Republican Betty Ireland running for WV Governor

Ireland's politics (0.00 / 0)

Very relieved that Capito will not be the opponent in the Governor's race.  Manchin's WV Democratic Party does zilch to drive up her negatives and her invincibility is a self fulfilling prophesy for Democrats in WV.

Ireland's politics are moderate for a Republican as far as one can tell.  I'd like to read more about her policy positions.  Do you all think she might actually be to the left of Tomblin or Manchin?

Even more hypothetical, if Ireland, or a generic Republican, were to the left of the Democratic nominee would those posters on Blue support the Republican over the Democrat?

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by: The Rufus @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 at 14:56:39 PM UTC

The Rufus (0.00 / 0)

What would you recommend?

Let's play your "even more hypothetical" out.

Say your goal is to get more people to support progressive policy and more elected officials to enact progressive policies. Do you think supporting a slightly more moderate center-right Republican over a slightly less moderate center-right Democrat will further that goal?

Maybe I'm all wrong about this, but somehow I think once that once that Democrat is in office they are more likely to listen to those to the left of them in their own party... that moderate Republican is more likely to listen to those to the right of them in their own party... that Republican is just not likely to move any further to the left.

Now you might argue the WV Gov. office works differently, but for Congress what I've said is definitely true. If you think the Charleston is really that different, make your case.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 at 15:20:15 PM UTC

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good point (4.00 / 1)

Frankly, the Rufus is not sure.  Typically when people make these comparisons it is only on a few of the most visible issues.  A person would have to be really careful not to neglect some of the less visible public policies.

If we are talking about Congress, I think you are right.  The nature of a large body and the pressures placed on one by a caucus cannot be overlooked.  I even think Joe no show Manchin will fall in lockstep with Dems on a lot issues as he continues to be intensely pressured by the Senate Democratic Caucus.

The executive branch may be different because the independent nature of the decision making.  I hope beyond hope that we get a Democratic candidate where this is not an issue but if the hypothetical does come about I guess I would be willing to support the Republican if after researching the policy positions I thought the Republican were better suited to bring about progressive change.  What about you?

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by: The Rufus @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 at 15:43:27 PM UTC

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will never say never (4.00 / 1)

I can't say I'd never vote for someone just because they ran as a Republican, but there's a pretty long list of issues where I'd have to have a strong comfort level about where they stood first.

The fundamental belief of the current GOP is that government is a force of bad in the world. When you start from that position it all too often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In today's Fox News media environment, the GOP base is anti-science and just plain not reality-based. Compared to 15-20 years ago it makes it much harder for me to imagine a Republican who would govern responsibly.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 at 15:55:45 PM UTC

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I agree (4.00 / 1)

I think there are still a few good GOPers out there but the past few decades has decimated their intellectual ranks.  In all my years of voting, I have only voted for one Republican and that was a judge I knew personally to be a quality person.  People like Governor Douglas of VT is becoming an extinct breed.  

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by: The Rufus @ Fri Dec 31, 2010 at 16:09:47 PM UTC

. (0.00 / 0)

I've always thought Ireland's appeal is overstated, and that she only won her statewide race because voters were unfairly prejudiced against the age of her Democratic opponent, Ken Hechler.

While better known than most GOP legislators and potential candidates for governor, she's hardly a household name. Most folks in W.Va. wouldn't know her if they saw her.

However, she does get to run against the "will there or won't there be a special election" mess, and won't face the crowded, divisive primary the eventual Democratic nominee will go through - a luxury that could put her in a good position to win in 2012.

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by: heath_harrison @ Sun Jan 02, 2011 at 06:50:35 AM UTC

ireland's chances (0.00 / 0)

Good point on Ireland's appeal.

She's just about the only Republican to hold statewide office recently, so there's high expectations for her. As Sec. of State she was able to build a name in political circles without doing anything overly controversial. Since her positions aren't well stated on lots of issues, people can project whatever they want.

I totally agree if a primary becomes overly divisive, raises the winner's negatives, and/or splits the base that could become a big problem.

But, I think there's even more upside for contested primaries. As long as the eventual winner of the primary can raise enough funds for the general--a sure thing in the case of an open seat Gov. race--then building a competitive campaign apparatus, getting more press coverage, and having a well vetted candidate are all positives for the general election.

Also, if indeed Ireland has the GOP nomination locked up early, the Dems will be able to position themselves against her early. She won't know her opponent until much later.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Sun Jan 02, 2011 at 12:01:32 PM UTC

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Ireland's Chances (0.00 / 0)

Little or none.

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by: kworkman @ Sun Jan 02, 2011 at 20:52:10 PM UTC

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