Millions Spent to Make Sweeping Changes in States Political Landscape Backfires As Coal Baron's Candidates Defeated

Excepted from Beckley Register-Herald, Nov. 8, 2006

This time it didnt work.

Massey Energy chief executive officer Don Blankenship wheeled out plenty of his gold bars more than $2 million worth to be exact to try to buy sweeping changes in West Virginias Legislature. (Ed. note: the Dons total spending was almost $3 million.)

Given Blankenships past record when it comes to elections 2-0 counting his multimillion-dollar effort to oust Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw followed by financing a campaign against a bond levy proposed by Gov. Joe Manchin to help retire some of the states mounting debt many had to be wondering what would happen.

West Virginia MetroNews thought so much of the Massey CEOs efforts they posted a special results section on their Web site for election night and labeled it "The Blankenship Factor."

Well, the people spoke and it wasnt in Blankenships favor. In fact it wasnt even close. There was no factor.

we believe two factors played into Blankenships failed efforts. First and foremost, West Virginia voters simply werent going to buy it this time and his brash approach clearly turned the majority of people off. Secondly, Republican candidates and agendas took a beating all across the country.

In fact, we would go as far as to say that Blankenships ads, even though they werent directly linked to GOP candidate campaigns, actually hurt the Republican hopefuls more than it helped them

Blankenships record is now 2-1, but never fear, 2008 isnt that far off and you can certainly expect that if Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher decides to seek re-election that King Don will be close by with his pocketbook and another candidate to try to put on the states highest court.

And just one more thing. While the final numbers arent in yet, the $2 million plus Blankenship spent sure could have gone a long way toward building that new elementary school over in the Marsh Fork district. It would have been money "well" spent and truly could have been something positive for the sake of the kids.