John Raese On The Issues: Space Lasers And Slashing The Federal Government

Just a few months ago, nobody would have believed that it would be possible, and maybe even likely, for West Virginia to send a Republican Senator to Washington for the first time in 52 years.

But in this turbulent political climate, nothing is for certain, not even the candidacy of a popular Democratic Governor battling against John Raese, a wealthy businessman and perpetual candidate who recently proudly proclaimed that minimum wage laws should be repealed.

And so, in the highly anti-Obama but pro-Democratic state, recent polls showed Gov. Joe Manchin trailing by a slim margin behind the Tea Party-backed Republican, who told CNN's Dana Bash this month that the conservative movement was "a little bit left of me."

With the potential now arising that West Virginia voters could be sending Raese to the Senate in November, HuffPost has done a little digging into Raese's positions -- some of which may seem familiar from other Tea Party candidates -- and has catalogued the most surprising:

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Opposes Abortion, Stem Cell Research

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On his website, Raese describes himself as "a very strong pro-life conservative" who "believes deeply in the sanctity of life." He has said before that he is open to abortion in the case that the life of the mother is in jeopardy. These views carry over to his opposition to "human cloning as well as federally-funded stem cell research."

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On his website, Raese describes himself as "a very strong pro-life conservative" who "believes deeply in the sanctity of life." He has said before that he is open to abortion in the case that the life of the mother is in jeopardy.

These views carry over to his opposition to "human cloning as well as federally-funded stem cell research."

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Comments

[chw777]

11:38 AM on 10/27/2010

John Raese is a smart man. We need to slash federal programs, agencies etc. Especially the U.S. Dept of Education. Minimum wage laws need to be eliminated. Smart man, but ignorant citizens.

[southingtonian]

06:23 AM on 10/23/2010

how do you pay for 1000 space lasers with no IRS?

[MathLover]

03:54 PM on 10/22/2010

I am a staunch Democrat, Hispanic and 63 years old and completely agree. I don't think a person should be granted citizenship just because he or she is born here. Citizenship should be earned. It would also be nice if those applying for citizenship were actually somewhat proficient in the language.

[mason8777]

07:50 AM on 10/21/2010

Go, Go,Go Washington Joe!!!!!!!!!!

Go, Go,Go Rubber Stamp Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Raese will not only NOT be a rubber stamp for Obama, but he WILL be a rubber stamp for Mitch McConnell and the Grand Opposition Party, and that rubber stamp says "NO!" er, excuse me, is says HE*L NO!".

[guilatty]

03:24 PM on 10/20/2010

Put this fellow's policies aside for a minute. Isn't there a problem with the lack of seriousness with which he is running for Senate? Is he auditioning for an AM talk radio job? He isn't going to get a single one of his policies passed as no one is going to take this boob seriously. And he will fall apart before his term is half over. The biggest bit of penance the Republicans are going to owe this country is for their irresponsibility in encouraging, aiding and abetting this group of oddballs to enter the United States Senate. And the Tea Party now supports without reservation dilletantes who inherit money and begrudge working people a minimum wage. Some populist movement you have there.

[Ojodelgato]

11:04 PM on 10/20/2010

The phrase "race to the borrom" has taken on a new meaning. Bottom of the gene pool.

[robeson]

09:02 PM on 10/19/2010

Why have we moved from the 'best and the brightest' with such vengeance?

[oldgrendel]

10:08 PM on 10/19/2010

I'm not sure we ever saw the best and the brightest, but we have sure reached an all new low.

[CarolinaYankee]

06:20 PM on 10/19/2010

According to Sarah tweet today, she recommended he should be the next Senator for Ohio, OOPS, darn, Sarah, you have GOT to start reading some kind of papers.

[leeleslan]

05:26 PM on 10/19/2010

I live in Ohio across the river so I am aware of what goes on in W. Va. I believe that Gov. Manchin has been an exceptional governor for their state. Surely they are smart enough to realize that he would make a great senator.......not the millionaire who wants to do away with the miminum wage and everntually Social Security. Pay attention senior citizens.

[bigmacha]

04:53 PM on 10/19/2010

Just remember that this is a guy who made his millions the old fashioned way - he inherited them.

[sonoffestus]

04:22 PM on 10/19/2010

Having onced lived in WV I can see why a guy like this might get elected. WV may be one of the lamest states in the union. To many chemicals in the air, water and ground. The gene pool is extremely limited as well.

[astroblower]

04:06 PM on 10/19/2010

His politics are a wee bit to the right of the earliest Cro-magnom human.

[sensimilla]

03:59 PM on 10/19/2010

unfortunately, he sounds perfect for W. Virginia, and disastrous for the US.

[Javalation]

03:55 PM on 10/19/2010

Isn't this the guy who is so rich that one of his homes in Florida has a peach colored marble driveway that cost him more than most of the homes in West Virginia are worth. He can no more relate to the problems of this impoverished state than he can to people who have to work for a living.

[Jan Duncan]

10:59 AM on 10/20/2010

Also a home in Tell u ride, Colorado for a little ski action and hot tube wine parties...

[den1953]

03:45 PM on 10/19/2010

Why would anyone with Millions even want to spend any wasted time in the Senate that job can not be wanted for the purpose of money it has to be about power and control!

[CarolinaYankee]

06:23 PM on 10/19/2010

The guy spends most of his time in Florida, has more money than most of the whole state of West Virginia, and Sarah Palin tweeted today, that they should elect him in Ohio.
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha . She has such a grasp on this election too. What does she read?

[den1953]

09:29 AM on 10/20/2010

To answer your question my friend i guess Sarah Palin still has no time to read newspapers thanks have a good day!

[dougeyboy]

03:45 PM on 10/19/2010

I hate to judge books by their covers, but is it just me or does this guy look like a _ick?

[Jlong]

05:03 PM on 10/19/2010

a Lick? Tick? Pick? Ohhhhh, I get it. ;)