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Blankenship's hit list fires back
[Aug-14-2006]
Jake Stump
Daily Mail Staff
Monday August 14, 2006
The West Virginia Democratic Party -- and even a few Republicans and Independents -- plan to counterattack Massey Energy Chief Don Blankenship's attempts to influence this year's election.
Blankenship has vowed to spend whatever it takes to oust dozens state legislators and replace them with conservative-minded substitutes. The targets are mostly Democrats. Blankenship has said that's because the Legislature is mostly made up of Democrats.
But Nick Casey, chairman of the state Democratic Party, has already campaigned West Virginia telling residents the state isn't for sale.
"He wants to become the alter ego of the Republican Party," Casey said. "This has become a West Virginia question, not a Democrat or Republican question. People need to be alarmed of anybody who has the audacity to think their money will acquire enough votes to takeover the Legislature.
"It's almost a throwback to an era where coal barons controlled pieces of legislation. Now we have a coal guy trying to control the entirety of the Legislature."
Blankenship has already proven his success in political campaigning. Two years ago, he spent millions of his own money to help Brent Benjamin defeat Warren McGraw for his Supreme Court seat.
He later successfully campaigned against a pension bond backed by Gov. Joe Manchin.
Heading into the November election, Blankenship plans a direct mailing effort and has unleashed a Web site, www.andforthesakeofthekids.com.
He already knows there are people out there trying to prevent his efforts.
His site features a 5-minute commercial that includes clips of a state Democratic Party rally in Clarksburg.
In the ad, Blankenship's group contends that the Legislature has failed to protect children by refusing to vote on a bill banning secret abortions on underage girls.
The ad also vouches for a constitutional amendment on gay marriage before lashing out at Democrats who have been accused or arrested on vote fraud.
Casey said the name of Blankenship's group, "And for the Sake of the Kids," is misleading. The party chairman cites a recent questionnaire Blankenship sent to legislative candidates.
The questionnaire contains 30 questions, not all of them directly linked to children. Question 27 asks, "Should a Supreme Court justice have the final say as to whether or not he or she should recuse themselves in cases of potential conflicts of interest?"
This month, Massey Energy filed a lawsuit against the Supreme Court because Blankenship believes his company isn't treated fairly, particularly by Justice Larry Starcher.
The survey also asks, "Should the media in West Virginia be permitted to use their outlet to willfully attack the reputation of any of our local businesses with the intent to lower the value of that business?"
Casey said those questions have nothing to do with helping children and only pertain to Blankenship's personal interests.
"It's fascinating to watch the pettiness of this guy," Casey said. "People can spend what they want, but you've got to remember the source."
Blankenship has made 41 contributions to Republicans this year and Casey has urged the recipients to give it back.
One Republican candidate had already turned back $1,000 from Blankenship.
"Mr. Blankenship puts forth a lot of issues I agree with, like the elimination of the food tax and stiffer penalties on sexual predators," said Tommy Smirl, a Republican running for the House in the 16th District. "But the manner in which he's going about it, I disagree with. If I'm elected, I wouldn't want it to appear that I represent anybody other than the people in my district. I'm not here to serve one person or one group."
Smirl, son of retired veteran lawmaker Jody Smirl, R-Cabell, is a Huntington businessman who won the nomination in his primary race.
Smirl believes Blankenship's actions would urge Republicans to vote a straight ticket, a process that the GOP has historically advocated against.
"You need to look at the candidates, not the party," Smirl said. "I thought that was kind of hypocritical."
Smirl said he's received mixed reactions for rejecting Blankenship's donation.
"I didn't really think what other people would think," he said. "It just didn't sit well with me."
Del. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, says Blankenship might have been successful in a few previous campaigns, but believes his efforts will fall short in trying to sway legislative elections.
"Folks who run for the House of Delegates are out in the communities, going to church and shopping," Caputo said. "We're not isolated from our constituents. I don't think Blankenship or his millions can come in and change the minds of local folks."
Blankenship has said he was compiling a list of three-dozen legislators he wanted to take out of the statehouse.
He hasn't revealed who's on the list yet, but it will mostly be comprised of Democrats.
"I'm not going to lose any sleep over it," Caputo said. "I hope nobody else will, either. I think the Democrats will be solidified in their movement to say that Blankenship isn't going to threaten to oust 36 names in the West Virginia Legislature."
Contact writer Jake Stump at jakestump@dailymail.com or 348-4842.
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