[nbenyo]

Wrong. Dem turnout is 60k, GOP turnout 38k. Given there is no liberal baggage for Oliverio, this is probably a Dem hold in November.

[mojitojoe]

The republicans will be out in huge numbers this November. Either way, a conservative Democrat is better than Mollohan.

[chilltherats]

It sounds like Mollohan wouldn’t step down so the rat machine put him down. They figure one of their phony, self-proclaimed “blue dogs” can hold the seat. I expect the morons in WV will buy it hook, line and sinker.

[sefarkas]

Wrong. Dem turnout is 60k, GOP turnout 38k. Given there is no liberal baggage for Oliverio, this is probably a Dem hold in November.
But what the pols should fear is that the incumbent is out. OUT! OUT! Out damn spot! All incumbents losing would be just as satisfying as watching George Stephanopoulos announce the Republican victory in November. That's right. All including the worthless bunch of puppies that are up there voting for TARP, against Clinton's impeachment, cap and trade, etc. Give me a whole new bunch -- it cannot be any worse than the bunch about to put another Obama nominee on the court.

[kabar]

The final numbers turned out to be 67,000 Dems versus 43,000 Reps. The loss of incumbent Mollohan will hurt not help the Dems. He ran unopposed in 2008.

No Democrat since Bill Clinton has carried the 1st District in presidential elections. George W. Bush carried the district both times in 2000 with 54% of the vote and 2004 with 58% of the vote. John McCain carried the district in 2008 with 56.77% of the vote while Barack Obama received 41.51%.

The fact that Mollohan inherited his father's seat made him an institution that garnered support from both sides. His absence will create a vacuum and I imagine that some diehard Dem supporters will not show up in November either out of anger or disinterest. I see this as a Rep pickup as long as the Rep candidate has no skeletons in the closet.