Capito is running for reelection

Early in the week, West Virginia’s junior senator announced her decision to run for reelection. Yesterday’s Wheeling Intelligencer editorial expressed approval:

In many cases, Capito’s dedication, perceptiveness and attention to detail have won her bipartisan support for her initiatives. She is known as a lawmaker more interested in getting good things done than in strident partisan rhetoric for the sake of headlines.

Capito’s accomplishments?

Okay, beyond pushing for more broadband for West Virginia, what has Capito accomplished in five-plus years in the U.S. Senate? What important pieces of legislation carry her name? What important bills did she work on or was instrumental to their passage?* The editorial doesn’t say, and I can’t think of any. Yes, her rhetoric has not been especially partisan, but her voting record certainly has. Capito has supported President Strident on virtually every voting issue: according to Five Thirty Eight, Capito is near the top-of-the-list in senatorial support for Trump – she’s currently tied for third place among all current senators because she’s voted 94.7% with Trump. She proud of that support as she stated last Sunday at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Buckhannon:

“I’m proud to support the president,” Capito said. “He has come through with the things he said, initially, when he ran, that he was going to do.”

Capito worries about civility and her personal safety

Capito did make a point at the Lincoln Day Dinner that got my attention, however. She briefly discussed the debate to confirm Judge Kavanaugh and then accused the Democrats of purposely getting their supporters angry at Republicans:

“It’s the only time in my service of almost 18 years that I felt my own personal safety was a little iffy,” she said. “The other side (Democrats) had their people so stirred up, mad, angry, upset that all mores of personal respect and personal space went away.”

Strong words from the senator. The Buckhannon article about her speech provides more details:

Capito’s comments were a reference to two women confronting Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, about his decision to vote in favor of nominating Kavanaugh, despite allegations of sexual misconduct.

Capito called for Republicans to be leaders in striking a more civilized tone.

Yes, I remember -- they got in his elevator and yelled at him. No wonder Capito worried about her own safety -- there’s nothing like angry constituents in an elevator.

A tweet from our “civilized” president puts Capito’s comments in perspective

WE WILL NEVER FORGET! pic.twitter.com/VxrGFRFeJM

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2019

Earlier this week (as you probably know),Representative Omar’s comments were taken totally out of context by the President, Fox News/other Murdoch-owned media, and most Republicans. Democrats (especially those running for president) have answered the president’s racist tweet by supporting Rep. Ilhan Omar. Where’s Capito on this? She has said nothing. Hey Shelley, where's Republican civility or, more importantly, your concern for her safety?

*As I finished this post, I checked Capito’s Twitter feed and found this bill which she co-sponsored:

My bipartisan bill, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act, passed the Senate last night! Learn more about this bill that promotes responsible gun use: https://t.co/mrYTLBY1mo pic.twitter.com/Z9bb2chhvc

— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) April 11, 2019

I stand corrected.