Mollohan was tried and found wanting in the court of public opinion in WV. West Virginians unelected him during the last election.
That cost WV a lot of money because with his seniority, Mollohan could be counted on to funnel money to WV. Locally the so-called movers and shakers went into a prolonged period of shock and depression until they realized they could use Manchin to continue some of the local largess through access to state coffers.
Manchin is using his state network to keep the favors flowing to ensure his reelection to Byrd’s seat in the Senate.