Editorial: Taking notice

THE REGISTER-HERALD (BECKLEY, W.V.)

March 25, 2008 10:38 am

— Editorial: Taking notice
National candidates paying more attention to Beckley

Opinion: The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.

It’s nice to be noticed.
John F. Kennedy noticed Beckley back in 1960, when — after his visit here — West Virginia’s primary played a key role in Kennedy’s victory over Hubert Humphrey and helped him secure the Democratic Party’s nomination.
Now, 48 years later, it would appear our city is once again a critical point on the political battlefield.
That’s not to say we haven’t picked up a few other hopeful visitors over the years. Jesse Jackson spoke at the Raleigh County Armory (now the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center) in 1988, when he unsuccessfully sought his party’s nomination. And four years ago, John Kerry and John Edwards greeted hundreds at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport. President George W. Bush also paid us a visit in 2004, at the former armory, as did Vice President Dick Cheney at the Raleigh County airport.
Just last week, we hosted Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, and former President Bill Clinton is due in town Wednesday to speak on behalf of his wife Hillary’s candidacy.
In the last four years, it would appear Beckley has become a must-stop point on the campaign trail — and it should be. Our region is home to a diverse group of hard-working Americans who are as interested in the issues as the residents of larger metropolitan areas. We’re also traditionally a state of Democrats, although the majority of West Virginians voted for President George W. Bush in the last two elections. The Democratic candidates have taken notice, and they’ve been stopping here in an effort to win us back.
Historians have called West Virginia a “turning point” in the 1960 election because the nation never expected our working-class, heavily Protestant population to support Kennedy. That year, 78 percent of West Virginia residents eligible to vote registered and voted, according to CNN.com. We changed history in a way that likely would never have happened if Kennedy hadn’t made a personal appearance in Beckley.
It was important to welcome a candidate back then, and it’s important to welcome candidates now. Our little state has the power to make a huge difference, but only if we vote.
According to the United States Census, only 57 percent of West Virginia residents eligible to vote registered and voted in 2004, one of the lowest voter turnouts in the nation.
Obviously the candidates believe we make a difference. So should we.
To participate in the West Virginia Primary on May 13, you must be registered by April 22. Visit www.wvsos.com for more information.