Election 2008: Labor Day Roundup (Updated)

• Labor Day marks the traditional start of fall campaigning in West Virginia, and The Associated Press (updated) was among those covering such events as the 70th annual United Mine Workers rally at Racine, Boone County.

• AP also examines Barack Obama's fortunes in the Mountain State, in the wake of his historic nomination at last week's Democratic National Convention.

• One of the Legislature's three black members tells The Register-Herald that "in West Virginia, race is a major handicap for Barack Obama in his quest to woo enough voters." The Beckley newspaper also hears from Gov. Joe Manchin on the subject.

• All three candidates for two seats up this year on West Virginia's Supreme Court made their pitches to the state Chamber of Commerce at its annual meeting last week. AP has a report, as does The Register-Herald.

• U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, has coal as the focus of her latest campaign ads, highlighted by the Charleston Daily Mail.
  

• The Daily Mail has a separate item on third-party ads popping up in the Supreme Court and attorney general races.

• (Update) WTRF-TV elicited some positive comments from Manchin regarding John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

• (Update) Manchin's GOP opponent, former state Sen. Russ Weeks, is "critical of the state's role in the $800 million coal to liquid fuel plant CONSOL plans to build in Marshall County," MetroNews reports. With audio.