Who will West Virginia Dem Gov. Joe Manchin choose to fill Robert Byrd's seat? The names I keep hearing thrown around are:
Anne Barth, the Democrat who ran against Republican Rep. Shelly Moore Capito in WV-2 in 2008 and lost, Barth was Robert Byrd's political director for a time.
Carte Goodwin, Manchin's former chief legal counsel, who has his own plans for Congress in the future.
Former WV Dem Gov. Gaston Caperton, currently President of the College Board.
Of the three, Goodwin seems to be the best choice for not interfering with Manchin's planned run later this year in the special Election for Byrd's seat. Since Manchin seems to be going around the South Pole and back to get Byrd's seat but not to appoint himself to it, the smart money seems to be on Goodwin.
Barth would probably be the most progressive choice, while Caperton would be the elder statesman of the selections. Other names are:
Nick Casey, the former head of the West Virgina Democratic Party, but he's currently up for a federal judgeship.
Bob Wise, the Dem Governor who preceded Manchin, and
Larry Puccio, current head of the WV Democratic Party since Casey stepped down to pursue the judgeship.
My money's on Goodwin, followed by Barth.
The Washington Independent's Jimm Phillips has more.
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