For many years this newspaper has supported U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va.
We cannot do that any longer. Mollohan no longer represents the views of his constituents in our area, the 1st Congressional District. He cannot be counted upon to vote for what is best for our district or the state of West Virginia.
* He refused to work to defeat the cap and trade bill. He only voted against it when released by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when she no longer needed his vote.
* He was one of 72 Democrats in the House to vote in favor of continued federal funding for the scandalous ACORN group - when 172 Democrats voted against it.
* He voted for the health care bill, which every public opinion poll showed his constituents overwhelmingly opposed.
* He feels no compunction in turning health care over to the government - the same people who run the money-losing Amtrak railroad, not to mention the U.S. Postal Service. And the same people who have bungled the swine flu vaccine distribution process.
Fact Box
The Choice
West Virginia Democrats have a choice
Rep. Alan Mollohan, another vote for Nancy Pelosi ...
Or state Sen. Michael Oliverio, a vote for coal and a vote for West Virginia.
Time for a change.
* Also, at a "town hall" meeting at Wheeling Jesuit University, he admitted while he wanted us to have government controlled health care, he would not enroll himself or his family in it.
* Ethics issues and financial report filings continue to cloud his record.
Maybe, after 27 years, you forget your constituents are in West Virginia, not California. Perhaps your boss in San Francisco becomes more important to you.
It is time for a change.
Fortunately, a well-qualified, experienced new face is available.
He is state Sen. Michael Oliverio, D-Monongalia, who is challenging Mollohan for the Democratic Party nomination for Congress from our 1st District.
Oliverio would represent our district well - with emphasis on the word "represent." That is an emphasis that has been missing from Mollohan.
Oliverio recognizes coal is the backbone of our state and provides half the nation's electricity. He is the candidate to work for coal - instead of supporting the California left-wing, anti-coal liberals.
Clearly, Oliverio never would have voted for ACORN.
His philosophy on reducing the size of government is simple: "Starve the beast."
Oliverio shares the concern of West Virginia senior citizens about how the new health care bill - cutting more than $450 billion in Medicare funds - will harm them.
It comes down to this: Oliverio's views represent those of most West Virginians. Mollohan has turned his back on us.
We endorse Oliverio for the Democratic Party nomination for Congress - and urge voters in the primary election to cast their ballots for him.
