Who is sleeping together in WV?

[mountaindem]

It's interesting to me to see the reports from the People's Election Reform Coalition in WV, Common Cause Wv, and others to see who is donating to legislative candidates in the state.

I'd like to take this time to personally thank one of my delegates, Scott Varner for sleeping with Massey Coal in 2002, receiving a $100 donation from them. I know, $100 is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, but when you look at his other contributions from Coal companies, the insurance industry, doctors, etc. It makes me wonder how much of a democrat he actually is?
Thanks Delegate Varner for taking contributions from people out to beat democrat candidates in statewide elections like what happened to McGraw and now with Starcher having a target on his back.

It's time we Mountaineers find true democrats who are not going to be beholden to special interests. I wonder if delegates like Varner are really representing people like me, or the special interests.

http://www.wvsos.com/elections/PDF/Candidates/003769503.pdf

[GrpCaptMandrake]

1. Nicely said, mountaindem!

Did you happen to notice the list of Coal Barons For Byrd in today's Gazette? Lots more than $100 there. After all, the manager of Byrd's reelection campaign is the same guy who represents Big Coal in their effort to compel WV to end the coal severance tax.

Disturbing in the extreme!

[Catrina]

2. That is disturbing

I have so much respect for Sen. Byrd. Do you have a link for that article? I have looked for it and can't find it ~

[GrpCaptMandrake]

3. If you can get a hard copy

of the Gazette for 11/10, you'll find it a few pages into the "A" section. People like Buck Harliss, as well as an executive for Arch Coal are mentioned. Don't know if Don Blankenswine has given him money, too, but I also wouldn't be surprised to discover he had.

I have tremendous respect myself for Senator Byrd. He has been the greatest advocate West Virginia has ever known.

But he most assuredly IS up to his elbows in coal money. Most every politician who achieves statewide prominence is.

Senator Byrd profoundly disappointed me when he helped make sure John Roberts became Chief Justice. He's also issued favorable statements about Samuel Alito, a man who believes it's OK for the police to strip search little ten year old girls.

While I am as certain as I am of my own identity that no Republican could ever be even half the senator Byrd is, I often find myself wishing Byrd would be a little more of a Democrat once in awhile. He broke my heart when he voted in favor of the bankruptcy bill.

Ned Rose is the head of the Byrd campaign, at least according to the mass e-mailings I receive. He's also lead counsel for the coal companies in their attempt to destroy state government with their suit to repeal the coal severance tax.

[Catrina]

4. Thank you

I did find the article ~ I agree regarding the Bankruptcy Bill ~ I was very disappointed in that ~ I can only think that he may have had to do that in order to get the Veterans' Benefits bill through. I don't know, but he has been a consistent and outspoken advocate for the truth about this administration ~ and I suppose we won't always agree with positions our representatives take.

What I hope is that Sen. Byrd and all Democrats will push for health coverage for all Americans. A lot of the debt people are in, is because they had no medical coverage.

[davidinalameda]

5. Byrd is in the pocket of big coal

just like every other politician is in WV

I lived there for too long and heard too many stories about the control that big coal had

the mafia could take lessons in how to intimidate and control people

[MojoXN]

6. Well, I'm sleeping with my girlfriend...

Flippancy aside, you make a good point. All too many Dems in WV are beholden to special interests, especially coal, and in my part of the state, steel and perhaps more importantly, gambling. I think that within the next five years, provided I still live here, I'm going to run for the House of Delegates. Seems like a good starting point, but I digress. You want a candidate who could care less about special interests? Vote MojoXN in '08 (or '10). :D

MojoXN

[davidinalameda]

7. which district

[MojoXN]

8. 1st district...

Northern Panhandle. I know an ex-Delegate very well, Paul R. Higgins. I'm starting to think that I'd actually have a chance, provided I did well in the primary. It's something to think about if nothing else...

MojoXN