Politico marked the debut of a new television ad by Democrat Anne Barth, in which she enlists her former boss, U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, to aid her challenge of Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd. "Byrd doesn't say much, but he offers an endorsement, a powerful message from the longest-serving senator in U.S. history and one of the most recognized figures in his home state," the article notes.
But political analyst Stuart Rothenberg includes the Barth-Capito race among several in which the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "is running a risk by promoting some candidates who have little or no chance to win in the fall, and by lumping together very strong contenders with second-tier campaigns." Rothenberg calls Capito "wildly popular," and refers to an as-yet-unseen polling he says shows she "holds better than a 2-1 lead over Barth. And to no one’s surprise, McCain is clobbering Obama in the district."
Barth is expecting a boost next week when House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., visits Martinsburg to stump with her, The Associated Press reports.
This blog draws its name from the statue that stands at the south steps of the state Capitol. Inspired by the poem of Vachel Lindsay, it honors the 16th president for his role in West Virginia's statehood. Photo courtesy of Legislature's Office of Reference & Information.
I cover the Statehouse for The Associated Press. This is a personal blog. It's not AP-endorsed or otherwise part of the world's oldest and largest news gathering organization.
Any views expressed here are neither mine nor that of AP.
E-mail: lmessina AT gmail DOT com
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