Which is sad, because Raese is an obscenely rich pig who doesn’t even live in West Virginia:

Raese leads a lavish lifestyle that’s included over 15 cars, boats and motorcycles, a home in Florida where his family lives full-time and where, records show, he paved the driveway with marble in 2008 as the economy was nosediving.

The fact of Raese’s family living in another state fulltime almost certain to come up on the campaign trail.

Elizabeth and John Raese have a nearly 7,000 square-foot home, one where in 2008 – shortly after the first of the TARP package was being allocated – the Raeses put in permits to repave their marble driveway with fresh pink stone. They’ve also claimed homeowners’ exemptions, which are only available to Florida state residents, including a $25,000 one this year, according to Palm Beach County property records, because of his wife’s residence….

On the trail, Raese has had some swank accomodations, flying around on a private jet of his own, which, according to press accounts, he’s used to head to Florida at least five times in the past three months. He’s owned properties in Florida for well over a decade, and his kids went to school there – a fact, he’s said, that comes from his desire to have them attend a system he “believes in.”

Who cares? He’s an oligarch and at least he’ll be transparent in his voting. I hope the entire Democratic party loses in November, House and Senate.

Yeah. I was wondering, what color dog is Manchin? Is he a Blue Dog, or what? If he’s a republicrat, it doesn’t matter anyway. Let Raese and his marble driveway win. At least he won’t tell us he’s the protector and defender of most of us.

Russ Feingold he ain’t. Manchin favors extending all of the Bush tax cuts. He opposes efforts to stop mountaintop removal mining and thinks that the cap and trade bill passed by the House went too far. Jesse Johnson, who is the Mountain Party candidate for Senate, disagrees with him on these issues.

despite the his own sky high approval numbers, anti-Democratic sentiment is seriously dragging him down.

To whom should one send the “thank you” note: Rahm, or Obama?

Another blue dog in trouble? Cool! I thought the GOP would target progressives this election they still might but this is good I’d rather they waste money knocking out Blue Dogs.

Well, I don’t know jack about WVA politics, but I appreciate Manchin appointing the right person to replace Senator Robert Byrd. I’m sorry, but I don’t recall his name. He cast the deciding vote that refunded unemployment benefits which had lapsed for a couple of months because the Democrats hid behind the absurd filibuster rule and used it as an excuse to let unemployment lapse just before Memorial Day.

Assholes!

Manchin is a Republican. He always has been. He was a broker in the coal industry before he started his political career. After being defeated in a Democratic primary for governor, Manchin ran for Secretary of State, and when all his Democratic competitors faded away, he ran for Governor and won. The fact that he won a second term made him think he was invincible.

A popular Democratic leader in WV recently quoted Harry Truman to me. “If Democrats run a Republican against a Republican, a Republican will win.”

Manchin is not a blue dog. He is a Republican.

Dems are going to sign off on cutting SS in December. Why the he’ll should we care about voting for them in November ?

John Raese has said we must end the estate tax so all Americans can become rich the way he did – by inheriting the money.

But West Virginia media that gets to the voters will be paid media – and the NRC has a chance with this race since the arrogance of this very rich man will not be exposed.

yep, and that may turn out to be the mother of all betrayals. I mean, what happens when you actually count the beans? It could end up being the largest transfer of wealth ….evah. and when you figure in the assaults that are under way on the pensions of public emmployees, we could be looking at a brave new world of poverty for older and retired Americans.

He he, that’s the amusng thing, EVERY Democrat is labeled a socialist and worse by their Republican opponent, their actual ideology is almost beside the point. The GOP goes after progressives with it too, but the liberal districts and states that elect progressives aren’t going to buy it.

Its the conservative electorates that elect Blue Dog that are most likely to buy intothe Republican message. And in truth, the thought of Blue Dogs (who thought those corporate lobbyists were their friends!) about to lose their seats to Republicans on a “punch the hippy” theme does make me smile.

Shame on Congress for not dealing with Citizens United when they had the chance. What a bunch of idiots they are.

I think that money is money… but when it comes to representing people who work for a living, that is most all of us. Don’t you think we need a person who knows what that is? Jesse Johnson of the Mountain Party is from an All American “working” family. If someone fits this background would you not trust him more? His perspective is good, it is grounded. He wants to stand by the Constitution, and the environment. Jesse is for mining, just not mountain top mining. Underground produces more jobs anyway! Why do we not give a good man a good chance….he will not be dictated to by any party politics, just the best things to do for WV. And he lives here, family has for 10 generations… how many generations do you need to be able to say… “I will serve you and our state”. To understand better, go to Jesse4ussenate.com and see more. Thanks

Agreement. It’s long past time for a strong 3rd party. Johnson’s a good candidate and the Mountain Party’s got a great platform: Grassroots Democracy, Social Justice and Equal Opportunity, Ecological Wisdom. There’s a link on Johnson’s home page. It doesn’t hurt any that our other elder venerated statesman, Ken Hechler, endorses Johnson.