Moore Capito finally taking the plunge!

[Meeker]

Capito is the best candidate Republicans have here, but this isn't even Lean R unless Rockefeller retires. Rockefeller has been involved in WV politics for nearly 50 years and has been continually re-elected by voters there since 1976. Capito vs. Rockefeller would be a very tough race.

I would also remind folks that four out of four times in the past three years West Virginia voters have re-elected their Democratic incumbents for Governor and Senator. Yes Capito is a significantly better candidate than Raese or Maloney, but the point is that being a Democrat is far from a scarlet letter.

Anyways, if Rockefeller does retire, Carte Goodwin will be the Democratic nominee and I suspect Rockefeller will throw his whole machine behind him. Goodwin's wife is a longtime Rockefeller aide.

[Meeker]

Rockefeller's statement:

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Fun fact: Rockefeller ran again Capito's father for governor in 1972 (Rockefeller lost) and in 1980 (Rockefeller won).

[Meeker]

Rockefeller's statement:

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Smells like retirement to me.

That's not what I take from that given that the second paragraph is a jab at Capito, but we'll see.

[Meeker]

Unfortunately, I fear that she may be a TP target.

I wouldn't worry. Consider that Capito is one of maybe four recognized Republicans in the entire state of West Virginia, and then look at the competition:

*David McKinley, too busy growing roots around his House seat.
*Bill Maloney, now approaching professional loser territory.
*John Raese. Just...John Raese.

I'd say Capito's looking fine. The Tea Party has an astonishingly weak influence in West Virginia compared to the rest of the region, and the place loves their career officeholders.

Huh? The Tea Party received credit for Maloney's upset primary win over Betty Ireland just last year.

[Meeker]

Club for Growth has just issued a statement attacking Capito, saying she "has a long record of support of bailouts, pork, and bigger government." Bumps in the road ahead!

[Meeker]

Maloney only self-funded $500,000 in the 2011 primary, which really isn't that much (even in West Virginia). It's kind of revisionist history to suggest he bought the nomination.

His messaging was also very right wing and anti-establishment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypXxHW3JCV4&feature=plcp

[Meeker]

Carte Goodwin could run for her seat?

Goodwin and Tennant seem like the best options for Democrats.

I wonder how long its been since a former Senator was elected to the House.