April 18, 2010
Maynard ‘no show’ at Marshall Republican Congressional Debate
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
.jpg)
Huntington, WV (HNN) – After meticulous planning by members of Marshall University’s College Republicans in conjunction with Cabell County Republicans, only three of the four candidates vying for Nick Rahall’s seat attended the debate.
Word had leaked Friday, April 16 that Spike Maynard would not attend. Marty Gearheart had written that “unless this is an emergency this is very disrespectful” on a Republican internet forum. Both Candidate Lee Bias and he expressed disappointment not only for those who worked to host the debate but also forsaking an opportunity for facing the issues before the voters. Both stressed that his reason for not coming to the debate should be a extraordinary.
Candidate Conrad Lucas put it this way, “I believe everyone truly interested in debating issues and truly interested in Southern West Virginia was here tonight.”
.jpg)
Bias added that he and others would welcome Blankenship at next week’s Logan debate.
Maynard, a former chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court, switched his political affiliation from Democratic to Republican to enter the contest. Prior to his emergence, speculation had former MU football coach Bob Pruett as a possible high profile contender.
During a Massey Energy case before the West Virginia Supreme Court in which Maynard refused to step aside, a photograph surfaced showing him dining with Massey CEO Don Blankenship during a European vacation. Maynard stepped aside on the case, but Justice Brett Benjamin refused to recuse himself from the $60 million dollar appeal. Blankenship had indirectly contributed millions to Benjamin’s campaign prompting accusations that Massey bought themselves a Supreme Court justice.
.jpg)
The Massey case was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in which the justices ordered that Benjamin step off the bench to prevent an appearance of impropriety. The case triggered a review of judicial campaign contributions and WV Governor Joe Manchin appointed retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to head a committee that would review the state’s judicial scheme.
Lucas , thus, called Maynard “the candidate with the most baggage” against incumbent Nick Rahall, even excluding Massey’s involvement in the worst mining disaster in 25 years when 29 miners died April 5 at the Upper Big Branch subsidiary of Massey energy.
Mik Carpenter, campaign manager for Maynard, did come to the debate. He declined to comment to HNN about the whereabouts of Maynard or his reason for pulling out of the Marshall debate. Instead, he offered a one-on-one interview with Maynard.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Maynard ‘no show’ at Marshall Republican Congressional Debate
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – After meticulous planning by members of Marshall University’s College Republicans in conjunction with Cabell County Republicans, only three of the four candidates vying for Nick Rahall’s seat attended the debate.
Word had leaked Friday, April 16 that Spike Maynard would not attend. Marty Gearheart had written that “unless this is an emergency this is very disrespectful” on a Republican internet forum. Both Candidate Lee Bias and he expressed disappointment not only for those who worked to host the debate but also forsaking an opportunity for facing the issues before the voters. Both stressed that his reason for not coming to the debate should be a extraordinary.
Candidate Conrad Lucas put it this way, “I believe everyone truly interested in debating issues and truly interested in Southern West Virginia was here tonight.”
Bias added that he and others would welcome Blankenship at next week’s Logan debate.
Maynard, a former chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court, switched his political affiliation from Democratic to Republican to enter the contest. Prior to his emergence, speculation had former MU football coach Bob Pruett as a possible high profile contender.
During a Massey Energy case before the West Virginia Supreme Court in which Maynard refused to step aside, a photograph surfaced showing him dining with Massey CEO Don Blankenship during a European vacation. Maynard stepped aside on the case, but Justice Brett Benjamin refused to recuse himself from the $60 million dollar appeal. Blankenship had indirectly contributed millions to Benjamin’s campaign prompting accusations that Massey bought themselves a Supreme Court justice.
The Massey case was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in which the justices ordered that Benjamin step off the bench to prevent an appearance of impropriety. The case triggered a review of judicial campaign contributions and WV Governor Joe Manchin appointed retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to head a committee that would review the state’s judicial scheme.
Lucas , thus, called Maynard “the candidate with the most baggage” against incumbent Nick Rahall, even excluding Massey’s involvement in the worst mining disaster in 25 years when 29 miners died April 5 at the Upper Big Branch subsidiary of Massey energy.
Mik Carpenter, campaign manager for Maynard, did come to the debate. He declined to comment to HNN about the whereabouts of Maynard or his reason for pulling out of the Marshall debate. Instead, he offered a one-on-one interview with Maynard.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
