Moore Capito finally taking the plunge!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Another sign that the apocalypse is actually upon us.

[Holmes]

She probably announced ridiculously early to clear the field and to scare Rockefeller. Anyway, I predicted this, so I'm not too upset. My gut/basic logic dictates a Republican win here, but who knows? I hope West Virginians are alright with a 23 month campaign.

I'd be more invested in the race if Goodwin were the Democratic nominee than Rockefeller, to be quite honest.

[Keystone Phil]

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.

I read it as exactly the opposite. If that's a shot at Capito, it's weak. He doesn't specifically call her out in the second paragraph. I see it as a general attack on politics/the campaign calendar, to be honest. I think he's decided to complain about that instead of taking a shot at her. It makes it seem like he's fighting.

As for Capito's Pro Choice stance, well, she's nominally Pro Choice. Look at her voting record. It's mixed. She can and probably still will be attacked for it but I don't think it's enough.

[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!

[RogueBeaver]

Christ almighty, not here. Fortunately there isn't anyone.

[RogueBeaver]

She's in, but says she won't start actively campaigning for a bit.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2012/11/capito-makes-senate-bid-official-26

[Brittain33]

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!

If a Tea Party candidate can't make a case in the primaries against a five-term congresswoman who has been pro-choice in the past, I'll eat my hat. There's going to be something she voted for that's going to put her beyond the pale.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

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.

Given that Christine O'Donnell beat Mike Castle, Raese being...well...Rease doesn't disqualify him.  I could see him beating Capito in the primary...maybe.  I definitely think she will face a tough primary challenge, the Club for Growth has already started taking shots at her.

[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.

Given that Christine O'Donnell beat Mike Castle, Raese being...well...Rease doesn't disqualify him.  I could see him beating Capito in the primary...maybe.  I definitely think she will face a tough primary challenge, the Club for Growth has already started taking shots at her.

Lucky thing West Virginia is an extremely establishment place in terms of politics, then. Ireland just struck unlucky in 2011 due to a combination of being out of office for a good while, not being a very good candidate in general, and running against a man with s**tloads of money.

[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

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Jim DeMint's group just declared that it cannot support Capito because "her spending record in the House is too liberal."

[Franzl]

Jim DeMint's group just declared that it cannot support Capito because "her spending record in the House is too liberal."

[CountryRoads]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ReelectCarterMondale!]

If after all this time, the Republicans finally get a top-tier candidate in West Virginia (arguably the most electable Republican in the state) and she loses the primary because she is "too liberal", they'll have asked for it.

As for losing this seat, yes I would be upset, but it would teach the people of the state a good lesson as to what they can expect going forward if they keep shunning the modern era.

[morgieb]

Haha.  I'd love it if she was primaried.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Jim DeMint's group just declared that it cannot support Capito because "her spending record in the House is too liberal."

Hilarious.

[Gass3268]

Any potential Democratic candidate that could win the WV-2 in a open election? Also while I've always liked Rocky and it would be a shame to see him go, Moore Capito doesn't seem awful. The more pro-choice Republicans the better! Makes me wonder if she is also pro-marriage equality. Does anyone know her stance on this issue?

[Seattle]

Carte Goodwin could run for her seat?

[ReelectCarterMondale!]

Any potential Democratic candidate that could win the WV-2 in a open election? Also while I've always liked Rocky and it would be a shame to see him go, Moore Capito doesn't seem awful. The more pro-choice Republicans the better! Makes me wonder if she is also pro-marriage equality. Does anyone know her stance on this issue?

She's a corporatist who has a horrible record on civil rights. Terrible positions and (at least on the corporate note) a horrible fit for the state. Goes to show how informed the voters of West Virginia are...

[Miles]

Carte Goodwin could run for her seat?

Goodwin and Tennant seem like the best options for Democrats.

[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.

[Mr.Phips]

Any potential Democratic candidate that could win the WV-2 in a open election? Also while I've always liked Rocky and it would be a shame to see him go, Moore Capito doesn't seem awful. The more pro-choice Republicans the better! Makes me wonder if she is also pro-marriage equality. Does anyone know her stance on this issue?

Goodwin or former Congressman and governor Bob Wise would both be good choices for WV-02. 

[morgieb]

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.

Happened to Claude Pepper.

[RI]

Club for Growth comes out against Capito.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Club for Growth comes out against Capito.

And so it begins