I was honored to get so many votes for Republican State Committee by the voters of Kanawha County in May.

As the top vote-getter in Kanawha County, I feel some obligation to make my position known on who should be our next chairman. My vote and my proxy vote will be for Doug McKinney.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Mark Scott a great deal. He’s a good young rising star who most likely will be Chairman someday. He has done a good job in Randolph County and I think he has an amazingly bring future ahead of him.

But, McKinney has the experience necessary to be chairman. He’s tough, hard-nosed, and he will not give the Democrats any quarter. He raised the most money of any of our candidates for Governor last time and he will be able to raise money for the party.

He has been to every part of our state during the campaign and he has roots in Southern West Virginia where Republicans are beginning to make gains.

But, most importantly, Doug has accomplishments and experience that simply can’t be matched.

Let’s address a couple of issues. First, the pro-life issue.

I understand West Virginians for Life concern. The Medical Association and WV for Life went toe-to-toe over the Women’s Right to Know Act. McKinney was the leader of the Medical Association at the time. So, I understand the concern and I understand them coming out against McKinney.

But, McKinney is pro-life. Even more importantly, McKinney will fulfill his role as Republican Chairman, first and foremost. That means supporting the party platform that is strongly pro-life (I still love hearing Nick Casey, the supposed pro-life Democratic Chairman, defend his party’s two-chickens-in-every-pot-and-an-abortion-clinic-on-every-corner platform).

As a pro-lifer myself, I do not worry that McKinney’s position against the Women’s Right to Know bill (based mainly around the punishments for doctors) somehow precludes him from being our Chairman. Doug was doing his job at the time and that’s supporting the position of the doctors of our state. While I think the Medical Association let itself be led around by the nose on the issue by pro-choice advocates, it still would have been McKinney’s job to support the Medical Association position.

As I said, McKinney will support our party’s platform and most importantly show the gulf on the Democratic side between platform and officeholders.

Also, there’s some craziness (which often happens in these races) with accusations being thrown out there against Doug and that should stop immediately. Republicans should not be personally attacking one another. The accusations against Doug and his medical practice which I have heard are completely inaccurate and not even worthy of repeating in this commentary.

Doug is a good guy. He was a successful doctor and advocate for the medical community. He has raised money and understands the direction the party needs to head.

If you want to learn more about him, you can go to www.williamstewart.org.
Doug and Mark Scott have both filled out a questionairre and they will be posted on Will’s site. Doug’s answers are currently on the site. Mark’s will be up there this week. Read about them both and make a decision on your own.

Both are good men and I will support whoever wins, but I truly believe Doug will be a strong leader for our party.