Holywriter, Stop it with the Warner stuff! Why did I say that! You’re sounding like a Democrat that can’t get past George Bush, or in the case of West Virginia Democrat’s Don Blankenship. You are better than that aren’t you?
Now give me a good strategy in return for the one I gave you, so all the folks reading this blog get two good strategy’s for the price of one, and… we can get more people like Cindy Finch elected. I’m partial to Wayne Weber myself. Send him a bale of hay will ya!
Thanks again, William
Elephant in the Grass.
Some electronic roll call votes and opposition research is found on www.nofoodtax.com
It is a small step, but you might find it useful.
Cindy Frich
WV House of delegates, 44th
www.cindyfrich.net
[…] I covered the battle for the new Chairman extensively in July and August and got a mention by the Associate Press: a personal first. After interviewing both candidates and reading the resulting attacks by Republican bystanders, I was sick. Thus the article, “If this really is a party, why am I not having fun?” I cannot tell you how many Republicans called and wrote me with their thanks for writing what they were thinking. […]