Election 2008: Supreme Court

The Associated Press examines the role Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship played in Tuesday's defeat of his longtime friend, Supreme Court Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard.

"I don't think that helped Justice Maynard a bit, to be associated with Don Blankenship, even if Don Blankenship was not actively involved in his campaign," state Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey told AP.

In Maynard's (and Blankenship's) native Mingo County, the Williamson Daily News reports that Maynard captured the top spot in that county -- but no other.

The State Journal also focuses on the MonacoGate factor, while questioning as well whether "a bigger reason for Maynard's defeat is that West Virginia does not have a solid pro-business voting block within the Democratic Party."

MetroNews, meanwhile, talked to primary winner Menis Ketchum, who "believes outside groups will attack him in the months leading up to the November General Election."

"If attacked, I'll do just like this time," he told MetroNews. With audio.

Update: The Charleston Daily Mail also sifts through the results.

Election 2008: Governor

The Charleston Gazette attempts to analyze Gov. Joe Manchin's primary win over freshman lawmaker Mel Kessler with 75 percent of the vote.

The Register-Herald of Beckley reports that former local state senator Russ Weeks, the GOP nominee, "is insisting on a series of seven regional debates."

The Beckley paper also reports that the Democrat Kessler, like Weeks a Raleigh Countian, has endorsed the Republican, "even offering to let him have his car to meet voters"

DaughterGate Update

The resolution may be nonbinding, but 565 members of West Virginia University's faculty voted Wednesday to demand that "embattled President Mike Garrison quit over a master's degree scandal involving the governor's daughter," The Associated Press reports.

Just 39 faculty members opposed the measure while 11 abstained in "the second call for his resignation in 10 days," the article said.

"Professors hope the latest no-confidence vote on Garrison's leadership will be harder to ignore because more faculty members were involved," AP's Vicki Smith reported. " Garrison acknowledged the vote in a prepared statement, but reiterated he plans to stay in the job."

The Charleston Gazette also has a story. So does the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which also offers video.

MetroNews has a report and audio, while Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval opines that the vote has effectively ended Garrison's presidency.

The Daily Athenaeum has coverage as well. Public Broadcasting has an audio report.

Election 2008: President

Those crunching the numbers to add West Virginia delegates to Clinton and Obama's tallies include The Charleston Gazette.

"Clinton's landslide victory Tuesday in West Virginia gave her 20 committed delegates to the Democratic National Convention, but did not prompt any more of the state's superdelegates to declare they'll vote for her," the Gazette reported.

The remaining eight would go to Obama.

The Register-Herald of Beckley focuses on the state's remaining uncommitted superdelegates, finding that "neither Gov. Joe Manchin nor Sen. Robert C. Byrd...would say how they intend to vote once Democrats gather to choose a presidential nominee."

MetroNews spoke to superdelegates Nick Casey (audio) and Alice Germond (audio)

As for the presumptive GOP nominee, The Gazette reports that "Sen. John McCain plans a visit to the Charleston area Friday, but it is apparently a private event and McCain officials said Wednesday they could not release the senator's itinerary."

"However, an employee of St. Albans Gun and Archery at 450 Walnut St., St. Albans, said the senator is expected to visit that store at 10:45 a.m. Friday," the article also said.

How W.Va. Voted

The Associated Press offers an overview of the statewide and legislative races.

AP also weighs the Obama factor in the primary win for U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

Those reporting on Clinton's win over Obama include AP, CNN, Politico, MetroNews, Public Broadcasting and The Charleston Gazette.

Update: The Lehrer News Hour analyzes Clinton's romp, while also hearing from West Virginia's Robert Rupp othat "Obama didn’t necessarily need to give his pre-emptive Mountain State concession speech. The New York Times also has a story.

Congressional race coverage comes from CQ Politics, Public Broadcasting, MetroNews, The Gazette and The Charleston Daily Mail.

Those focusing on the state Supreme Court race and the primary defeat of Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard include Public Broadcasting, the Daily Mail, The Gazette, MetroNews and the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington (updated).

Update: In other election news, the Herald-Dispatch reports on Huntington Mayor Dave Felinton's tight win in the Democratic primary, while The Intelligencer of Wheeling has Republican Sen. Andy McKenzie's victory in Wheeling's mayoral race. The Register-Herald of Beckley, meanwhile, notes that former state Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw won the Democratic primary for Wyoming County's circuit court seat.

W.Va. Primary Election

As West Virginians head to the polls, The Associated Press reports that 76,519 voters have already cast early or absentee ballots - the second-highest number after the 2004 general election.

AP also offers overviews of the federal and state races.

Those expected to post statewide returns include:

• Secretary of State Betty Ireland
• MetroNews

Those posting local results include:

• Kanawha County
• Marion County
• Monongalia County

Clinton, Obama Wind Down W.Va. Push

The Associated Press talked to Obama supporters attending his Monday rally at the Charleston Civic Center.

Others with coverage of Obama include MetroNews.

MetroNews' Talkline snagged an interview with Hillary Clinton (audio here), with Obama slated to speak to host Hoppy Kercheval later in the day.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports that "Polls have shown Sen. Hillary Clinton stomping rival Barack Obama by 40-plus points in West Virginia, yet the former first lady isn't taking Tuesday's primary here lightly."

AP also reports that a string of VIPs have chimed in for Obama: Charleston native Jennifer Garner "was featured in automated calls urging voters across the state to support the Illinois senator for president; film star Kal Penn was stumping for him in Fairmont and Morgantown; and his supporters also include "former Mountaineer quarterback Major Harris and current quarterback Pat White."

Election 2008: Legislature

The Associated Press finds that "general election isn't for nearly six months, but dozens of West Virginia legislative candidates can relax after Tuesday."

"That's because nearly half the races for the House of Delegates won't have major party opposition, along with about a third of Senate races," the article continues, citing records from the secretary of state's office.

AP also reports on legislative candidate spending in advance of the primary: about $1.6 million spent after $3.2 million was contributed or loaned to House and Senate campaigns.

The top Senate spender: Mike Ross, who "had plowed more than $97,654 into his effort... Unopposed in his party's primary, the Randolph County Democrat seeks a rematch with Republican Sen. Clark Barnes, who unseated him in 2004."

As for the House races, "Sally Susman tops the list...at $72,563 as she and nine other Democrats compete for five seats in the 27th District. The veteran Raleigh County politico had left the House in 2006 for an unsuccessful state Senate run. She has also largely self-financed her current bid."

Suffolk: Clinton 60%, Obama 24% in W.Va.

Suffolk University polled 600 likely Democratic Primary voters over the weekend.

Asking voters to predict the next president, the survey found:

• 31% Clinton
• 27% Obama
• 26% McCain

More than two-thirds, or 67%, said that Clinton should not get out of the race "regardless of what happens on Tuesday," while 24% said she should exit.

An even larger margin, 72%, said that Clinton is not hurting the Democratic Party by running in the remaining parties, versus 20 percent who said she was.

Just over half, 51%, believed that Obama could beat McCain in November. Another 29% thought he could not. The remaining 20% were undecided.

Also, 23% said they would vote for McCain if their candidate did not win the nomination. Another 6% said they would vote for Ralph Nader.

Other highlights:

• 4% said they would vote for John Edwards
• Obama favorable/unfavorable - 44%/41%
• Clinton favorable/unfavorable - 70%/21%
• Top isse - the economy, at 56%, followed by Iraq war (21%) and health care (9%)
• 41% favored making President Bush's tax cuts permanent.
• Bush's unfavorable rating was 77%
• When asked about their family's situation, 62% said they were "holding steady"
• Just one-third of the surveyed houseolds contained veterans.
• Even fewer, 30%, had union members.

The margin of error was +/- 4 percentage points. Suffolk has also posted details.

Primary Election Eve in W.Va.

• The Associated Press' Tom Breen previews the Obama-Clinton matchup in West Virginia, and the role former President Bill Clinton has played, heading into Tuesday.

• AP also covered Hillary Clinton's Mother's Day stops in West Virginia, as did the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, The Charleston Gazette, MetroNews and Public Broadcasting (with audio).

• Obama is set to return to the Mountain State with a Monday appearance in Charleston, while Clinton hits southern counties. Those with reports include AP, MetroNews and The Gazette. Charleston's morning paper also sets the state separately for Obama's stop.

• AP also profiles the three Democrats seeking their party's nod to challenge U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd.

• The Register-Herald focuses on Delegate Mel Kessler, D-Raleigh, Gov. Joe Manchin's opponent in that party's gubernatorial primary.

• The Beckley newspaper also offers a rundown of where top Democrats fall along the Obama-Clinton divide.
  

• MetroNews highlights the two Republicans vying to take on Democratic Attorney General Darrell McGraw.

• With national attention turned to West Virginia, The Intelligencer of Wheeling reports that "Secretary of State Betty Ireland doesn’t want the state’s election process to be the focus."

Election 2008: President

• The Associated Press reports that nearly 50,000 West Virginians had cast early ballots in advance of Saturday's deadline, a record for a primary election. But while 71% of the early voters have been Democrats, and the presidential race has likely fueled some of the numbers, "officials in some counties said they had expected even higher turnouts."

• AP also reports on the planned Mother's Day visits to Grafton and Eleanor by Hillary Clinton and daughter Chelsea.

• The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington is among those with details of Barack Obama's slated Monday appearance at the Charleston Civic Center.

• Those recapping the Friday leg of former President Bill Clinton's tour of West Virginia include the Herald-Dispatch and The Charleston Gazette.

• MetroNews reports on Obama's comments that "We're still competing and (Clinton's) going to do very well in West Virginia and Kentucky. She will win those states in all likelihood."

• Those offering overviews of West Virginia's presidential primary as Tuesday approaches include The Intelligencer of Wheeling, The Gazette and CNN. The latter interviews WCHS-TV reporter Kennie Bass for its story.
  

ARG: Clinton 66%, Obama 23% in W.Va.

American Research Group surveyed 562 Democrats and 38 unaffiliated likely voters Wednesday and Thursday.

With a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points, 6% were undecided and 5% said the would vote for "someone else."

Primary 2008 Shorts

• Public Broadcasting highlights the Republican race for state attorney general. Among other items, it notes that candidate Hiram Lewis was fined during a recent hearing in which he defended a funeral home targeted by current AG Darrell McGraw. "Earlier in the proceedings, Lewis told the Judge that he had a dream, he believed it was a message from God, that the Judge would recuse himself from the case," the story said. With audio.

• MetroNews' Talkline interviewed Democratic secretary of state candidate Joe DeLong. With audio.

• The Journal of Martinsburg profiled GOP secretary of state candidate Charles Minimah.

• Current Secretary of State Betty Ireland "is cautioning voters not to be misled by a mailing sent to thousands of West Virginians asking them to register to vote," the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington reports. "These mailings could cause confusion because the deadline to register to vote in Tuesday’s May 13, primary has already passed.

• The Martinsburg newspaper also reports on the Republican's candidate for governor, former state Sen. Russ Weeks.

• MetroNews notes that the state GOP "is in the process of revising its platform, something that's done every four years. A step in the process will come Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center and other venues across the state as part of a meeting focused on the issues the Party supports," the report said.
  

Election 2008: President (Updated)

• Along with The Associated Press, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington and The Charleston Gazette offer follow-up coverage from Hillary Clinton's rally Thursday at the state Capitol. The Gazette also offers video.

• The Intelligencer covered Thursday's appearance by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney in Wheeling to stump for Barack Obama.

• Bill Clinton continues to hit small towns throughout the state on behalf of his wife. Besides AP, the Herald-Dispatch, MetroNews and The Parkersburg News report.

• (Update) AP's Tom Breen files from the road as he continues to track the former president's multi-town sweep through West Virginia. "Hillary Rodham Clinton is counting on a victory in West Virginia, and it's her husband's job to run up the score," Breen writes.
  

• The Register-Herald and the Bluefield Daily-Telegraph were among those covering Bill Clinton's Thursday barnstorming. The Beckley paper also reports separately on his Fayette County visit, and on a site snafu at another stop.

• (Update) CBS News has posted video on YouTube of the former president's exchange with, as AP reported, "a heckler in Fayetteville who shouted that neither he nor Hillary had done anything to work toward universal health coverage during his presidency."

• Obama is also appealing to Mountain State voters via Max Kennedy, with the son of Robert F. Kennedy visiting Huntington, the Herald-Dispatch reports.

• As one of West Virginia's several holdout "superdelegates," Gov. Joe Manchin remains uncommitted to either campaign, his spokeswoman tells MetroNews (with audio.)

• The Gazette revisits its 1964 coverage of the maverick bid by U.S. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, R-Maine, for the presidency.

• The Register-Herald and the Times-West Virginian of Fairmont examine West Virginia's time in the national media spotlight as Tuesday's primary nears.

• (Update) Public Broadcasting compares JFK's message from West Virginia's 1960 primary, the last one to attract such national attention, with that of Clinton and Obama. With video.

• (Update) the Charleston Daily Mail reports that "Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Nick Rahall, two of West Virginia's superdelegates backing Barack Obama, say they're sticking with him despite polls showing Hillary Clinton a heavy favorite in the state."

DaughterGate Update

• The Charleston Gazette reports that "Students, faculty and alumni at West Virginia University continue to apply pressure on President Mike Garrison to resign," and "a new faculty-led group, Mountaineers for Integrity and Responsibility, formed Wednesday with just such a goal."

• The Charleston Daily Mail focuses on protesting students, while also reporting that WVU policies "apparently would have permitted President Mike Garrison to fire two high-ranking academic officials for their part in awarding Gov. Joe Manchin's daughter a degree she hadn't earned."

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that "Garrison, who has repeatedly said he washed his hands of Mylan Inc. executive Heather Bresch's disputed M.B.A. degree after her initial call, discussed the matter in a briefing with his chief of staff and other top aides late the following day."

• (Update) Former state higher education official John Hoblitzell tells MetroNews Talkline that "President Garrison should resign and Board of Governors Chair Steve Goodwin should step aside from the decision making in this instance." With audio.

• (Update) The Daily Mail also reports that "West Virginia University Police have confiscated fliers on campus that read 'Kill Joe Manchin' and 'Kill a WVU BOG member today in large, bold letters."

• (Update) Charleston's afternoon paper reports as well on how Morgantown publisher, industrialist and GOP figure John Raese "said he has contributed to WVU in the past and will in the future but 'won't give a nickel' as long as Mike Garrison is president."

They Voted For You: Foreclosures

U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan, D-1st, Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, and Nick Rahall, D-3rd, all voted for the "Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008."

Passed 266-154, the measure reflects "a massive homeowner rescue plan to provide cheaper, government-backed mortgages to half a million debt-ridden borrowers and bolster an economy crippled by the housing crisis," The Associated Press reports.

"Supporters hope the package — which awaits action in the Senate — will serve as the basis for a broad bipartisan housing compromise that could satisfy both parties' keen appetite for delivering election-year aid to anxious constituents," the AP article said.

President Bush has threatened to veto the bill as-is, and Capito was among just 34 House Republicans who voted for it.

"Republicans argued the package reward lenders and irresponsible borrowers at the expense of homeowners and renters who made more prudent choices and are straining to cover their costs in a punishing economic climate," AP reported.

Update: Capito's office has issued a press release explaining her vote and her successful amendment to the legislation "to expand flexibility for service veterans participating in the Veterans Affairs Home Loan Programs."

Election 2008: Supreme Court

• The Associated Press reports that non-candidate spending on ads in the two-seat race has topped $617,000, a sum that exceeds or rivals what the candidates themselves had expended "in all other statewide primary contests."

• Public Broadcasting focuses on the court campaigns going negative in advance of Tuesday's vote.

Election 2008: President (Updated)

With Hillary Clinton and the former president each campaigning in West Virginia today, The Associated Press' Tom Breen sketches an overview of the primary election terrain.

"Obama's strengths are among black voters and college-educated voters, but only 3.3 percent of West Virginians are black and only 16. 5 percent of residents have bachelor's degrees," the article said. "For Clinton, the state is nearly ideal: She has consistently outperformed Obama among white, older and blue-collar voters in competitive primaries."

Breen will be tracking Bill Clinton and his barnstorming tour through the state. AP will also be on hand for Hillary Clinton's rally at the state Capitol.

Others setting the stage for the day's events include The Charleston Gazette, The Intelligencer of Wheeling and WSAZ-TV (with video).

Update: AP reports from Hillary Clinton's Capitol rally. So does the Charleston Daily Mail, which also hosts photos. MetroNews has audio. WSAZ-TV has video.

Eyes Turn To W.Va. (Updated)

The Clinton and Obama camps have announced a flurry of personal and surrogate appearances in the wake of Tuesday's results in North Carolina and Indiana:

• Former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus will stump for Barack Obama in Charleston and Parkersburg today, his campaign announced;

• Hillary Clinton headed to Shepherd University today for a “Solutions for the American Economy” event at noon. MetroNews has coverage and audio (updated);

• The New York senator also expects to lead a Thursday morning rally at the state Capitol, The Associated Press reports;

• AP also reports that former President Clinton plans to return to the state Thursday and visit "Philippi, Sutton, Fayetteville, Lewisburg, and Mercer County;"

• MetroNews and Public Broadcasting touch on recent polling that shows Clinton with a formidable lead over Obama among likely Democratic primary voters;

• The Parkersburg News sets the stage as the Democrats' presidential contest arrives in the Mountain State.
  

Weeks Readies Legislative Pay Lawsuit

The Charleston Gazette reports on a draft of the lawsuit that Russ Weeks, a former state senator and the's GOP candidate for governor, plans to file to challenge a retroactive increase to certain legislative per diem payments.

The lawsuit "will cite four main reasons why the hike should be overturned," the newspaper reports, and alleges that the retroactive hike "amounts to an abuse of office, an offense occurring too often in this state ..."