W.Va. AG: Special election OK for Byrd's seat

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

West Virginia's top lawyer cleared the way Thursday for Gov. Joe Manchin to put the late Robert C. Byrd's Senate seat on the November ballot.

Attorney General Darrell McGraw, responding to questions posed by Manchin a day earlier, concluded that the governor can declare a special election to fill what remains of Byrd's term. Manchin sought the legal opinion after joining a growing push for a vote earlier than 2012, when Byrd would have faced re-election.

(snip)
The governor will appoint someone to fill the vacancy in the meantime. He says he may run for Byrd's seat, but won't have himself appointed.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38152949

[Hubert Flottz]

1. You know you want it Joe...

Better than a repub I guess.

[Tx4obama]

3. Manchin's approval # in WV is high, I hope he wins in November! n/t

[BanTheGOP]

2. Go to hell, Quickdraw McGraw!!!

The governor should just place a Democratic progressive in the senate seat. There is NO election needed until 2014, and by doing it in this way will not risk the seat to a teabagger-influenced idiotic asshole, like they did in Massachusetts.

We will need this seat in the expected bloodbath to occur in November.

[Tx4obama]

4. Wrong!

Senator Byrd would have had to run for re-election in 2012.
Also there is a law in WV that states there MUST be a special election to fill a seat of a senator when there is more than 2 1/2 years left in the term when it has been vacated by death or resignation.
The only question since Senator Byrd's death has been WHEN the special election would take place.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

5. "The governor should just place a Democratic progressive in the senate seat."....

Like who?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it, but I have my doubts that there are ANY electable Progressives here in WV.

[Tx4obama]

6. Can you tell us....

What are the people in WV saying?
Are the people you know wanting Manchin to run?
Do you think Manchin will win if he decides to run?
Are there any republicans there in WV with name recognition (that might run)?

p.s. In my opinion Manchin seems like a great guy and I hope he wins.
I watched him on the news quite a bit during the Massey accident and he seemed to be working 24/7 at that time.
Also, I respect him for the fact that he wouldn't discuss Byrd's seat until AFTER the funeral.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

7. Well.........

I'll be honest with you, I currently live the heart of Manchin country (he grew up about 10 mi S of here) and folks really aren't saying much out of the ordinary. They are very supportive of Joe and I assume they would either want him to run, or would have no objections to it. He and his late father, A. James, have done alot for this area, but like many other politicians, they have had their scandals (re: A. James being impeached as the State Treasurer for costing the state $279M in bad investments - he resigned before trial).

If Joe runs, I think he will win soundly.

Right now I don't see anyone to challenge Joe for the seat. I don't believe Shelly Moore Capito will be eligible for the special election as her term in the US House will not expire in time. I guess the state GOP could anoint somebody in the next few months, but I haven't heard any rumblings of that nature. But I'll be honest, I pay little mind to the R's here.

I think he's doing an alright job as Gov. But as a Progressive, I'm not a big fan of his personally. But what can I expect? I'm in Coal Country.

[Tx4obama]

8. Thank you...

for your reply.

The GOP probably has someone in mind because I read an article the other day that the GOP were planning on filing a lawsuit if WV didn't have the special election 'this year'. They must be up to something sneaky!

[MadAnne]

9. A James wasn't his father, his uncle n/t

[CrownPrinceBandar]

10. Yer right.........

my bad. I typed before my head caught up w/me.