Just the usual BS:
An impasse among state lawmakers over how to fill West Virginia’s vacant U.S. Senate seat may force Gov. Joe Manchin to call a special election on his own.
Talks between Democrats and Republicans in the House of Delegates and state Senate collapsed Sunday evening on the fourth day of a special legislative session.
With time running out for a special primary to be held before the Nov. 2 general election, Manchin may proclaim an election. That decision may come today.
If he does so, his authority may be tested in court. Current election law is ambiguous, although the state attorney general has given Manchin the go-ahead to call the election to fill Robert Byrd’s unexpired term.
This is basically a proxy war in the WV legislature between Capito and Manchin forces. You and I are paying for it. Whee.
eemom
too bad the late Sen Byrd’s many legacies to his State did not include a “Senator Robert C. Byrd Successor Anointment Authority.” How could he have missed THAT?
beltane
Maybe Martha Coakley could run for the seat.
Violet
This whole “what to do when a seat is open” thing is ridiculous and so variable state by state. There should be some simple standard, like the Governor appoints someone from the same party as the person was who last filled it. That person’s term is six or eight months, followed by a special election. Unless the next scheduled election is sooner than that, in which case they just have the regular election, or something.
Perhaps a requirement for someone in elected office is to name a successor in case the elected official dies unexpectedly. The named person is listed as part of the campaign, so everyone knows who they get if the elected person is no longer in office. Kind of like the VP in the Presidential election, but not an official role.
Zifnab
So let me get this straight. The Republicans throw a hissy fit, demanding a special election. And now the Republicans are throwing a hissy fit obstructing the special election.
I AM SHOCKED! SHOCKED, GOOD SIR!
I hope this gives everyone in WV a firm reminder of how absurd the Republican party has become recently. There is literally nothing to do that will make them happy.
RobertB
Zifnab@4: I wouldn’t hold my breath. That guns, God, and gays thing gets pretty good traction back home.
joe from Lowell
And the reason why Democrats should care is…what?
Hey, Republicans: you want to miss the chance to hold the special election in 2010? OK.
There is absolutely no reason for Manchin to call for a special election on his own, or for the Democrats in the legislature to give a single inch.
PaulW
I’m more emotionally distraught that the greatest manager the Cleveland Indians ever knew passed away this weekend.
Fare thee well, Coach Lou Brown… sniff…
General Stuck
Yes there is. But we can’t discuss them, not even on blogs.
General Stuck
@eemom: Oh, Bob is getting off on the drama of it all. Up there in hog heaven.
Sentient Puddle
Yeah uh…I was always under the impression that a 2012 special election would be more favorable to the Democrats anyway. If the Republicans want to obstruct a 2010 special election, why not just kick it back two years?
Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle
@Sentient Puddle: Because Manchin will lose out on seniority.
Amanda in the South Bay
Will this impact the appointment of an interm senator tomorrow and the expected vote on UI benefits that is supposed to take place in the afternoon?
BC
@Amanda in the South Bay: Understand that Goodwin has already been named and is on way to Washington with papers making him Senator. What I understand is that Manchin is pretty solid as Dem candidate, it’s the Republicans who don’t have a good candidate – the one they want is currently a congresswoman and if she runs for Senate in special election and loses, then she’s out of a job until 2012. They want her to be either Senator or Governor, so don’t want her sitting idle for 2 years. Sticking point is whether to allow her to run in special election and for re-election to Congress at same time. If no resolution, then the special election will be held in 2012. Manchin will probably win then, too.
kay
@Amanda in the South Bay:
The US Constitution says states shall have an election to fill a vacancy. It also says the legislature may grant the executive the authority to fill the seat until an election is held.
This governor had the authority to appoint. Unless the legislature takes it away, it stands, apart from any election issues.
Amanda in the South Bay
@kay:
Ah, that’s what I get for not reading the OP all the way and trying to do a million things at once. Thx.
kay
@Amanda in the South Bay:
Its probably all anyone in West Virginia wants to know, right?
“Do we have two Senators? Who might they be? I’ll read this incredibly complex procedural-political article and find out!”
That’s why they stuck it in the last paragraph.
To toy with those people :)
Hippie Killer
This is also a battle between the forces of Speaker Thompson and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin — both of whom make no secret about their desire to be governor. Think about it from Thompson’s perspective — it’s in his interest to lay down on the motherfucking tracks to stop any of this from happening, unless he thinks ERT getting a 2 year head start on him helps.
Honus
@Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle: I think it’s because West Virginia has been stupidly but persistently voting republican in presidential elections the past 12 or 16 years. Manchin has a better chance on his own, in an off year, than trying to run with Obama.
The good news is that Carte is a bright young guy, and it would be interesting to see him as a senator for two years instead of three months.
Yutsano
@Honus:
Which also would want Manchin to hold the election in November rather than 2012. The longer Carte is in that seat the more impact he can make and therefore gain the advantage of incumbency. I expect him to play coy about this since he gets the job no matter what, but the two year option gives him a chance to dig his heels in and make an impact rather than just be a placeholder. He could also shiv Manchin here and run for the seat in November if he wanted. He does come from a long-standing political family after all and three months of experience is a great sales point for that.