Letters to the editor November 11
Manchin a ‘stand-up guy’
The editorial “Jews score big in West Virginia Race” praised the victory in the West Virginia. Senate race by Gov. Joe Manchin for his strong support of the State of Israel and the vast difference from his predecessor, the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
While I can’t take credit for this, I am proud that I may have played some role in his education on Israel.
During my 16 years at State of Israel Bonds, I was assigned the responsibility of developing a West Virginia, Israel Bonds’ Labor Campaign.
That resulted in four successive statewide events. Manchin, first as secretary of state and then as governor, participated in all four events.
During that time he saw national labor leaders such as John Sweeney, Richard Trumka, Cecil Roberts and Barbara Easterling; and politicians such as former congressman and then Gov. Bob Wise, voice their support for the State of Israel time and time again.
In addition, other national labor leaders and politicians such as Sen. Joe Lieberman, (I. Conn.) delivered similar messages via videotape.
Joe Manchin is a stand-up guy and should do a great job for West Virginia and the country. As has been said, “now you know the rest of the story.”
Stuart V. Pavilack
Wheeling, W.Va.
(The author is executive director of the Zionist Organization of America-Pittsburgh District.)
Great day for GOP
What a great success this election was! My campaign for the Pennsylvania State House in Squirrel Hill and surrounding neighborhoods garnered 3,886 votes or about 20 percent of those cast. Political operatives tell me this is an outstanding result considering we spent little money and had a limited organization. I thank everyone who voted for me, and anybody who provided support to my campaign; I appreciate it very much.
On the national level, we sent a major message to President Obama that we don’t like the borrowing and spending and the overreach of the federal government. By winning back the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi will no longer be speaker of the house. While we could not defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, there is no reason to think the Republicans can’t control the Senate after the election in 2012.
In Pennsylvania, we have the opportunity to reverse the oppressive, job killing, anti-business tax climate with the election of Tom Corbett as governor. Pat Toomey (finally) was elected to the Senate, despite a significant Democratic advantage in voter registration. As for the House races, the Republican Party made tremendous headway in winning the majority of the highly contested races in Pennsylvania.
I plan to stay involved in politics and would welcome hearing from anyone who feels the country was headed in the wrong direction up until Election Day. On the local level, the city of Pittsburgh remains on the brink of financial ruin, which should be a concern to the Jewish community here.
Dan Wiseman
Squirrel Hill
(The author was a candidate for the state House in District 23.)
comments