Reply #46: Yes, That's It Exactly

[DarthDem]

I never understood why Gore did not campaign in West Virginia, which, of course, would have decided the election in our favor if it had gone the other way. IIRC, he dispatched Clinton there in the final week while he and Holy Joe saturated Florida, but even the Big Dog was too late at that point.

This time around we have two months left. How about an all-out ad blitz in West Virginia???? I'd also like to see at least one visit a week from Kerry or Edwards from Labor Day until Election Day. The state is very small and not difficult to campaign in - - a few rallies in Wheeling (which would also draw Ohio residents), Morgantown, Charleston, and Huntington - - perhaps also in Bluefield/Beckley if there's time - - plus ads trumpeting Kerry's specific economic plan for West Virginia would do WONDERS for his campaign. This state can win it for us all by itself, folks, and it is much, much easier to cover than, say, Missouri, due to its size and the fact that whole state's media will cover any visit. Ads are cheap, too.

Two keys: Kerry must reassure the good people of WV that he's not going to take their guns away, and he needs to meet with coal miners at least once, ideally more than once, in order to show them that pro-environment does not equate with the loss of their jobs or an adverse impact on their industry.

The campaign seems to have seized on the importance of Florida (of course) and Ohio (correcting a serious Gore miscalculation), but is ignoring West Virginia. Get out there!!!!!