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Campaigning on the public's dime
5/9/2008 1:49 PM
University professors have little day-to-day supervision. They answer mostly to their students.
So it figures that Bob Bastress, who has spent 30 years teaching constitutional law at WVU and draws a $132,000 annual salary, might think he was his own boss.
But he isn't.
Prof. Bastress, as a state employee working from a state-funded office with a state-funded salary, officially reports to a dean and university president. But he also answers to West Virginia taxpayers.
It was disappointing to read Chris Dickerson's reports this week detailing the e-mail communications of Bastress, who has claimed to be running a campaign for a State Supreme Court slot in his spare time.
Taxpayers' time, it turns out.
The e-mails confirmed Bastress has been conducting campaign business from his law school office at times when he's supposed to be on the clock working for the people of this state.
Even more disappointing was the substance of some of the e-mails, which in addition to the standard campaign organizing and planning, feature piddling campaign musing, gossip and idle speculation between Bastress and various lawyer-supporters from across West Virginia.
One e-mail features a cameo appearance from sitting state Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher, who flatters Bastress before revealing his true motives.
"When asked about the race, I consistantly (sic) respond that there is no doubt, but that you are best qualified to be a SC justice," Starcher told Bastress, in an email dated March 28. "(But) my primary interest is that any two of you 'take (fellow Justice Spike) Maynard out.'"
"Thank you," replied Bastress in his e-mail.
Bastress says some overlap between his official job and his chosen hobby of running for the state's most influential court is inevitable. He says he shouldn't be expected to take a leave from his full-time professor's post to concurrently run full-time for statewide office.
Bastress says that without his law professor's salary, he couldn't afford to run.
We find his admission revealing.
Though he seems to believe we're somehow obligated, state taxpayers shouldn't be asked to financially support ivory tower academics like Bastress in their quests to become powerful and influential politicians.
It's a position worth pondering before you head to the polls on Tuesday.
If Bob Bastress wants to be a Supreme Court candidate, that's his choice. It's also his sacrifice, not that of West Virginia taxpayers'.
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| Bastress emails |
In reading all of the posted articles on this, this news story is making a mountain out of a non issue. As the emails themselves reveal, Bob Bastress initiated none of them relating to the campaign, and often gave simple responses. He makes no specific requests for financial or other assistance, and insteads directs people to his campaign headquarters.
As an alumni of the college of law, who understands how hard Bob Batress works, I resent your allegations against the most qualified candidate for this position. Bob Bastress is a brilliant and dedicated law professor and knows more about West Virginia law, especially in regards to consitutional law than anyone else in the state. He will provide a fair and reasonable voice on the court, and will make deliberate and well-reasoned decisions. There is no better qualified candidate.
Anyone who has had Bob Bastress for class or attended the law school should know that your accusations are a poor attempt at damaging a good man's reputation. Any others who actually read the sample emails, should also be able to tell that his brief responces do not amount to real campaigning, and are often simple courtesy responses thanking or offering direction to people. |
| - Amanda Ray (5/12/2008 10:14:35 AM) |
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