RAHALL RALLY: Incumbent Criticizes His "No Show" Opponent, Snuffer; Warns of Ryan Budget and Lack of Compromise

Specifically, he criticized the PAC’s as preventing after-election compromise.

Describing the atmosphere as “poisoned, ” Rahall added that the “24/7 news cycle [also] contributes to division among the American people, who want to know why Congress can’t get its act together.”

Rahall challenged his Republican opponent to “show up” at pre-election forums.

[Snuffer will be speaking Wednesday morning, Oct. 24,  with  GOP candidates such as John Raese, Patrick Morrisey and local candidates at Grace Christian School in Huntington.]

“I have not seen my opponent this entire election.” He accused Beaver, WV resident Rick Snuffer of “following the advice of his money masters in Washington to shut up, stay home, don’t be seen, let us buy it for you.”

Politico has called the Snuffer/Rahall race “the battle for Beckley.” A recent article said that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has spent $500,000 in opposition to Rahall who is the Mountain State’s “transportation voice.”  The website said that “conservatives are licking their chops at the prospect of knocking off one of the most senior house Democrats.

Real Clear Politics projects the contest as “likely Democratic,” stating that “Snuffer who lost to Rahall by over 30 points in 2004. “An upset is unlikely, but with Barack Obama atop the ticket, it is not out of the question,” RCP wrote.  ( SEE: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/house/wv/west_virginia_3rd_district_snuffer_vs_rahall-3386.html  and Election Projection also projects in Rahall’s favor. SEE: http://www.electionprojection.com/2012elections/statepages/wv12.php )

RAHALL CRITICIZES RYAN BUDGET

Touting his regional offices in  Beckley, Bluefield, Logan, and Huntington , Rahall stated, “I believe in being accessible to the people. We may  not all agree 100% on every issue, but I don’t know a husband or wife that agrees 100% of the time.” Describing  his  interaction with constituents not in agreement as “we can talk about it. We can have open disagreements and respect the other person’s point of view. That’s what I believe the Democratic process is about. In this country. This election is important , the differences are tremendous , when we look at what the Paul Ryan budget would do to this country.”

Rahall warned that a change in executive leadership would in, his opinion,  pulverize Social Security.

“I shudder to think of what [the Ryan budget]  would mean for our  senior citizens,” describing the implications of a “voucher” system that would not contain the same level of coverage as the current system. “It would give you a voucher to go out and compete to find a plan best for you. Not only is that not fair to place that burden on our seniors, but the money you would be given for the voucher would not keep up with the pace with the rising cost of health care. You will have to pay more out of your pocket.

Further, he lauded that “myths and misperceptions” of Obama Care are starting to go away.

“As time goes on the affordable care act, Obama Care if you want to call it that,  is becoming more powerful to the American people. They  understand what is in it, the myths and misperceptions are dispelled, and , especially , to our seniors as they start receiving their $250 rebate checks for prescription drugs.”

A repeal would mean that “pre-existing conditions” , for instance, would  reemerge as not included in health care coverage.

Although the Obama Administration has received criticism for the Affordable Care Act, Rahall confirmed that Congress under President Obama passed a new Credit Card Accountability Act, to reign in unfair practices and give cosumers notice of changes, such as credit limits.

Following the short speech, the Congressman elaborated to HNN.

HNN: Does the "instant" revelation of polls through social media and all news channels sway voter and candidate choices based on 'popularity.'

Rahall: I don’t pay attention to polls. I think a lot of people do not truly answer  the pollsters questions  at night  for a desire to get the pollster off the phone as quickly as possible. Or, [there are] other distractions around the house.  They don’t really think when they are asked a question, whether they are in a hurry or have other things on their mind which is very understandable.  What I’m referring to in the 24/7 news cycle is [that]  You have one extreme on one side and the other extreme on other side. You get extreme politics from far right or far left to drive up ratings.  That’s what they are in the game for.  When politicians get on there , they lock themselves in, and a far right or far left [platform] makes it hard to compromise.

HNN: And with the constant cycle, the quest for “flip flopping” goes forward.

Rahall: The snippet that is being used of me right now. I even said Sen. Obama in the speech or TV interview. That’s something  taken from a different time and a different place.

HNN: Amtrak’s Cardinal had record sales. Is Amtrak on the chopping block?

Rahall: Privatize and sell it to the highest bidder. Amtrak’s  ridership is up all over the system. The Huntington station leads the state in increased boarding. Amtrak’s done a tremendous job of improving its service, marketing, product, and bringing its ridership and bottom line numbers up. It’s not making a profit yet, but certainly improving.

HNN: Can Amtrak actually make a profit

Rahall: If Congress would get off its back and allow it  to run the train instead of running up to Capitol Hill to testify as often. I believe they could do a better job at making money.

HNN: What do you think about funds for aging US infrastructure?

Rahall: We’re lagging far behind our competitors when investing in our infrastructure. Highways, water and sewage systems… this is government being on your side, not on your back. We need type of investment to improve our national security, improve our national infrastructure to prevent accidents from happening, and  it produces money for us in the short and long term.

HNN: Under the Romney wins scenario,  what impact would that have on the Rahall Transportation Center, Marshall’s research, the Byrd Center

Rahall: Paul Ryan is his vice president, and it is the Ryan budget that has passed the House of Representatives two years in a row. I assume a President Romney if that we  to happen that would be his budget he would present to us next year in Congress.

HNN: But, should Democrats still control the Senate, would that not be a barrier to its implementation.

Rahall: [Agreeing with the presumption Rahall reminded, ] On day one  [in 2008], Mr. McConnell said , “our goal is to defeat Barrack Obama, it makes it hard to have compromise."