CORRIDOR CHRONICLE
Gregory’s Web for September 20, 2020
by Ron Gregory
It appears impossible to get by another week without mentioning Covid-19.
In light of Marshall University’s suspension of a professor for apparently wishing death to those who don’t wear facemasks, the subject is still at the forefront.
MU did not mention the instructor’s name because of privacy concerns but said a professor had been placed on administrative leave for her social media comments.
MetroNews subsequently speculated that the offender was College of Science Assistant Professor Jennifer Mosher.
A well distributed video shows Mosher
bemoaning the fact that Trump supporters are not following Covid guidelines, particularly mask wearing in public.
“I’ve become the type of person where I hope they all get it and die,” Mosher said. “I’m sorry. I am so frustrated…I just don’t know what else to do.”
She went on to say she hopes the Trump supporters “die before the election.”
This is apparently another example of liberal compassion. All too many of those on the left weep crocodile tears for “suffering humanity” while wishing death to anyone who disagrees with them. It’s sad; it’s the height of hypocrisy.
Let’s hope Mosher never manipulates the system to get her job back. Someone with her attitude and belief system should not be teaching anyone, child or adult.
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Of course if she and her fellow perpetually panic-striken liberals are right, she’ll get her wish. Anyone not wearing a mask will surely die, these pessimists believe.
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Calling it a “huge deal,” Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Paula Jean Swearengin was celebrating her endorsement by The (Morgantown) Dominion-Post last week.
And it is significant that the Morgantown paper would support her. In 2016, they endorsed her Republican opponent, now-incumbent Shelley Moore Capito. So this was not an automatic call.
I hope the D-P has more knowledge of Swearengin’s background and qualifications than others do. Beside her campaign rhetoric that she’s a “coal miner’s daughter” and a “single mom,” we voters know little about who Paula Jean really is.
It’s not because we haven’t asked. I, for one, have called and emailed with no results. Several readers say they’ve asked and received no answers either. Obviously, transparency is not the hallmark of Swearengin’s public service.
As to the D-P endorsement, it reminds me of who controls the Morgantown paper. Owned by the Greer-Raese family, hostility has been the norm between one owner, John Raese, and the Moore-Capito political dynasty for years.
Back when Capito was exploring a run for Senator in 2010 at the death of Robert C. Byrd, John Raese kept sending signals that he would run. At the time, it was assumed a potential Raese run was part of the elongated family feud between the Moores (chiefly, three-time Republican Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.) and Raese.
Actually, the feud has been pretty one-sided with Raese being the aggressor.
Governor Moore had defeated Raese in the 1988 Republican gubernatorial primary. Moore was the incumbent governor but that did not stop Raese from challenging him. A bitter intra-party rivalry started by Raese followed, with Moore usually gaining the upper hand even though Raese was the aggressor. Honestly, Raese often behaved like the spoiled child he is toward the iconic Moore.
So, Raese has regularly been critical of Moore and his daughter. He routinely made negative comments about Moore while running in Republican primaries where “Moore Republicans” generally prevailed.
Although John Raese has usually left D-P management to his brother, David, I sort of wonder if endorsing Swearengin is not just one more Raese slap at the late Governor.
If so, it might be time to shut it down. After all, Raese is 70; Moore is deceased; and Capito succeeds with or without Raese help.
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In 1984, Raese ran for the U.S. Senate against Democrat Jay Rockefeller. Outspent ten to one by the former New Yorker, Raese lost by a narrow margin. That made Raese a rising star though never on the level With Moore. Like the Mitt Romneys of the world, Raese can’t get over playing second fiddle to Moore, who won his third gubernatorial term that year over Democrat Clyde See.
Coincidentally, Raese became chair of the state Republican Executive Committee near the time he lost the Senate race. This gave him a forum to promote himself for the Governor nod he ended up losing to Moore in 1988. He resigned the party post to take on Moore. It was closer than most expected and that added to Raese’s goal to take control of the party. He was frustrated that he never accomplished that goal.
I worked for both Moore and Raese in 1984. I am a lifetime Moore Republican, which began in 1964 and will never end. I have occasionally worked for Raese in subsequent campaigns. He has always been his own biggest obstacle to winning.
John Raese carries grudges. I’d say the D-P endorsement tells us that this one is still going strong.
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I said Moore generally won in maneuvers with Raese. He likely regretted the one time he didn’t and Raese was elected state chair.
Unlike previous passive chairs, Raese’s job made him a party spokesman. There’s no doubt he used his position to promote himself and at least distract Moore if not sabotage him.
Moore was in a tough race seeking his fourth term as Governor when Raese challenged him in that 1988 primary. It was unheard of challenging a sitting Governor of one’s own party. It cost Moore valuable finances he could have used in the general.
Moore’s third term was not as successful as his first two although West Virginians thought he could turn things around in 1984. In ’88, the Governor lost his hoped-for fourth term to Gaston Caperton.
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That fascinating sheriff’s race in Jackson County just keeps delivering interesting developments.
Over the weekend, Republican sheriff candidate Noel Braley not only attached himself to a pro-President Trump caravan, but supporters announced he would be “leading” the Jackson County leg from Ripley to Ravenswood. The drive started in the Roane County seat at Spencer.
While GOP candidates will benefit from Trump’s trouncing of former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential race, I’m not sure blatantly tying a local campaign to a national one is wise.
If any campaign funds were expended, it may not be legal either. With regard to a Kanawha County race last week, I mentioned that commingling federal and local funds may not be allowable.
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I mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I believe she was honest and sincere and her courage was surpassed by none.
I’ve advocated remembering her for a few days before getting into the rancorous politics that’s sure to follow.
Hopefully, we can let her rest in peace for the remainder of the week. Her passing deserves proper respect.
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Sixteenth District Republican Delegate John Mandt Jr. just can’t seem to help himself.
In addition to some other questionable social media comments last week, he seemed to suggest that “someone” should report Democrat opponents Dakota Nelson and Anna Lewis for having no paid for lines on their advertising.
Mandt foolishly added that it wouldn’t “look good” if he reported his opponents. One must assume he thinks his comments on social media are written with disappearing ink.
While I am a stickler for following the rules, Mandt would be best served to do his job, explain why he’s best for the job and stop trying to play the schoolyard bully.
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And yes, I know he’s probably been “hacked” again and didn’t really write the foolish stuff. That’s why I said he “seemed” to suggest reporting his opponents.
But to my dying day, I will recommend his Stewart’s Hot Dogs as the absolute best anywhere. They’re sooooo good.
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My right wing friends are sometimes driven whacky when my views fail to follow the Rush Limbaugh-Sean Hannity model.
Although I don’t expect either of them to be endorsing West Virginia legislative candidates, I don’t think they’d join me in the 65th District.
There, Democrat Delegate Sammi Brown is such an energetic, caring leader that I give her my complete support against Republican challenger Wayne Clark. I know Brown is liberal but my opinion is that she’s what every liberal should be: compassionate and one who at least listens to opposing views.
To be sure, Brown’s Republican predecessor, conservative Jill Upson, is another favorite of mine. But after Brown defeated Upson, the Republican has done a fabulous job with minority affairs for Governor Justice. With her in that role and Brown as delegate, we have the benefit of two great public servants.
Meanwhile, Brown seems to be everywhere advocating for the people of her district. I believe she is impeccably honest and is all-inclusive.
Her challenger, Clark, is too far to the right for me. He’s another of those who identifies as a “conservative Christian.” I believe in God; so do most people. I don’t wear it on my lapel.
Vote for Sammi, a self-styled “Mountain Momma.”
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Alligator Jackson’s Facebook site held a “poll” in the Huntington mayor race. The definitely unscientific survey had Republican challenger Scott Caserta defeating Democrat Mayor Steve Williams by a landslide..
I told Caserta not to start measuring the drapes in the office just yet.
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Williams is the overwhelming favorite.
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Although Democrat governor candidate Ben Salango is still beating the “Jim Justice doesn’t pay his bills” dead horse, he did get some good licks in at the Governor on the ridiculous color-coded map perhaps being used to determine school policies.
If anyone has watched those disastrous presentations and still thinks Justice is on top of the situation, there’s a real problem somewhere.
Justice us vulnerable on governing by executive order but Salango is too much of a liberal to make a real issue of it. Libertarian Erika Kolenich would not usurp the power of the legislature.
She’s still the best choice.
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Continuing our preliminary look at House of Delegates races:
Republican Amy Summers represents District 49. Former Democrat Delegate Mike Moneypenny is her opponent. Moneypenny gave up his House seat to run for Congress from the First District. The race is expected to be competitive with Summers the favorite.
District 50 is now served by Democrats Linda Longstreth, Michael Angelucci and Mike Caputo. Caputo, the union’s favorite pugilist who can apparently handle 70-year-old women with ease, is running for State Senate.
Angelucci is the only incumbent on the ballot, joined by fellow Democrats Joey Garcia and Ronald Straight. Longstreth is running for Marion County Commission.
Republican candidates are Phil Mellow, Darton McIntire and Guy Ward. The Democrats are favored.
In District 51, there are five Democrat incumbents. Evan Hansen, John Williams, Barbara Fleischauer, Danielle Walker and Rodney Pyles are all running for re-election.
Republican challengers are former Delegate Cindy Frich, Zach Lemaire, Todd Stainbrook, Joe Statler and Justin White.
Frich definitely stands a chance although the Democrats are favored.
Republican incumbent Delegate Terri Funk Sypolt barely escaped a tough primary in District 52. She will meet Democrat Junior Wolfe in what could be a November flip.
The 53d District is served by Republican D.R. Jennings. His opponent is Democrat Cory Chase. Jennings is favored to hold the seat.
Contact Ron Gregory at 304-533-5185 or ronjgregory@gmail.com. Hear his political commentary each Monday at 7 a.m. on the Tom Roten Morning Show on NewsRadio 800, WVHU, Huntington.