Two former leaders of West Virginia’s political parties see the decision by U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller not to seek reelection in 2014 in two different lights.
“I’m happy for the senator personally because I do think it’s the right thing for him and his family but I’m very sad as a West Virginian because it’s a great loss,” former WV Democratic Party Chairman George Carenbauer said.
Former WV GOP Chair Mike Stuart says it’s time.
“I think he found himself increasingly isolated from the people of West Virginia in terms of his views on how the world should work and how the views of the electorate seem to be working,” Stuart said.
Both men were guests Monday on MetroNews Talkline.
Carenbauer says unfortunately much of what Rockefeller has accomplished, especially in recent years, hasn’t been adequately told.
“The Republicans have done a good job of making it appear that Senator Rockefeller and Democrats in general are not doing the right thing for the country and the state when in fact they are,” Carenbauer said.
The former chairman says Rockefeller’s work on health care will help millions of state residents and their family members over the years to come. He says his work on the Childrens Health Insurance Program will make life better for thousands of children.
Stuart says they have been some accomplishments but “for everything there is a season.”
“We’re not a nation of monarchs. We’re not a place that sends folks to Washington term and term. The age of Robert Byrd is over,” Stuart said.