Ken Hechler for Senate?

Funny you should mention this, my daughter said this to (4.00 / 3)

me the other day.  When I wasn't terribly enthusiastic, she said, Mom, he's in really good health.  I would hate to see him run because I don't think he would do well.  That would be a sad end to his career.

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by: MadAnne @ Tue Jul 20, 2010 at 16:45:00 PM UTC

That being said, I would vote for him. (4.00 / 3)

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by: MadAnne @ Tue Jul 20, 2010 at 16:45:37 PM UTC

I'd vote for anyone (4.00 / 1)

other than Joe Manchin or SMC for Senate.  If a homeless person ran I'd vote for him or her.  If a service veteran ran I'd certainly vote for him/her.  If someone who could tell the truth would run, I'd vote for him or her. If Mollohan ran I'd vote for him and if Heckler decides to run I'd definitely vote for him. Anybody but Joe or Shelly is fine by me.

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by: JBdem4usa @ Tue Jul 20, 2010 at 20:14:57 PM UTC

Ken Hechler for Senate (4.00 / 3)

Oh yeah, all the way!  I know he's old but it would definitely let ol' Joe know that there are folks who don't want him to be Senator.  Choosing between Joe and SMC is like deciding which finger you are going to cut off.  At least a run by Hechler would bring attention to some of the stuff Manchin has spouted over the last year, like calling us the "extraction state". Even if he lost the run would probably be more satisfying to Hechler than the average person might think.  He could bring some very loud attention to the terrible things happening to the mountains and communities in West Virginia.  Where's my Hechler for Senate 2010 button?

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by: mtngirl2 @ Tue Jul 20, 2010 at 20:37:49 PM UTC

Do we have anyone younger with the integrity of a Hechler or Byrd? (4.00 / 2)

I find it sad that I can't think of anyone younger than their 90's with the integrity, intelligence, wisdom and guts displayed by Byrd and Hechler.  Any suggestions for anyone I overlooked??

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by: wvgardener @ Tue Jul 20, 2010 at 22:31:56 PM UTC

will emerge in good time (4.00 / 2)

I think such people do exist in WV and will grow more visible and active politically. There are still quite deep shadows cast by the long tenure of Byrd/JRock plus little turnover in congressional seats. It takes a long time for people to emerge from shadows that deep.

If we're lucky, we'll start to see a new generation of candidates emerge for the WV Governor's campaign in 2012 (or earlier).

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by: Clem Guttata @ Tue Jul 20, 2010 at 23:07:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Of course we do (0.00 / 0)

But, he/she would never be elected from West Virginia. Too regressive, too senior citizen.

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by: WV26003 @ Wed Jul 21, 2010 at 01:00:15 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sure, why not? (4.00 / 2)

Hechler is great. Hechler is awesome, and in great health and mind - and more than capable of doing the job.

But, to be honest, there's no way the voters elect a 96-year-old man.

That said, I'm completely supportive of him running as a protest vote against Manchin, forcing the governor to address the concerns of the left that he soundly ignores on a regular basis.

But this should be done in the Democratic primary, where it will be most effective and doesn't risk giving us Senator Capito. The best way to bring progressive change is to work on the party from within.

Any effort involving the Mountain Party Jesse Johnson Fan Club would be self-defeating and an exercise in futility.

Hechler has zero reason to worry about hurting his legacy - when you have the record he has, it's going to take more than a Senate campaign to tarnish you. He's untouchable.

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by: heath_harrison @ Wed Jul 21, 2010 at 00:47:07 AM UTC

Exactly (0.00 / 0)

Well said.

When a man embarks upon a crime, he is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it. Sherlock Holmes.

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by: Carnacki @ Wed Jul 21, 2010 at 02:47:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Now it's official (4.00 / 1)

What do you know... he went and did it.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Wed Jul 21, 2010 at 16:45:12 PM UTC