Published: August 21, 2008 09:26 pm         

‘Elvis’ to join Weeks’ gubernatorial campaign for fundraiser events

Elvis is coming to Beckley.

Not the late king of rock ’n’ roll, but a reasonable facsimile. And it’s all part of an effort to raise campaign cash for Republican gubernatorial nominee Russ Weeks.

On his Web site, the former state senator doesn’t identify anyone with his promise of a “memories of Elvis” side show during the fundraiser, but his campaign spokesman, Gary Abernathy, has spent several years doing an impression of the King — down to the white jump suit, dark glasses and black wig.

Weeks is billing his Sept. 16 event as a rock ‘n’ roll party, set in his hometown at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center, once known as the armory.

Besides the Presley side show, the event alludes to “other surprises” without offering any specific details.

Early on in his bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin, Weeks promised to make this year’s race for governor interesting and colorful, and he lived up to that pledge to a degree Wednesday by unveiling a new Web site.

Using suitcases with labels denoting specific issues, the Web site relies on media accounts involving Manchin and his administration to make points.

At the top of the page is an admonition, “Let’s send Mojo packing.”

The top suitcase is labeled “the scandal at WVU,” a reference to Manchin’s daughter, Heather Bresch, getting an unearned master’s degree in business.

Heavy donors pulled back contributions when this became known and WVU President Mike Garrison tendered his resignation, while many officials in the school suffered demotions.

Another suitcase on the page is labeled “Living Large at Our Expenses,” a critique of posh additions by the Manchin family in the Governor’s Mansion.

“Joe Manchin’s record is one of enhancing the power and celebrity of Joe Manchin the politician at the expense of the needs of the average West Virginia,” said Abernathy, in his role as spokesman for the Weeks campaign.

“While the governor relaxes in marble bathtubs and watches sporting events on his plasma TV, the people of West Virginia remain mired in an economy hopelessly stalled in last place.”

Abernathy said Weeks offers “a clear choice between the politics of self-sacrifice, which has been the cornerstone of Russ’ life, versus the politics of self-aggrandizement.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com