Congratulations and condolences to Gary Abernathy

by: Carnacki

Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 16:53:14 PM EST

While I'm late to the news - I'm still in my post-election recharging of the batteries phase - I want to extend my congratulations to Abernathy. Considering the state of the current West Virginia GOP, he also deserves our condolences because he's taking on a tough job at rebuilding a state GOP that faces serious issues. Not only does the state GOP have fundraising problems, it also has to figure out what it wants to be. After the current chairman Doug McKinney tried to throw evangelicals under the bus and make the election all about "unleashed capitalism" - talk about bad timing considering the damage to the unleashed capitalism has caused - the state GOP has to figure out if it's all about God, guns and anti-gay or if it's about being pro-business. Because that grand alliance formed under President Reagan is breaking up and it isn't working to win state elections for them.

For all the flaws of the West Virginia Democrats, they're minor compared to the challenges facing Abernathy. Hiring him is probably the smartest move McKinney's made as chairman.