West Virginia, where do you stand?

by: Clem Guttata

Sat Jan 10, 2009 at 09:29:55 AM EST

- Is West Virginia going up in smoke?

(Neat  interactive map... not so neat implications.) Kentucky makes us look good by comparison. Are workplace and restaurant bans a way to drive down our high percentage?

- Obama says he's open to ideas on the stimulus.

Here's one. Senator Boxer is urging tighter coal waste regulations. Let's go ahead and fund clean up efforts. Money well spent will move Marsh Fork Elementary School out of harms way.

- Good news from Congress yesterday. Paycheck Fairness Act, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act First Bills to Pass House.

Guess how our delegation voted? Democratic Reps. Mollohan and Rahall both voted in favor with Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito voting against. (Is Shelley still trying to curry favor with Pres. Bush? Does she hold out hope for a paternal pardon or is Shelley reverting to form in a non-election year?)

- The economy of West Virginia remains dependent on extraction carbon-based industries. What does it mean when the CEO of Exxon comes out in favor of a carbon tax?

Kevin Drum provides a short hand summary on the pros and cons of Cap-And-Trade vs. Carbon Taxes. If you're not sure which alternative you support, definitely read his short post.

- Finally, if Virginia West can identify "huge electric and gas cost savings" with wind and solar power for a middle school in Worchester, why can't West Virginia do the same for its schools?

(Friend me on Facebook and you'll get a links like this every few days.)

Flickr image credit: Braxton County, WV by PastorLarry

"The Best Analysis of Election 2008 Yet"

by: Clem Guttata

Sat Nov 22, 2008 at 13:32:38 PM EST

It's full of maps and charts like this:

This comment by Chachy caught my eye:

You imply this pretty strongly, but I just want to emphasize the point: Obama doesn't have an "Appalachian problem," he has a Southern white problem. You can see this by the fact that he did better among white voters in West Virginia than among white voters in VA or NC - states he won. And he did better among them in AR and TN than in any of the Deep Southern states.

Fortunately, I think you're right to suggest it's not an intractable problem. Four years of familiarity plus an attention to the region's issues and an actual campaign effort in the region could improve his electoral chances throughout the broader South.