WV Gov. Joe Manchin says he hasn't decided on Byrd successor, won't appoint self to fill seat

Fox8 News ^ | June 28, 2010 | AP

[Brandonmark]

Breaking News West Va. Gov. Joe Manchin says he has not made a decision on Byrd's successor, will not appoint himself to seat - AP

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin says he will not appoint himself to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy created by the death of Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

Manchin told The Associated Press there is no timetable for him to consider a replacement for Congress' longest-serving member.

[blondee123]

NEWS FLASH from Chicago...Rod BLAGO is moving to WV and has submitted his name.

Good one!

[pnh102]

what do u mean by this remark ?

Without Robert Byrd the Democrats have one less vote in the Senate. This makes it harder for them to rubber-stamp everything that comes out of the House. Since Gov. Manchin is a Democrat, it stands to reason that he would appoint another Democrat to succeed Robert Byrd, which would make it easier for the Senate to continue rubber-stamping everything that comes out of the House.

[jessduntno]

A political office is not an apartment; there is no occupancy staute. Dead is dead and the office is vacant. There can be no legal contortion that can change that...granted, they can ignore the law, but that will not make it legal. The rules are clear. The State law is clear. The only thing unclear is the balls the party and the people of WV have to make sure that this is not stolen There might not be a worthy or winning opposition to whatever Demwit they put up, but there is a legal obligation to set the November election now.

"In 34 states, the governor makes an appointment to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy until the next regularly-scheduled general election. At that point, a candidate is elected and serves for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any. Table 1 lists the states where the governor appoints a U.S. Senate vacancy replacement."

WV is on that list;

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0018.htm

If they break the law, it will be more ammunition to be fired in the next elections.

[Bailee]

ROFLMAO.

Byrd Is Dead and probably looking for a drink of ice water by now. But the State of WV not exactly sure when his seat will become vacant.

[jessduntno]

“Byrd Is Dead and probably looking for a drink of ice water by now. But the State of WV not exactly sure when his seat will become vacant.”

I’m sure Ded Kennedy (D-HELL) will hate to see Sheets coming...he will now go back to being the Junior Senator...

[abortionisalwaysmurder]

He’s gonna wait for the bids to start rollin in.

I am hereby offering 30% of all the graft I can get. By my most conservative guestimate that would come to about 10 million a year before taxes for him.

Does anyone know if senators and their cohorts have to pay taxes on graft, bribes and other forms of remuneration?

[Kahuna]

Would be nice to get wire tap on Manchin’s phone. Rhambo and Axelrod will be taking an active role in the selection process for the people of West Virginia.

[centurion316]

I’m sure that the governor will take care to follow your rulings to the letter. Well, maybe not. More likely, he will do what is in his own best interests and find some lawyers who will paper it up to look good. It may be that they do exactly as you say, but only if it suits the governor’s ambition. You do remember when Nixon carried the State of West Virginia over John Kennedy don’t you?

[jessduntno]

“You do remember when Nixon carried the State of West Virginia over John Kennedy don’t you?”

I remember a lot of chit they have pulled over the years, that doesn’t mean we should lay down for them...especially now.

[centurion316]

I’m not suggesting that we lay down, I’m just pointing out that they are going to do whatever best suits the governor’s chances of becoming a Senator. It seems that his best chance is to do what you say and call a special election. That way, he can run for the seat and meantime, he will appoint a placeholder to keep it warm for him.

The real question is can someone beat Manchin? That is apparently a pretty tall mountain to climb. Not every Democrat can be beaten, even in a good year.

[jessduntno]

“Not every Democrat can be beaten, even in a good year.”

Scott Brown proved that almost anything is possible; even if he turns out to be another RINO...let’s keep our fingers crossed and put pressure on them...

[itsahoot]

Wanna bet?

John Ashcroft was defeated by a dead man.

[exit82]

Thanks for the info and insight.

Sounds like the folks in WV should have a special election, and not accept any weasel words from the Gov’s office.

Byrd is dead, and no one living now inhabits that Senate seat.

It is vacant.