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.
When it comes to hating Mitt Romney, its not because he's rich, which is what he believes, but how he became wealthy. Unlike other famous entrepreneurs, such as Walt Disney and Steve Jobs, Romney's greed is all too present in his politics. Bill Maher makes a good, rather funny, point in his money flaunting habits by comparing him to the money loving stars of hip-hop. Take a look.
Did you hear some of the people who are going to run as Republicans in WV this cycle?
One of my particular favorites is Delegate Brian Savilla (R-Putnam). He really thinks he can beat Secretary of State Natalie Tennant. So, let's do a brief analysis of Savilla's work in the WV House of Delegates, shall we?
Tim Manchin is not running for Congress this time around: Times WV.
Just to remind the folks at Politico and the DCCC, there is already a Democratic candidate in the race and she is planning to win the seat back. Sue Thorn is our Woman!
I am not going to post her entire diary here. Go to DK to read it: I'm Sue Thorn and I'm Running for Congress. If you have time tonight, drop by and chat with her and her supporters.
This has been a magical week for her campaign. Sue spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington and came back with promises of help from major national organizations. Teacherken at Dailykos offered to provide advice and assistance, which has resulted in her first diary making it on to the rec list at DK.
Sue had her diary ready to go this afternoon when Mike Oliverio made his announcement that he was not going to run. I don't think that he was trying to help us, but the timing could not have been better. Thanks, Mike, and best wishes in your future endeavors!
Wednesday evening Sue Thorn held her first campaign rally, at which she formally announced her candidacy for the 1st Congressional seat. On a frigid weekday night, a year before the election, 175 people showed up from all over the district to hear Sue's message. There were elected officials, political activists, political novices, union members, business owners, young and old. Twelve counties in the district were represented- many people drove more than an hour to attend the event in Morgantown. Sue gave a rousing speech. Judging from the cheers, comments, and donations people liked what they heard.
This capped an amazing week for the Sue Thorn campaign.
Last Friday I posted my first diary about Sue's campaign to take back the WV-01 congressional seat and it immediately made the rec list. West Virginia Blue asked me to cross-post it there.
Does a woman raised in a working class family, who has never run for public office but is outraged by her growing realization that the economic system is rigged, have a chance to win election to Congress? Can common sense and decency defeat corporate money, political connections, and name recognition?
But enough about Elizabeth Warren. If you want to hear about a truly bizarre campaign, come with me to visit West Virginia's 1st Congressional District.
As I thought about Florida Rep. Ted Deutch's quote in my previous post this morning, I also recalled a discussion I head either on Olbermann or Rachel Maddow last night ( I really wasn't looking at who was talking, but was lying flat on my back after taking a pain killer for my cracked ribs) in which a Republican said he was really in agreement on the nuclear decisions that the President had come to, but in terms of voting for the treaty with the Russians he would probably have to vote NO. The reason? Because the Party Leaders are insistent on not supporting anything the President does prior to the November elections.
The goal is, still, to make the current Administration a failure.
HB 4130 The Clean Elections (Public Financing) pilot project passed the Legislature last night. Our coalition, W Virginians for Clean Elections www.wvoter-owned.org has been working to pass some form of public financing since Granny D walked through WV in the fall & winter of 2000.
Many of us walked with her & we helped organized a festive greeting for her when she walked across the Belpre bridge into Parkersburg. Dennis Kucinich and other progressives walked with her across the bridge and the Mayor of Parkersburg greeted her and gave her a key to the city in a rally at city hall. Granny D walked along Rt 50 and stayed with many of our coalition supporters as she walked through some bitter winter weather with the trailer trucks dropping the wind chill below zero. She was a real citizen activist and a true patriot.
At our WV for Clean Elections coalition meeting next week we will be celebrating the passage of the Supreme Court Clean Elections pilot project and celebrating the life of Granny D who inspired us all. In some small way I hope the passage of this legislation will honor her memory.
Right now the area with all the most action is Mon County where the 44th House seat is attracting lots of folks and the 13th Senate seat is, too.
The latest rumor for 13th Senate (via TP on Facebook):
Beach is now filing for 13th district, I believe Fleuschauer will now be staying and running for 44th.
That's just a rumor. Fleuschauer has filed for both the 13th and 44th... I don't know what the process is for her to withdraw from one or the other.
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant's office has made it even easier to follow along with the action this cycle. Here's the link to watch for new filings.
Use this as an open thread to discuss candidates and races all across the state.
Update: Many of us are expecting Democrat turned Republican former state supreme court justice and Don Blankenship vacation buddy "Spike" Maynard to file as a Republican candidate for WV-03 today. Because of the timing of his party switch, today is the only day Maynard can file as a candidate.
(Reminder! File today for the Dem. State Executive Committee or other party committees. The deadline is midnight tomorrow at the Sec. of State office in Charleston or today at your local county courthouse. - promoted by Clem Guttata)
By Clem Guttata
If you are reading this and are a registered voter with Democratic Party affiliation in West Virginia, you should run for the Democratic State Executive Committee.
There are two position for each state senate district--one to be filled by a female and one to be filled by a male. The person filling the position attends meetings of the Democratic State Executive Committee as a representative for their district. In Presidential election years, decisions made by the committee include picking a delegate at large for the state.
Representative democracy can only thrive when there is strong citizen engagement. For better or worse, our government has evolved into a two-party system. It is really hard to change an organization if you're not a member of it. If you want to have a stronger voice in the direction of the state Democratic party, this is one way--run for a party office.
Do not delay! The deadline for filing is the end of this week.
If I was Rep. Alan Mollohan hearing the GOP noise machine winding up, I'd be thinking: "Oh, please don't remind anyone of all those appropriations I've brought home to West Virginia."
"Drown me! Roast me! Hang me! Do whatever you please," said Brer Rabbit. "Only please, Brer Fox, please don't throw me into the briar patch."
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