by Ron Gregory
If clever presentations win elections, the governor’s race clearly belongs to Democrat Jim Justice and his supporters.
The most recent example is a 30-second commercial that appeared over the weekend on You Tube. Sponsored by Good Jobs West Virginia, the spot takes a look at the opening days of Republican Bill Cole’s tenure as State Senate President. Citing government and media reports, the ad says “multi-millionaire” Cole decided to spend money like there was no tomorrow when he became President.
In all, the spot says, “they,” apparenty referring to Senate Republicans, spent “more than half a million dollars” in refurbishing Cole’s office quarters. From “expensive carpets and furniture” to “a $5,000 luxury refrigerator and a $36,000 sound system,” the spending appeared uncontrolled. Noting Cole’s own filed expenditure statements, the ad says he charged taxpayers $60,000 for lodging, meals and travel so he could do his “job.”
What’s clever about the ad is that it shows a figure that looks similar to Cole. Viewing him only from the back side, his head, hair and body shape seem identical to the Senate Presidents. In a hilarious twist, the commercial has this “character” tossing out his own carpet, making certain his own photo is straight on the wall, dancing and grooving to music from the stereo system, and clicking his heels together at his general good fortune.
The ad, presented as it is, takes an almost humorous look at what appears to be wildly out-of-control spending by a legislative branch in a state that is near bankruptcy. It makes its point well; unlike the Cole or Cole-related spots that seek to portray Justice as a tax evader and a bad businessman. Those spots attack Justice and are not light-hearted at all. The public is clearly turned off by that sort of politicking.
Cole and his minions could learn a lot from how Justice supporters have run this campaign so far.
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One of life’s simple pleasures, I suppose, is the opportunity to renew old acquaintances along the trail. Just such an opportunity presented itself last week for me when I attended a picnic in Hardy County.
The master of ceremonies for the evening was none other than former House Speaker Clyde See. Looking perhaps younger than he did when he took on Republican Governor Arch Moore in 1984, See delighted those in attendance with his perspective on past and present elections.
It was obvious that See’s mind is an keen as ever and his long-admired outspoken attitude was a welcome addition in this time of political correctness.
When I remarked that See had gotten younger while I had gotten older in the past 32 years, several in the crowd chuckled. It was good to see this old warrior and to see that he is still the same man who led the House well during his tenure.
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Finally, after weeks absent, I had the opportunity to visit once again with Dawson Isom and his family last week in Williamson.
While there is still no medical miracle to report, it is clear that Dawson is holding his own. He has, as regular readers know, been in a coma since being unmercifully beaten in late May of 2015 on Second Avenue in Williamson.
In legal developments, Isom’s attorney, former Kanawha County Prosecutor Michael Clifford, has scheduled the first deposition in the case he filed against Gary and Erik Rash for mid-August. Thus, at least one sworn piece of evidence will likely be in place within the next week.
As everyone familiar with the case knows, misrepresentations and scurrilous lies about what happened that May day have surfaced ever since the incident. Hopefully, depositions will produce the truth and all will know that Isom did nothing to create the situation he is currently in. In fact, as I have written previously, there is nothing he could conceivably do to bring the condition he must now endure.
The family remains desperately in need of your support, both mentally and financially. As noted last week, Dawson’s dad, David Isom, created an account whereby donations can be made to the family. A hundred friends and supporters giving $20 each would go a long way toward helping with this critical need.
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“The bow must go” has become the rallying cry for those who want to oust Republican Delegate Ruth Rowan from her 57th Delegate District seat.
Known for the bows she wears in her hair (her official portrait shows a bright red one), Rowan has quietly served in the House for 12 years since former Democrat Delegate Jerry Mezzatesta took an “involuntary” retirement.
Rowan is, however, noted as a highly conservative, tea party-type Republican. Progressives in the district are urging voters to support Rowan’s Democrat opponent, Beverly Cookman Keadle.
Keadle takes no credit for the “bow must go” theme, saying she doesn’t use it on the campaign trail. But throughout the district, it is impossible to discuss the race without hearing the phrase.
So serious is the talk, apparently, that one Hardy Countian told me she had seen Rowan in public without the usual bow in her hair.
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It is my firm belief that Republicans will lose the requisite two seats in the State Senate to make them return to minority party status. The real issue is whether Democrats will also lose a seat or two, leaving the GOP in control in 2017. In tough contests I have not previously mentioned, Democrat Brian Prim well could oust Republican Mitch Carmichael in the 4th District. Carmichael overcame a deluge of negative publicity in the primary to win re-nomination but Prim is expected to be a tougher opponent. This could be a Democrat pickup in Jackson County.
My guess is that Republican Jordan Ray Bridges might defeat Richard Ojeda for the Senate seat now held by Democrat Art Kirkendoll in District 7. If Kirkendoll supporters, who saw their man lose in a tainted primary, refuse to back Ojeda, this one could be very tight. Likewise, Democrat Denise Campbell has a shot at unseating Republican incumbent Greg Boso in the 11th District. Republican Randy Smith will greatly outspend Democrat Bob Williams in the 14th District, making it a tough race for the incumbent Williams.
Republican Pat Rucker is wrapped up in a tight race with Democrat Stephen Skinner in the 16th District in a contest that could go either way. Although Democrat Corey Palumbo is the odds-on favorite, he is being closely challenged by Republican Chris Stansbury.
Even with Democrat wins in districts now represented by Republicans, there will be a sufficient change in those now occupied by Democrats to likely keep Republicans in charge of the upper chamber next year.
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Republican Congressman Alex X. Mooney, who saw no need to “report” to his constituents during his first 18 months in office, has now communicated with them three times in the last three weeks.
Last week, Mooney mailed yet another taxpayer-funded campaign-looking piece to those in the district. The pieces appear blatantly political in nature, assuring constituents of the Congressman’s support for right wing causes. Very little in the way of congressional action reporting is evident in the mailings.
It may be that the congressman realizes now that he erred in not visiting the flooded areas of his district immediately during the recent 1,000-year flood. Instead, as others have revealed, Mooney traveled off to the Middle East after Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency here. He finally showed up in Clendenin a week later to hand out supplies to flood victims who had been suffering for a week.
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Your comments, story ideas, gossip and suggestions for an uptick in Republican gubernatorial strategy are always welcome. God knows they could use some help. Use my email listed or call my cell, 304-533-5185.