Political Tidbits…5.27.14
2014 primary election is over…summer is almost here…and the traditional start of political campaigns is long over…campaigns now are continual…likewise it appears negative campaigns are edging into mean ones…expect to see mean and costly races across the state.
The big surprise from the primary came in the 2nd congressional district…where the candidate [Alex Mooney] moved just 27 miles from Maryland…nearly at the last minute…to enter the race. Based on his campaign experience he was expected to run well…but never win…even Eastern Panhandle newcomer Ken Reed outran long time active GOP candidates…some feel he could have beaten outsider Mooney with professional experienced management and his personal funds.
Quiet on the home front [Charleston Marriott]…during the recent legislative interims…hardly a delegate or senator to be found…that usually is the place for gossip and deals…where have all the “boys & girls” gone…likely raising money.
Could the so called “mailgate”…where Democrat delegates were accused by the GOP of using franked mail [free to delegates but not taxpayers] to contact voters in the primary…could be the beginning of charge after charge to raise questions about these same delegates…and others…in the Republican effort to take control of the House of Delegates in 2015?
Saira Blair is the new Republican and television star…17 years old and on her way to the House of Delegates…is appearing on various national political & news shows…young Republicans on the move.
Governor Tomblin picked the right person to run his communications shop…Chris Stadelman comes with a background in the news business…the two Tomblin campaigns…has a feel for spin. He is a professional.
Will the ground game decide many elections this fall…or will it be direct mail and telephone calls…residents of the 2nd congressional district were flooded with both…wonder how much was created by out- of- state firms…not sure WV based firms are even interested in the coming meanness.
Do Republicans believe Mooney has been drinking too much “tea”…and are beginning to wonder about his views and approach…plus with Sen. Joe Manchin a big booster of Democrat Nick Casey…who many believe to be in the same mold as Manchin…how will that influence GOP voters…who like Manchin…some of the time.
The controversy over calling a special or general session of the legislature…could be another attempt to use it to aid those working to take over the House…look for more such efforts.
Negative campaigning has been underway in the 3rd Congressional district for months…with the conversion by Evan Jenkins to Republican…again. Not only is an outsider running in the 2nd ….but it appears outside money will fund Jenkins. Don’t count him out.
Mean campaigning was kicked off by Mooney…who last week in an early morning news release…attempted to catch Nick Casey off guard…asking him to attack outgoing Senator Jay Rockefeller…for remarks at a senatorial hearing.
All seems quiet in the US Senate race…at least for the time being…maybe that race will take sharp over the summer…Capito is doing her thing now…raising money…Tennant is doing her thing now…raising money.
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