I feel terrible today. I was born in WV, and have spent 95% of my life here. I am proud to be a West Virginian, and have voted numerous times for Mr. Byrd. However, for the last two elections, I have not. He does NOT represent the mainstream of our citizens. What he does represent is the old-school Democrat party that has ruled over our state for many years, just as Alan Mollahan does. Many older folks here are just plain afraid of change on the local level, and find the reelection of Byrd and Mollahan as comforting. The greatest surprise I've gotten in years is that Shelly Moore Capito was elected to the second congressional district for a second term...not only a 'Pubbie in a traditionally strong Democrat district...But a woman to boot!
I feel the need to apologize to the rest of the nation for the actions of my senator, and many in my home state. We will try harder to elect someone else. But it's hard to find someone to run against the established party line, especially with the $$$ they have to spend. And if the 'Pubbies go out and try to raise that kind of money, we are portrayed as viciously going after the Democrat candidate. Sucks, don't it?
Oh, yeah, perhaps I ought to clarify a few things for those of you not closely associated with WV politics. First, the Charleston Gazette is the daily Democratic-leaning (read "Yellow Dog Democrat!") newspaper; second, Alan Mollahan followed his dad as first congressional district representative (he's a legacy!); and third, most of us DON'T have that kind of respect for Bobby B any more.