CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Launching his fall campaign for governor Wednesday, Republican Russ Weeks pledged to put an end to what he called the "cronyism and failed policies" of the Manchin administration.

Weeks, who served in the state Senate from 2003 to 2007, called himself a maverick and said he considers the current Republican presidential ticket to be his role models.

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Russ Weeks is handing out these fake diplomas to remind voters of the WVU degree scandal.

The Raleigh County resident said both Palin and Sen. John McCain have proven themselves to be mavericks, willing to take on their own political party when necessary.

In his case, Weeks said that may include differing with McCain on his recent comments in favor of eliminating of mountaintop removal mining.

"I think Sen. McCain is wrong on this, and I will take him on," he said.

Weeks staged his first news event of the fall in the governor's press conference room at the Capitol. Manchin recently had the room renovated at a cost of more than $85,000, featuring imported European wall-to-wall carpet and 20 leather chairs embossed with the seal of the governor's office.

Weeks contrasted it with what he called the administration's efforts to cut spending for Medicaid, the state-run health system for the poor and disabled.

"I almost feel ashamed to be in a room like this with all the ostentatiousness when people outside are hurting, when just a little more funding would alleviate their suffering," he said.

Weeks pledged to eliminate other extravagances if elected, including the banquet tent outside of the governor's mansion.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Launching his fall campaign for governor Wednesday, Republican Russ Weeks pledged to put an end to what he called the "cronyism and failed policies" of the Manchin administration.

Weeks, who served in the state Senate from 2003 to 2007, called himself a maverick and said he considers the current Republican presidential ticket to be his role models.

"Sarah Palin is exactly the kind of governor I want to be," Weeks said, saying the vice presidential nominee got rid of wasteful spending and unnecessary perks as governor of Alaska.

The Raleigh County resident said both Palin and Sen. John McCain have proven themselves to be mavericks, willing to take on their own political party when necessary.

In his case, Weeks said that may include differing with McCain on his recent comments in favor of eliminating of mountaintop removal mining.

"I think Sen. McCain is wrong on this, and I will take him on," he said.

Weeks staged his first news event of the fall in the governor's press conference room at the Capitol. Manchin recently had the room renovated at a cost of more than $85,000, featuring imported European wall-to-wall carpet and 20 leather chairs embossed with the seal of the governor's office.

Weeks contrasted it with what he called the administration's efforts to cut spending for Medicaid, the state-run health system for the poor and disabled.

"I almost feel ashamed to be in a room like this with all the ostentatiousness when people outside are hurting, when just a little more funding would alleviate their suffering," he said.

Weeks pledged to eliminate other extravagances if elected, including the banquet tent outside of the governor's mansion.

"That white balloon eyesore will be coming down shortly after I take office," he said.

Weeks announced Wednesday that the campaign will begin running advertisements in six daily newspapers around the state and on radio aimed at getting voters to visit his anti-Joe Manchin Web site, www.nomomojo.org.

That site faults Manchin for everything from the lack of economic development in the state to the West Virginia University master's degree scandal involving his daughter, Heather Bresch.

Weeks even unveiled a mock diploma from the "University of Mojo" that he said he would give to all campaign contributors.

The certificate features a caricature of Manchin and reads, "This Masters of Business Administration degree is awarded to YOUR NAME HERE in recognition of not what you know, but who you know."

Manchin campaign spokeswoman Sara Payne Scarbro told The Associated Press it was unfortunate that Weeks would make a campaign issue of the scandal when, she said, "all records show that the governor was not involved."

Also during the press conference Wednesday, Weeks said:

Weeks' anti-abortion stand was a key reason why he decided to run against then-Senate Judiciary Chairman Bill Wooton, D-Raleigh, in 2002, leading to one of the major upsets in state politics.

"I'm disappointed that the governor doesn't believe the people of West Virginia deserve that consideration," Weeks said.

Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 348-1220.