Campaigns… are picking up…so is the snow in Elkins…Democrat Natalie Tennant has released a document with policy ideas…is she following the Gaston Caperton model…in an usual TV move John Perdue has a two minute spot…could be a good move… time for voters to learn about his concerns…Speaker Rick Thompson went first on TV…a quick [30 sec.] intro about his life…Governor [acting] Earl Ray Tomblin is governing…and doing so quite well.
Is Gaston Caperton planning a political comeback…or just moving home…after his years in New York…word is the former Governor has purchased the home of a prominent government official in Charleston.
GOP campaigns for that Kanawha River mansion…are not as active…at least on TV…friends call that the big five [Ireland, Sorsaia, Barnes, Carmichael & Maloney] are moving around to Lincoln Dinners…and meeting with party types in key counties.
A Washington idea…that MAKES SENSE…Republican Study Committee [the House conservative caucus] plans a “Repeal Taskforce”…focus on unconstitutional, anti-free enterprise…first target Davis-Bacon Act…sets wages on federal construction projects…making them more costly…a similar concern exists in here…click here to read one opinion about prevailing wage in WV.
Why am I counting campaign signs…my wife is a sign counter…to know who really is working at the grassroots…just back from Washington…on our drive over …Democrat Perdue and Republican Sorsaia signs all along the route…coming home one Thompson sign in Hardy…Barnes had lots [but it is his senatorial district…why there]…one Tennant sign in Elkins…before the snow started…wonder if the other candidates [both parties] have a “ground game”.
Slow starting…GOP presidential campaigns…except the early positioning…Barbour seems to be talking with Huckabee…who are they ganging up on…Gingrich has moved his date again…Romney’s “campaign-in-waiting” seems flexible about timing…Daniels continues on the list…Bachmann got on fire in Iowa…Trump will say in June…Huntsman remains in China…while a PAC prepares…who knows what Sarah is planning…there must be others.
CANDIDATE REMINDER…in the “Anything Can Happen Primary”…TURNOUT…the winner will be decided as a result of voter ID, GOTV activities, candidates working core party leaders…courthouse visits (especially for Democrats) seeking out power brokers & opinion leaders in strategic counties…touching base with former county based officeholders [don’t forget current ones] phone banks…working the phones every free minute…while traveling…eating and BTW…don’t forget to vote.
Sen. Rockefeller gave a thoughtful and reasoned argument for his 2 year halt on EPA defining greenhouse gases…others want to completely take the authority from EPA…Rockefeller says that will never pass…or be vetoed…so let’s get stop EPA now…don’t risk no passage or veto…take two years and legislate a new direction for EPA that will not harm coal miners.
WEEKEND GAME…”Barack Bracket”…developed by the Republican National Committee…on line voting game to choose which frivolous activity should occupy most of the president’s time…DEMOCRAT FRIENDS…this is just for fun [not funds]…click here to play.