As we enter 2013 it’s fun to think about what is In & Out.  Here is my list of 13. In                                                                     Out RGIII                                                                   Romo No WV...

My recollection is President Obama promised the American people the “most transparent government ever.”  How could I have missed this story? While West Virginia coal miners are providing an honest day’s work to provide the energy that fuels the Internet, EPA...

[Editor’s Note:  Guest commentary is welcome on PHILLIPSBILLBOARD.  Bob Harris grew up in Charleston, WV and sent the piece below following our post about the EPA Administrator’s planned departure.  Harris is based in Washington with extensive Capitol Hill experience....

News just broke that Lisa Jackson EPA Chief will leave the Obama administration.  Is that good news for West Virginia?  Who knows as I learned long ago be careful what you ask for!  Here is the NY Times story.

Last week WV Senator Joe Manchin made news across the country with his comments related to guns.  His action and words have caused a stir.  President Obama gave him a call and over 100 protesters on a Saturday before Christmas showed up at this office. The Outlook...

After you finish wrapping your Christmas gifts check out the giving and receiving to political candidate this year.  Below you will find the information filed to cover October 22 until November 18.  Click on a name to open. Governor Bill Maloney Earl Ray Tomblin...

(Editor’s Note: I served in the US Department of Agriculture as Director of the Office of Rural Development Policy.  Likewise, worked for Members of Congress who served on House of Representatives Agriculture Committee and the Public Works Committee that handled...

Big Tent My friend the late Lee Atwater [ran Bush 41 campaign & served at Republican National Chairman] coined the phrase “big tent” to the best of my recollection.  My friend Jim Lees [twice Democratic candidate for Governor] had an Op Ed in today’s Charleston...

There has been a political development on the national stage that could impact Rep. Shelley Moore Capito’s announced plans to seek the U. S. Senate in 2014.  Only time will tell. Today U. S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) well known for his recent efforts to recruit the...

BIG DAY...yesterday for Republicans as 11 new House of Delegates members was sworn in...not to be overlooked are the returning GOP House & Senate members or the growth of the GOP. Don't look for an extravaganza when Gov. Tomblin is sworn into office in...

A new item has been added to the holiday shopping list in West Virginia’s second congressional district – a Member of Congress. What about a centrist who was defeated for GOP National Committeeman for knowing how to work with Democrats?  I am a fiscal conservative and...

After the not-so-surprising announcement that Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito will become a candidate for the United States Senate the attention among these West Virginia hills is the “fiscal cliff."  Its impact could result in significant change in our State that...

(Disclosure:  My wife is one of the WV State Board of Education who resigned earlier this week.  The views below are mine alone.  I would never attempt to speak for her.) This week a despicable and senseless action was taken at the WV State School Board meeting.  A...

The morning afterwards I wrote a piece about the Aftermath.  I mentioned if there a lesson to be learned from the positive campaign [my wife Jenny’s thought] of Allen Loughry approach in winning a seat on the Supreme Court.  There is a front page story about this very...

Today is a new day in the political world.  Yesterday brought cheers to some and extreme disappointment to many.  What happen and why, what needs done? We all know what happen.  On the surface without much sleep or study it appears the Obama team after 2008 made a...

Many of PHILLIPSBILLBOARD readers not living in the “political valley” may enjoy reading a wrap-up piece on this Election Day.  It appeared in this morning’s Charleston Daily Mail written by Ry Rivard Mail Capitol Reporter.  It you do Twitter he is worth following...

Taking a last look at the 2012 campaign reveals little…you hardly know there is a statewide election…expect by seeing the lines at early voting places…Governor Tomblin had to deal with a lady named Sandy…candidate Maloney put his last dollars into a newspaper ad aimed...

You can bet Sandy would not win any election but all interest is focused on her.  However, Political Junkies like me and a lot of you are wondering what impact she will have and where does things stand as the snow begins to fall. The immediate impact is likely to be...

There is an old expression “money is the mother’s milk of politics.”  WV candidates are filing their last report before the November 6th election.  PHILLIPSBILLBOARD provides readers an easy way to see where the money comes from and where it goes.  Listed below are...

A few Tidbits for your weekend…not that you have not had enough politics…let’s hope it is over in 11 days…but with the presidential race so tight… This makes me wonder…are Republicans concerned this could end up in the House of Representatives…this might explain the...

Books elect presidents not a slick pamphlet laid out like a magazine.  The Obama campaign’s release of this last minute brochure makes him look a candidate running for almost any office on a shoe string budget. Obama’s brochure has 20 pages covering manufacturing,...

Voters start to the polls today.  They have faced six elections starting in 2010.  Voters are suffering election fatigue, the candidates are running tried campaigns and the money providers are drained. Campaigns need energy to be successful.  The Governor’s race in WV...

As you can see there is a divide in the way the newspapers in “political valley” look at various races.  The WV Press Association has pushed this week as Endorsement Week.  As a result it is easier for voters to compare the opinions of newspaper editorial boards. ...

Political news and endorsements have increased this week.  I will share a few to assist readers who are not in the “political valley” keep up.   Click on the headline to read full story. U. S. Senate W.Va. needs to change the Senate; Republican John Raese would The...