WV Gov. Joe Manchin says he hasn't decided on Byrd successor, won't appoint self to fill seat

Fox8 News ^ | June 28, 2010 | AP

[Brandonmark]

Breaking News West Va. Gov. Joe Manchin says he has not made a decision on Byrd's successor, will not appoint himself to seat - AP

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin says he will not appoint himself to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy created by the death of Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

Manchin told The Associated Press there is no timetable for him to consider a replacement for Congress' longest-serving member.

[MadelineZapeezda]

WVans are sick of Mollahan....no way will he be appointed. Manchin seems to be a decent man, he’d never appoint him

[oldbill]

Whether the vacancy is considered to have been created at the moment of Byrd’s death, when the Senate informs state officials of the vacancy, or when Manchin declares the seat vacant will be crucial.

Weekend at Bernie's

It's quite possible that Byrd will be able to cast a vote for Kagan's confirmation. The Senate Clerk will use a Ouiga Board.

[MadelineZapeezda]

I hope he would recognize the devastation it would bring to WV should it pass....any West Virginian would....with the exception of Rockefeller who doesn’t give a shiite about this state

[maggief]

(Sorry for the link)

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/06/wv-secretary-of-state-no-decision-yet.html

I just got off the phone with Jake Glance, the Public Affairs and Communications officer for West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant.

Glance told me that no decision has been made yet on when a special election would be held to replace Robert Byrd, who passed away early this morning. Various interpretations of the law might require the special election to be held this November — or not until November, 2012, when Byrd’s term was set to expire anyway.

“There are a lot of sections on state code that apply to this kind of thing and we’re examining each one of them and we’ll be making an announcement soon,” Glance told me. “We just need to make sure that what we say fits this specific situation.”

[Roccus]

Just heard on a state-wide talk show that the Secy. of State’s office is working on this and will release a statement later today.

[Roccus]

.

ANNE BARTH

[Roccus]

I type too slow :(

[Russ]

Rules and laws do not apply when Democrats are involved. They make it up as they go...

[almcbean]

Here’s what I gathered from a quick review of WV statutes posted on another forum:

1. If Byrd had died after July 3 the appointment by the governor would be for the remainder of the term (Jan 2013)

2. Since Byrd died before July 3, the gov still gets to appoint, but there has to be a special election, and the appointed person serves until that special election.

3. Since the 2010 primary has already happened, there will be primaries and a general election in 2011 to fill the seat for the remainder of the term.

[apillar]

ANNE BARTH

From a purely tactical prospective, I do hope it is Barth, as she would be the easiest to beat in a special election. Republican Shelly Moore Capito trounced her in 2008 when she ran for Moore's House seat. Barth is far to the left of most West Virginians on social issues and wouldn't fair much better than Obama statewide. However, for these reasons, I don't see Barth getting the appointment unless it really is only until a special election is called and she agrees not to run. She's just too weak of a candidate for the national party to risk.

[rhinohunter]

there can be no legal contortion that can change that

Wanna bet?

[centurion316]

They can say what they want; when the man is dead, his seat is vacant. There can be no denying that, there can be no legal contortion that can change that.

You are confusing death with vacancy. Dead is dead, but vacancy is another matter. It may turn out to be the same as death, but could also be something else depending upon statute and case law. Reality and the law are not always congruent.

[jessduntno]

there can be no legal contortion that can change that

[Red Badger]

Depends on the definition of “dead”...................

[Ciexyz]

This appointment would be a hoot: Brad Paisley, WV's favorite son and a great spokesperson for WV, for the interim appoinment. The guy has style, a trophy wife and two young sons, so he can play off the 'cult of personality' and argue he has a stake in WV's future. I believe Brad Paisley is Democratically-inclined, based upon the famous Dems he hangs with (Tim McGraw etc., the Hollywood crowd.)

[rhinohunter]

Rules and laws do not apply when Democrats are involved. They make it up as they go...

Exactly!

They will do whatever is necessary to avoid a special election.

[TRAPPER2]

The WV State Consitiution says that due to the timing of the Senators death that there will have to be an election for the remainder of the term. It looks like the Senate seat will possible be on the ballot in November 2010. I certainly hope so, then maybe there can actually be new blood maybe an Independent, or Republican can be elected to this seat. Next election 2012 maybe they can get rid of the Rockefeller who purchased his seat way back when, and has a home in WV, but refuses to live there. Rockefeller money should have never bought this seat, let alone WV residents should have never kept this sleeze bag around for as long as they have. Rockefeller is one of the most anti gun Senators in Washington. Vote The Bums Out!!

[ncalburt]

what do u mean by this remark ?

[wiggen]

Arwn’t laws so messy when a Dem looks at them?

[oust the louse]

The only way to get rid of useless 9 term senators is to have them die...I hope these moron voters across the Country vote a ton of change into the offices in November.