Joe Manchin to pick Carte Goodwin to replace Byrd.

[elleng]

Source: wapo

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) has selected his former general counsel, Carte Goodwin, as a temporary appointee to the Senate, according to two knowledgeable Democratic sources.

The governor's office declined to confirm the pick to replace the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), saying only to stay tuned until a 2 p.m. eastern press conference. The AP has also reported that Goodwin is the pick, citing anonymous sources.



Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/

[Cirque du So-What]

1. As one who is unfamiliar with WV politics, what does this mean?

I barely know Joe Manchin's name, much less his former general counsel. I hope DU's resident pundits weigh in with some analysis.

[elleng]

2. At least, someone who won't challenge Manchin for full-term seat.

[femmocrat]

3. It means that Manchin is planning to run for Byrd's seat himself.

He appointed a temporary "caretaker" to keep his seat warm until the election, whenever that is.

[Tx4obama]

4. Governor Manchin

is well known in West Virginia and well liked - he has a high favorable rating.
He was on top of the Massey accident and was on TV giving updates almost every day in the morning, afternoon, evening, and in the middle of the night - it seemed like he never slept.
Manchin had planned on running for the senate seat IF Senator Byrd had decided not to run in 2012, so his running for the seat in November 2010 isn't something out of the blue.
Manchin said that he wouldn't talk about the Byrd seat until after the funeral (and he didn't) which racked up some points for him in my book ;)
I see nothing wrong with his choice to pick someone to fill the seat temporarily that would not run against him in November.
I hope Manchin wins in November :)

[femmocrat]

5. Same here. It looks favorable for a Manchin win.

The article mentioned the repubs don't have a viable candidate right now. I didn't realize that he was running this November. Thanks.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Thanks for the info and the insight!

:hi: