Posted on 05/30/2003 9:58:16 PM PDT by LdSentinal
Gov. Bob Wise's extramarital affair has made him vulnerable to defeat in 2004, and some party leaders are pressing other candidates to challenge him in a primary, Democratic county chairs say.
Though primary wins over incumbent governors are exceedingly rare, both Secretary of State Joe Manchin and Treasurer John Perdue are being urged by party insiders to take the plunge against a weakened Wise, chairs said.
Like governors across the country, Wise's fortunes have been hurt by a struggling economy and a burdened state budget. That makes his May 12 acknowledgment that he was unfaithful to his wife doubly damaging in socially conservative West Virginia.
"A lot of chairs have started to look over the horizon knowing Bob is susceptible to defeat," said John Fink, Berkeley County Democratic chairman. Manchin and Perdue are under "incredible pressure from folks who say we need an alternative who can win."
Manchin is slated to announce at a party conference Saturday whether he will run for governor or secretary of state.
Perdue, who this winter said he would not run for governor, announced after Wise's revelation that he is now undecided.
Asked about Manchin's pending announcement, Wise said Wednesday, "Democracy is a wonderful thing. I look forward to a vigorous contest with Mr. Manchin or with someone else."
Often unknown except by political insiders, the 55 county chairs form a crucial part of the Democratic Party's infrastructure, in charge of organizing tasks like registration and fundraising and a key link between party leaders and voters.
Norris Light, Kanawha County chairman, said he's received many calls from former Wise voters who "have flat out told me they wouldn't support him again."
"For some in the religious sector, so to speak, it's real simple," Light added. "They're not going to support an adulterer."
Some chairs worry that Wise's woes will bolster a Republican party buoyed by gains in the 2002 legislative races.
"The iron-core Democrats will continue to support (Wise)," said George Chandler, Jackson County chairman. "But I'm not sure that's the best thing, because I think he'd have a hard time against a Republican."
Some chairs say Wise's vulnerability is exacerbated by an aspect of his leadership that's been repeatedly criticized by legislators and party leaders: a failure to communicate.
"We've not had the best communication with this administration," said Bobby Nelson, Cabell County chairman and president of the Democratic Party Chairpersons Association. "You add this to it and it creates a real concern about what we as a party should do."
Even chairs who strongly support Wise fret that the political fallout from his affair may be too much to overcome.
John Martino of Brooke County echoed other Northern Panhandle chairs in saying Wise's strong support for the steel industry and other parts of the local economy have kept him popular.
Martino called news of the affair "a personal shock," adding, "I don't see that he can't be re-elected. But he's walking a real close line."
In parts of the state where Democratic registration is weaker, Wise could drag down the party slate, chairs said.
"Being a Republican county, we've got it rough anyway," said Mary Ann Gum, Doddridge County chairwoman. "It might be better" if someone else was nominated.
J. Michael Cassell, Jefferson County chairman, said he thought the media had made too much of the adultery issue.
Of course, it would help if Don were Republican. I have no idea what his political preference is.
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