West Virginia Republican John Raese is gaining much more ground than expected in his US Senate race and has just come out with a hard hitting ad about his Democratic opponent's long record of supporting President Barack Obama's liberal agenda. But rather than try to defend himself on the issues, Governor Joe Manchin contacted the daughter of the late Senator Robert Byrd to tell her that a photo used in the ad was taken at her father's memorial service.

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West Virginia Governor and US Senate candidate Joe Manchin (D) is downplaying the latest poll showing his lead over Republican businessman John Raese is down to just 6 points (48% - 42%). But even though he claims "We feel really good where we are, where we're going and the support we have by all sides, Democrats and Republicans," Mr. Manchin sounded a bit more realistic when he added, "The only thing I can do is hopefully show them if you work together, if you try to fix problems, good things will happen." (source) Unfortunately for him, that mushy, moderate, go-along-to-get-along attitude is exactly what voters are resoundly rejecting.

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The primaries to determine the candidates who will battle for the seat vacated by the late Senator Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia) are little more than a month away. But most who are watching the race believe it will be a contest between Governor Joe Manchin (D) and Republican industrialist John Raese. The latest poll shows the Governor with a significant 16 point lead (51% - 35%) so should we put this one in the Democratic win column? Not yet.

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Even after a compromise was reached by the state legislature allowing US Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) to run both for the Senate and a sixth term in the House, Ms. Capito has decided she will not run to replace the late Senator Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia).

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West Virginia's state legislature has approved a plan to hold a special election to fill the seat of the late US Senator Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia). Governor Joe Manchin (D), who is likely to be one of the candidates in that special election, signed the measure after a compromise was worked out by state lawmakers. The primary election will be held on August 28 and the vote for Senator Byrd's successor will take place as part of the congressional mid-term elections on November 2. (source)

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