Election 2008: West Virginia

West Virginia has had an interesting political history. It was founded when it left Virginia after that state seceded in 1861. As a result, it started out as a GOP stronghold and then shifted to the Democrats during the 20th century. Today it remains basically-Democratic except for a trend to the GOP in Presidential races.

President: Obama may have picked Biden in the hopes he could help with the blue-collar voters in this state but it is unlikely he will prevail and it will be smart to focus his efforts elsewhere.

Leans Republican

Governor: Incumbent Joe Machlin won his first term with over 60% of the vote and will probably break 70% this year.

Safe Democrat

Senate: Incumbent Jay Rockefeller (D) faces perennial GOP candidate Jay Wolfe. Wolfe has never won a race for Senate and will not do so this year.

Safe Democrat

House:  Democrats will try to target incumbent Shelly Caputo but she has won in harder years that this, so I expect the delegation to remain 2 Dems to 1 Republican.