Lying By Omission

Here in West Virginia, Republican senatorial candidate John Raese is going after Sen. Byrd for Byrd's vote on the most recent flag-burning amendment sponsored by people with nothing better to do. In this, Raese is simply following the official Republican strategy of Whine Loudly - Offer Nothing of Substance.

I was delighted, however, by the next to last paragraph in the Charleston Gazette's story about Raese's criticism. The reporter is talking about the fact that the Republican National Senatorial Committee also issued a press release attacking Byrd. In that release the RNSC spokesflack said, "By siding with the far left and casting the deciding vote against prohibiting the desecration of our flag, Sen. Byrd has again positioned himself way outside of West Virginia’s mainstream values."

Expect that drumbeat of "mainstream values" to continue throughout this race. The Gazette reporter however followed that up with this:

"[Sen. Robert]Bennett [(R-Utah)], Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of neighboring Kentucky and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island also voted against the proposal. The NRSC news release did not mention their votes."

I guess "mainstream values" (not to mention Republican senators) are a lot more liberal in Utah and Kentucky than they are in West Virginia.

Update: Story link here.