Robert J. Staker, 1925-2008

Former U.S. District Judge Robert J. Staker has died at 83, The Associated Press reports.

President Jimmy Carter appointed Staker, then a Mingo County circuit judge, to the state's southern federal court district in 1979. He stepped down from the federal bench in 2005.

The Charleston Gazette and the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington also report on Staker's passing, while the state Supreme Court has issued a release.

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses Massey Appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand a $260 million judgment won by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co. in a West Virginia civil lawsuit against Massey Energy Co., The Associated Press reports.

The high court declined Massey's appeal just weeks after it agreed to hear a separate appeal arising from a West Virginia judgment against Massey. In that case, Harman Mining argues that Justice Brent Benjamin should have recused himself after winning election with a $3 million-plus boost from Massey CEO Don Blankenship.

In the appeal refused Monday, Massey wanted the U.S. high court to take the case alleging another justice, Larry Starcher, is biased against the company and Blankenship, AP reports.

MetroNews also reports on the latest appeal's denial.

Underwood Remembered (Updated)

Media throughout the state have offered memorials and tributes to former Gov. Cecil Underwood since his death last week, from his native Tyler Star News to the statewide Public Broadcasting (with audio).

Such coverage will likely continue Monday. As The Associated Press reports, Charleston's Christ Church United Methodist will hold a public memorial service for the two-term Republican, with Gov. Joe Manchin among those expected to attend. Flags remain at half-staff as well.

Update: AP covered the service, as did The Charleston Gazette and the Charleston Daily Mail. MetroNews has text, photos and audio.

Manchin Weighing Nonpartisan Judicial Elections

Gov. Joe Manchin has asked the state's judiciary to get behind a plan to end the election of that branch, or at least for circuit judges, along party lines, The Associated Press reports.

The executive committee of the West Virginia Judicial Association has already endorsed a resolution in support of such a proposal, its new president tells AP, and has agreed to present the issue during the group's annual winter meeting that begins Tuesday.

"The push has already drawn harsh words from a legislative leader of Manchin’s own party," the article said. "Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin has called on West Virginia’s Democratic Party county chairmen to oppose such a plan."

Rockefeller Losing Longtime Aide

The Charleston Gazette has a lengthy Sunday piece on Lou Ann Johnson, who is departing this month as state director for U.S. Sen. Rockefeller after 28 years with the West Virginia Democrat.

At age 50, "retirement, she said, will allow her to unleash some of the soapbox activism she restrained in deference to his position," the article said.

Rockefeller plans to promote Deputy State Director Rochelle Goodwin to the post, The Gazette reports.

Cecil Harland Underwood, 1922-2008

Former Gov. Cecil Underwood, who held the distinction of being both the youngest and the older West Virginian ever elected to that office, died Monday at age 86, The Associated Press and others report.

In 1956, Underwood became the Mountain State's first Republican governor since the rise of the New Deal Democrats in the 1930s. He reclaimed the state's top office in 1996, before losing a bid for a third term in 2000.

Underwood was a business executive and president of Bethany College in between his gubernatorial terms. He had been hospitalized over the summer.

Others with coverage include the Charleston Daily Mail. MetroNews also has a report, with audio, and reaction from Gov. Joe Manchin; U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-3rd; and state GOP Chairman Doug McKinney.

Manchin has also posted his statement.

Update: Others marking Underwood's passing include U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va.; and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd. MetroNews has also posted historical audio from Underwood's 1956 campaign.

Quote of the Weekend

“It is as great a pleasure for me to be criticized by the communists and the atheists of the Charleston Gazette as to be applauded by my best friends... Would we be upset if Osama Bin Laden was critical of us?”

-- Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, as quoted by the Williamson Daily News at a Thursday coal industry event at which he also targeted congressional Democrats, climate change, energy conservation, "greeniacs," the Iraq war and U.S. foreign policy. "Let the world fight over the oil," he said at one point. "Liquify the coal.”

Capito Helps Quiz Big Three CEOs

As a member of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, took part in questioning the Big Three's chief executives during a Nov. 19 hearing "on extending the Department of Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to the U.S. auto industry."

The committee has posted video of the six-hour hearing. Capito's questioning begins around 1:37:24, and lasts about five minutes.

Lemmon Out at State Police

State Police Superintendent David Lemmon may be the first high-ranking administration official leaving before Gov. Joe Manchin begins his second term.

As The Associated Press reports, Lemmon sent the governor a letter Thursday saying he would resign on Dec. 31. Manchin has not yet announced a successor.

"However, in an issue that has hit the news the past few days, a majority of field troopers complained in a recent survey of inadequate staffing across the state," the article said. "Some of the troopers also alleged that they face punishment for missing unofficial traffic ticket quotas. "

Report Includes Ex-W.Va. Govs on Obama Roster

The Charleston Daily Mail relays reporting from The Chronicle of Higher Education that suggests that "former West Virginia Govs. Gaston Caperton and Bob Wise each have an outside shot of pushing education policies on the national front as part of President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet."

"Caperton, president of the College Board, and Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, are listed in the article after six other more likely candidates," the Daily Mail reports.

Some Shuffling, But No Turnover Yet as Manchin Preps for 2nd Term (Updated)

The Associated Press notes some promotions slated at Gov. Joe Manchin's administration once he's inaugurated Jan. 19.

"Communications Director Lara Ramsburg will move up to the now-vacant post of director of policy," the article said. Press Secretary Matt Turner will succeed Ramsburg and in turn will be replaced by press aide Sarah Payne Scarbro, fresh from the re-election campaign.

MetroNews also has those changes, and word from Manchin that Chief of Staff Larry Puccio “is staying put.”

Update: Well, that didn't take long.

Remembering Farmington

(Photo from W.Va. Division of Culture & History)

It was 40 years ago this week that 78 men descended into the sprawling No. 9 mine in Farmington, W.Va., never to return to the surface.

A massive, early morning explosion left them dead or trapped below. Additional explosions and fires ultimately thwarted rescue attempts, and what remained of the mine was sealed 10 days later.

(By 1978, the mine had been unsealed and 59 bodies recovered before it was again closed off. The state Division of Culture and History has a roster of the dead.)

The Charleston Gazette marks the anniversary by talking to survivors of those killed, including Gov. Joe Manchin. The 1968 disaster had triggered a push for mine safety measures, and Manchin often invoked the loss of his Uncle John there when he renewed that drive following this decade's mine fatalities at Sago and Aracoma.

The Gazette also offers video of some of the interviews, an image of its front-page coverage of the disaster, and the 1990 report from a federal probe of Farmington with an analysis.

National Public Radio and state Public Broadcasting also marked the anniversary -- and highlights possible evidence of what cause the disaster, considered a mystery to date:

(S)everal months after the explosion, a federal investigator discovered one possible explanation — a safety alarm on a ventilation fan had been deliberately disabled... That memo — and sworn testimony taken after the disaster — suggest that no one had to die on Nov. 20, 1968. Had this alarm been working, the men most likely would have been evacuated before the explosion.

That coverage includes both audio and video.

The Times-West Virginian of Fairmont was on hand for this year's memorial outside the disaster site, attended by Manchin and others.

The governor also spoke to MetroNews about the disaster and its effect on him and his family.

State Employees Balking at Insurance Hikes

Proposed rate increases and benefit cuts in their Public Employees Insurance Agency health coverage turned out more than 100 state workers, teachers and retirees against the changes at a Wednesday hearing, The Charleston Gazette reports.

"Public workers have been told for years that the benefits package is a trade-off for what is the lowest pay for public workers in the nation," union official Steve Thompson is quoted as telling representatives of the PEIA Finance Board. "This PEIA plan proposal is essentially docking the pay of public workers."

The Gazette explains that "as tentatively adopted by the PEIA Finance Board Nov. 6, the plan proposes a 9 percent increase in employee premiums as of July 1, 2009, to be followed by increases in excess of 10 percent each year for the following three years... Retirees would see an 11 percent premium increase in July, followed by larger increases for each of the following three years."

"Retirees, who made up a majority of the crowd, stressed that they are even less able to shallow an 11 percent premium hike, living on fixed incomes with no cost of living increases in their state pensions," The Gazette reported.

PEIA officials argue that "state employees have not had a premium increase in three years, although PEIA's medical and prescription drug costs have been increasing at a rate of about 7 percent a year," the article said.

Public Broadcasting has a report on the proposal, with audio, while MetroNews also covered the Charleston hearing.

Supreme Court Responds to Fired Official

"After initially declining comment" when fired Supreme Court official Pancho Morris alleged retaliation by Administrative Director Steve Canterbury, the court "responded Wednesday with a two-page statement that challenges each of Morris' allegations and calls those directed at Canterbury 'scurrilous, offensive lies,'" The Associated Press reports.

"Morris alleges he had reported racist language" by Canterbury before his Friday discharge, the article said. Morris, who is black, "also says he was targeted over the now infamous European vacation photos that contributed to the election defeat of Chief Justice Elliott 'Spike' Maynard."

Wednesday's statement said "the racist language attributed to Canterbury by Morris came from two incidents in which Canterbury was quoting someone else," and that "while Morris did allege racial discrimination to Canterbury during a discussion, he never complained or contacted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission," AP reported.

As for the photos, the article notes that Maynard's supporters had sought to link them to his political enemies after they became public in January, before he lost the Democratic primary in May.

The statement said that "Canterbury has never accused Mr. Morris of having anything to do with the release of those photos, nor has anyone else at the Supreme Court,'' and that "the release of those photos has never been investigated by the Administrative Office, or any other agency.''

MetroNews also reports on Wednesday's statement.

Update: Justice Larry Starcher tells AP he wants it known that he and his colleagues played no role in either decision by Canterbury's office to fire Morris or issue Wednesday's statement.

Quote of the Day

"Nine of the eleven (coal miners) came out even with the mistake. The two that didn't either, for whatever reason, didn't get their masks on or panicked."

-- Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, on MetroNews Talkline discussing the recent settlement of wrongful death claims arising from the 2006 Aracoma mine fire that killed two Massey miners.

(The Charleston Gazette notes that federal investigators found both men had donned their emergency breathing devices. "We can only say that they demonstrate a special lack of grace," a lawyer for their widows said of Blankenship's statements.)

W.Va. Troopers Vent in Survey

More than 360 state troopers assigned to field detachments _ about 82 percent of the in-the-field total _ responded to a questionnaire from legislative auditors about working conditions. Among the highlights, as reported by The Associated Press:

• A majority -- 247 troopers or 68 percent of those responding -- said their areas lacked adequate police coverage at all times.

• Nearly a fourth claimed that State Police brass impose an unofficial monthly quota for traffic warnings or citations. Several pegged that quota at 100 "contacts."

• About 30 percent say they're punished for not meeting their quotas.

• More than one-fifth believe troopers are arbitrarily transferred or relocated as a form of discipline, even though that's against state law.

State Police officials have responded to the audit report, agreeing with some findings but disputing the quota allegations.

Legislative auditors have posted both the survey report and an appendix of the more than 1,800 comments submitted by the responding troopers.

AP and The Charleston Gazette reported earlier on a separate audit that found spotty record-keeping and improper storage of valuables at several State Police detachment evidence rooms.

Recession Looming for W.Va.

West Virginia will soon join most other states and watch as global financial woes shrink its economy and the ranks of its employed, The Associated Press reports.

AP was on hand for the latest West Virginia University forum on forecasting the state's economic health. The Charleston Gazette, Public Broadcasting (with audio) and MetroNews also covered the annual outlook conference.

"We are right on the edge of recession and a big part of that story is the slowdown in the goods-producing sectors," WVU economics professor George Hammond said. "The silver lining on that cloud is that we're actually doing better than the national economy."

The forecast calls for a net loss of about 4,800, or 0.7 percent, of jobs in West Virginia from 2008 to 2009, the article said.

MetroNews has audio both from Hammond's presentation and from David Wyss from Standard and Poor's, who commented on the national economy.

Ex-Supreme Court Official Links Firing to MonacoGate

A lawyer fired from the state Supreme Court blames his ouster on racism and the now-infamous Monaco vacation photos that roiled the court earlier this year, The Associated Press reports.

A lawyer for the fired official, Pancho Morris, wrote a Monday letter to Administrative Director Steve Canterbury outlining the grounds under which he planned to challenge his discharge.

The letter alleges that "Canterbury accused Pancho Morris of leaking details about Maynard's Monaco rendezvous with Massey Energy Chief Executive Don Blankenship."

It also tells Canterbury he retaliated against Morris ""because he blew the whistle to state officials on your use of the 'N' word and other racially derogatory language in the administrative office."

Morris talked about some of his allegations both to AP and the Charleston Daily Mail.

Quote of the Day

"I am humbled by the power of the market, and the utter disregard it has for the welfare of the participants. It's kind of a cold-hearted beast, and we felt that like everybody else."

-- Executive Director Craig Slaughter of the West Virginia Investment Management Board, explaining to legislators that the state's portfolio has lost 25% of its value since July 1, as reported by The Associated Press.

W.Va. Investment Down 25%

"The ongoing Wall Street crisis has washed away a fourth of the value from West Virginia's investment portfolio - a $2.5 billion decline - since the state's budget year began July 1," The Associated Press reports.

Executive Director Craig Slaughter delivered the bad news to a special joint meeting of House and Senate committees during this week's interim legislative session. The severe hit will affect next year's state budget, has prompted a spending review by the Manchin administration and has erased a portion of the state's "rainy day" fund.

But tax revenue projections and other factors suggest the state remains better off than many others. And "citing Wall Street's historical ability to rebound," Slaughter said "the board plans to stick with its investment strategy and stay in the market at current levels," AP reports.

"Slaughter expects to recoup most of the losses over time, depending on the pace of the eventual recovery, except for about $49.3 million invested in such financial crisis casualties as Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual," the article said.

The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews (with audio of Slaughter) also have reports.

Aracoma Case Settles Amid Trial

"The widows of two men killed in a 2006 coal mine fire in West Virginia settled a wrongful death lawsuit against Massey Energy Co., attorneys for both sides announced Monday," reports The Associated Press.

AP notes that the civil trial settled midway through the videotaped deposition testimony of Massey CEO Don Blankenship, a co-defendant. It also follows Friday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to review the reversal of a judgment against Massey by the state Supreme Court.

The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews also have details from Logan County.

W.Va. City Ranked as Unhealthiest, Fattest in U.S.

In the wake of a recent federal report on the health of U.S. communities, The Associated Press profiles Huntington as "America's fattest and unhealthiest city."

"Nearly half the adults in Huntington's five-county metropolitan area are obese - an astounding percentage, far bigger than the national average in a country with a well-known weight problem," the article said. "Huntington leads in a half-dozen other illness measures, too, including heart disease and diabetes. It's even tops in the percentage of elderly people who have lost all their teeth (half of them have)."

The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington and WSAZ-TV (with video) are among those with follow-up coverage, including local reaction and questions raised about the findings and report.

The Charleston Gazette reports separately on childhood obesity in the Mountain State.

West Virginia as a Blue State

The Associated Press explores the phenomenon that has seen West Virginia go red in three consecutive presidential elections, but deep blue when it comes to statewide, legislative and county races.

The review included an analysis that found West Virginia among just a handful of states that have seen one party _ the Democrats, in each case _ hold majorities in both chambers of their legislatures consistently since the days for FDR.

For most of those states _ Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana _ Democratic dominance dates back to the end of Reconstruction.

AP also reports separately on the few shortcoming state Democrats encountered on Election Day, including the presidential race, while assessing possible future challenges. To state Chairman Nick Casey, they include a better way to respond to massive spending against its candidates, as seen with the last-minute TV ad buys by pro-business groups.

"I want to see the state party have enough resources so the next time one of these interests come in and try to take a swipe at a Democratic candidate, we can push back,'' Casey told AP. "We didn't feel powerless, but it is a very distinct disadvantage.''

2009 Means Pay Raises for Manchin et. al.

MetroNews notes that winning a second term has also earned Gov. Joe Manchin a $55,000 salary boost, thanks to legislation passed in 2006.

The hike is among an array for elected officials from that bill scheduled for 2009 . Lawmakers also raised the pay of numerous appointed officeholders, at Manchin's request.

Manchin's annual salary will rise from $95,000 to $150,000. "The governor still lags behind several other state workers in salaries including university football coaches, college presidents and state School Superintendent Steve Paine," MetroNews notes.

The 2006 legislation raised the yearly pay of the rest of the Board of Public Works to $95,000.

U.S. Supreme Court Accepts Caperton v. Massey for Appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court voted Friday "to review the actions of a West Virginia Supreme Court justice whose vote overturned a $50 million verdict against a company that is run by the most generous backer of his election," The Associated Press reports.

AP explains that "Don Blankenship, the chief executive of Massey Energy Co., spent more than $3 million to help elect Justice Brent Benjamin to the West Virginia high court. Benjamin twice was part of 3-2 majorities that threw out a verdict in favor of Harman Mining Co. in its coal contract dispute with Massey."

The nation's highest court agreed to take the case after such groups as the American Bar Association filed briefs supporting the appeal. It also attracted an editorial from The New York Times.

Update: The justices voted as a Logan County civil trial continues in the lawsuit filed by survivors of two miners killed in a 2006 fire at a Massey subsidiary. AP and The Charleston Gazette are among those covering the wrongful death case, which includes Blankenship as a co-defendant.

W.Va. Weighing Another County School Takeover

A "laundry list of problems" revealed by a 151-page audit report of Randolph County schools has state education officials eyeing a takeover, the Charleston Daily Mail reports.

"The cited problems include the county's decision to keep several hundred thousand dollars in an uninsured account, its persistently low test scores, its non-compliant hiring practices and a school board president attempting to micromanage the system," the article said.

County officials are resisting the possible move, and questioning some of the audit's findings.

Quote of the Day

"I understand why people pay attention to me on this issue, and that's why I want to be a spokesman about it."

-- former state Sen. Herb Snyder, D-Jefferson, to The Associated Press' Tom Breen about how his 2003 DUI arrest and underlying alcohol problem has prompted him to pursue "legislation aimed at helping addicts overcome their dependencies."

Voters returned Snyder to the Senate on Nov. 4, according to unofficial results. "As of Thursday, Snyder had a lead of 228 out of more than 53,000 cast, and the number of late absentee and provisional ballots left make it likely he'll be the eventual winner," the AP article notes.

Post-Election Brings Hint of GOP Statehouse Power Struggle

MetroNews reports that "Republican House of Delegates member Craig Blair (Berkeley) says he intends to challenge Delegate Tim Armstead of Kanawha County for the position of House Minority Leader."

The House's 28 Republicans (they will gain a seat in 2009) will caucus on Dec. 7. "Blair and Armstead have talked, and Armstead has come away hopeful Blair's issues can be addressed without an actual challenge," the MetroNews item said.

The Associated Press reported earlier on the largely tough results suffered by West Virginia's GOP for the second consecutive general election. Both Public Broadcasting (with audio) and the Charleston Daily Mail have also explored the topic. Update: so has The Intelligencer of Wheeling.

One other potential power play may also arise before the 79th Legislature convenes next year. Stay tuned.

Greenbrier Ballot Canvass Leaves Results Unchanged

The Register-Herald of Beckley updates on the ballot miscount in Greenbrier County and puts the number of untallied votes at 411.

But adding those ballots to the total did not change the winners in three close races.

Republican Jim Childers increased his lead from 280 to 299 votes over Democrat Bruce Hosey in the contest for sheriff. "A special casino vote also saw slight increase in 'yes' votes, while the $40 million school bond issue saw an increase of 101 'yes' votes," the article said. "The school bond passed by only 88 votes on election night."

"By mid-afternoon, school officials calculated that it was mathematically impossible for the bond to be defeated due to the remaining number of challenged ballots left to be counted," the article also said.

Ballot Miscount Could Upend Greenbrier Results

Greenbrier County officials left 340 ballots uncounted on Election Day, and when combined with 167 provisional ballots throw several races into uncertainty, The Associated Press reports.

The more than 500 votes that could still be counted "could be the difference in the sheriff's race, a $40 million school bond levy and a referendum on gambling at The Greenbrier resort," the article said.

The Register-Herald of Beckley was the first with the story, and also reports that the canvass is proceeding much more smoothly in Raleigh County.

Crime and Punishment in West Virginia

The Associated Press previews this week's summit to tackle an over-capacity West Virginia prison system beset by escalating costs.

"This year, the state is expected to spend nearly $156 million to house, feed and provide health care to about 6,000 inmates in work release centers, regional jails and correctional centers across the state," the article said. "The system is already over capacity as about 1,000 additional state inmates are being housed in one of 10 regional jails."

Sifting Through Election Results

The Associated Press reviews the series of narrow losses that helped mark another tough election for the West Virginian Republican Party, with its state party chairman offering a mixed assessment of money's impact on the GOP fortunes.

AP also reports on the debate within the state Democratic Party over such environmental issues as mountaintop removal mining and the viability of "clean" coal technology.

The Charleston Gazette relays an earlier Politico profile of Charleston native Sarah Feinberg, an aide to President-Elect Barack Obama's chief of staff.

Russ Weeks tells The Register-Herald of Beckley that after his drubbing at the hands of Gov. Joe Manchin, the Republican is "through with politics after being dealt his latest setback, and there is nothing anyone can say or do that is going to change his mind."

Eustace Frederick, 1930-2008

Delegate Eustace Frederick, a retired Consol Coal engineer who represented Mercer County for 15 years in the House, died last week, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports.

Marc Meachum, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, credited Frederick for the region's biennial Coal Symposium while calling him "a passionate supporter of the coal mining industry."

As The Associated Press reports, the 78-year-old Democrat "had been in declining health when he announced this year that he would not seek a ninth term."

The Charleston Gazette has his obituary.

Byrd Agrees to Step down as Appropriations Chair

After renewed questions about his ability to continue in the post, Sen. Robert C. Byrd announced plans Friday to relinquish the reins of the powerful Appropriations Committee in January, The Associated Press reports.

The Charleston Gazette was first with the story, while Politico also has coverage. AP reports separately on the reaction by state political leaders.

Update: Byrd's planned departure as chairman has set off a chain reaction of Senate committee changes, and could likely land Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., atop the influential Commerce Committee, AP reports.

Election 2008: Gambling

AP's Tom Breen follows up on his coverage of the ballot issue that would allow gambling at The Greenbrier, reporting that the resort "will hire a consultant to evaluate the prospect."

The Register-Herald of Beckley also has a story.

AP reported earlier that Maryland voted to legalize slot machines Tuesday, "paving the way for up to 15,000 machines in five locations."

"For slots, the sites approved by voters are in Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties, the city of Baltimore and on state property in Rocky Gap State Park in western Maryland," the article continues.

At least one of those locations could compete with Charles Town Races & Slots for gamblers, as the West Virginia track draws most of its customers from out-of-state and was denied casino table games by voters last year.

But Ohio voters rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed a casino in that border state, AP reports.

Election 2008: Republicans

The Charleston Daily Mail says that "in 2012, West Virginia could elect either its first-ever female governor or United States senator. It all depends on which office Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito decides to run for."

The Daily Mail also hears from state GOP Chairman Doug McKinney about the Tuesday victories of the seven House Republicans targeted by last-minute attack ads from state Democrats.

With only 200 votes separating him from Tuesday's apparent winner in their state Senate race, Republican Bob Adams tells The Journal of Martinsburg that he's waiting for the canvass.

MetroNews quizzes GOP operatives and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones about a string of close Republican losses Tuesday, and what their party should do going forward. With audio.

Election 2008: President

Public Broadcasting sifts through the election results to identify what kept West Virginia "red" in the Obama-McCain race. With audio, and a map showing how the counties voted.

Public Broadcasting also spoke to residents of Huntington (with audio) and Morgantown (ditto) about Obama's win, and covered a speech at West Virginia University by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts on the topic (audio here).

Others field local reaction include The Intelligencer of Wheeling, the Charleston Daily Mail and the Parkersburg News.

Election 2008: Governor

The Associated Press reports that "Buoyed by the largest victory margin ever won by someone seeking his office, Gov. Joe Manchin vowed Thursday to extend health coverage to every uninsured working West Virginian," possibly by expanding PEIA and Medicaid.

"The governor also pledged to continue the gradual tax cuts that helped define his first term — but he offered no specific tax-related proposal for next year’s session," the article said. "He instead cautioned that a national recession could at least hamper that goal."

The Charleston Gazette reported earlier on Manchin's possible agenda and the factors behind his landslide win Tuesday.

Toll Hike for Turnpike on the Horizon

Both The Register-Herald of Beckley and The Charleston Gazette report that state officials see little choice but to raise tolls on the 88-mile West Virginia Turnpike "at some point, in the near future," as one official put it.

The Beckley paper focuses as well on the factors that have made a rate hike an issue: reduced traffic from both passenger and commercial vehicles, thanks to high gas prices and the economic woes.

It also reports separately on possible future options for Tamarack, the arts and crafts showcase destined to be removed from the agency that oversees the Turnpike.

Election 2008: Turnout

Despite hitting a record number registered voters, and after the most successful round of early voting yet, West Virginia's turnout Tuesday bucked a national trend that saw ballots cast reach an all-time high.

The Associated Press reports that "a national expert on voter turnout says the signs of an overwhelming Obama win nationally, and a lack of enthusiasm for his alternative, tell the story."

Others examining turnout include The Charleston Gazette, the Charleston Daily Mail, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington and MetroNews.

Election 2008: The Results

The Associated Press has a a roundup of both the federal contests in West Virginia, from the McCain-Obama battle on down, and the statewide and legislative races.

AP also conducted extensive exit polling, and reports the results, and also has an item on passage of the bid to add casino gambling to The Greenbrier.

As for the headlines and coverage across the state:

The Register-Herald (Beckley): Sumner lone Republican to win 27th House seat; Senate leader defeats challenger; Incumbents take House 28th; Louisos, Staggers, Perry to claim 29th House seats; Greenbrier gambling gets nod.

The Charleston Gazette: ; House sweeps: Dems in 30th, GOP in 32nd; Putnam legislators win re-election.

The Charleston Daily Mail (updated): Voter turnout in W.Va. down, breaks from nationwide trend; A newcomer claims a seat in the 30th District, and Hunt returns after 2-year absence; Incumbents hold onto House seats representing Putnam, Mason and Jackson.

The Herald-Dispatch (Huntington): Wolfe elected mayor (AP also has an item); Adkins, Chiles, Stephens all re-elected.

The Times-West Virginian (Fairmont): Software glitch delays vote count; Mayor unseated in Fairmont council election; Tennant prevails in race for commission.

The Journal (Martinsburg);Voters don’t despair despite long lines; Snyder retakes seat in Senate; Barnes likely;Incumbents Blair and Cowles win re-election to seats; With a majority of precincts reporting, Yoder wins election (as circuit judge); Doyle, Lawrence take seats in W.Va. House.

The News and Sentinel (Parkersburg):Turnout hits 67 percent in Wood County; Ellem, Azinger, Poling win; Airport levy crashes.

The Intelligencer and News-Register (Wheeling): Voters Have Trouble At the Polls; Jack Yost elected to WV Senate;Kessler retains state Senate seat; Klempa, Hutchins retain seats.

Early Voting 2008: A Look at the Numbers

Besides reporting that a record 153,789 West Virginians cast early votes before Tuesday, the secretary of state's office released detailed (preliminary) figures that include voter party affiliation for 50 of the state's 55 counties.

The figures show that the percentage of both Republicans and Democrats who cast early ballots were in excess of their share of overall registered voters:

	Republicans	Democrats
Registered:	29.2%	55.7%
Early:	31.6%	58.5%
Difference:	+2.4%	+2.8%

During the 2004 election, The Associated Press received early voting figures by party affiliation for 15 counties:

2004 General	Republicans	Democrats
Registered:	29.8%	58.2%
Early:	41.1%	52.0%
Difference:	+11.3%	-6.2%

Update: As for the 2008 breakdown by congressional district:

	Republican early	vs. registered	Democrat early	vs. registered
1st District	34.6%	+2.1%	55.4%	+3.5%
2nd District	33.9%	+1.8%	55.4%	+4.3%
3rd District	24.4%	+1.7%	67.7%	+2.2%

A caveat: of the five counties without party breakdowns, one is in the 1st and the rest are split between the 2nd and 3rd. The 2nd is missing Calhoun as well as Berkeley, which ranks second statewide for both registered and early voters this year. Democrats, likely spearheaded by the Obama campaign, also registered more voters than Republicans in Berkeley County for the first time since the 2004 general election.

Update II: Some other tidbits:

• In terms of raw numbers, 37,430 more Democrats than Republicans cast early votes statewide.
• Republican early voters outnumbered Democrats in all eight counties in which they have a larger share of the registration rolls: Doddridge, Grant, Mineral, Morgan, Preston, Ritchie, Tyler and Upshur.
• In 21 counties, the percentage of Republicans voting early was below their portion of registered voters. Democrats were underrepresented by early voters in five counties.
• The counties without early voting breakdowns by party: Berkeley, Calhoun, Lincoln, McDowell and Taylor.
  

Election 2008: A Final Word from the Pundits & Polls

The final trendlines from Pollster.com show a widening in the McCain-Obama matchup in West Virginia.

As for the pundits, the leading national political analysts released a final round of race ratings within the last several days:

(click to enlarge)

Update: The Pollster.com trendlines reflect two final West Virginia Polls: a survey of 600 likely voters conducted Friday-Monday by American Research Group, which had McCain at 53% and Obama at 43%; and an online poll by YouGov/Polimetrix, which found McCain 52%, Obama 43%. The latter was conducted Oct. 18 through Nov. 1

Update II: Among its "Things to Watch on Election Day," Politico includes Capito among several GOP incumbents against whom "Democrats could have better luck against" under the heading of "BAD, BUT NOT A WORST-CASE HOUSE SCENARIO (20-30 GOP LOSSES)."

W.Va. Early Voters Hit Record 153k

The Associated Press reports that "preliminary totals have 153,789 early votes cast" by Saturday's deadline. "surpassing the old record by nearly 22 percent. In addition, 13,412 absentee votes have been cast."

"All told, about 13 percent of West Virginia's registered voters have already cast their ballots," the AP article said, "with clerks reporting long lines on the last two days of early voting that ended Saturday."

County clerks across the state are reporting individual records for early balloting, with many citing Saturday as their one-day best.

But MetroNews reports that "only six percent of registered voters in southern coalfield counties cast ballots in the early voting period," with "Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, McDowell, Wyoming and Raleigh counties all below 10 percent."

Secretary of State Betty Ireland also spoke to MetroNews (with audio) about the overall election turnout, which she has projected as 70%.

Election Eve 2008 (Updated)

• The Charleston Gazette reports that "The McCain campaign has unleashed a last-minute attack on Democrat Barack Obama, alleging -- by selectively quoting from a 10-month-old interview -- that Obama plans to 'bankrupt' the coal industry with his plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions."

• Update: The San Francisco Chronicle has the video and audio of the interview.
  

• MetroNews also reports on the February comments, and has an audio clip.

• Gov. Joe Manchin spoke to CNBC about the campaign battle in West Virginia, and was asked about the Obama comments. Video here. WTAP-TV also has an item on his morning appearance.

• The Charleston Daily Mail reports that U.S. Rep Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, balked at appearing alongside Democratic challenger Anne Barth on the cover of the latest issue of Metro Valley magazine. As a result, Barth appears alone on the cover - to the objection of some Capito supporters and her campaign.

• (Corrected) Warren R. McGraw II has bought almost $14,000 (updated figure) worth of radio advertising and robocalls on behalf of his uncle (corrected; see filings here), Attorney General Darrell McGraw. The Gazette had initially reported that Warren McGraw, the attorney general's brother, had made the independent expenditure.

The Early Word on Early Voting

The Associated Press reported before the Nov. 1 end of early in-person voting that "West Virginians are going to the polls in droves and election officials are now predicting an early voting record."

With the record set in 2004 at 126,503 early votes, "As of Friday morning, nearly 122,000 state residents had cast ballots in West Virginia’s 55 counties. That’s about 10 percent of the state’s eligible voters," AP reported.

Since early voted ended Saturday, several have updated on the turnout:

• Nearly 11 percent of the Northern Panhandle's registered voters cast early ballots, The Intelligencer of Wheeling reports. "there are 113,950 registered voters registered through the six counties in the Northern Panhandle. As of the close of early voting on Saturday afternoon, 12,471 had already voted in the region," its article said.

• The Charleston Gazette reports that Kanawha County had a record 15,925 early voters.

• WSAZ-TV has the Kanawha County figure and also reports that "in Putnam County, more than 6,800 voted early," while "in Huntington, 7,000 people have already made their voice heard."

• WOWK-TV has Putnam County's final figure at 7,500, a record.

The Journal of Martinsburg noted that early voting in the Eastern Panhandle had topped 15,000 in advance of the final day.

Election 2008: Weekend Roundup

Governor

• WSAZ-TV hosted a forum for GOP gubernatorial nominee Russ Weeks and Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson, after "Democrat Joe Manchin declined WSAZ's offer to take part in the forum." A number of video clips accompany the online article.

• The Journal of Martinsburg focuses on Johnson.
  

Congress

• WSAZ-TV also held debates between congressional candidates in two races: Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, and Democratic challenger Anne Barth (with full video and clips); and Rep. Nick Rahall, D-3rd, with GOP nominee Marty Gearheart (also with full video and clips).

• The Charleston Gazette set the stage for Sunday's Capito-Barth debate.
  

• The Associated Press profiles the Rahall-Gearheart matchup.

Supreme Court

• AP offers an overview of the contest among two Democrats and one Republican for two seats on West Virginia's Supreme Court.

• Both AP and Public Broadcasting (with audio) offer coverage from the Supreme Court candidates' forum held at West Virginia University's College of Law. The host has a webcast.
  

• Public Broadcasting earlier profiled the court candidates, and offers audio as well as video of Democrats Margaret Workman and Menis Ketchum, and Republican Beth Walker.

Legislature

• AP previews this year's legislative races: all 100 seats in the House of Delegate are up for election, as are 17 of the 34 state Senate seats. AP hears from officials from both major parties on their prospects, and also analyzes the latest campaign finance filings.

• The Journal fields GOP reaction to a campaign by a labor PAC, the West Virginia Building & Construction Trades, targeting several of their legislative incumbents and hopefuls.

• The Martinsburg paper also profiles a series of Republican legislative candidates, including Delegates Craig Blair, Jonathan Miller, Daryl Cowles, John Overington.

• The Journal profiles Democrat Mike Roberts and the Mountain Party's Robin Mills among the legislative challengers as well.

Other

• AP profiles the close battle between incumbent Democratic Attorney General Darrell McGraw and GOP challenger Dan Greear.

• AP takes an advance look at the ballot issue in Greenbrier County that would allow casino gambling at its world-famous resort. As AP's Tom Breen reports, because of an impasse between The Greenbrier and its workers, "union officials are appealing to voters in this southeastern West Virginia county to help the resort increase its revenues by adding gambling to its list of amenities."

• The Journal previews an Eastern Panhandle Democratic rally headlined by national party official and local resident Alice Germond.
  

Palin Returns (Briefly) to W.Va.

Republican running mate Sarah Palin made another Sunday landing at a West Virginia airport, en route to an Ohio campaign appearance.

MetroNews marks the brief visit.

Bill Clinton in W.Va.

Former President Bill Clinton sought to rally voters to support fellow Democrat Barack Obama during a Saturday visit to Beckley.

The Register-Herald pegged the crowd at "approximately 200," while The Charleston Gazette estimated it at "around 800."

Public Broadcasting, which settled on the latter figure, covered the event and also has audio.

WSAZ-TV, which went with the former, has coverage and video.

Upate: The Associated Press has coverage.

RNC in W.Va.

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan headlined a Friday visit in Charleston with "about 150 enthusiastic supporters of the GOP presidential ticket," The Charleston Gazette reports.

MetroNews also has an item.

Feds Probing W.Va. Liquor Agency?

The West Virginia agency that regulates the sale of all alcoholic beverages within the state has been subpoenaed by federal investigators, The Charleston Gazette reports.

Citing unnamed sources, The Gazette reports that "the investigation might involve allegations of (Alcohol Beverage Control Administration) employees receiving gifts from liquor distributors. They indicated that as many as five ABCA officials might have been subpoenaed."

WSAZ-TV also has an item, as does MetroNews.

Polling Points to Dem Wins in Statewide Races...Except McGraw's

This week's Public Policy Polling survey also included several statewide races. The biggest news there: "It looks like West Virginia is going to have a new Attorney General. Republican challenger Dan Greear leads incumbent Darrell McGraw now by a margin of 50-42."

The other Democrats in the races polled fared much better:

• Joe Manchin is "cruising to reelection with a 69-27 advantage."
• Jay Rockefeller "should be headed back to the US Senate, as he leads 58-40."
• Natalie Tennant is up 58-31 for secretary of state.
• Gus Douglass leads 50-41 for agriculture commissioner.

PPP polled 2,128 voters Wednesday and Thursday. The margin of error is +/-2.1%. The probability is virtually 100%.

The polling memo breaks down the results by whether or not the voter has already cast an absentee or early ballot. It also offers detailed results by gender, party affiliation, race and age.

PPP: McCain 55%, Obama 42% in West Virginia

Public Policy Polling surveyed 2,128 voters Wednesday and Thursday. The margin of error is +/-2.1%. The probability is virtually 100%.

McCain has picked up 5% from undecideds since PPP polled in the state earlier this month, Thursday's memo notes.

"Obama was never going to be able to win the state without exceeding 70% of the Democratic vote, and in this survey he leads just 65-31 among folks within his own party," it said.

“West Virginia was always going to be an uphill battle for Barack Obama,” adds the firm's president, Dean Debnam. “He’ll certainly be more competitive here in the general election than he was during the primary but it would be quite a shock if he’s able to take the state or even get it within five points.”

Election 2008: President

• The Cook Political Report has downgraded the competitiveness of the race in West Virginia from "Toss Up to Lean Republican."

• Larry Sabato includes West Virginia in Republican John McCain's column in his latest projection, titled "The Last Word -- Almost," which projects McCain winning 174 electoral votes to Democrat Barack Obama's 364.

• MetroNews' Talkline hears from Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean about Obama's chances in West Virginia and the overall state of the campaign. With audio.
  

Quote of the Day

"Me winning West Virginia would just be the same as putting a cherry on top of a beautiful cake."

-- quote attributed to presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., by Gov. Joe Manchin, as reported by the Charleston Daily Mail.

Election 2008: Congress

• U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, and Democratic challenger Anne Barth squared off Wednesday at an Eastern Panhandle forum. Those with coverage include The Journal of Martinsburg, The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown (Md.), and MetroNews (with audio).

• Larry Sabato has downgraded the competitiveness of the 2nd District match-up to "Republican Hold" in an analysis that predicts the GOP will otherwise lose 26 to 35 seats in the U.S. House.
  

Voting in West Virginia (Updated)

A California-based group has posted a video that shows Jackson County's clerk demonstrating the sort of touch-screen voting machine that has prompted complaints of vote switching.

The video appears to show the device switching votes even after the clerk re-calibrates it, as election officials recommend be done in such situations. But the secretary of state's office tells both The Charleston Gazette and Public Broadcasting that the video "is false and defamatory, and is threatening to file a complaint against Video the Vote with the U.S. Department of Justice."

County Clerk Jeff Waybright agrees. "The part they are showing is a total misrepresentation and a fraud," he told The Gazette. "I misspoke during a part of that video. But the machine actually voted properly."

As Public Broadcasting explains, Waybright thought the machine was still mis-calibrated during the demonstration "but it’s not. It turns out the machine is doing what it’s supposed to do. It allowed him to override his straight Republican ticket because he selected (Ralph) Nader for president."

But an official with Video the Vote told Public Broadcasting that “If this is the guy who’s instructed with making sure the machines are calibrated and making sure voters know how to cast their ballots, and he can’t even get it right, how are they expecting voters to get it right on election day?”

The group has since posted the full half-hour interview with Waybright. Public Broadcasting also has audio of its report.

Update: The Associated Press has a story, as does the Charleston Daily Mail.

W.Va. Races Hit with Large, Last-Minute Ad Buys (Updated)

The Associated Press reports that the state Chamber of Commerce, with help from its national counterpart and allied groups, have spent nearly $700,000 on ads attacking Attorney General Darrell McGraw, a Democrat.

AP also reports that this chamber-led coalition has plunked down another $403,000 "on ads promoting Beth Walker, the sole Republican candidate in the two-seat state Supreme Court race."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, meanwhile, has reserved $775,000 worth of ad airtime to support party nominee Anne Barth in her race against Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, The Charleston Gazette reports.

But Capito is not without surrogates: the National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee "has spent nearly $700,000 on TV ads and direct mail advertising promoting Capito's re-election," that article said.

Update: W.Va. Chamber President Steve Roberts talks to MetroNews' Talkline about the ad buys (with audio), and an official from McGraw's office responds (also with audio).

Update II: The chamber has hired Mentzer Media Services, the chief producer of the Swift Boat ad campaign credited with assisting in the defeat of John Kerry in 2004.

W.Va. and the Road to the White House

The electoral projectors at FiveThirtyEight.com crunch an array of West Virginia statistics to weigh the presidential race in the state.

The analysis concludes that "In the context of a national landslide, West Virginia -- a state that gave its vote to Michael Dukakis in 1988 -- could go blue once again," but that "beyond the high Democratic partisan identification, Obama has few statistical factors working in his favor. "

The Financial Meltdown in W.Va.

The Charleston Daily Mail lists billions of dollars worth of projects slated for West Virginia that have been delayed or otherwise threatened by the financial turmoil affecting bond and credit markets.

It earlier reported that five banks operating in the state "announced they have either accepted or have been approved for federal cash infusions as part of the $700 billion rescue plan approved by Congress on Oct. 3." The paper updates that story today.

Election 2008: Mid-Week Roundup

• Former President Bill Clinton's scheduled visit to Beckley has been postponed to Saturday, MetroNews and others report.

• The Associated Press details the latest campaign finance reports in the races for Supreme Court, attorney general and secretary of state. So does The Charleston Gazette.

• Republican candidate for governor Russ Weeks tells The Register-Herald of Beckley and the Charleston Daily Mail that he is launching a TV ad statewide in the final days of that contest. The latter notes that Weeks had a campaign balance of $12,903 as of Oct. 19.

Election 2008: One Week To Go

• The Associated Press' Vicki Smith tours West Virginia's southern counties and while "racial slurs have hardly disappeared here," finds that "many voters in this 95 percent white, decidedly working-class state -- and presumably, elsewhere in America -- are fed up with a lousy economy and current leaders, and Democrats hope they will re-embrace their blue-collar and party roots, swallow any misgivings about race and support a black man for president."

• (Update) Public Broadcasting has also elicited opinions from around the state regarding the presidential race. With audio.
  

• MetroNews reports that the West Virginia Coal Association isn't endorsing a presidential candidate, while a group of veterans has formed to support Democrat Barack Obama.

• The state Democratic Party has filed electioneering communication reports showing it's spent nearly $41,000 on flyers attacking Republican incumbents in seven House of Delegates districts, The Charleston Gazette said.

• The Gazette also reports that The League of Conservation Voters has flunked U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, in its latest National Environmental Scorecard.

• The GOP's candidate challenging state Attorney General Darrell McGraw tells the Charleston Daily Mail that "at least $43,000 donated to McGraw's campaign this election comes either directly or indirectly from lawyers who've benefited from state lawsuits."

• Public Broadcasting has an item on the AG race as well, with audio and citing a recent poll that found McGraw ahead of Republican Dan Greear by just 2%.

• (Update) Politico reports that "The Republican National Committee buys TV time in deep-red MONTANA and WEST VIRGINIA, a sign the party is scrambling to stave off a historic landslide a week from today." 'Tough environment,' one Republican official "says sardonically" in the item.
  

Voting in West Virginia

• Secretary of State Betty Ireland tells The Associated Press and others that additional testing has cleared touch-screen voting machines that have been dogged by a handful of complaints since early voting began Oct. 15. County clerks tell AP they're issuing stylus pointers to voters to help them tap the screens in the correct places. Others with coverage include The Charleston Gazette, MetroNews and The Register-Herald of Beckley.

• The Charleston Daily Mail highlights new U.S. citizens allowed to take their oaths earlier than scheduled, so they can vote Nov. 4.

• AP also reports that nearly 67,300 West Virginians cast in-personal early votes by Saturday, citing figures from Ireland's office. Democrats have outnumbered Republican among early voters by approximately 2-to-1, reflecting their shares of the overall voter rolls. Early voting ends on Nov. 1, a Saturday.
  

Byrd Again in the Bulls-Eye? (Updated)

Citing "Democratic insiders," Politico reports today that "Majority Leader Harry Reid is quietly preparing to ease 90-year-old Sen. Robert C. Byrd from his perch as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee."

Byrd, who turns 91 next month, "has been hospitalized several times in the past year, and Democratic senators and leadership aides say he is no longer capable of running the powerful Appropriations Committee," the article said.

Politico noted that such ouster speculation has dogged Byrd previously this year, adding that Reid, D-Nev., has previously supported his desire to remain chairman.

Now, the article said, Reid proposes that history's longest-serving U.S. senator "would become chairman emeritus, likely retaining coveted office space in the Capitol near the Senate floor," under Reid's alleged plan.

Fellow long-timer Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, would take over as chair, while Byrd "would also remain Senate president pro tempore, which leaves him third in line to the presidency even though his health now makes even routine public appearances both arduous and awkward," the article said.

Politico also observed that "Byrd traveled to Charleston last week to introduce Delaware Sen. Joe Biden at a morning rally, and he struggled to get through his written remarks — though his partisan spirit was still obvious, as was the home crowd’s affection for him."

Update: Byrd has responded, The Associated Press reports. "I am disappointed that, according to press accounts, the Majority Leader is talking to others about the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee," Byrd told AP in a statement. "This is the sort of Washington back-room gossip which ill serves the Democratic Party in a year when Democratic unity should be paramount."

Reuters/Zogby: McCain 50%, Obama 40% in W.Va.

Conducted Oct. 23-26, the Zogby survey of 600 likely voters found 9% undecided.

The margin of error was +/- 4.1%, while its probability was close to 100%.

MSNBC speculates on the Democrat's chances in twice-red West Virginia, recapping Friday's visit by running mate Joe Biden.

Bill Clinton Coming to W.Va. (Updated)

Former President Bill Clinton plans to stump for fellow Democrat Barack Obama in Beckley on Saturday (updated; the visit was pushed back from Thursday), The Associated Press reports.

The morning appearance at Word Memorial Park is free to the public and does not require a ticket, the Obama campaign announced.

Daily Kos: McCain 49%, Obama 43% in W.Va.

The leading liberal political blog enlisted Research 2000 to survey 600 likely voters Oct. 22-24.

The margin of error is +/- 4%, and the probability is 93.76%.

West Virginia and the Road to the White House

Bloomberg is the latest to report from West Virginia on the Obama campaign's stepped-up efforts to wrest the state's five electoral votes from McCain's win column.

"West Virginia is still likely to end up in the Republican column on Election Day, and until recently, the state wasn't even on Obama's radar screen," the article said. But citing recent polling and interviews, it adds that "To close the gap, the Obama campaign is counting on the economy trumping cultural and social questions."

Election 2008: Monday Roundup

• The Associated Press details the pre-general finance reports from West Virginia's congressional candidates. Highlights include Democrat Anne Barth outraising Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, during the filing period, and Sen. Jay Rockefeller collecting a total of $6.7 million toward his re-election bid.

• AP also talks to Democrat Natalie Tennant and Republican Charles Minimah about their race for secretary of state.

• The Charleston Gazette relays additional complaints alleging electronic voting machines have switched early votes from Democratic to Republican candidates. The Gazette also reported earlier on the machines' manufacturer, Election Systems & Software.

• The Journal of Martinsburg offers separate coverage of Republican and Democratic rallies in the Eastern Panhandle. The latter featured former Govs. Bob Wise and Gaston Caperton, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Barth. The GOP event featured a prediction by the Berkeley County part chairman that "in the not too distant future, Republicans will hold all of the major offices, including governor, senators and house members."

• The Gazette reports on a weekend pro-Obama rally in Charleston.

• AP sets the stage for a Monday rally in support of Capito at Madison Coal & Supply in Charleston.

• GOP gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks responds to The Register-Herald of Beckley after polling shows him well behind incumbent Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin.

• The Gazette reports on negative ad salvos between Sen. Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, and the Democrat seeking a rematch after his 2004 defeat, Mike Ross.
  

• The Bluefield Daily Telegraph talks to a Mercer County school bus driver whom friends say resembles Sarah Palin.