Moore Capito finally taking the plunge!

[BM]

Eh, SMC is basically a dream candidate for Republicans, unlike Berg, and she's still relevant, unlike Thompson. I'd be surprised if she turned out to be as awful at campaigning as them, but it's possible.

I actually think she's more like Heitkamp in that they're respected and well-known women in their respective states and possibly the only candidates in their parties who could win, that is if Rockefeller runs for reelection which would at least be semi-competitive. I'm thinking he won't though. This announcement is shockingly early.

Congrats on actually recruiting someone decent, Republicans! We'll see how the primary shapes up.

[Meeker]

Rockefeller's statement:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

Wow, that's excellent.  I love her!

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

[Zioneer]

Now this will definitely be one of the seats to watch; Rockefeller might be retiring, but if he isn't, the Dems have a chance of retaining this seat.

[Keystone Phil]

Rockefeller's statement:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Smells like retirement to me.

[Svensson]

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.

[Meeker]

Rockefeller's statement:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Wow, that's excellent.  I love her!

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

John Raese 3.0?

[Svensson]

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.

Where Maloney more had the benefit of having an absolutely embarrassing amount of money to blow on the campaign. I mean, you could make the case that Raese was Tea Party as well, but when you consider he was literally the only person who dared to run against Manchin...

[Miles]

Wow, that's excellent.  I love her!

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

John Raese 3.0?

4.0

That would be another rematch.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

6.0.

Raese ran for Governor in 1988, losing the Republican primary to Arch Moore, and was Byrd's 2006 opponent.

Raese's career, such as it is, has got to be some kind of record.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

6.0.

Raese ran for Governor in 1988, losing the Republican primary to Arch Moore, and was Byrd's 2006 opponent.

Raese's career, such as it is, has got to be some kind of record.

Why do Republicans keep nominating him?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Wow, that's excellent.  I love her!

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

John Raese 3.0?

4.0

That would be another rematch.

OMG and that was close!!!

[Miles]

Wow, that's excellent.  I love her!

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

John Raese 3.0?

4.0

That would be another rematch.

OMG and that was close!!!

From what I gather, Rockefeller wasn't a particularly popular Governor. During the last two years of his term, the state unemployment rate was between 15 and 20%. Raese was also a much fresher face back then. Also, Rockefeller had to contend with Reagan coattails.

[tmthforu94]

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.

Well, who would have predicted in early 2010 that Christine O'Donnell could take down political giant Mike Castle?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yeah, I guess the funny part is how the first time Raese ran is when he got his best result.

[Bacon King]

Just throwing it out there, Capito is kinda pro-choice. Grounds for a primary challenge?

Her scorecard with the National Right to Life Committee gives her 43 pro-life votes, and 17 pro-choice votes. In the 109th Congress, she only had a 57% Pro-Life rating (lower than both of the Democratic Congressmen from the state at the time).

[smoltchanov]

A gentle nudge for Rockefeller "to retire graciously". And at least slight favorite for now. Obviously - the best possible Republican recruit in the state.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Just throwing it out there, Capito is kinda pro-choice. Grounds for a primary challenge?

Her scorecard with the National Right to Life Committee gives her 43 pro-life votes, and 17 pro-choice votes. In the 109th Congress, she only had a 57% Pro-Life rating (lower than both of the Democratic Congressmen from the state at the time).

Well, barely pro-choice, but more so than Manchin.  If she's elected, West Virginia will be the second state to have the distinction of being represented by a "pro-choice" Republican and a pro-life Democrat in the Senate, after Pennsylvania.

To be honest, I'm surprised West Virginia has any pro-choice politicians from it given its populist streak.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Toomey is pro-choice? Color me surprised.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Toomey is pro-choice? Color me surprised.

No, I'm referring to Specter before he made his switch.

EDIT: I meant before, of course.  I need sleep desperately...

[Antonio the Sixth]

Toomey is pro-choice? Color me surprised.

No, I'm referring to Specter after he made his switch.

Ah, right, that makes more sense now.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Capito is obviously favored, but if Rockefeller runs, it's probably lean Republican, rather than the safe Republican that Capito vs. some random Democrat would be.

[Niemeyerite]

Rockefeller can buy the entire coal industry and create thousands of jobs in WV if he wants to.
So, he could make this a Likely Dem race

But, seriously, if he doesn't want to spend millions, he'd better retire.