Political junkies are going to love 2010…..looks like we are moving toward a change in election law…..an election to replace the late Senator Robert C. Byrd…..which could then result in a special election for Governor.
Republicans are quiet…..but John Raese is a name coming back…..former State Senator Jay Wolfe has not missed many opportunities to run for the U. S. Senate. Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito could head any Republican list…..but with Republicans positioned to take control of the U. S. House of Representatives she may take a pass…..remember seniority.
Unclear if there would be a primary…..or a change in the law would follow the process outlined when a vacancy in the Governor’s office cannot be accomplished with a primary…..and a candidate is nominated by the political parties at a state convention.
Democrats have been in line outside the Governor’s office since November 2008…..can you imagine that state convention…..may ask for press credentials.
With all the attention on the U. S. Senate vacancy…..let’s not forget the two competitive WV congressional races…..former state legislator David McKinley was on a list unveiled this week by the NRCC…..he was a new addition to the top level of its “Young Guns” list…..this means access to fresh fundraising and strategic support from the party.
Third District Republican candidate for Congress…..Spike Maynard should be pleased with the new data from Gallup…..it shows independent voters now favor a generic Republican candidate for Congress over a generic Democratic candidate by 12 points…..voters in Southern WV have shown their independence in several recent national elections.
Within minutes after the memorial service for the late Senator Robert C. Byrd…..Secretary of State Natalie Tennant issued a statement…..now she wants Governor Manchin to call a special legislative session to permit WV voters to elect Byrd’s replacement…..remember as the chief election officer said there could be no election until 2012…..guess she did not get the hoped for Manchin nod for the 2012 Governor’s race…..and is becoming a populist again.
Finally on this July 3rd…..you will recall phillipsbillboard called for Republican National Chairman Michael Steele to go…. back in March…..well he has done it again…..in a video of Steele speaking to a small fundraiser in Connecticut on Thursday…..”The McChrystal incident, to me, was very comical,” Steele said. “I think it’s a reflection of the frustration that a lot of our military leaders has with this administration and their prosecution of the war in Afghanistan. Keep in mind, again, federal candidates, this was a war of Obama’s choosing. This is not something that the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in.’” Mr. Steele remember 9/11.
William Kristol writes on WeeklyStandard.com that Steele must RESIGN – “Dear Michael, You are, I know, a patriot. So I ask you to consider, over this July 4 weekend, doing an act of service for the country you love: Resign as chairman of the Republican party. … Needless to say, the war in Afghanistan was not ‘a war of Obama’s choosing.’ It has been prosecuted by the United States under Presidents Bush and Obama. Republicans have consistently supported the effort. … [Y]our comment is more than an embarrassment. It’s an affront, both to the honor of the Republican party and to the commitment of the soldiers fighting to accomplish the mission they’ve been asked to take on by our elected leaders. … Sincerely yours, William Kristol.”