CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Flags saying “Don’t tread on me,” signs calling for the impeachment of President Barack Obama and honking horns of support greeted those attending Saturday night’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in the Capitol City.
Vice President Joe Biden was the featured speaker for the annual state Democratic Party fundraiser which was dedicated, this year, to outgoing U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) who will leave the U.S. Senate next year following 50 years of public service.
Keith Morgan, president of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, said the message of many of the protesters outside of the Charleston Civic Center Saturday, though, was aimed at U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) who introduced Biden during the event.
“We’re protesting Senator Elmer Fudd, also known as Senator Joe Manchin, for pushing for more federal laws that the federal government isn’t enforcing to begin with,” said Morgan.
“We’ve got people with signs with flip flops on them. I mean, the guy (Manchin) was elected by shooting a rifle at a cap and trade bill to get the gun vote and then he goes to Washington and stabs West Virginia in the back.”
Earlier this year, Manchin was one of the lead sponsors of legislation that would have expanded background check requirements to private guns sales at gun shows and online. The measure, which failed, was a compromise from an earlier proposal that would have required background checks on all sales between private parties with limited exceptions.
More recently, Manchin has said he’s not going to push for any new gun debate unless there is an increase in support for the effort on Capitol Hill.
Dozens of people were part of Saturday’s protest.