Trump to give ‘big announcement’ in West Virginia

“Jim Justice deceived the state of West Virginia when he ran as a Democrat 8 months ago”, DGA Executive Director Elizabeth Pearson wrote. “We just talked about the fact that there were so many things we could do together to create jobs and create opportunity for West Virginia”.

It’s not immediately clear why Justice is doing an about-face. I am disappointed by Governor Justice’s decision to switch parties.

Trump revived an old attack on Democrats, saying the Russian Federation investigation was motivated by Democrats who remain bitter over his November election victory.

Party switches, especially at the gubernatorial level, don’t happen very often.

He also ran as an unabashed counterweight to national Democrats. And it’s not clear he did it because of broader partisan dynamics.

The state Democratic Party put out a news release saying Justice had dropped his promises.

The West Virginia Republican Party has leveled a lot of criticism at Gov. Justice since he was elected.

Like Trump, Justice – a first-time candidate with no government experience – was successful in his pursuit of one of the highest offices in the country. It ended up being a smart call. Congress has left Washington for its summer recess without delivering the legislative victories Trump promised in his campaign. During the campaign, Justice controversially refused to endorse the Democratic candidate for president, Hillary Clinton. “On behalf of our nation’s Republican governors, we welcome Governor Justice to the RGA, and look forward to working with him to advance conservative principles and strengthen West Virginia”.

Which is to say that Justice likes Trump-it’s not that he’s all that interested in helping the Republican Party thrive. We’ve been at odds in the past but now is a time for renewal and advancement for the benefit of West Virginia.

When the President is speaking in West Virginia, Huntington is a city in between two other states: OH and Kentucky. The coal business owner and billionaire told the crowd that there was nothing more he could do for them as a Democrat. Known for his colourful character, earlier in the year Justice unveiled plate of bull excrement during a press conference to highlight his displeasure at a Republican state budget.

Democrats “can continue their obsession with the Russian hoax or they can serve the interests of the American people”, Trump said after Justice’s announcement.

And he won West Virginia big. He said both his parents were staunch Republicans.

Obama lost the state by double digits twice, and all but one of West Virginia’s five-person congressional delegation are Republicans. Trump and company flew into Huntington Tri-State Airport.