W.Va. gov says he'll run for Byrd's US Senate seat

[Indianademocrat91]

Source: Associated Press

Gov. Joe Manchin, a centrist Democrat who received national attention earlier this year for his handling of a coal mine disaster that killed 29 workers, announced Tuesday that he will run for the late Robert C. Byrd's U.S. Senate seat.

Manchin's announcement ended speculation on whether the popular Democratic governor would swap the 26 months that would remain in his second term for a chance to serve a similar amount of time left in Byrd's term.

The 62-year-old Manchin's national profile has steadily increased since the former state lawmaker captured the governor's office in 2004 after a term as secretary of state. News audiences around the country saw him comfort victims' families and rally for improved safety and rescue measures following West Virginia coal mining disasters in 2006 and again this year at the Upper Big Branch mine.

"If I am so fortunate and honored to have the support of the people of West Virginia, I can't fill his shoes," Manchin said of Byrd. "I can only hope to follow his footsteps and serve the people of West Virginia as best I can."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_byrd_seat

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No surprise here! Good luck to him, better him than a repug.

[Renew Deal]

1. Why should Democrats support him?

The election should have taken place in 2012. He selfishly made it easier for a Republican to win. I don't think he deserves Democratic support.

[phleshdef]

2. No he hasn't. Manchin is extremely popular in WVa and likely will win...

...regardless of when the election is held. He was the second most popular politician in the state until Byrd passed away. Now he is the most popular.

[doc03]

4. He is not popular among progressive Democrats

or union people at all. The guy is a DINO for sure. He is better than the alternative.

[phleshdef]

6. Actually he is well liked by the miners unions in WVa and his response to the recent explosion...

...was well received by the WVa public.

As a native WVian, I can tell you that WVa Democrats are moderate/conservative Democrats. They love social welfare but are socially conservative on a lot of other things.

[doc03]

9. Oh he put quite a show on for the mine explosion, he used it to

full advantage. He is dead set against any energy legislation especially Cap and Trade, that's how you become popular in WV suck up to coal. We have a local radio program here on Wednesdays called the Legislative Watch Dogs made up of labor leaders and progressive Democrats. Believe me they don't like him one bit, they call him King Joe the DINO. You are right WV Democrats generally are conservative what I would call Blue Dogs at best. I wouldn't go as far to say many are moderates though.

[phleshdef]

11. Yea, the coal industry is all WVa really has, aside from a little bit of uptick in tourism...

Especially the part where I grew up.

Regardless, none of that has anything to do with my point. My point is, Manchin is still a member of the Democratic party and has a 77% approval rating as governor and will likely win any office in that state that he wants, because WVians love him. That means he has not, in any way, shape or form, handed that Senate seat to Republicans, because he is not a member of the Republican party and there is hardly a chance that he won't win it.

[phleshdef]

7. Also, the fact that he has a 77% approval rating as governor pretty much destroys any notion....

...that he shouldn't have a lot of confidence that he can win.

[doc03]

10. He has made it plain for years that he was waiting for

Senator Byrd's seat. That's why he wants the election now while he is popular and is guaranteed winning.

[phleshdef]

12. Well yea, he wants to strike while his iron is hot.

[doc03]

13. The 23 % that disapprove I dare say are Democrats not

Republicans

[phleshdef]

14. Doubtful.

For one, that would be mathematically impossible.

[doc03]

16. How would it be mathematically impossible

I would guess over 60% of WV are registered Democrats? If you have 1/3 of them disapprove and few Republicans 23% would certainly be mathematically possible. Like I said he is better than the alternative. Then you have the Governors office who you think will get that I am betting on Shelly Moore Capito (R) if she wants it.

[phleshdef]

17. You said the 23% were not Republicans.

Which would imply that all of the 23% are Democrats. Your words, not mine.

[doc03]

18. I misspoke I didn't mean to say (all)

were Democrats I know that would hardly be possible for every single one to be a Democrat. Manchin is what we are going to get I suppose he is a little better than another Lieberman. I see one resident of WV that made a comment WVRICK13, he doesn't seem to be that impressed with Joe.

[davidinalameda]

19. the AFL-CIO wanted him to appoint himself to the seat

but I guess they're not union people?

[JI7]

20. are there many progressive Democrats in WV ?

[AngryAmish]

3. I don't think Byrd is going to like that.

[The Hitman]

5. WTF!?

Per TPM, the Dems gave away the farm when negotiating this race:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/07/byrd_successor_race_is_on.php?ref=fpblg

If Manchin were to lose, dare I say he'd be even more unpopular in our party than Ralph Nader, Creigh Deeds, and Martha Coakley.

[DebbieCDC]

8. What a shock -- not

"Centrist Democrat" my ass -- another DLC/DINO

[Name removed]

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