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An article published today in newspapers throughout West Virginia by Lawrence Messina of the Associated Press made it clear that the West Virginia Republican Party has real problems in trying to put a game plan together for the 2008 election cycle. The article as published in the Huntington Herald Dispatch can be read at this link. Read the few paragraphs here, and then read the story. While it looks grim for the GOP and it appears to be bright for Democrats we can't just sit back on our laurels and expect that the GOP and their weak bench including the vulnerable Shelly Moore Capito will be an easy target in 2008. Democrats are going to have to be aggressive to insure that Messina's story comes to pass.
CHARLESTON -- West Virginia's Republican Party hopes to emerge from the weekend's summer conference with the necessary momentum for what is shaping up to be a daunting 2008 election cycle.
The GOP learned just days earlier that Secretary of State Betty Ireland, its only executive branch officeholder, had decided against seeking another term. One of the party's most promising campaigners, Ireland plans to sit out the upcoming election entirely.
Another of its star players, U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, announced in May that she would stay in the 2nd Congressional District. Republicans had hoped she would instead challenge U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., next year.
Other factors signal tough sledding for the GOP, from the uphill road it faces in challenging a popular Gov. Joe Manchin next year, to the looming fight to keep the state Senate seat being vacated by former Minority Leader Vic Sprouse, R Kanawha.
As I said... it sounds too good to be true. We cannot be over confident and allow Shelly Moore Capito another term in Congress.
Update: Arch Conservative Chris Stirewalt in his Blog on the State Journal Site The Rail has very little nice to say about the party either. Read his article at this link.
My favorite paragraph follows...
But saying that the West Virginia Republican Party is in bad shape is pretty obvious stuff. Let’s peer into the future at some other AP headlines.
“Ugly Girl Faces Uphill Battle for Prom Invites”
“Detroit Lions: Not Likely Superbowl Winners”
“One Man’s Chronic Bad Breath a Social Disadvantage”
“Poor Family’s Outlook for Christmas Gifts: Crappy”
“Fat Kid Long Shot for State Track Victory”
You can read the rest here, but it basically goes on to say that the national Republican Party’s 2008 chances are also looking like a dog’s breakfast.
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