When people start sorting out whom to blame for the media getting out of hand over the ICG miners fate last night, a huge share of the blame rests with US Representative Shelley Moore Capito.
While other politicians were being circumspect, Capito trotted out to give a live interview on CNN in which she spread the false rumors. It's tempting to want to shoot the messenger and blame the MSM. However, they had the incumbent Congressperson from the district on camera confirming what we all wanted so desperately to believe.
Capito's behavior was reckless and inexcusable. As a legislator with no executive authority, her presence was purely a symbolic gesture. It is patently offensive that she presumed on her non-existent authority to go on camera and give the media free rein to run wild with the story.
There is a 2:26 video clip on CNN.com of Capito's appearance. Let her try to deny her role in this tragic farce.
Capito deserves to lose her job for this. And Democrats do have a candidate with a real shot at winning in Mike Callaghan.
Capito's performance stands tin sharp relief to that of Governor Joe Manchin. Note that Manchin did not go on TV until he knew the score. And his speech on the need to believe and linking his own loss in the Farmington disater was incredibly moving. This guy is a gem.
Capito, however, was eager to jump on the miracle story. I hope her eagerness was purely a matter of wishing it was true and not mere political gamesmanship...trying to get a little boost to her Q rating out of all the coverage. And I give her the benefit of the doubt on this. Her "inexpressible joy" statement was poignant.
A leader must be responsible. And Capito running out to do a stand-up on CNN was inexcusibly reckless. Her decision raises enormous concerns about her character and judgement.
Capito intimated that she had received her information from ICG management. It seems probable Capito partisans will attempt to deflect all the blame for the bad information getting out on Ben Hatfield (an RNC donor)and the company. And they are ultimately responsible for the families' hopes being so tragically raised.
It should be noted that Hatfield did not go on TV touting the false rumor. Capito did that. She should lose her job for doing so.
If anything, this episode illustrates how firmly in the pocket of the operators Capito is. It vividly demonstates she is beholden to the extraction industry's management at the expense of her constituents. She was so eager to start the ball rolling in the ICG PR campaign she didn't bother to check her facts first.
There is a replacement for Capito. WV-02 has a viable Democratic challenger to Capito in Mike Callaghan, about whom I've posted at Our Congress, SwingStateProject and here. We need to back Callaghan to the hilt.
His site is mikewv.com. He's in the race and can win. Before the tragic farce last night, he had about an even shot. Now I reckon he looks to be the favorite if we can get him the resources.
Please help. Capito needs to be held responsible for her thoughtless and reckless behavior last night.
"mikecallaghancampaignsite"