Democratic West Virginia Governor Won’t Endorse Obama
- Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:40pm by
Mytheos Holt
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Despite narrowly electing Democratic Senator Joe Manchin in 2010, West Virginia has trended steadily more Republican ever since. And now, the shift in zeitgeist has apparently tricked up, as the state’s Democratic Governor has announced that he will not endorse President Obama for reelection, while also stopping just short of endorsing Mitt Romney.
Talk about a knife in the back. CNS News reports:
West Virginia’s Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said he is not endorsing President Barack Obama for re-election, saying the president “has apparently made it his mission to drive the backbone of West Virginia’s economy, coal and the energy industry, out of business.”
Tomblin is running for re-election in the heavily Democratic and major coal-producing state this year. He won a special election for the governorship last year after Gov. Joe Manchin was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010.
“As a loyal member of the Democratic party and as governor for our state, I will continue to do everything I can, including suing the EPA, to get the president to change the misguided policies that are hurting West Virginians,” Tomblin added in his statement.
Tomblin said he is not supporting presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney either.
This is only going to further complicate President Obama’s pitch to blue collar workers, as West Virginia has one of the most blue collar populations in the union. It also complicates President Obama’s pitch as being a pro-energy President, giving Republicans yet one more talking point to use against the President. If Tomblin plays his cards right, he could end up giving a speech at the Republican National Convention a la Zell Miller in 2004.
H/T Mediaite
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Comments (102)
Rayblue
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:43pmAnd he voted for the Kenyan the first time around because…….?
A rose of another name is still a rose. Men shut their doors against a setting sun.
Report Post »So on and so on.
brother_ed
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:00amI’m pretty sure it was OBVIOUS that he wanted to kill the coal industry during the last campaign.
Didn’t West Virginia go to McCain last election?
Time for another guy to lose his job.
Report Post »soisay
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:03amWV is a red state, like Utah, Idaho, Maine, Upstate NY, Upper Peninsula MI. Yet each of these places has elected one or two dem reps. We used to have compromise members, from Reagen and Goldwater, to Rockefeller and Eisenhower, that found ways to find common ground with the other side so we each got “half a loaf” and the country could get along with its neighbors and in-laws. Now every holiday dinner is spoiled at my house, people blaming each other and vulgar.
The dems have pro-life and pro-choice, pro-gun and pro-brady, pro-military spending and pro-troop reduction, pro-Dream Act and pro-Total Enforcement, pro-gay marriage and evangelicals in their party. They have Christians, Muslims, and Athiests among their ranks. They find a way to bring this mish-mosh of opinions into one American tent. We cannot say the same. Robert Bennett, Orrin Hatch, Charlie Crist, Lisa Murkowski, even Jon Huntsman, and going back to William Weld and Jim Jeffords. We can keep beating the same drum, but will the independents buy into a monolithic unitary nationwide GOP?
Report Post »HKS
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:17amGive this guy four more years and West Virginia will have no coal industry at all, he intends to kill coal and that’s what he is doing. His only obstacle at this point appears to be getting enough time to get it done, just like killing America as you know it and time is up to you.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:02amThousand bucks says the Gov. votes for Obama in Nov. And these comments are just lip service to quill the voters in W.VA.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:04amOdummer made it painfuly obvious months before the Democrat Cnvertion that he was against all fossil fuels, especially coal. He stated his intentions to use the EPA and Congressionally un-reviewed rules to close coal generating plants. He stated publically that, “Electricity rates will NECESSARILY rise”. That was his plan from the get go. Pandering to the, “Green Lobby” is his forte.
Well now he has started his campaign to destroy America. 6 coal generating plants will close this year. He has even had rules passed which makes it impossible for us to mine coal and sell it overseas.
Yet, the states where miners are losing jobs right and left along with associated tax revenue for the states continue to support this panderer. In states affected by the closure of coal fired generating plants which are already feeling the sting of electric rate increases, voters still support Obama. Many business owners who will be impacted very heavily, still contribute to his campaign. WHEN WILL PEOPLE WAKE UP? When will they elect a candidate concerned with the health of the American economy? When will they elect a president concerned with restoring America to it’s former prominence in manufacturing and innovation? When will they elect a president and congress who will stop overspending and presiding over the economic destruction of America?
Coal miners have been the backbone of the economy of the USA. I hope they all realize that because of Obama, the backbone is detoriorating.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:34amNothing like investigative journalism. LOL like what would you expect the governor of WV to say. Im sure the goal industry owns every politician in the state.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:36amJust think of the positive things the industry could have accomplished relative to cleaning up coal emissions if they had spent half their influence and graft money on that instead of buying politicians and influence.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:54pmThat’s right JROOK..keep whistling past the graveyard champ.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:39pmHe’s gonna lose worse than Mondale……….
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:49amPromise?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:36pmGov. Earl Ray Tomblin …….. doesn’t want to save the planet? The coal miners can get those well paying green jobs. Didn’t he get the memo?
Report Post »science teacher
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:36pmLook it up and find out how much of your state’s electricity comes from coal. For NC its 55%. I can’t make due with 55% less electricity. And in our region 100% of our electricity is from coal. We need to pressure our Governors to join the WV Governor in protest.
Report Post »soisay
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:12amAnd what is a good level? 60, 80, 100%? or 50, 40, 30%? Our strategy seems based on keeping a few workers employed, while letting a few companies convert public natural resources to private money and public liability for cleanup, health, and pollution.
Dependence on coal for power is no different than TARP. When things work, companies get rich (and trickled down some to shareholders). When things go wrong, taxpayers pay the bills (through EPA, BLM, FEMA, ACE, CDC, and local fire and police support, then finally county hospitals with expensive long term illnesses across a long tailing area (see Chernobyl and Japan refuse coming ashore in Alaska for affected distances).
The only people that support it, are coal producers, and they make plenty of money to spread around Washington to get their laws, and to spread around Corporate Media to run scary TV ads to get votes. No difference than Big Oil telling us how they make jobs, and that you own shares in them. No difference than Auto telling you it is too big to fail.
Where is our strategy besides chasing money and votes like greyhounds chase the wooden rabbit?
Report Post »IDONTTHINKSO
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:26pmLet’s see if he is telling the truth down the line!
Report Post »lassiegirldawn
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:19pmI guess God did give one democrat some brains.
Report Post »marhee9
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:34pmI have to say as a hard core conservative, I kind of liked this guy the first time I heard him speak. He seems to genuinely care about the people he represents, and it’s hard to find fault with him. At least he has enough guts to speak out against the war on coal being waged by Obama. Thumbs up Joe!
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVXFGTUNDjE
ObammaSlamma
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:38pmHe has read the polls and is trying to continue to fool the people. Don’t buy it.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:17pmThe LAST of the BLUE DOGS? He better watch his back now…
Report Post »soisay
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:44amCut a spot for yourself in the middle and be hated by all. He’ll get maybe 10 votes, if all of his Aunts and Uncles are registered.
Report Post »JohnTwoFeathers
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:15pmAMEN! This guys from where? WEST VIRGINIA got it. He must be the only democratic govenor that understands what Obammys doing to the world. God, guns and coal down there. Remember that famous democratic senator Byrd was from WV. Famous for the ^^^
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:12amJohn Please refer to it as the DEMOCRAT Party. There is NOTHING “democratic” about the DEMOCRAT Party
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:14pmWonder if the democrats of West Virginia have asked Jay Rockefeller how he feels about the Obama EPA assult on coal? Some how it just doesn’t fit. West Virginia loves coal but votes Rockefeller.
Report Post »rednckpreacher
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:13pmHow silent here in at home! I am in and of WV, didnt know this ,must be a media black out here! Well earl I cant support either liberal candidate either WHICH IS WHY IM VOTING FOR RON PAUL WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE
Report Post »Southerner01
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:25amA vote for Ron Paul is vote for Obama.
Report Post »RedDirtTexas
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:26amPlease don’t do that if my good congressman SHOULD decide to run third party! Remember the Ross Poirot debacle that ensured 8 years of Clinton. A vote for Paul at this point would be a vote for Obama, a vote against your home state, and anyone you know in the coal industry. While we need a true “all of the above” approach to an independent American energy policy, we don’t need a socialist president with his boot on the necks of “all of the above”!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:16amJust goes to prove DEMOCRATS are Liberal DEMOCRATS , First , Last, Always. Just another vote for Barry. Congrats.
Report Post »bigdeg
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:09pmWell being from W.Va, I never was crazy about Tomblin…but he will get my vote now!
Report Post »Chrison
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:15pmThat‘s why he’s doing it… to get folks to vote for him. Why don’t you vote for the Republican candidate instead? Isn‘t it better to have a conservative Republican governor rather than a democratic one who’s opposed to the President’s policies?
I’m just saying…
Report Post »ObammaSlamma
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:33pmThis is the same person along with Manchin, Rockefeller, and Rahall, that supported Obama knowing what he would do to coal. They all put Party above everything else. It will soon be time for them to face the end of their political futures. Even the United Mine Workers know they were (mislead) lied to by these clowns.
Report Post »ObammaSlamma
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:36pmDon’t be fooled by these sell outs. Vote Republican and send them a message.
Report Post »crazyrightwingmom
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:46pmThey always talk conservative before the election. Vote them out anyway…we have a great Republican businessman…Conservative running!!! Get rid of the Dems!
Report Post »Chrison
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:05pm“Complicate” Obama’s supposed pro-energy and pro-blue-collar message??? Heck, this non-endorsement absolutely SHREDS them!
LOL!
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:04pmGood move.
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:00pm‘…the president “has apparently made it his mission to drive the backbone of West Virginia’s economy, coal and the energy industry, out of business.”
Report Post »…uh…duh. He JUST figured this out???
MCDAVE
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:59pmObama’s coat tails are going to drag the demorats down with him..That’s a good thing.
Report Post »Volsense
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:57pmObama has been against fossil fuels his whole political life and this bozo finally figures that out. Someone this totally uneducated should never be governor of a state. The fact he finally acknowledges the obvious means he is playing an old bluedog democrat trick. Lie to your constituents before the election and stab your voters in the back the next day.This loon is so obvious, he’s nauseating.
Report Post »ALL4FREEDOM
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:54pmSame argument applies to Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and all other coal and fossil enerygy states. About time somebody brought it up. Republicans can certainly use the argument effectively against our Popinjay in Chief.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:54pmDemocrats are Liberals First, Last, Always. He will toe the line by election day. Barry butters Joe’s bread.
Report Post »marine249
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:57pmmsnbc will see he does.
Report Post »falschimjaeger
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:50pmAs this governor has seen the light, he will be branded a turn coat and most undoubtedly a racist. More power to him for standing up.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:50pmneither would I.. a weak ANTI AMERICAN SOCIALIST PRO MUSLUMN LOVI(NG BASTARD needs to be REMOVED IMPEACH OBAMANOW
Report Post »MCDAVE
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:04pmNo one in congress has the guts to impeach him….I fear he will hurt us as much as he can between now and November.
Report Post »soisay
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:24amWe would be better served to come up with common sense solutions (not underwritten by Heritage, Dick Armey, Tom Tancredo). In some towns, it was found that TRUE Tea Party platforms were the same as those from Occupy Wall Street. Now that is the coalition to build. Call in the deep rooted pols of both parties by sending fiscally conservative, with corporate regulatory / lessen corporate influence agenda. Then let them fight it out on guns, wars, fetuses, schools, and prisons once they move to DC. But they would have the underlying financial framework in place, by reaching consensus between the TP and OWS. More in common than you think, if you go look at it.
Report Post »eyedoc5
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:50pmawesome
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:48pmWelcome to the Real World, Earl!
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:47pmdemocrats only change sides when it hurts them personally
since obamas policies are damaging to the state he runs, it is damaging to his re election thus he is trying to distance himself from the party narrative
its fools like this that are part of the problem , licking their finger looking for the wind
kinda reminds me of most politicians
Report Post »thedirtmover
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:46pmWOW!!! A democrat with a soal. We have found one that is NOT a lemming.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:43pm…
Report Post »The Democrats are finally waking up.