Published: August 28, 2008 10:08 pm         

Manchin tells W.Va. not to worry about Obama

Gov. Joe Manchin makes no bones about parting company with Barack Obama on some social and moral issues that play heavily on West Virginia’s political landscape, and abortion definitely is one of them.

All things considered, however, Manchin borrowed a page Thursday from the Ronald Reagan campaign playbook as a pre-emptive strike against Republicans who might resort to past “scare tactics” about abortion, guns and other passionate values in his home state.

“If you believe this country is better off than it was eight years ago, and if you believe you voted because of your social agenda, I don’t think it has fared well for the future of your children and grandchildren,” Manchin said.

“I really don’t, with the challenges we have nationally and in the global market.”

To Manchin and other Democrats, the struggling economy and high cost of living loom above social and moral issues that, in reality, aren’t going to be altered, no matter who occupies the White House.

“Listen, Barack Obama socially probably does not agree with me, or I with him, on so many of the issues that we’re so concerned about in West Virginia,” the governor said in a cell phone interview from Denver on the final day of the convention.

What confronts the nation now is the need to move into energy independence and enhance education so that it competes globally and provides more jobs in America, he said.

“We can’t have Big Oil companies driving this economy, if you will,” Manchin said.

Manchin has been a strong pro-life supporter going back to his days in the West Virginia Senate and has supported pro-gun legislation consistently, reminding a reporter of his approval of this year’s Castle Doctrine law, one that gives land-owners more protection against lawsuits if they use deadly force to resist prowlers.

No matter what issue is dear to West Virginians, be it abortion or Second Amendment rights, Man-chin said no individual is ever going to alter the law, and Obama, one of the more liberal voices in politics, is no exception.

“One person, a governor, a president or whoever, doesn’t have the clout to change the things you’re concerned about when they (Republicans) get you all scared,” he said.

“They can’t change that. My goodness, (President Bill) Clinton had control of Congress and there wasn’t these crazy changes. Bush had control of Congress for a long time. He couldn’t undo Roe v. Wade or do whatever he wanted to do with it.”

Nor, the governor emphasized, should anyone fear that Obama can prompt radical changes, especially with regard to gun ownership.

“But all the people who try to use that as scare tactics and have been successful in the past ... it’s just so wrong,” Manchin said.

“It has not fared well for our country. I hope we eventually see what’s important. Now, let me tell you, make no bones about it, I believe strongly in my pro-life stance and movement. I believe in that very dearly. We passed the Castle law, you know. I don’t believe he will undo that whatsoever.”

Manchin said he wants Obama as president because he can change “who we are in the world,” reform the nation so that all Americans have access to health coverage, critical infrastructure such as water and sewage, a quality education system, national security and a workforce that can compete with the world.

Manchin preferred Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as Obama’s running mate, but says the selection of Sen. Joe Biden was “great.”

“When you look at it from a political situation, they did their homework and picked the right man,” he said.

Manchin vowed to do “whatever we can” when asked if he would campaign alongside Obama in visits to the Mountain State.

“I really believe we’re at a crossroads in America,” the governor said.

“And I would want all my superiors and dear friends to understand I truly believe it’s that critical for us to make change. Just saying you’re changing your name from Bush to McCain does not change all the policy makers throughout the federal government. You need a fundamental change and I believe that more than I ever have. And I have enough input with him to work with him to understand the values of West Virginia. He’s not changing us. I can assure you that.”

— E-mail:

mannix@register-herald.com