The Herald Dispatch in Huntington today ran the editorial below calling attention to online gambling being looked at by various states. Phillipsbillboard.com has called attention to this revenue opportunity that West Virginia should consider.  The Huntington newspaper...

(Editor’s note: Served as a Member of the WV Racing Commission from February, 2013 until January 31, 2017 when Governor Justice replaced me after taking office.) A visit to the website of the WV Racing Commission revealed they are ending the ability for interested...

 [Editor’s Note: During the Reagan Administration I was responsible for rural development policy based at the U. S. Department of Agriculture.] Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue went to an urban city (Cincinnati) to tell rural citizens and communities he was...

[Editor’s Note: During the Reagan Administration I was responsible for rural development policy based at the U. S. Department of Agriculture.] President Trump’s Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was sitting at the elbow of President Trump in the White House about...

Is West Virginia missing out on new revenue - by not thinking ahead? Maryland’s Legislature is taking steps to be prepared. Forward thinking members have introduced legislation to assure the State is ready to take advantage of sports betting.  Introduced February 8th...

(Please note: Research for this piece came from Herman Guy Kump: A Political Profile by Albert Steven Gatrell.  Governor Kump’s granddaughter gave me the book.) It is beginning to sounds like our State is facing issues in 2017 similar to 1933. Today one can read in...

Governor Justice is looking for “big ideas”. Here is a middle sized idea. These ideas could help avoid a tax increase on our state’s residents. Plus help an industry with 7,300 jobs and communities and businesses that depend on the horse racing. The concept is known...

After reading Dan Milbank’s piece this morning I decided it was time for a blog. My life has been consumed by politics.  As a youngster I passed out Republican literature at the polls (when you could get closer than 300 feet), helped local candidates run for office,...

Before telling West Virginians U. S. Joe Manchin told the nation he will not run for Governor.  He appeared on CBS “Face the Nation” today.  

I am beginning to think about the landscape and strategy for the 2016 campaign as the Republican controlled Legislature begins to wrap up.  Today I found an insightful analysis in Real Clear Politics.  With Senator Joe Manchin deciding which roads to travel in 2016 –...

Disgusted is the way I reacted last night after reading a Twitter post about a $100,000 breakfast being organized by a “secretive” and likely “extreme” conservative group.  You must read/click this link to see exactly what is going on. It is unfortunate the organizers...

The Associated Press has a story running that Senator Joe Manchin may be coming home.  After last November election results “Joe” may be the best hope for a revived Democratic Party in our State?  Who knows when it comes to Joe? Click on this link to learn...

On New Year’s Day 2014 I wrote in my blog about the West Virginia political environment.   Today before I look forward I took a quick look back to see what I missed. Never did I expect a campaign as messy and mean.   The campaign turned voters off and many Democrats...

After the historic West Virginia election as well as a smashing Republican victory across the nation political junkies and policy wonks like me are pivoting to 2016.  In my case it is the intrigue of the presidential contest and the adjustment both parties will need...

(Editor’s Note:  The commentary below came as an email from Bob Harris.  I thought it was powerful and should be shared.  Mr. Harris grew up in Charleston where his father was editor of The Charleston Gazette and later Chief of Staff to Senator Jennings Randolph.  Bob...

The 2014 election cycle is the first in which I have not been actively involved at some level in years.  What a mess it has been to observe and I am certain readers have seen the same. There has been so much money with some of it questionable, too many untruthful ads...

(Editor’s Note:  With campaign ads beginning to flow there is none more famous than “Daisy.”  Mr. Babb’s piece is offered for those new to campaigns and political advertising.  For those inclined to watch a link is provided below.) By Drew Babb Drew Babb teaches...

It’s Labor Day…traditionally the start of the 2014 campaign season… but it started 11.07.12…not to be outdone the 2016 is already underway…at least for the presidency…and Senator Manchin being a placeholder for WV Governor. State GOP Chair Lucas and his 2014 team have...

(Full disclosure:  I am a member of the WV Racing Commission.  The views expressed here are strictly my personal ones). There is nothing as exciting as horse racing.  Saturday will be the 45th running of the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack &...

POLITICO’s Huddle reports this morning that U. S. Senator Joe Manchin has not ruled out running for President.   The story by Scott Wong is below. By Scott Wong ([email protected] or @scottwongDC) IF HILLARY PASSES, MANCHIN FOR PRESIDENT? - Sen. Joe Manchin says a...

A new opportunity for the Lottery industry and horse racing became public last week.  EquiLottery a Kentucky based company has developed an innovative horse racing and lottery game. Just last month I wrote with Lottery revenue continuing to decline I would assume the...

An earthquake hit the Republican Party last night.  House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-Va.) was defeated  by a Tea Party challenger.  This will fuel Tea Party types with the real impact hitting in 2015 and 2016 as battle for the Republican nomination moves into...

Revenue in our State is needed as badly as pothole filling.  The legislature faced with trying to find funds to restore “people” services in its recent special session had to move money from one account to another.  No one can argue about funding badly needed social...

Political Tidbits…5.27.14 2014 primary election is over…summer is almost here…and the traditional start of political campaigns is long over…campaigns now are continual…likewise it appears negative campaigns are edging into mean ones…expect to see mean and costly races...