WEST VIRGINIA calling…Donald Trump…last week he told ABC news reporter George Stephanopoulos…he offered to build an enormous ballroom at the WHITE HOUSE…to replace the TENT used for state dinners…it is reported he told former WH advisor David Axelrod…”you put up an old broken canvas tent”…probably rented from some overcharging local company…sound familiar…Senator Manchin CALL THE DONALD…your tent is gone.
The political community in WV got a shot yesterday…when it was confirmed by Public Policy Polling…the special Governor’s race is still undecided…14% of Democrats far in that category…28% of Republicans are not sure who gets their vote…when the margin of error is factored in…WELL.
[acting] Governor Tomblin seems the most assured…by the numbers…hard to believe Tennant’s numbers have fallen…or that Thompson’s TV guitar playing has caused his increase…Perdue’s ground game has called attention to his efforts…numbers up.
REPUBLICANS…really undecided…expect that contest to heat up…Maloney has turned on his GOTV machine…touching voters directly…phones…direct mail…and even a telecommunications TOWN HALL meeting…voters were contacted by phone…and given an opportunity to ask questions directly of Bill Maloney…good move.
Gov. Underwood always said… timing was everything in a campaign…Betty Ireland released a TV commercial immediately after the PPP results…which showed her leading…Maloney campaign says she is losing votes…from the earlier PPP survey…she should have …as it was done before Maloney & others entered the race…BUT THE RACE IS UNDECIDED…and it seems these two are on the verge of a real FIGHT.
Quietly…Sen. Clark Barnes works his plan…known as a constant campaigner…strategic and under the radar…in an area where he should not be known…endorsed by the Huntington newspaper.
ENDORSEMENTS matter…just ask Governor Tomblin…both Charleston newspapers offered up their support this morning…picture and all in the Gazette…most interesting the final sentence of the Gazette endorsement…sounds like it includes the October 4 general election…REPUBLICANS take note.
All things political in WV is not the Governor’s race…State GOP Chair Stuart has a 2012 concept before his party…to determine if Republicans will hold another convention like 2008…or return to electing delegates in a primary election…to the national party convention…his concept even includes the option of a straw poll…look out IOWA.
TOMBLIN’s hidden campaign weapon…now not so secret is his wife Joanne…during an Elkins visit…she was a huge hit…even sat through a three hour evening of Chamber awards…former Gov. & Gayle Manchin…will remember an even longer ceremony.
Is vote-by-mail in our future…Morgantown finish their experiment yesterday…with 3,648 voting…compared to 1,600 in 2009…128 percent increase…they call it turnout…I call it VOTING.
First District Congressman David McKinley…off to a good start…during the first three months of 2011…he raised $536,654…but that is not all…he is carefully considering his vote on issues…not just following the crowd…his constituents should be proud of him…and that HE LISTENS.
MAY ELECTION getting underway FRIDAY…with early voting…there is likely to be more POLITICAL TIDBITS…the next 17 days.