[Political Junkie Too]

This is really cool.

Manchin had the choice to defer the special election to 2012 and appoint a Democrat. His personal ambition drove him to call the special election early so that he can run for the seat.

If the Republicans take this seat, Manchin's decision will be second-guessed for a long time. On the other hand, if Manchin chose to defer the election, we would be hearing charges of the Democrats denying the people a choice.

-PJ

[Vigilanteman]

I think Manchin made the right choice since he will still keep his day job as governor if he loses. That being said, it has been entertaining watching him turn right so shaply and so quickly. He is now running away from Obama as fast as he can.

Appointing a two year place holder had more than just political risks-- Robert Byrd assumed room temperature with more than six months left on his term. Under those circumstances, West Virginia requires an actual election to fill the vacancy.

Manchin would have not been on very questionable legal ground had he tried to count the six months from the time he actually declared the vacancy, a couple of weeks after Robert Byrd was dead.

Some Democrat operatives were actually urging that he take that route to avoid the risk of a special election. But in the end, Manchin did the right thing by calling the special election. I give him credit for that.

[Freddd]

That’s right...they (the radicals of Obama) thought he was such a shoo in, there wouldn’t really even be a race!

WRONG

Some,West Virginians were awakened after the Obama debacle.