GOP Candidate for Governor Pokes Fun of Incumbent

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Posted: 3:21 PM Sep 17, 2008
Last Updated: 3:21 PM Sep 17, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks is making the West Virginia University degree scandal involving Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter a major component of his campaign.

At a news conference Wednesday in Charleston, Weeks said the incident is a perfect example of the cronyism within the Manchin administration. He says Manchin's appointments to key positions within the university directly led to WVU granting Heather Bresch a degree she didn't earn.

Everyone who donates to Weeks' campaign will be given a fake diploma from the "University of Mojo." Mojo is a nickname for Manchin. The certificate says the degree is "in recognition of not what you know, but who you know."

Manchin campaign spokeswoman Sara Payne Scarbro says Weeks' decision to focus on the WVU incident is wrong because the governor wasn't involved.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 24, 2008 at 08:12 AM
I am from Marion County the home of Joe Manchin. The other comments posted on this site are opinions of those who do not have the facts. If you are from Marion County you know the facts and what type of person Joe Manchin really is. Hand selecting his Board of Governors for Fairmont State University and WVU so that he can control them and put into office people who have no right to be placed in them. Really Weeks has every right to address these issues and to inform you the residents of WV so that you can know the facts. Yes it all comes down to mud slinging and you have the right to choose that person you think can do the job. Investigate Manchin for yourself and find out all he has done to manipulate the system for himself, his friends and his relatives. We absolutely cannot afford to keep him in office anoter four years with his self absorbed agenda.

Posted by: Glenn on Sep 24, 2008 at 08:00 AM
What most people do not know is that Yest Manchin was involved in this incident. He was even involed in handpicking the members of the Board of Governors so that his cronies would be placed in to offices that they had no right to be in. I really think that there needs to be an investigation into all of his dealings. Manchin was also the reason why Dan Bradley was forced to leave Fairmont State University. I have no use for the Manchin monopoly on this state. It is time for him to go and his cronies with him. As a Democrat I am backing you 100% and am informing others of manchin

Posted by: graydon on Sep 19, 2008 at 10:26 PM
republicans do this stuff because their real agenda is so"anti workingpeople" they wouldn't get elected if they stood on policies alone

Posted by: Anna on Sep 19, 2008 at 06:08 PM
You need to campaign more in the eastern part of WV. Several citizens are not even aware there is a Republican Candidate for Govenor. Please help!!!

Posted by: Sarah on Sep 19, 2008 at 12:55 PM
West Virginia has been in the news for being one of the top,toothless, fattest,and ill-educated state of the 50. Our state has not grown in over 50 years, our government has sold us to the lowest bidder, it is time for change! The democ(RATS)refuse to give us. We need a Republican to reform our state ,and stop the corruption, someone who will move us into the future. Give us pride in where we live and perhaps the people who have left our state will have something to come back to and be proud of.

Posted by: Jason on Sep 19, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Mr. Weeks is right to expose corruption in the governor's office. The state of West Virginia makes millions of money from the coal mining companies yet we can't translate that revenue into a desirable place to locate a business. If we keep dishing out the welfare payments and not investing in the infrastructure of our state we will never achieve anything. The governor should have already been coaxing state legislatures to stem lawsuit abuse and the power of labor unions. Right to Work states have seen a large growth in jobs and industry but our government refuses to stand up to labor unions. They help a few but hurt many. It is time to give someone else a chance. Sooner or later our coal will be gone and we won't have anything to show for it.

Posted by: Ruby on Sep 18, 2008 at 09:40 PM
I've never heard of Weeks, but can tell you his mentality...Ignorant! Evidently has no agenda, and is grabbing at anything he can to get his name on the news.

Posted by: Donnie on Sep 18, 2008 at 04:26 PM
I would like to see Mr. weeks come to Mingo County and debat the Governor and ask him why he came to Mingo and lie to the tax payers and say he would stop the consolidation of our schools to the top of a strip mines 10 miles from the main highway where nothing else will be located just think in this day and time a Governor would be part of putting children in danger like this he needs to tell the unelected Governor in Mingo County he is taking charleston back and will stand up for the saftey of the children we have five very good high schools in this county schools in other parts of this state needs help send this SBA money where it is needed and wanted help the kids that need help.

Posted by: ANGIE on Sep 18, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF MR WEEKS AND DOESNT SOUND LIKE I WANT TO. HE NEEDS TO FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT HE THINKS WILL BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF WV AND LEAVE MANCHINS FAMILY OUT OF IT. I KNOW ELECTION TIME IS IMPORTANT, BUT I HATE IT. EVERYONE WANTS TO DIVIDE INTO THE PARTIES AND GET HATEFULE. CANT WAIT UNTIL ITS OVER.

Posted by: William on Sep 18, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Why isn't the Mountain Party Candidate allowed to debate with the others? We only have one candidate that will address the issues we as citizens of the Great State of West Virginia are interested in hearing. I would like to see what Weeks and Manchin have to say about Environmental Issues, Green Policy, Outsourcing of Gov't Jobs, State sponsored Energy programs for upgrading homes and automobiles. You'll never hear any of that from the two major parties in this election. I am a citizen and I want my candidate to have equal billing. It is the law and should be adhered to by your organization. Equal Time for all registered candidates. Make it happen!

Posted by: Lilly on Sep 18, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Russ baby, who cares? It only counts if the Gov's name is signed on her certificate himself. How many votes do you think this will lose you? Whatever

Posted by: Joe on Sep 18, 2008 at 07:59 AM
You dont have to "attack" the other party if they are doing stupid actions right in everyone's face. WV democratic party passes out free chicken and ice cream and everyone lines up. It will never change.

Posted by: pj on Sep 18, 2008 at 05:43 AM
I think this man is very sad and if that is the best the GOP can do, Joe your job is safe. this petty and to blame the gov for the whole thing is just wrong. sorry russ, go back to lovely raliegh county. Joe gets another run at running things. one black eye just shows he is a fighter. and he fights that hard for our state. let him finish the job he started. i think a total unknown could beat weeks, because he is a unknown.

Posted by: Tom on Sep 18, 2008 at 12:43 AM
I like the one posted by 'Anonymous' @ 04:43 pm. This person sounds like they are satisfied with just getting by. I would imagine this person was happy with anything above an F when going to school. This person needs to grow a spine and stand up for what's right unless he or she is content with a below average life. This person is the perfect example of why West Virginia is in the shape that it's in today.

Posted by: Ted on Sep 17, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Jesse Johnson is just an ACTOR who wants to get his face on TV.

Posted by: Rowls on Sep 17, 2008 at 11:43 PM
At least they were smart enough to ignore the desperate attempt by Jesse Johnson to run for Governor. No-one voted for him back in 2004 and the same will happen in 2008.

Posted by: charles carroll on Sep 17, 2008 at 07:32 PM
russ weeks ? never heard of him after the election he will never be heard of again !I guess russ will last about as long as flatulence in a wind storm !

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 17, 2008 at 05:54 PM
Right or wrong I think this is going to hurt Weeks' campaign more than help it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 17, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Way to go Russ!!! I think the public needs to be reminded of Manchin's politics. The Dems have been in charge of this state for years. It makes me sick!!!

Posted by: baby huey on Sep 17, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Right...right... gov. Joe wasn't involved...I believe that...NOT!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 17, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Ahh. Another stupid idea from another ignorant Raleigh Countian.

Posted by: me on Sep 17, 2008 at 04:35 PM
weeks would be perfect for the state, but manchin rig it one way or another

Posted by: Why? on Sep 17, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Apparently the WV Republican Party is using lessons from the national party. When you don't have anything else on which to run, then attack your opponent.

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