West Virginia Blue
The Best Blogging Community in West Virginia Democratic politics, progressive policies, the good life and free living in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
Barely over a month into his candidacy and disgraced judge Elliott "Spike" Maynard has dragged the race into the sewer.
Perhaps he's feeling encouraged by the wall-to-wall discredited smear ads run by out-of state Republican operatives on local television to help him out.
Maynard recently attacked Rep. Nick Rahall for his past efforts to help uninsured Americans get health care coverage, and demanded that the Congressman take a stand before the final version of the bill had been released:
Rahall fired back, citing the scandal that cost Maynard his spot on the bench and led to the ex-judge's decision to come out of the Republican closet:
"I think responsible individuals would want me to undertake my responsibilities as a member of Congress to discern what it is I'm voting on," he said. "It's like a judge using integrity. You can't base it on drinking Kool-Aid on the French Riviera. You've got to base it on facts. You've got to hear all the facts before you render a decision."
If either Rep. Rahall or Mollohan are still giving serious consideration to a no vote to the healthcare insurance reform bill, here's something that should give them pause.
The folks who might be happy with them voting "no" aren't the folks who are all that likely to vote for them anyway. Voting "no" is the wrong thing to do on the merits and it's the wrong thing to do on the politics, too.
Alabama Democratic Rep. Artur Davis thinks he's earning brownie points back home by voting against the health care reform bill. You see, he's running for governor in a tough state, and so he needs Republican and conservative independents to win.
But he won't get them and will lose by 20 points, minimum.
There is no politician more stupid, than those who think that pretending to be Republicans will earn them points with conservative voters. Given the choice between a fake and the real thing, the real Republican will win every time.
This healthcare reform bill is the largest deficit reduction bill since 1993. This is a bill that has support from a broad range of groups from the Catholic Nuns to AFL-CIO to the AMA.
This is a bill that any lifelong Democrat can be very proud to vote for.
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (WV) announced [yesterday] that the Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS) DBA AccesHealth has been awarded $1.8 million in federal funds for operational expenses which will help citizens of Raleigh, Fayette, and Wyoming counties continue to receive quality accessible healthcare at affordable costs.
"Rural health centers like Community Health Systems extend medical services into isolated areas where the need for medical care is great and resources are often scarce," said Rahall. "This funding will help enhance the range of much-needed healthcare services available to the residents of Raleigh, Fayette and Wyoming Counties where accessibility to good healthcare remains a challenge to many residents."
Community Health Systems, Inc. is a Federally Qualified Health Center and a non-profit organization providing comprehensive primary health care to the citizens of Raleigh, Fayette, and Wyoming Counties and surrounding areas.
Give Rep. Rahall a call and thank him for the good news. While you're at it, be sure and let him know you're counting on his vote in favor of healthcare reform, too:
Beckley Office
301 Prince St.,
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 252-5000
Following last week's launch of anti-Democratic attacks by the prostitute-loving Dick Morris (who admitted his commercials were full of factual errors), a new group of rightwingers is airing "issue ads" against Rahall and Mollohan.
This week, the West Virginia Republicans can count on help from the American Future Fund.
A quick look into the past of the future fund shows it's made up of the expected Lee Atwater disciples:
- Former spokesman for the House GOP in Iowa, Tim Albrecht, who also worked on Mitt Romney's failed presidential campaign.
- Ben Ginsburg, legal counsel for the group. You'll remember Ginsburg as chief outside counsel for the Bush Cheney campaign in 2004. He, of course, had to resign his position when it was revealed he was advising the Swift Boat smear effort and contradicting the Bush campaign's claim that they had nothing to do with "outside" attacks on Sen. John Kerry.
- and Larry McCarthy, media strategist for the group - best known for producing the racist-as-hell Willie Horton ad for Bush Sr.'s campaign against Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1988.
- As expected, following his coming out ceremony, longtime closet Republican and Blankenship vacation buddy Spike Maynard has announced he will run against Rep. Nick Rahall.
"I didn't leave the Democratic Party - the Democratic Party left me," Maynard said.
Well, if by "left me" he means they were turned off by scandal to the point that a sitting chief justice suffered a landslide defeat in a primary and practically tied for last on the ballot, then, yeah, I guess the Democratic Party did leave him.
But what's a little corruption to West Virginia Republicans, who used the occasion to announce a bold new era of ethical bankruptcy for their party?
"I think he's been in the wrong party all of his life," Chairman Doug McKinney said. "We would welcome someone of his character and integrity in the Republican Party."
The usual media suspects sprang into action, touting Maynard's chances in objective, thoughtful "analysis" pieces that praised Brent Benjamin's campaign and railed against something called the "Democrat Party."
Lower Taxes: Building Futures for Families, Jobs and Businesses
Lower taxes, tax cuts, and tax breaks help build futures for our families, by creating jobs, and benefiting small businesses. The savings can be significant in the wide range of tax benefits Congress has passed in the last year such as the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, the Making Work Pay Tax Cut, which was in the Recovery Act, and the $1.7 trillion in tax cuts for Americans over ten years in the FY2010 budget.
The expanded Earned Income Tax Credit could make a significant financial difference for thousands of households in southern West Virginia, particularly as families struggle during the economic downturn. Currently the IRS estimates that 20 to 25 percent of EITC-eligible workers, or 5-7 million people, fail to claim this tax benefit each year. In order to qualify for the expanded EITC you will need to be a working individual with an income of less than $43,279 for a single person or $48,279 if you are married and filing jointly. In southern West Virginia in 2008; 52,829 West Virginians received the EITC for a total of $98,243,737, with West Virginians who filed receiving an average credit of $1,800.
The Making Work Pay Tax Cut credit, a refundable tax credit of up to $400 per worker or $800 per couple filing jointly, provides over 110 million working families the tax relief they need right now and is being distributed largely by reducing tax withholding from workers' paychecks.
In addition the Child Tax Credit cuts taxes for the families of more than 16 million children through an expansion of the child tax credit. This provides a new tax cut for more than 6 million children, and increases the existing credit for more than 10 million children.
Today education costs continue to mount, which is why the American Opportunity College Tax Credit is available to help more than 4 million additional students attend college with a new, $2,500 tax credit for families.
This past year Congress also voted to extend and expand the Homebuyers tax credit which is available to provide assistance to the struggling housing market and the millions of small businesses involved with homebuilding and construction. Before the recession, building new homes accounted for a significant part of our gross national product, and this legislation amended the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and replaced the current tax credit for first time homebuyers to allow for a one-time credit for 10%- up to $15,000 - of the purchase price of a principal residence. Under the new law, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010. For qualifying purchases in 2010, taxpayers have the option of claiming the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 return.
There have also been significant business tax incentives put in place to create jobs such as the small business expensing provision, spurring investments by extending expensing, and doubling the amount businesses can immediately write off their taxes for capital investments and purchases of new equipment within a certain cost range made in 2009.
In addition legislation passed that helps small businesses by allowing investors to exclude 75% of the gain from the sale of small business stock that is purchased and held for at least 5 years. It also allows small businesses which are looking to reduce their debt burdens by delaying taxes on discharged indebtedness. This will help these companies strengthen their balance sheets so they can invest in job creation. It will also encourage investments in small businesses by cutting the capital gains tax on investors in small businesses that buy stock in the next two years and hold it for more than 5 years.
Congress also included incentives to create jobs and support our veterans by providing business tax credits for hiring recently discharged unemployed veterans or youth who have been out of school for 6 months prior to hire.
The Earned Income Tax Credit and the many other tax credits and benefits may work for you and your family and/or your business. Please take a look at them during this tax season as the savings can be significant. To find out more information about the EITC and other tax credits please call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00p.m. or visit the IRS website at: http://www.irs.gov/.
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) represents West Virginia's 3rd District
For those of you who read what this blog frequently, you know I criticize Democrats more than Republicans because Democrats are the ones in power. When Republicans were running government in Washington, I spent more time pointing out how misguided their ideas and political philosophy are. Now, what the GOP says or does is largely irrelevant.
As we enter Election Season 2010, it's good to remember all the ways that Democrats who represent West Virginia do a good job. For example, the majority (though not quite all) of my disagreements with Reps. Mollohan and Rahall are around the single issue of coal. I feel they over-emphasize the importance of coal to West Virginia and under-represent the interests of the other 90% of the state's economy.
But, putting that aside, there are many ways that Reps. Mollohan and Rahall do a great job of looking out for the interests of the average West Virginian. This is something that all liberals and progressives in the state should be proud of. I was reminded of that this week when the NAACP released their score card for 2009 votes on a broad range of civil rights issues.
The NAACP score card covers votes on issues related to economic justice--things that directly and indirectly make a positive impact on the lives of West Virginians.
Thank you Rep. Alan Mollohan and Rep. Nick Rahall for a job well done in 2009.
The field for the West Virginia Representatives to the U.S. House is complete. Here's the candidates who have filed for office in each of the three district races.
The Candidates
WV-01
Alan B. Mollohan (Democrat) from Fairmont, Marion County
Mike Oliverio (Democrat) from Morgantown, Monongalia County
Cindy Hall (Republican) from Wheeling, Ohio County
Patricia VanGilder Levenson (Republican) from Wheeling, Ohio County
David B. McKinley (Republican) from Wheeling, Ohio County
Sarah Minear (Republican) from Morgantown, Monongalia County
Thomas Stark (Republican) from Parkersburg, Wood County
Mac Warner (Republican) from Morgantown, Monongalia County
WV-02
Virginia Lynch Graf (Democrat) from Charles Town, Jefferson County
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican) from Charleston, Kanawha County
WV-03
Bruce Barilla (Democrat) from Bluefield, Greenbrier County
Nick Joe Rahall II (Democrat) from Beckley, Raleigh County
Lee A. Bias (Republican) from Barboursville, Cabell County
Marty Gearheart (Republican) from Bluefield, Mercer County
Conrad G. Lucas II (Republican) from Huntington, Cabell County
Elliott E. "Spike" Maynard (Republican) from Williamson, Mingo County
What to expect
WV-01 While six different Republicans bloody each other up to face the incumbent Alan Mollohan he'll have, on paper at least, just as tough a challenger in the Democratic primary. The primary challenge from the conservative Democrat Oliverio may be a blessing in disguise for Mollohan if it brings out Mollohan supporters early and awakens a campaign apparatus that was dormant when he ran unopposed two years ago. The national GOP want WV-01 to be a high profile race, but with the recent clearing of Mollohan of any criminal wrong-doing in a long-simmering FBI probe, Mollohan can now focus on building up a war chest. Rep. Mollohan may have to campaign harder than usual, but with the advantages of incumbency he should have no returning for another term.
WV-02 After facing a well-supported and well-financed challenge by DCCC-recruited strong challenge by DCCC-supported* candidate Anne Barth in 2008, Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito is breathing a major sigh of relief this year. The DCCC and state Democrat party was unable to recruit any high profile candidates for this race. Democrats are lucky that grassroots activist Graf has stepped up to challenge Capito, so the seat remains contested. Graf benefits from no primary challenge so can immediately focus on Capito and a general election campaign. Capito has 'bought a landslide' two cycles in a row, Graf can only hope Capito is complacent and gets caught by surprise if the Graf campaign catches fire.
* Updated: In my haste earlier, I may have left the wrong impression. To clarify: Anne Barth was well supported by the DCCC once she entered the race; State Sen. John Unger was the original DCCC-recruited candidate up until he unexpectedly dropped out just prior to the filing deadline. Also, although Anne Barth did well with fund-raising, she was still out-spent by Rep. Capito by around 3:1.
WV-03 Incumbent Democratic Nick Rahall will have no problem dispatching Barilla in the primary. Former Democrat Spike Maynard is widely expected to be well funded by Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship and prevail in the Republican primary field. A Rahall vs. Maynard general election will almost certainly be a hugely negative, substance free affair. This race will draw national interest--after all, can you think of any other congressional candidates who have inspired Grisham novels? In the end, the interest will benefit Rep. Rahall's fund-raising and he'll be returned for yet another term.
Former Marshall University Football coach Bob Pruett has decided not to run for Congress.
[...]
Pruett says he's spoken with Rahall who told him they have a similar vision. The former coach says he remains concerned about the dwindling population in the 3rd District and unemployment levels.
Look like the WV GOP has to hope for a last-minute entry from disgraced ex-judge "Spike" Maynard at this point. According to the AP, Don Blankenship's pal finally came out of the political closet and confirmed what everyone knew all along: He wasn't a Democrat.
Records show Maynard switched to the Republican Party late last year.
Interestingly, Pruett is vague about his political affiliation. I've been told he's an independent which would allow him to choose to run either as a Democrat or Republican.
Given Pruett's conservative politics, it would be a matter of chosing between running as a Republican and risking the district's enormous registration gap in favor of Democrats, or jumping in early as a Maynard-style rightwing "Democrat."
In the case of the former, he'd still have the coal-funded Ralph Rodighiero to try to divide Democrats in the primary.
Bobby Nelson hosted Majority Leader Truman Chafin(D-Mingo) as a guest on Tri-State Talk today. Despite his advocacy on behalf of the coal industry and rabid criticism of the EPA, Chafin made it clear that he still supports Rahall's re-election.
No word on the identities of the "several people" encouraging Pruett to run, but it wouldn't be surprising if it's the same folks behind Rodighiero.
Conveniently, Pruett resigned his position in Friends of Coal just last month.
Pruett is equally vague on why he might run - simply offering something generically along the lines of "people are mad."
What we do know is that Pruett is more than willing to adopt the coal industry's baseless sky-is-falling rhetoric to try to whip southern West Virginia into a panic.
"I don't have any share in any coal company, but what I do know is what I see on television. You watch Fox News and they've declared war on coal."
Debate and votes on amendments have been going on over the lasttwo days. My understanding is that this claws back the fees and subsidies to private banks for making student loans, re-invests 88% of those the savings back into community colleges, schools in areas with natural disasters and increases in Pell Grants, then returns $10 billion over ten year to the General Fund. Some colleges already have decided to skip private banks.
Agreeing to the Rule for Debate #703 241-175 Mollohan AYE
Rahal AYE
Ca-pee-toe NO
And since there are no funds for ACORN in the bill, Rep. Issa (R-CA) has a motion to recommit and amend the bill to defund ACORN. (I consider it a cheap trick.) #718 345-75 Mollohan NO
Rahal NO
Capito AYE
Final Passage H.R. 3221 to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes #719 253-171 Mollohan AYE
Rahal AYE
Ca-pee-toe NO
I'll give them both credit for playing the politics in as saavy a manner as possible--they've been working all along to extract as many concessions as possible that benefit the coal industry, to the point that Greenpeace now opposes the bill as too weak. Talk about a payday for King Coal, one report says:
among many, many other things, the 1,200-page bill would also devote $60 billion to making sure clean coal isn't a loser.
I haven't decided yet whether I'm for or against this bill (at this moment, I'm leaning slightly for). I'd like to see a much stronger bill--something that is guided more by science and less by politics. Still, I hold out slim hope this bill will get better before it is signed and equally slim hope it provides a framework for making difficult political decisions ahead. The reality of the "facts on the ground" will force our hand--physics cannot be bargained away, no matter how deeply we bury our heads in coal ash.
Finally, for those who are--quite understandably--upset with Rep. Rahall and Mollohan on this vote, what did you expect? In politics, your allies will not be with you on every vote. It is unreasonable to expect that any climate change bill Rahall (in particular) and Mollohan (almost as much) would support is a bill that is going to meaningfully address the magnitude of the environmental issues facing us.
When our Democratic delegation in Congress stops voting the progressive way on Democratic budget priorities, ending our presence in Iraq, and moving toward universal health care, that's when there's ample room to start talking about primaries from the left.
Meanwhile, there's no news here. King Coal still reigns.
WV 1 Mollohan, Alan B. (D) R+ 9
WV 2 CAPITO, SHELLEY MOORE (R) R+ 8
WV 3 Rahall, Nick J., II (D) R+ 6
I don't know if these rankings have any practical effect beyond putting firmer numbers on the recent trend of W.Va. supporting Republican presidential candidates.
Maybe the new numbers would give a casual observer a false sense that Reps. Mollohan and Rahall are more vulnerable to Republican challengers than either truly are. (Baring a major scandal the seats are super safe. Even in the case of an unexpected open seat, they'd be a difficult pickup for Republicans.)
Also, it may also make it slightly harder to get national attention for the Democratic challenger in WV-02 this cycle. On the other hand, there are fewer and fewer Republican seats to challenge each cycle, so even at R+8 WV-02 should still be seen as fair game.
At this point, the Democratic manager for the bill, Nick Rahall (D-WV-03) rises to demand that Culberson's words be taken down. Essentially, that's a disciplinary ruling on the use of inappropriate, offensive or insulting language on the House floor, and if you're called on it, they can strike your words from the record and bar you from speaking for the rest of the day.
snip
What a blowhard. He gets off on the tough guy rhetoric, but when he's called on it, he huffs and puffs like a baby.
Typical.
Rather than face the music, though, Culberson asks unanimous consent to withdraw his remarks, thus avoiding a ruling and the possibility of punishment. That's what most Members do when faced with the same choice, but hey, if you think Rahall's move was "uncalled for," then test your stupid theory about what is and isn't appropriate for the House floor out with a straight up vote, big man.
...what an embarrassing performance by Culberson. I was proud there was someone with a spine that stood up and demanded that drivel be taken down. hurray for Democrats with spines! We need to encourage that kind of behavior.
Copyright 2011 West Virginia Blue
Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified.
This site exists thanks to financial support from BlogPAC, dedicated volunteers and participation by members of this community. The views expressed at West Virginia Blue belong solely to their respective authors.
.jpg)
![](http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Y7Y--cV60wtKPM:http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/01/14/us/15court02_650.jpg")
