Kessler would make good Democratic candidate April 14, 2009
I have had my problems with Jeff Kessler from time to time. But, especially considering his potential opponents in the Democratic primary in 2012, he would make a good candidate for Governor.
Now, I can’t help but be biased toward the Senators because I have worked with them for year, so I’ll admit that.
But, my dealings with Jeff have been very positive even though we had some major bruhahas in Senate including a showdown over Logan’s Law a few years back.
First, let me give my negatives toward Jeff.
Well, my reticence about him can be summed up in TWO WORDS.
Trial - Lawyers.
Jeff will have no where else to turn but the trial lawyers for campaign cash in 2012.
By coming out early, I’m certain he is trying to line up that support.
The unions will go with John Perdue most likely.
The business community will continue to look for a candidate, but their concern over the trial lawyers influence on Jeff will give them pause.
The WVEA and AFT are already lining up behind Erik Wells. (That’s a joke, of course)
Of all the Senators, with the exception of Erik Wells, I think Jeff would make the best Governor. I know that might sound crazy to people. But, he’s fair. And, he’s given business a fair shake in the Judiciary committee.
He hasn’t been overly labor or overly trial lawyers while he was there. He’s almost acted as a judge and/or moderator as Committee Chair.
Overall for the Democrats, I think Erik Wells would be their best choice. (Again, I know I’m sounding looney).
Looking at it strictly politically, Erik has a wide ranging popularity in multiple parts of the state. I’m sure Natalie won’t let him run because she may want it for herself, but Erik strikes you as Gubernatorial. Natalie does not. Period.
Erik already has two huge swaths of the state where he will win, the Kanawha Valley and the Clarksburg-Morgantown area. That’s powerful.
Jeff’s biggest issue is he has little base from which to run. Perdue has paid pretty much every Democratic hack known to man (I heard he hired Tom Vogel, former Democratic ED which cracked me up, I love knowing my taxdollars are paying Tom to prep John’s 2012 run). He’s paid off county commissioners and pretty much anyone willing to double dip and take taxpayer loot. The unions love him because they think he will simply do what they tell him.
Jeff doesn’t have any of that.
In addition, Jeff has never been in a real campaign, even for Senate. He’s not battled-tested (neither has John for that matter, but Erik and Natalie both have been). And, he will quickly find out that there is little gray on the campaign trial.
And, of course, let’s be honest, his IQ differential over John Perdue has to be at least as big as North Carolina’s halftime lead over Michigan State. (It’s likely closer to WVU’s football margin of victory against Rutgers a few years back, was it 81-0?).
Jeff does have a lot going for him. He is universally liked and respected in the Senate. If he can line up most of the Senators, he will have strong individuals in many communities throughout the state. The Senators can walk him into the major donors and supporters in the area will listen to their local Senators.
Most of the Senators know that John Perdue is simply not capable of being Governor. They’ve let him get away with this huge increase in his budget and hiring of political hacks to run his campaign for Governor using taxpayer loot simply because they figured he could do little damage there.
But, Jeff or Erik would be infinitely better than Perdue. Every Senator and I suspect most but the craziest House members know that as well.
That being said, all this has to make Shelley Capito smile.
When she looks at the other side of potential Democrat contenders (unless some rich dude comes out of the woodwork, a la Caperton), she has to feel pretty good about potential matchups with Jeff or John or Natalie or even Erik.
-->
Loading...
8 Responses to “Kessler would make good Democratic candidate”
I’m for Shelley whatever office she seeks.
However, I hope she runs for governor - here in Putnam County she would win 65-35. The state sorely needs someone of Shelley’s caliber after the long string of clowns we’ve endured.
Mike Greenleaf
Scott Depot, WV
As long as Jeff Kessler sticks to his roots I’ll vote for him. If a person is Pro-Life, then they should not be ashamed to admit it. I was disappointed in Jeff and Manchin for abandoning their Pro-Life position when they backed Obabma. Tell me your and advocate for the unborn and you have my vote.
I agree that Jeff hasn’t had a serious challenger. If he had, he very likely would have lost.
When I ran against him about five years ago, I spent about $4K to his $44K. The registration was three to one in favor of the Democrats. I was working a full time job which didn’t allow me nearly as much time to campaign as I should have, but the results:
He won. He won 5 counties and I won 4. He won with a two to one advantage in votes (down from the three to one registration advantage). He had the advantage in money, time to campaign, name recognition, and incumbency. He also had an advantage in that there is a “Gentleman’s Agreement” among the people in the Senate not to campaign for an incumbent’s opponent. The insurmountable obstacle in this race was the tacit approval of former Governor Arch Moore (of course he can’t count on that against Shelley).
One more thing in his favor was that West Virginians For Life endorsed him, even though he is more liberal on abortions than I am (I do not believe in exceptions, and he believes in a little bit of murder in the case of rape, incest, life/health of the mother). I asked WVFL to copy the NRA’s position on endorsements and either not endorse or endorse both candidates when both supported their positions. They endorse incumbents in these cases, which is a real help to those in the Democrat Party who provide lip service to the pro-life position.
My point is, he should have really taken me to the cleaners - but he showed surprising weakness for all of the advantages he had.
I would vote for Jeff Kessler, seems like a fair guy. I’ll have to pay more attention to his position on issues.
Erik Wells, Gubernatorial? C’mon Vic, that even suprises me and I am a Democrat. I have said it before and will say it again, the dark horse is Mike Green. He is battle tested, beat Wooten and Susman in the most expensie Senate race ever and then defeated the incumbent, Senator Russ Weeks. He can raise the money, has a little himself and has great demeanor. Mark this down and take note, the only thing that stops him is if he wants to be Senate President.
Not sure if Senator Green is ready now, but really has a ton of potential. I find it ironic that Vic is touting the two most liberal members of the Senate in Kessler and Wells. Seems as if he is wanting to promote a candidate that will have little or no chance in the fall. Green’s toughest test would be the primary, he is middle of the road and very attractive to all parties. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Rick Thompson must feel left out.
Democrat politicians are pro-life when it gets them votes.
However, when they get into higher positions, they cannot be because of the loonies at the national level–read their platform. Even Mikey Oliverio said once to a friend who questioned his vote on a pro-family issue that when you were a Democrat you had to vote w/ the leadership.
So we have former pro-lifers such as Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Joe Manchin, and apparently Jeff Kessler.
My question is–why would you vote for them in the first place?? Keep voting the same way and expect a different outcome. Hmmmmmmm….