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October 29, 2004
Richie Robb
South Charleston mayor Richie Robb is very likely my least favorite West Virginia politician of all time. Considering the bile that rises in my throat EVERY TIME former WV Governor Gaston Caperton opens his mouth, that's saying something.
If you haven't heard, Robb is one of the West Virginia Republican Party's appointees for elector. If Bush wins, Robb has said he won't put in his vote for President Bush's re-election. Since the original statement (which I heard a while back), Robb has backed down slightly, saying "I don't know if I'll cast a vote for Bush." He says he won't cast a vote for Kerry against the wishes of the state, but he may not vote for Kerry.
The reasons I've heard for Robb's position are varied. Some claim that it's because he's angry at the Swift Boat Veterans, but that opinion doesn't seem to be the prevalent one around here. I've also heard that he's "whining" because Monty Warner, Republican candidate for Governor, has signs scattered around the state that read "Monty Warner - Governor // George Bush - President". As Robb was, apparently, appointed because he received a certain number of votes in the Republican Primary, I've heard that he's upset that his former opponent (Warner) is showing up with his name on a sign for the candidate that he'll be asked to support. That may or may not be true, but that's one rumor.
Technically, I think it's legal for an elector to put his vote wherever he wants, but it strikes me as extremely unethical. Robb's refusal to vote for Bush would undoubtedly hurt him in his home city, and there have been mentions, on the talk radio station, of boycotting South Charleston businesses in protest. I'm not sure how effective that would be in punishing Robb, but it's been suggested.
While I like the electoral system, this particular issue has me ready to call for reform that, at the very least, requires an elector to vote according to his state's preferences, with each state having the option of splitting its electoral votes to match the percentage of the votes. If Robb decides not to vote for Bush, that is, to me, an effective disenfranchisement of West Virginia voters. I find it disgraceful, and I hope that the WV Republican Party would take the first opportunity to remove his appointment before the Electoral College meets.
Posted by Robin S. at October 29, 2004 10:16 PM
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