WVA Senate: Manchin will seek special election, may run

[WI_DEM]

In a press conference today, Manchin announced that he will seek a special election instead, and that he might run.

His announcement came in response to an announcement from the Secretary of State that there would only be an appointment to the seat, with no new election until 2012. And for now, the matter of filling the seat is being placed on hold -- though Manchin again categorically ruled out appointing himself to the seat, while also keeping the door wide open to running in an eventual election.

At one point, a reporter asked Manchin whether he would run in a special election held this year. "I would highly consider that. I truly would. I always want to put myself in a position to help the people of West Virginia," said Manchin. He then went on to sound very much like a candidate in waiting, talking about the decline of civility and cooperation in Washington, and how he believes he can bring West Virginia's own issues to the forefront while improving the dialogue.

Manchin announced that he is asking state Attorney General Darrell McGraw (D) to write up a formal opinion on the law, which Manchin hopes could come by the beginning of next week or earlier. "Now with all that being said, I will not move forward on this appointment or the succession process until the Attorney General's opinion is rendered," said Manchin.

Hopefuly McGraw writes fast and Manchin acts quickly. The longer Byrd's seat is empty, the longer the Senate is stymied. In the most pressing matter, it also means more and more people losing their unemployment benefits, to the tune of about 200,000 a week.

www.dailykos.com

[WI_DEM]

1. the only problem being if the seat is emty for a few weeks longer hurts unemployment

benefit extension.

[damntexdem]

2. Another problem: apparently the guv wants to run for the seat, ...

but figures it's not politic to simply appoint himself. So, he'll let important legislation, starting with unemployment-benefits extension, suffer in the interests of his self-aggrandizement.

[Bitwit1234]

3. When he is screwing up the senate in time of need why does

he think that makes him look more popular to the public. If I were from WVA with it's high unemployment, I'd vote for someone else in the primary and let this creep know his ego is wanted.

[Arkana]

4. Hey, thanks, Governor--you're screwing all of us folks on UI.

[Clio the Leo]

5. sure is. nt