Wild & Wonderful

Why I Love the Fictional Earl Ray

/ Elizabeth Gaucher / 6 Comments

There are these people out there, and sometimes you don’t even know who they are, but you’ve got to love them.  I can no longer contain my adoration for my personal candidate for the next individual elected to the chief executive office for the great State of West Virginia…….please give it up for @ActingGov_WV!

Hailing from Chapmanville, West Virginia, this tan, rested and ready top gun on Twitter states his bio as follows:

The (fictional) Governor of WV is the head of the executive branch of WVa’s government and the commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces (fictional).

The profile pic of @ActingGov_WV

I like the real ERT very much so far, but if for some reason he can’t fulfill his duties I rest comfortably knowing that the fictional Earl Ray Tomblin is ready to roll.

I can hear your thoughts, dear reader.  Why would anyone spend their time creating and sustaining a fake account, masquerading as Earl Ray Tomblin, and being completely clear that it’s all fiction?  I can’t say for sure.  But I can hazard a guess or two.  This person knows state government, and not just the structure and processes and rules.  He knows the people.  He knows how the personalities of those people can work for or against functional governance.  And God bless him, he knows that so much of our crazy world at wv.gov is just pure hilarity.

Citizens in every state across the U.S. of A. are losing their collective sense of humor, and that is understandable.  I follow and appreciate @ActingGov_WV because he makes me laugh at things that need to be laughed at, including myself as a voter and a citizen.  He also has a gift for poking at people who take themselves too seriously in a very gentle way that keeps things in perspective without trying to take a body count.  Having worked in the Governor’s Office myself a few years back, I can assure you that this skill is rare and to be treasured.

It is impossible to share all the great tweets because, well, they are all great.  If you are on Twitter and follow West Virginia politics, you really need to find @ActingGov_WV and treat yourself to the full smörgåsbord of fun. Without further ado, here are some of my favorite tweets from a very funny mind:

  • OK. Get this clear. Tent was a Manchin thing. It’s in state code that all Manchin stuff is tacky. #lookitup
  • John Raese sure does love the people of West Virginia, Alice Click. That’s why he lives in Florida. #totallyobvious
  • Sending intern to Natalie’s kickoff to spy. Also to bring back some pizza. Don’t tell Mrs. Earl Ray.
  • Joe apparently wants all state residents to stop what they are doing and listen to his maiden Senate speech tomorrow. #yeahright
  • Marcellus shale will give me a perpetual perfect tan and get me on Jeopardy.
  • May do musical chairs next Board of Public Works meeting. If you don’t grab a chair, you can’t run for governor. #imfast
  • When Senator Jenkins talks about the “Far East” I’m suspicious he means Jefferson County.
  • I think Betty is giving Kabler gift certificates to the Food Court. Will have to step things up. Delivery + a behind the scenes tour.
  • As Senate President, may order heat in Sen. Jenkins turned off over the weekend. Freeze all his hair products.
  • Are we sure there is actually a real Shelley Moore Capito and not just a bot in DC pretending to be SMC?
  • UK Parliament amending the Act of Settlement isn’t going to put the Speaker in line to be King of England, either. #justnothisday
  • Text from Joe. He wants to know why we haven’t made his birthday a state holiday yet.
  • Polishing the ATV for the ride into the chamber.
  • May challenge Natalie to a shovel-off for the next big storm. Won’t tell her I’m bringing the ATV. #planningahead
  • Clearly, one should not trifle with Daily Mail reporters. The editorial staff is a different matter, altogether.
  • Communications staff is in for a rough meeting this morning; expect an explanation of why @CartneyWV gets better press than me.
  • I walked to the candy machine instead of sending an intern. #fitwv
  • Considering submitting legislation to make the Speaker the governor of Mason County. #dontwantitanyway #compromise

And my personal favorite, naturally:

Thanks @ElizGaucher for the #ff! I always insist the staff read your blog. 😉

Though I am bracing for:

@ElizGaucher kissing up, dropping resume hints.  Think she’s too pale to do get the job done. #letherdowneasy

Mr. Manchin Goes to Washington

/ Elizabeth Gaucher / 4 Comments

Washington DC is an interesting town to say the least.  One thing is certain, it’s a company town and the sooner newbies grasp that the better

James Stewart as Sen. Jefferson Smith

One of the smartest things anyone can do is spend time developing an appreciation for the rules of the game, and one can only do that if they are willing to be taught by experienced pros.  I’ve always been fascinated by what Washington is willing to forgive in team players — huge, egregious, frankly disgusting faux pas and outright unethical behavior — as well as with the seemingly minor infractions that will be bashed over the infidel’s head for all time.

Joe Manchin is getting creamed for a dumb decision, and I think it is deserved.  What I mean by that is this:  The dumb decision was not skipping the DADT vote to spend time at a family party, per se; the dumb decision was not comprehending that as a green U. S. Senator, he has dues to pay.  Personally, I think he should have showed up to vote, that this is a serious piece of legislation, and that he owed casting his vote to the people of West Virginia.  But in terms of political strategy, he owed his presence and vote to his colleagues in the Senate.  This is the big leagues now, not home state goofball back slaps, wink wink nudge nudge stuff.

My observation is that Mr. Manchin keeps a tight old-school crowd around him and gives them tremendous power and influence.  That trust was misplaced in this case, as loyalists used to playing the game in West Virginia who have never done more than watch the game in DC are ill-equipped to advise him on the national scale.

Sure, there are some people in West Virgina who are stirring a crock pot and giving props to the idea that a nice family man prioritized the holidays with loved ones over those radical homosexuals.  That was yesterday’s game, and if Mr. Manchin wants to get serious about winning today’s game he should give the cronies a desk job and start listening, closely, to people who understand Washington.

It’s a difficult balance, in DC as in life itself; personal priorities vs. the requirements of the job.  It may be most difficult in politics.  Manchin made a mistake, and that hardly makes him unique.  His next move will be very important.  I suggest it should start with being willing to expand his advisory group beyond the old neighborhood.  There are people who are good with numbers, who no doubt told the senator that his vote could only hurt him one way or the other, that whatever he voted he would not cast a deciding vote, and that the math suggested he stay home.  Politics involves math, but those who are the very best at what they do know it involves more art.

As a constituent I am hopeful for greater art appreciation moving forward.

Image credit: American Rhetoric Movie Speeches