Listen to “Greenbrier Republicans Push Back on Morrisey” on Spreaker.
Edmund G. Ross entered the United States Senate as a staunch Kansas Republican, expected to stand with the radicals determined to remove President Andrew Johnson. Instead, in the fevered spring of 1868, Ross cast the single vote that spared Johnson from conviction and forever altered his own fate.
Why he did it has been debated ever since. Critics charged Ross was motivated by patronage politics, personal ambition, or even bribery. Supporters argued he acted from principle — that Johnson had the constitutional authority to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, or at least that violating the Tenure of Office Act did not rise to the grave standard required for impeachment.
Others believed the influence of Ross’s former Civil War commander, Thomas Ewing Jr., helped shape his decision. Whatever his reasoning, Ross knew the cost would be immense: political exile, public denunciation, and the likely end of his career. Yet he voted as he did, and history has never stopped arguing over whether it was corruption or courage.
Decades later, John F. Kennedy placed Ross among the Senate’s bravest figures in Profiles in Courage, portraying him as a man who sacrificed everything for conscience.
This past weekend brought a similar display of political courage — one taken against what many see as a faction more radical than traditionally Republican.
Ben Anderson, chair of the Greenbrier Republican Executive Committee, posted a statement on Facebook Saturday:
“The Greenbrier County Republican Executive Committee will not be endorsing this primary. We do, however, express our profound disappointment at out-of-state influences spreading lies in our district, as well as those directing these out-of-state influences, who have chosen to break Reagan’s 11th Commandment:
‘Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican.’
Our primaries should be decided by the people, not by those with ulterior motives and deceptive interests. Keep your eyes open, your ears peeled, and your spirit clean.”
Anderson posted the statement after Governor Patrick Morrisey, at a Friday dinner sponsored by Monroe County Republicans, endorsed Jonathan Comer for state senate while incumbent Vince Deeds was present in the room. Morrisey reportedly repeated that endorsement Saturday at a gathering in Summers County.
The governor and First Lady Denise Morrisey are actively supporting Comer, who is related to Morrisey confidant Kevin Comer.
There is little doubt Anderson’s condemning words reflect Morrisey’s efforts.
The courage Anderson — and many like him — is showing in speaking out should not be ignored. While he may not face costs as severe as Ross did, he appears no less willing to stand and speak when he sees something he believes is wrong. Refreshing.
Morrisey now appears more than willing to divide his own ranks, at least enough to ignore Ronald Reagan’s oft-cited 11th Commandment. But, the sting will last – those Morrisey challenges who are re-elected will not forget. And Morrisey’s slate will not win every race.
Though the governor has shown skill in raising money, whether he has the broader political touch to see such efforts through remains an open question. He is not Donald Trump, nor does he command the same instinctive hold over the Republican base. Yet he may believe he does. That belief carries real risk: the possibility of becoming a lame duck and shortening his own political future. What will be, will be.
But remember those like Anderson who are willing to speak against power; willing to call out those out-of-state donations. Just as Kennedy labeled Ross brave, someone may one day place Anderson in that same tradition as it concerns West Virginia politics.