Election Aftermath

The political landscape will be very strange for the next two years.  Our current Governor, Joe Manchin won the special election to fill the last two years of the Late Senator Byrd's seat in the US Senate.  This creates a void in the Governor's Mansion.  According to the West Virginia Constitution, the vacancy is filled by the State Senate President, but only in the capacity of Acting Governor.  Let the political backstabbing begin.

The wording is such that the Acting Governor position may not permanently confer on the current Senate President, Earl Ray Tomblin.  The Acting Governor may be whoever holds the title of Senate President.  So conceivably, we could have a new Acting Governor anytime someone got enough votes to become Senate President.  This means a fragile, weak government for the next two years.  As the Acting Governor will be trying to keep his majority in the Senate together and fulfill the duties of Governor at the same time.

As long as Sen. Tomblin keeps his fellow Democrats in the Senate happy he should be able to push things through.  It will be interesting so see what the House of Delegates does.  This tips the legislative power heavily towards the Senate.

Like I said.  It should be interesting to watch.

When Did Raese Move to Pennsylvania?

OK, It is about what I expected from the so-called leadership of my Party.  Can you say I'm embarrassed?  Just goes to show how out of touch with West Virginia the Republican Party has been and will continue to be.  My Party seems to like WV because we have historically been a Democratically controlled state.  But in the past few Presidential elections we have gone Republican. 

Now that Byrd is gone, they see our fine State's empty Senate seat as a way to pick up a vote without having to give much in return.  Mark my words, if Raese wins, WV's needs will be put at the bottom of the list.  If the Democrats control the Senate, they will give Raese little.  If the Republican's control the Senate, they will give Raese only enough to quell a backlash in two years when this Senate seat is once again up for grabs.

Here is a link to more info on Palin's gaffe, courtesy of "The Charleston Gazette's Squawk Box Blog"

WV Senate Race

In case you did not know, West Virginia held their primary election for the unexpired United States Senate seat left open when Robert C. Byrd passed away in late June.

It was no surprise that voting was sparse.  Between 10 and 11 percent of registered voters bothered to go out and vote.  I attribute it mostly to voter apathy.  Most voters figured that the Republicans would vote John Raese, and that the Democrats would vote Joe Manchin.  So those voters decided not to ruin their perfectly good Saturday by going out to vote. 

In my opinion, this will be a pretty boring election for Senate here in West Virginia.  On one hand, you have the sitting Governor whose campaign money comes from Big Coal.  On the other hand, you have a Big Business backed candidate who has unsuccessfully run for Senate twice before.

The only candidate not beholding to special interests is the weakest candidate, Jesse Johnson of West Virginia's Mountain Party.

I am sure we will see Sarah Palin here in the state (oh joy) or at least her PAC's money.  Yet another example of West Virginia being preyed upon by outside interests.

Senator Byrd Delivers Again

While I don't always agree with Senator Byrd, he sure does deliver for the State of West Virginia.  Read here for details on his latest acquisition for the state.