Douglas E. McKinney, M.D.>> Political change coming to West Virginia>>

In a guest column Oct. 25, Democratic Legislative Council Chairman Phil Reale expressed his "concern" that the state Republican Party was basically "bankrupt," and was in essence beholden to Don Blankenship.>> I appreciate Mr. Reale's concern for the condition of the RepublicanParty. However, he should be much more concerned about the bankruptcy of the Democratic Party - a bankruptcy of ideas.>> What is the state Democratic Party's campaign for West Virginia in 2006? It seems to be a version of "stay the course." Gov. Manchin wants voters to "keep his team together" - which is a lot like hoping for a reunion ofthe 1962 New York Mets, the worst team in baseball history.>> Forbes magazine ranks West Virginia 49th in the country as a place to dobusiness. The Democrats say, stay the course.>> According to the Census Bureau, the proportion of West Virginia's adult population with a bachelor's degree is the lowest in the United States at15.3 percent. The Democrats say, stay the course.>> West Virginia ranked last in the 2006 ILR/Harris State Liability SystemsRanking study of fairness among state tort systems. The Democrats say, stay the course.>> West Virginia leads the nation in the percentage of working-age men whodon't have a job, according to researchers at Queens College in New York.The Democrats say, stay the course.>> Decade after decade of Democratic Party control of the state Legislature has resulted in disastrous economic conditions for our residents, and there's not much reason to hope anything's going to change, unless votersdecide to take matters into their own hands.>> An old adage says that the definition of insanity is doing the same thingover and over again but expecting different results. Staying the course -re-electing the same ruling party politicians to keep doing the same thingover and over again - would be an act of electoral insanity.>> I am confident the people of our state are ready to make the changes weso desperately need. Mr. Reale might take note of the voter registration numbers released this week by the secretary of state. Just since theprimary election, the people of West Virginia have registered as Republicans at a rate of nearly 3-1 over registering as Democrats. Changeis coming; just how soon it comes is an open debate. For the sake of ourfuture generations, the sooner change comes, the better. >> Don Blankenship's involvement in recent elections is naturally going tobe a controversial development, but it's fascinating how Democratic leadersare now expressing alarm, when they were completely silent just four orfive years ago when Mr. Blankenship and Massey Energy were giving moremoney to Democrats than Republicans. It's interesting just how selectivetheir outrage has become.>> As the minority party in a poor state dominated by the power andstranglehold of the Democratic Party, the GOP has faced many challenges andsetbacks. We have been through thick and thin. We have overcome internalstrife, financial hardships and every effort by the opposition to "keep usin our place.">> But we have survived, and we will thrive. Why? Not because of theingenuity or cleverness of any particular leader. No, the GOP will lead inWest Virginia someday soon because the people of our state will demand it.Change sometimes happens slowly, but it undoubtedly is happening now.Outside forces such as Mr. Blankenship might hasten its arrival, and theirhelp is welcome. But people come and go; the party will remain.>> Like a newborn baby, change will arrive on its own sooner or later,kicking and screaming, and bringing new hope, life and optimism into awaiting and eager world.>> McKinney is chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party