Third party spoiler in WV U.S. Senate race?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Some background info: Johnson is an ex-Repuiblican and ex-soft core porno actor who runs for office every two years. this is his fifth attempt.

In the seesawing West Virginia Senate race, Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin’s path to victory could be complicated by a little-known third-party candidate running to his political left.

In the CNN/Time poll released Wednesday, Manchin and Republican John Raese are tied, at 44 percent of the vote. But in the first public survey to include him, Mountain Party nominee Jesse Johnson, an environmental activist, drew 5 percent of the vote.

With a nonexistent margin between Raese and Manchin, the liberal Johnson could prove to be a spoiler for the Democratic nominee in the race for the late Sen. Robert Byrd’s seat.

“I think any fringe candidate on the left or the right has the potential to be a spoiler in a close election,” said Michael Plante, a West Virginia-based Democratic consultant. “But you have to think that to the extent that draws environmental votes or other progressive voters, one would normally assume those would go to the Democratic nominee.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43617.html#ixzz12NYhVhK9

[hedgehog]

1. Considering how critical each Senate vote is to where we go

the next few years, Mr. Johnson would do well to throw his support to Manchin. We don't have a choice between the perfect and less than perfect. The choice is between the less than perfect and the truly awful.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

3. He won't

his supporters here are openly rooting for Raese to win

[tritsofme]

2. With his support on the edge of statistical insignificance

I wouldn't be too worried.

[Angry Dragon]

4. In every race where a republican is running we need to worry

All across this country crazy people are running for office, crazy people are voting.
Nothing is for certain, every vote is important.
Too much money pouring into the republican party to discount anyone out.
I have voted since the early 70's and this is the first election
where I have fear of the outcome.

[tritsofme]

5. I'm not saying don't worry about the race.

Just that this third party candidate will likely turn out to be irrelevant. I feel pretty confident predicting that the winning candidate will have won a majority of the vote, and that the greenie won't be a spoiler.

[Angry Dragon]

7. Too many variables in ever race

[doc03]

6. Manchin screwed up big time he made no secret of

wanting Byrd's seat for years and just couldn't wait. He could have just appointed someone and ran the next time. Raese isn't running against Manchin he is running against Obama. I have heard many West Virginians say they like Manchin as Governor and Raese has convinced them if Manchin goes to DC he will be a rubber stamp for Obama. So West Virginians vote for Raese to oppose Obama in Washington and they can still keep Manchin in WV as Governor. So if Raese wins for Senator he will have a lock on the seat forever and when Manchin's term is up a Repug will likely get the Governors job. Other than just having another Democratic Senator you may as well have Raese anyway.