Aug. 5, 2010
EDITORIAL: Retail Politics And The U.S. Senate Race
As much as we all may complain about politics, there is a fun
side to it, one that some politicians embrace and others don't
know how to love. Retail politics, going door to door, shaking
hands, and meeting young and old alike is a tradition in West Virginia
that goes back as far as the founding of our state in 1863.
The politicos who mastered it went very far: how else can one explain the rise of an obscure high school teacher and coach named A. James Manchin? He won more statewide elections than most because he seemed to really enjoy people, spending hours every day out on the campaign. He was colorful, and West Virginians rewarded him for his efforts almost every time.
Arch Moore, in his own way, also took to campaigning like a duck to water. While his suits were better tailored than Manchin's, he perfected the art of taking off his coat and exhorting us all in his white shirtsleeves, telling us how West Virginia was coming back. We wanted to believe.
These days, campaigning, like just about everything else, has taken on a more informal look. The public no longer instantly looks up to its political leaders, in Charleston or Washington, and fancy suits and sharp ties won't change that. Only those candidates who demonstrate a grasp of the people's economic situation and have a plan of action to fight this recession, will be rewarded this year.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Raese has been
out on the campaign trail from day one after his announcement
last week that he was throwing his hat in the ring for Senator
Byrd's unexpired term. Raese, despite being one of West
Virginia's wealthiest men, always seems to genuinely enjoy
the person-to-person encounters on the campaign trail.
One reason people respond to him is because, contrary to other important men they might meet, Raese not only listens well but is eager to second the motion on any good idea a future constituent may have. This confirms to the voter that here, at least, is someone who "gets it," whether that means an economic, social, or foreign policy issue.
Raese's background in business has forced him to deal with all manner of complicated situations. And in a tough state for businesses like his to thrive, somehow over the past several years, he has managed to turn a profit and hire more people with good-paying jobs and benefits.
This kind of people skills and business acumen would be of great use to us in the U.S. Senate, as would Raese's sure footing as a retail politician who doesn't forget who put him in Washington. If he's working this hard to get our votes now, it's a good indication that Raese will continue to seek out our opinions once he's in the U.S. Senate.
We wonder when Joe Manchin will join in on the fun and get out of the Governor's Mansion for awhile.
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EDITORIAL: Retail Politics And The U.S. Senate Race
As much as we all may complain about politics, there is a fun
side to it, one that some politicians embrace and others don't
know how to love. Retail politics, going door to door, shaking
hands, and meeting young and old alike is a tradition in West Virginia
that goes back as far as the founding of our state in 1863.
The politicos who mastered it went very far: how else can one explain the rise of an obscure high school teacher and coach named A. James Manchin? He won more statewide elections than most because he seemed to really enjoy people, spending hours every day out on the campaign. He was colorful, and West Virginians rewarded him for his efforts almost every time.
Arch Moore, in his own way, also took to campaigning like a duck to water. While his suits were better tailored than Manchin's, he perfected the art of taking off his coat and exhorting us all in his white shirtsleeves, telling us how West Virginia was coming back. We wanted to believe.
These days, campaigning, like just about everything else, has taken on a more informal look. The public no longer instantly looks up to its political leaders, in Charleston or Washington, and fancy suits and sharp ties won't change that. Only those candidates who demonstrate a grasp of the people's economic situation and have a plan of action to fight this recession, will be rewarded this year.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Raese has been
out on the campaign trail from day one after his announcement
last week that he was throwing his hat in the ring for Senator
Byrd's unexpired term. Raese, despite being one of West
Virginia's wealthiest men, always seems to genuinely enjoy
the person-to-person encounters on the campaign trail.
One reason people respond to him is because, contrary to other important men they might meet, Raese not only listens well but is eager to second the motion on any good idea a future constituent may have. This confirms to the voter that here, at least, is someone who "gets it," whether that means an economic, social, or foreign policy issue.
Raese's background in business has forced him to deal with all manner of complicated situations. And in a tough state for businesses like his to thrive, somehow over the past several years, he has managed to turn a profit and hire more people with good-paying jobs and benefits.
This kind of people skills and business acumen would be of great use to us in the U.S. Senate, as would Raese's sure footing as a retail politician who doesn't forget who put him in Washington. If he's working this hard to get our votes now, it's a good indication that Raese will continue to seek out our opinions once he's in the U.S. Senate.
We wonder when Joe Manchin will join in on the fun and get out of the Governor's Mansion for awhile.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
