Rep. Shelley Moore Capito Won't Run Against Sen. Robert Byrd In WV Next Year

The Charleston Daily Mail ^ | October 3, 2005 | Kris Wise

[Clintonfatigued]

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito said today she will not challenge Sen. Robert Byrd next year for a U.S. Senate seat, but instead will try to keep her high-profile position in the House of Representatives.

[Kuksool]

NO!

This election cycle, we are settling for 2nd tier candidates to unseat RAT incumbents. But keep in mind our recruiting successes in 2002 and 2004 came at a time, when there were lots of open Senate seats. For 2006, there a few open Senate seats. Challenging a sitting incumbent must be a daunting task. It seems that politicians favor the path of least resistance.

[WVNan]

I think Hyram Lewis has a good shot at beating the Grand Klagle. He will need lots of support and workers on the ground.

[WVNan]

She's a friend of mine and a very good Rep. I'm glad she decided to stay in the House. I love her, but I don't think she could beat Byrd. Lewis can.

[smoothsailing]

Hiram is down in the Gulf Coast with the WVNG. Here's a report he gave the Beckly WV paper by cell phone about a week ago.

Beckly Register Herald

[California Patriot]

Another sign of a party on the ropes.

If Bush had shown more leadership and fire, he might have inspired a few more top-level people to run for the Senate. By giving the (accurate) impression that there's nothing on his or the party's agenda, he inadvertently encourages the Hoevens and Capitos to stay put.

[chimera]

Probably a good move on Capito's part. At least we get to keep that House seat, instead of throwing it away in pursuit of an unwinnable Senate seat. No way Byrd loses his seat. He's just too entrenched, brings home too much pork for the WV voters to ever give serious consideration to replacing him. He'll have that seat for as long as he wants it, or until he kicks.

It's looking more and more like we're going to have to fight like hell just to keep what we have. By writing off these no-win races early, we can concentrate our resources on races that are winnable, especially defending our vulnerable seats. We're going to get clobbered in the governor's races this cycle, so its probably best to focus on keeping the House and Senate, and try to get something done in our last two years.

[Old Professer]

Since he's been around longer than the whole state, my guess is everybody thinks the job is his for life.

[princess leah]

Well, he's already 89 for crying out loud, what happens if he kicks off between now and next year? Is the governor of W. Virginia a republican? Could he appoint Lewis and then Lewis could run at the next election cycle?

[Clintonfatigued]

The Governor of WV is John Manchin III, a pro-life Democrat. If Byrd does die in office, the best we could hope for is that he appoints moderate ex-Governor Gaston Caperton (D). Caperton often broke with party liberals as Governor.

[cubram]

well that's disappointing.

[qcfio]

That is one case where the numbers lie. Hiram got a boast from the anti McGraw campaign. A factor that is not going to play in this cycle. Other variables come into play this time. A senator that is for the most part loved, even if his value system doesn’t represent WV, and if you ask around Lewis’s name id and availability to get earned media is low. Remember too that this will be his 3rd statewide race. He was up against Wolfe in 02. Also you do not have BC04s GOTV in place.
And even if he has raise 300,000 of out of state funds from what I am hearing his new FEC report will not show a big gain. We have to remember you can’t attack Byrd; you have to show that he has done a lot for the state but it is time to go. – If Lewis is going to push a head he needs to start working with a consultant with some credibility in the national stage. Showing that good ground work is in place will help boost his credibility.

[RockinRight]

Byrd's pushing 90 ain't he? He can't last that much longer!

[chimera]

Byrd's pushing 90 ain't he? He can't last that much longer!

Yeah, but like my old Dad used to say (about evil people in general), he can't buy his way into Heaven, and he's so bad even the Devil don't want 'im, so he will probably just hang around here for a long time.

[Paulus]

Is Caperton still in WV? I thought after his governorship he relocated to Charleston, SC.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Came to this thread to see if anyone from WVA knew anything about Hiram Lewis because we've been getting fundraising letters from him. Glad to see some good things being said.