BILLBOARD News Now
National Security
National security is normally thought of as our nation’s ability to protect its people, territory, economy and institutions from threats – both foreign and domestic.
Until President Trump signed an Executive Order (March 25, 2025) one never thought of including “political security” along with military threats, terrorism, cyberattacks, espionage, economic instability and national disasters.
That Executive Order set off the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to ramp up an effort to get voter data and other election information from the states. Election officials fear the administration could try to build a national file that includes personal information about voters or impose rules that would boot eligible voters from the rolls and make it hard to cast ballots. A few states have turned over the information while others are fighting the DOJ.
The U.S. Constitution establishes that state governments conduct elections. This means state laws and regulations largely govern aspects like voter registration, voting procedures and ballot counting.
Even before his approval numbers began to tank…Trump asked several states to begin redistricting of congressional seats in hopes of gaining a few new House Republicans. That is unusual since redistricting only occurs every ten years after a new census.
Russian President Vladimir V. Putin gave political advice to Trump during their Alaska visit. Putin told him, “Your elections are rigged because you have mailing-in-voting.” Though never a supporter of mail-in-voting Trump is turning up the heat on states to end that form of voting.
Steve Bannon who guided Trump to his 2016 election victory even offered the idea of having ICE agents at voting precincts this year. Knowing how Trump uses fear (political security) who knows what this will do to diminish turnout in November.
Trump’s team is pushing the passage of what is called the “SAVE Act”. This federal bill would change how people register and vote in U. S. federal elections. Its central provision would require documentary proof of U. S. citizenship for voter registration instead of the current system of signed attestation under penalty of law.
While addressing National security…Axios reported this morning the Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize. They say a U. S. military operation in Iran would likely be a massive, weekslong campaign that would look more like a full-fledged war than last month’s pinpoint operation in Venezuela.
Could President Trump be planning on turning himself into a “war time President” that Americans would rally around the Commander-in-Chief? Thus, influencing the 2026 election!
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Capito’s Real News
U. S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito told Hoppy Kercheaval on MetroNews Talkline she will forgo a race for the U. S. Senate to replace the late Senator Byrd. In the last few days the signs pointed to this decision. However, the real news during the interview was when...
Republicans Are Ready for Capito
WV Republicans in the Legislature have scored a victory for Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. The new law provides an opportunity for Capito to run for the Senate seat and for re-election to her House seat if she wants. Now we know the real hold up in passing the...
More Details on U. S. Senate Election
West Virginia Watchdog.org is on the scene at the Capitol and has provided more details on the legislation just passed.
Legislature Passes Senatorial Succession Bill
After five days the Legislature has passed the bill to allow a special election to select a successor to U. S. Senator Byrd. Details yet available.
Special Session on Byrd Seat at Impasse
The Associated Press is reporting a special election for the Byrd U. S. Senate Seat is in doubt.
Don’t Write Obama Off in 2012
Respected columnist Charles Krauthammer presents a warning to those who already believe Obama is on his way out in 2012. His analysis should be taken seriously by Republicans, Independents and unhappy Democrats. Remember in January, 2008 Senator Hillary Clinton was...
Political Tidbits…..
Saturday evening Tidbits…..the Legislative games are in full swing…..the House voted down Manchin’s proposal related to changing the law for a special election to fill the U. S. Senate seat…..at last check House Republicans were working to allow Congresswoman Capito...
Shelley’s Weekend Plans
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito spoke with National Review about her plans for the weekend. She appears to be taking a serious look at becoming a candidate for the U. S. Senate. The interview will give phillipsbillboard readers a look at how she is approaching...
West Virginia’s Future in Congress
Cecelia Mason a West Virginia Public Radio correspondent prepared a perspective on a Congress without Byrd or Mollohan and the impact on our State. It’s worth a click and read.
Washington’s Senate Take This Morning
Insiders in Washington read The Fix even before coffee. Its focus again this morning is the WV Senate Race. Phillipsbillboard readers will want to see today’s take. With the state Legislature yet to weight in who knows what Friday will bring?
Governor Releases Succession Legislation
Governor Manchin's office just release the fine print for the special session of the Legislature on succession. With the interest being shown by West Virginia voters phillipsbillboard decided to post all the background released minutes ago. July 13, 2010 Governor...
A Lesson for Republicans
The public, state officials, editorials, political leaders and letters to the editor are calling out for an election to name a replacement for the late Senator Byrd. They want to vote. Remember when Republican Party leaders under the chairmanship of Rob Capehart...
BILLBOARD Archives
The Fix
Across the nation the process and politics to send another West Virginian to the United States Senate is receiving attention. The Fix, a Washington Post Political News and Analysis column is one of the most interesting. Democrat and Republican operatives as well as...
Political Tidbits…..
What was Governor Manchin thinking when he told POLITICO the only remaining obstacles.....to his “highly likely” candidacy for the Senate…..left were “procedural” regarding who would become Governor were he to vacate the position? Article VII of the State Constitution...
Manchin To Announce Intentions
Governor Joe Manchin told POLITICO in Boston he will announce his intentions about entering the Senate race on Monday. Manchin says only “procedural” matters regarding who would become governor were he to vacate the position remain. He is attending the National...
Manchin’s Legal Counsel Issues Statement
The Governor’s Legal Counsel has issued a statement advising the Governor to call a special session of the Legislature next week to address the issue of succession. The statement is below. STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE Statement from the Governor’s Legal...
Manchin Capito Matchup In Senate Race
Rasmussen Reports conducted a telephone survey of Likely Voters in West Virginia Thursday night. Governor Manchin is matched with two potential Republican opponents. Click the link above for the results.
RNC Enters WV State Chairman’s Race
The Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) Michael Steele has put himself in the middle of the race to select a Chairman of the Republican Party in WV. He has no business doing so. Chairman Steele yesterday announced the RNC will establish a West...
McGraw Issues Fast Opinion
Attorney General Darrell McGraw in less than a day has responded to Governor Manchin’s request for a legal opinion of the succession process to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Senator Robert C. Byrd. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant had offered her opinion...
A Private Sector Stimulus
The major corporations of America could create a private sector stimulus according to the editor of Newsweek International. He offers an interesting review of the problem Obama has with CEO’s. The business, economics, politics and social policy are all wrapped up in...
The Incumbent Protection Act
While a change in the election law may be at hand to fill the seat of the late Senator Byrd I would like to urge “The Incumbent Protection Act” be amended. That is my name for how vacancies in nominations are filled (Section 3-5-19). Current law says if no one files...
How Did We Get Section 3-10-3?
Many of us in the political business have been consulting the election laws of West Virginia in recent days. Reading Section 3-10-3 leaves you wondering where this concept originated. Political columnist Phil Kabler for The Sunday Gazette-Mail took time last week to...
Political Tidbits
Political junkies are going to love 2010…..looks like we are moving toward a change in election law…..an election to replace the late Senator Robert C. Byrd…..which could then result in a special election for Governor. Republicans are quiet…..but John Raese is a name...
Manchin’s Decision
Many readers of phillipsbillboard do not read The Charleston Gazette on a daily basis nor desire to. There is an excellent historic perspective prepared by The Associated Press on appointees being named to vacant U. S. Senate seats in West Virginia. It could explain...