Daily Mail throws Manchin's hat in the 2008 ring

The Charleston Daily Mail speculates today about the chances of Gov. Joe Manchin joining a presidential ticket in 2008.

The article cites Manchin's weekend appearance on Fox News as the chairman-elect of the Democratic Governors' Association, and his similar post with the Southern States Energy Board.

The Daily Mail also taps state aviation records to report that Manchin has flown to Washington, D.C., at least 30 times in the 28 months he's been in office, including three times so far in 2007.

Manchin recently addressed such speculation by stating "I can honestly tell you I am not in any way, shape or form pursuing that whatsoever... You never know what will happen, but I can tell you that with the job I have right now, there's so much still we have left to do in West Virginia."

I noted that comment at the time, and more recently pointed out his presence in a profile of new Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a 2008 Democratic presidential contender.