This is certainly the case in the unfortunate example of Senate Minority Leader Vic Sprouse (R-Kanawha), who this week bared all by leaving a message on a constituent's answering machine. Sprouse's message, which you can read in its entirety in the first HNN story on the subject, was the verbal equivalent of the old wink and a nod.
Sprouse wasn't threatening on the tape; rather, he was just plain silly. Laughing at first, Sprouse then grows more serious as he explains to Quick Community Center board member Jim Douglas that his contacts at the Governor's office told him that if the board wants the money for roof repairs at the community center, they will have to show more support for Underwood and less for Wise.
Some may say, "What's new? This has always been the case in West Virginia! Politicians use taxpayers' money to help them buy votes. What's the big deal?" A few observations are in order.
First of all, we have no doubt that Democratic Administrations have engaged in such practices, too, over the years. However, were any of them dumb enough to send a guy out who would leave an answering machine message on tape? No, the Democrats know better than that; being more experienced at this, they would not be so gabby.
More importantly, this hardly helps the Governor in his quest for re-election. This incident allows Underwood's political adversaries to bring back the spectre of the Governor's previous term in office. The question will now be raised, "Are we going back to the politics of the 1950s?"
The Administration's official position is that Sprouse talked to a powerless underling, not a member of the Governor's inner circle. They assure us that this is not the way they operate. But wait a minute. Isn't Sprouse the Senate Minority Leader? Doesn't he work regularly with top-level people at the Governor's office? In fact, doesn't he often represent the Governor's views on the floor of the Senate?
Suddenly it seems that when Sprouse says that "the Governor's office" told him something that now he is not to be believed. If that is the case, it may well be time to get a new Senate Minority Leader with more credibility. And, some may add, maybe a new Governor.
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