Aug. 26, 2010
Raese and Manchin: A Tale of Two Campaigns
Huntingtonnews.net Staff Analysis
Most of the candidates for U.S. Senate this year have thrown themselves into the shortened special election with gusto. For example, John Raese immediately began roaring around the state in his "Wally Wagon," a campaign van he's used before.
Raese has kept to a very busy schedule each day since their respective announcements, going to every conceivable event across the state at senior centers, downtown walkabouts, summer barbecues, and parades.
Such events give voters the chance to size up a candidate, to converse with them, and to get the measure of the individual who wants to be their leader.
Contrast this activist style of personal campaigning with Governor Manchin's "Rose Garden" strategy, named for Jimmy Carter's decision to stay behind the White House rose garden to look busy at his official duties as President. While there may be a certain dignity to this pose, it effectively cuts a candidate off from the people, making them wonder if he really wants their votes or not.
"The people always--and I mean always--appreciate a candidate who makes the rounds," said Jack Ellis, a Putnam County political consultant. "Personally, I think it goes back to the Roman days at the Coliseum, where people could see up close their gladiators. Or think of a rock concert today and the prices people will pay just to be in the same room as their favorite performer. A live act is always preferable to a mere rumor of a candidacy."
And what about the revelation yesterday that Governor Manchin went to a fundraiser instead of the one Eastern Panhandle debate last week that every other Democratic and Republican candidate attended?
"That is a huge mistake," said Ellis. "First Manchin's office implied that he couldn't make it because of his official duties as Governor at the State Fair. But someone noticed that there still would have been time for him to high-tail it back to Jefferson County in time for the debate. But he didn't. So then his spokesperson has to cough up the truth and say that he was, in fact, at a fundraiser that night instead of the debate.
"Do you hear those thousands of feet shuffling from up around Martinsburg?" said Ellis, chuckling. "That's the sound of the Eastern Panhandle Democrats going towards Hechler, If 95 year old Ken Hechler could drive up to Jefferson County for that debate, then so could Governor Manchin. They may just teach Joe a hard lesson this Saturday. This avoidance of the debate smacks of arrogance by Manchin."
Meanwhile, John Raese keeps up a heavy schedule of more visits in this closing days, having visited Preston County and the Northern Panhandle this week.
"We're feeling really good about the enthusiasm we're seeing out there," said Jim Dornan, Raese's campaign manager. "We are hearing a lot of good ideas and are encouraged by the support we're getting everywhere. Nothing beats pressing the flesh, and John thoroughly enjoys it."
The primary special election will be held this Saturday, August 28th, statewide.
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Raese and Manchin: A Tale of Two Campaigns
Huntingtonnews.net Staff Analysis
Most of the candidates for U.S. Senate this year have thrown themselves into the shortened special election with gusto. For example, John Raese immediately began roaring around the state in his "Wally Wagon," a campaign van he's used before.
Raese has kept to a very busy schedule each day since their respective announcements, going to every conceivable event across the state at senior centers, downtown walkabouts, summer barbecues, and parades.
Such events give voters the chance to size up a candidate, to converse with them, and to get the measure of the individual who wants to be their leader.
Contrast this activist style of personal campaigning with Governor Manchin's "Rose Garden" strategy, named for Jimmy Carter's decision to stay behind the White House rose garden to look busy at his official duties as President. While there may be a certain dignity to this pose, it effectively cuts a candidate off from the people, making them wonder if he really wants their votes or not.
"The people always--and I mean always--appreciate a candidate who makes the rounds," said Jack Ellis, a Putnam County political consultant. "Personally, I think it goes back to the Roman days at the Coliseum, where people could see up close their gladiators. Or think of a rock concert today and the prices people will pay just to be in the same room as their favorite performer. A live act is always preferable to a mere rumor of a candidacy."
And what about the revelation yesterday that Governor Manchin went to a fundraiser instead of the one Eastern Panhandle debate last week that every other Democratic and Republican candidate attended?
"That is a huge mistake," said Ellis. "First Manchin's office implied that he couldn't make it because of his official duties as Governor at the State Fair. But someone noticed that there still would have been time for him to high-tail it back to Jefferson County in time for the debate. But he didn't. So then his spokesperson has to cough up the truth and say that he was, in fact, at a fundraiser that night instead of the debate.
"Do you hear those thousands of feet shuffling from up around Martinsburg?" said Ellis, chuckling. "That's the sound of the Eastern Panhandle Democrats going towards Hechler, If 95 year old Ken Hechler could drive up to Jefferson County for that debate, then so could Governor Manchin. They may just teach Joe a hard lesson this Saturday. This avoidance of the debate smacks of arrogance by Manchin."
Meanwhile, John Raese keeps up a heavy schedule of more visits in this closing days, having visited Preston County and the Northern Panhandle this week.
"We're feeling really good about the enthusiasm we're seeing out there," said Jim Dornan, Raese's campaign manager. "We are hearing a lot of good ideas and are encouraged by the support we're getting everywhere. Nothing beats pressing the flesh, and John thoroughly enjoys it."
The primary special election will be held this Saturday, August 28th, statewide.
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
