Results tagged “Robert Byrd” from All Things West Virginian

Let's see if I have this right.  Manchin at first could have appointed Bryd's successor but then the "rumble" was heard (I didn't hear it but those with better hearing than I presumably did) that the "people" by heck wanted to VOTE on Bryd's successor because by heck this is West Virginia, and by heck two years is way TOO LONG for an appointed person to serve and by heck the will of PEOPLE has to be followed.  So out comes McGraw's opinion that yes we must have an election.  So the Legislature says OK.  How much will this cost.  Not much.  Only about two to three million per special election.

Now, ten or was it twelve percent of the registered voters even showed up to vote !!

The PEOPLE has spoken.  Well, NINETY PERCENT of them didn't but what the heck, it only cost a couple of million.

Save us from ourselves and other things that go bump in the night!

As near as I can understand the Secretary of State's opinion, Governor Manchin will appoint Byrd's successor (I predict Gayle or Ann Barth) to serve TWO YEARS then in 2012 folks run in the Democratic primary for (a) the unexpired SIX WEEKS of Senator Byrd's existing term and (b) the full term of six years which starts in 2013.  Whew.  Can you believe the "oddness" of where we find ourselves?

Poor Governor Manchin.  He would make an excellent successor to Senator Byrd but two years is a long time.  If the Legislature can change the above rules, the problem is that some in the Legislature who plan to run for governor in 2012 don't want Joe to leave office early and give Earl Ray two years as governor prior to 2012. 

This is going to get interesting.