West Virginia Democrats seemed to pretty excited about convicted felon Keith Judd during the primary last year. Judd picked off 41% of the vote from the President's tally!

Will Keith Judd be the Democrat nominee?

When does he get out of prison??

Jay Rockefeller is a fella who is rich and compassionate - a Democrat.

"He easily won his last race in 2008, defeating his GOP opponent by a 64%-36% margin. But given West Virginia's more conservative tilt -- at least in presidential elections -- winning re-election in 2014 would have been far from guaranteed".

While no one can predict future elections, I'd say he had been doing a very good job of knocking off his GOP contenders and doubt it would have been different in 2014.

In any case, he must have been an extraordinary man to win election after election as a democrat in that part of the country.

I hope he enjoys a wonderful retirement filled with happiness. After that many years in the political arena, he deserves a nice long rest.

Thank you for your service Sen Rockerfeller.....Enjoy a well earned retirement!

WV Rockerfella ... I always wanted to drive a high-end Wolksvagen.

Speaking of the Deminted one..Is it true that LoverBoy, Sanford will run for the Congressional seat vacated by Timmy?

Well, this had to happen, eventually. Maybe Democrats can pick up Mitch McConnell's seat in Kentucky and balance out this probable loss.

I will perhaps remember Jay Rockefeller best for his early endorsement of Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in 2008, based on Rockefeller's assessment as then chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee that Obama had prepared himself quite well on foreign policy by reading classified briefings which hardly any other senators looked into. I don't know if that says much for Obama, but it does say something about the other members of the Senate and the level at which they pay attention to what is actually going on.

Is it any wonder that Congress has an approval rating in the near single digits? We get exactly the government that we pay for. Or rather the lobbyists do.

At least we always had the comfort of knowing that Jay Rockefeller could not be bought.

I can't believe he is 75---that makes me feel old!

From the article above:

A descendent of famed oil baron John D. Rockefeller, the West Virginia lawmaker's family legacy is rich with politics; New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and Arkansas Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller were his uncles.

Remember when Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller "flipped the bird?"

Courtesy of Wikipedia:

While campaigning for Senator Bob Dole in 1976, vice president Nelson Rockefeller faced down hecklers with this fearsome weapon.

Ahhh, those were the days.

Salud

giving Republicans a chance to pick up a Senate seat next cycle.

Forgataboutit, the Republicans are going the way of the Whig Party.

Sure, Beverly.

Just ignore that part about winning another majority in the House of Representatives.

And ignore the 31 Republican Governors, compared to 18 Democrats

Republicans are like the wicked witch from Oz, they had water spilled on them some time ago, and their base continues to shrink. :-)

All Senator Rockefeller needs to do is endorse the candidate he wants......simple enough.

Anna Molly

Is it any wonder that Congress has an approval rating in the near single digits? We get exactly the government that we pay for. Or rather the lobbyists do.

Latest poll 9%.

Congress less popular than cockroaches, headlice, and traffic jams

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/01/congress-less-popular-than-cockroaches-traffic-jams.html

At least we always had the comfort of knowing that Jay Rockefeller could not be bought.

Unlike the wholly owned KOCH fueled Congress Critters!!!

Anna Molly, it's good to see you out. I missed your quick wit.

balance out this probable loss

Not so fast Anna Molly!

Remember IN, MO, NV, AK, CT etc... lol

These idiots have a penchant for self-destruction.

PS: I was remiss yesterday when I didn't say welcome back, it's great to see you!

Arthur,

They'd be a far stronger party with more candidates along the lines of Nelson Rockefeller and Bob Dole.

Arthur66

And just what are you ignoring? That Obama held the Presidency, or that Democrats gained seats in both Houses, or that more Americans voted for Democrats in all three levels of Government? Sucks to be a 47%er doesn't it!

At AnnaMolly 1.7

Somehow your point about Obama reading all those classified reports and implying that no one else did makes me wonder how qualified Hillary Clinton was as a choice for SofS.

And what does it say for Democratic contenders for Congressional seats when, with the LOWEST ratings in history, AND an incumbent President easily winning re-election, that the Dems couldn't take the House?

blackandwhite, stay on topic.

The post claimed that "Republicans are going the way of the Whig Party".

I listed out two major areas of Republican dominance (the House and Governorships). You're right, the Democrat Party won the Presidency and a couple Senate seats. But already, two Democrat-held seats are very vulnerable - Kerry's and Rockefeller's.

It ebbs and flows. Which is why the "Whig" statement is ridiculous.

OK Arthur ... Bev may well be correct, the Whig Party was destroyed by internal divisions ... something the Republican Party is experiencing today.

another millionaire career politician is throwing in the towel. someone commented about his staying through the end of his term unlike others -- one of the others that comes to mind was the then very junior senator from illinois who promised to complete his first senate term which turned out to be just one of his many lies.

I wouldn't count on the Democrats losing this Senate seat. Currently both states Senators are (D)'s. The Governor is a (D). The States voters lean (R) in the Presidential election but its a poor state that needs federal pork to survive. I believe the seat is safe for a moderate/conservative leaning Democrat. Sorry pubbies, no pick up(not really sorry).

We do too much whining about Blue & Red, Conservative & Progressive, but most of you forget the Power of The Moderate. We made a very strong impact in Nov-2012 as Bi-Partisan Voters, across the board, and standing side by side, Dem, Rep, & Ind. Don't sell us short!

@billy bob - Big difference between a politician moving on up and dipsticks like De Mented and Failin Palin just abandoned their constituents for the almighty buck.

not really -- commitments made and then broken. pure and simple. all are equally guilty

Jay Rockfeller, Warren Buffet and Michael Bloomberg are living evidence to refute the claim that liberals dislike rich people - liberals just dislike shallow rich people like Romney and Trump.

billybob - That's ridiculous! When a politician wins an elective office he or she is not bound by any law or constitutional restriction to not seek a higher office. Your opinion on this matter is not based on reality. Now when they win an office and the only reason they leave is for money, that's despicable. Big difference.

Met this Man once. A gentlemen in the best sense. I wish him well. Now, all West Virginia needs is a republican prick to fill His seat. Sure hope It doesn't happen.

Sorry to be the fly in the soup, but to say the Rockefellers, Kennedys, and others that have multiple family members in government office, have served multiple, MULTIPLE terms and are more than wealthy, more than rich, more than filthy rich and connected with about every business, every stock, every monopolistic corporo government entity are held to be America's poster families that have served all well and to alls' best interests is just not reality.

It is easier to be philanthropthic and actually have charitable dontations, what's considered worldly concerns, care for the down trodden especially when you're beyond rich and your riches and investment in the same have caused so much in terms of how many and why so many are down trodden. It's perpetuation of wealth, of percieved character and many people buying into it. Making perhaps 40K per year, there's next to nill I can do to help any. A couple billion and excellent connections, a public image to maintain? Yeah.... sure I could dupe many, donate and save tax money for myself, my family, and since I have mine and millions of others? Again, certainly I can espouse different ideologies than those UTILIZED to get me and mine where we're at.

Monopolies, bootlegging, head of the CIA; multiple family members all well known to be in office, high offices. All invested in the same they claim to be 'trying' to control, that govern our economy. For some mystic reason, even though related, ALL claim to be the best choice for the job out of millions and millions of others and CONSISTENTLY elected over and over and over again.

Will the time ever come when these things will change; when having been in office for over 20 to 40 years will be considered beyond excessive and blatantly wrong for all? When having 4 to however many family members in representative NATIONAL and /or state government offices kind of sends a red flag up for some, that perhaps..... just PERHAPS.... it's not the case of these people being the BEST for the job but are in for other reasons?

Probably not... none can even seem to get over the supposed Red and Blue divide; still not realizing they're one in the same.....

Rob Collins uses the word "liberal" like it's a curse word. He and others of the far right fail to look at the nation as a whole. Yeah, they may pick up a seat during off year elections. However, when the whole electorate votes, things swing the other way...as they did two months ago. As Lincoln said...you can't fool all the people all the time.

Motz in KC

Your quote from Lincoln is accurate, but I think Obama has done a great job fooling everyone for at least 4 years, and probably longer. So, although it came from a great man and President, it doesn't seem to be very accurate any longer.

Amazing posters here! Maybe you should study Jay Rockefeller's history. He was a Republican before he was a Democrat, he is not a native son of West Virginia. He was advised if he had political ambitions to move there, as it would be easier place for someone with his money to succeed. The problem he faced is the majority in that state are Conservative Democrats, and with him being a Republican, that wouldn't work, so, he switched parties. The rest? Do your own research!

@Andy - So what's your point. Ron Raygun was a (D) and union official who became a (R). Lots of examples of (D)'s or (R)'s politicians who switched parties . Can't recall the recent multi-millionaire (R) who's been trying to buy an office in WV in last 2 or 3 elections. The voters have shot him down each time. So again what's your point?

My point is, a lot of posters think a RINO is a bad thing, I think a DINO is equal. But for the Republicans to think they now have some advantage in WV, that would be wishful thinking. It wouldn't surprise me to see Earl Ray Tomblin run for the Senate, and if he does, he will win. I like Raese, but I don't think he has a grasp in WV politics, the only (R)'s that did were Arch Moore, and Cecil Underwood. Al Gore couldn't understand that he would lose the coal miners vote by opposing fossil fuel, duh, the churches vote by supporting abortion, duh, and everyone else vote by supporting gun control, duh, which brought Florida into play. If Gore would have carried WV, then Florida wouldn't have been an issue, he would have had the electoral votes. Obama did the same thing in his campaigns, that is why Hillary Clinton beat him, and that other guy carried 41% of the (D)'s the last time, even though he was in prison. WV is a tough place for Republicans and liberals.

So Republicans are celebrating thinking they will pick up a Senate seat in West Virginia in 2014. But NEVER underestimate Republicans ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The had a slam dunk win in Indiana -- but lost it. They had a slam dink win in Missouri -- but lost it. In 2010 they has slam dunk wins in Colorado, New Jersey and Nevada -- but lost every one of them. As long as only 14% of registered Republicans vote in primaries, the tea-nuts will nominate their own and that spells defeat in a general election.

@Andy - Political or more importantly ideological purity leads to the -INO syndrome. A majority of voters aren't that invested in the purity notion, not saying that's bad.(I'm way guilty of (D) partisanship) My post 1.21 is in agreement with your observation on (R)'s chances to win that seat and agree the current Governor would be a formidable candidate likely to win the Sen. seat. As for your remarks on playing to West Virginians voters there's just not enough electoral votes involved when considering what pleasing WV's voters wouldn't be beneficial to a (D) Pres. candidate on the national stage.

The Civil Rights Act was never a Republican/Democrat divisive issue. It was a northern/southern divisive issue exactly like the Civil War. More northern republicans voted against the bill than northern democrats.

The former Dixiecrats of that era are all now staunch Republicans. Haley Barbour and Rick Perry are just two excellent examples of early Dixiecrat behavior.

he is a Rockefeller

he is a Democrat

He is GONE!!!

Will Democrats seek to find another Bob Byrd?

Qualifications:

- Willing to filibuster the Civil Rights Act for 82 days

- Willing to stay in the Senate 50 years too long

Oh, and that Grand Exalted Cyclops title, or whatever the heck he was, in the Klan.

After all, Byrd was such a hero to Democrats!

But Byrd was THE "King of Pork"!

mikehataway, great point.

The George Wallace wing of the Democrat Party idolized Bob Byrd.

And the hypocrisy! Trent Lott makes some weird toast to Strom Thurmond and Democrats' heads spin.

Yet, they have NOOOOOOO problem having a Democrat Senator and Majority Leader who was a Klansman.

They're a strange bunch those Democrats!!

Byrd is dead...for some years... you RepubliCONs should pick someone still alive to pick a fight with.

The real TRUTH hurts, huh, Pig?

Well, Byrd was a reflection of the whole sinful country. Byrd had changed later in his life and apologized for his early life. But some RepubliCONs today are still unapologetically doing those same things that Byrd had done but had apologized for.

"A reflection of the WHOLE country"?? Really?? And here all along I have been hearing that those racists were only those "old rich white men in the South"! Who knew that the South reflected the views of the whole country!

Of course, we all know that is mere rubbish. Without strong Republican support, the Civil Rights Act would have not passed when it did.

mikehataway

The truth that hurts is that the George Wallace wing has become an integral part of the Republican Party. Thank you Nixon.

Oh, here we go.

So, become a member of the KKK, get a leadership position in the Klan, lead all your Democrat buddies like Al Gore Sr., William Fulbright, Theo Bilbo and dozens of others into blocking the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, and continue in the Senate for decades after, wreaking more havoc on our citzenry.

But then if you say, "Oops, my bad" all is forgiven!!

Democrats have bizarre life rules!

The entire southern dixiecrat wing has had their party - the republican party. The once-southern democrats are RepubliCON party animals now. The once-southern democrats are in a unholy matrimony with the GOP...in flesh and spirit.

Arthur and Mike,

The George Wallace Wing aka Dixicrats joined the GOP excluding a dalliance with Wallace and his American Independence Party. They are the Nixon Southern Strategy with Reagan prostrating himself to them by kicking off his presidential bid in Philadelphia Miss. home of our most infamous civil rights Klan executions. Strange folk in the CSA.

Pigotry, that's a common narrative, and it's also incorrect.

Dixiecrats predominantly REMAINED Democrats. Bilbo, Gore, Byrd, Smathers, Easland, Fulbright, et. al. along with most of their constituents.

That stain is on *your* Party.

These are the registered Democrats who voted for a white, convicted, jailed felon in the West Virginia Primary (to the tune of 41%) because they refused to pull the lever for President Obama.

Bob Byrd, an ex-Klansman, was a Democrat Senator until Twenty TEN!!!! That doesn't trouble you in the least?? Wow.

To Pigotry concerning post 2.8------And he voted against affirmative action later in his life. But keep thinking that he "changed". just like Byrd "changed", huh???

Ginned up controversy, that's all the Republicans are good for.

Let's not forget "deficits don't matter" two unfunded wars as the cause of the financial crisis and the reason for Romney's loss........

Eric913730, you just did what many Democrats do.

When they're getting pounded on the current topic (West Virginia U.S. Senators), they change the subject.

But OK, let's move more current:

Does it embarrass you that Senator Harry Reid, Democrat Senate Majority Leader, has not brought a budget to the floor in over 1,350 days?

Well NOW Obama has CERTAINLY inherited a fine mess----and he did it from himself. Let's see what he can %^$& up in the next 4 years!

Bush doubled our debt from 5 to 10 trillion. And under Obama, it will again double to 20 trillion. I guess that is "FORWARD" and "PROGRESS"

Unemployment is on the rise. If the economy does not straiten out in the next 2 yrs, democrats are doomed.

No Arthur it doesn't. If the Republicans would stop filibustering it, it would come up for a vote.

Kevin T, where is unemployment on the rise? Give us provenance!

http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpsee_e11.htm

Another Dem tactic - blame shifting.

eric -- are you saying the republicans are filibustering a budget bill that has come onto the floor? that is very interesting. i cannot find anything that confirms that. have you a link?

Arthur 66,

BS on the Dixiecrats remaining democrats. Southern Democrats switched parties in the millions in 1968 to George Wallace and The American Independent Party and the Republican Party. Humphrey carried only Texas. In 72 Nixon carried the entire South and Reagan again in 80. The Southern Strategy was not an attempt to recruit Democrats in Congress although they got a few more so they elected new republicans with former democrats turned republican voting them in. They also had a boatload of retirements. The issue was simple Southern whites abandoned the Democratic Party over equal rights for African Americans and then doubled down on women and moved on to non Christians and homosexuals. They seem like a nice broadminded group of folk down there.

jkh

"The George Wallace wing of the Democrat Party idolized Bob Byrd."

• That George Wallace wing of the Democrat Party converted to Republican more than 35 years ago.

Rockefeller handed these Republicans their hats during his time in office:

Jay Wolfe, Betty Burkes, Jojn Yoder, John Raese

He was one of the few Democrats in his family. In fact, the Rockefeller dynasty was mostly Republican.

Wasn't John D. Rockefeller one of the ORIGINAL Robber Barons?

I wonder how much Income taxes Jay Rockefeller paid last year?

I want to see his 1040's for the last 10 years.

I bet Harry Reid has it on good authority that Rockefeller didn't pay any taxes at all!

Release Romney's taxes and I'll ask Rockefeller about it.

The end of Standard Oil's imprint upon US politics.

Standard Oil no longer exists and hasn't for years.

Keep dreaming Mike. The only thing the republicans are going to pick up are the crumbs the NRA, the Koch brothers, the gambling mongrel, Fox and Limbaugh throw them. You do realize after all the lies you republicans told in 2012 a republican couldn't pickup a vacant seat for dog catcher.

Wow, Mo, I guess your interest in the elections of 2012 started and stopped with the Presidential election. But, contrary to what the Dems want to believe, the GOP held power in the House with EVERY seat up for grabs. Sounds like ALOT of vacant seats went their way!!!LOL!

You lost seats in the house, and based on your behavior currently you are going to lose the house in 2014.

If the Republicans put up a candidate with the views and sensibilities of Jay Rockefeller they can indeed take the seat. Offering up someone from the far right is not likely to sit well but it all depends upon who the Democrats put up. I suspect the candidate with the best name recognition will prevail regardless of party affiliation.

mikehataway .....

Since you're incapable of actually looking anything up, I'll help you out. Prior to the elections, the GOP held 242 seats in the House and the Democrats 193. After the elections the GOP held 234 seats and the Democrats moved up to 201.

I'm thinking the trend is going to continue and the GOP better watch their gerrymandering butts at the next go-round.

You're welcome.

Mo Coal is the reason republicans will own W. Virginia. They are sick of democrats taking their jobs.

Layton, I knew what the numbers were. But the simple facts are the GOP was easily elected to the majority. A further fact is that the GOP during the last Congress and this Congress hold more seats than at any time since the late 1940's.

Many Dems love to point to the fact that Congress has horrible ratings. True enough. But what then does that say for a Democratic Party that couldn't defeat them even though they won the Senate again and had the incumbent President easily re-elected?

Your welcome.

Layton is also forgetting numerous Democrats & independents who feel betrayed by the sudden Obama's change in tact in the 2nd Amendment debate.

It will lose them the Senate if he throws out the Constitution. As a Democrat, I've already informed my representatives, that it is a game changer for my vote. I doubt I am alone in that. And in my state, a few thousand votes make a big difference.

Just goes to show that SOMEONE in every family probably has some common sense!

Who in your family has common sense Mike? You know he/she's smart enough to be a Democrat.

Lots of people in my family SMART enough to be a Democrat----just no one STUPID enough to be a Democrat!! Thanks for playing, though!

Mikehateaway,

Please tell me the last Republican under which the economy and the average guy thrived. Bush II Two market crashes and the Great Recession, Bush Sr. One Recession one market crash. Reagan? Tripled the debt doubled government one recession and the destruction of American manufacturing. Ford One Recession, one market crash. Remember Whip Inflation Now buttons the great GOP plan to fight inflation? Nixon End of Breton Lake Accords and the Gold Standard, wage and price controls, one recession, inflation and the end of 33 straight quarters of growth. Eisenhower with a record three recessions. I don't think we did great under Hoover, Coolidge or Harding either, gee that's about the last 100 years maybe you want to fall back on Lincoln. The last 100 years of GOP presidents is a who's who of Americas worst presidents. Voting GOP smart? Please, give me a break.

jkh

Exactly COG, the fine people of West Virginia are fair minded and fiercely independent and will vote for the candidate that most closely matches their views. Party affiliation is secondary.

We've been Dim run for decades. How do you think we got where we are?

Do you mean to say the all that pork Byrd got for the state was horribly mis-spent by the Democrats?

Which lies would they be? The one where Obama promised to cut the deficit? The Obama promise to reduce unemployment? The Dimocrap promise to get us out of Afghanistan?The Obama promise to deduce our spending on entitlements? Which one of those lies and promises are the republicans going to tell you?

I'm no fan of pork I don't care who is getting it. And since you asked, The racist Byrd (DIM) asked for it, and the Dims in control in Charleston spent it. What other conclusion could you draw? You are not really that dense are you?

ECE1,California has been run by Democrats for a very long time and look what our state has turned into.Highest taxes,more people on welfare than the rest of the U.S. and jobs chased out of state due to the tree hugging Democrats.Our biggest industry is the prison system.That is what the Democrats have done for California.

We are trying to turn our ship around. We have the most House seats since 1928 and picked up seats in our Senate this past election. Obama didn't win a single county here this time and Capito has a very good chance of picking up the seat Jay is leaving. Word has it another career pol named Rahall is going to go after Jays seat as well. In WV they get elected and most of WV just votes the name they know, but our side is making progress one election at a time.

Good point, Bill. There are probably a lot to chose from in W. Va.!

They would have a tough time defeating Shelly Capito who is known to the voters of the WV.

Bill I couldn't agree more. If the R's want to win seats, they have to lay off the freaks. Although I admit, running an actual Witch was pretty original for any party. Way more flair then a plain old religious demagogue. But I fear the lessons not learned in 2010 from the Witch and the NV Sen race, and still not learned in 2012 in MO, IN, and any number of other races, may remain yet unlearned in 2014.

Hey Mikey-1951, regardless what happened, Shelly's dad Arch did tremendous things with that "pork" to bring a better infrastructure and jobs to WV. Morgantown and the area has become an unsung mecca for High Tech & Aerospace. I have been down there to do some QA Consulting. The Eastern Panhandle is booming as is the Western Panhandle. Down South WV is going through transitition pains and as you say, that fiercely independent streak of the wise & stoic Mountaineers will be known.

Appalachia is populated by a strong minded people!

Since Appalachia lacks definite physiographical or topographical boundaries, there has been some disagreement over what exactly the region encompasses. The most commonly used modern definition of Appalachia is the one initially defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission in 1965, started by LBJ and bolstered by RMN.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachia

http://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/TheAppalachianRegion.asp

The GOP candidate won't stand a chance against Arch Moore's daughter.

She's a Republican. So, it sounds like the seat is good odds for Repubs.

For the record, I was a member of the Republican Party from PA for close to 35 years and had even been a Committeman, chaired a coupe of campaigns for state representatives, and was encouraged by an ex employer, Westinghouse, who was willing to assist me. I left the GOP in July-2012, and decided to become a Dem again, like I was raised as in Nov. Because of PA's crazy voter ID Law, which is still being debated, I could not vote in 2012.

Like you don't believe anything your leaders tell you?

What utter, baseless, nonsense.

liberal "man" crying like a woman. The Dems run W. Virginia and have since Reconstruction, so how could the GOP "continue" to rape the WV countryside?

BTW, W. Virginians on this board, this is what liberals call your coal industry, "rape", so make sure you don't vote for their scum party, the Democrats, in 2014 for this senate seat.

Yah all white liberals like Rockefeller will shortly be "Gone and Soon Forgotten".

The Dem party is now majority non-white and will soon be 90% non-white. Romney won every age group of whites and overall by 20%. This will only increase in future years. Thankfully the white liberals that still do exist (temporarily) don't reproduce much, so they will be Gone and Soon Forgotten...soon.