OddlyEnough™: Largest WV Newspaper Declines to Endorse Manchin

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is heading into the May 08 primary without the support of West Virginia’s largest newspaper.

Manchin finds himself losing some high-profile supporters on both sides of the ideological divide.

The Charleston Gazette endorsed the Democrat during the 2010 special primary and general elections. But a Wednesday editorial leaves it up to readers whether to vote for him this time.

The editorial says Manchin does not support some of his party’s core values, making him at times a Democrat in name only.

The newspaper also notes that Manchin will not say whether he will back President Barack Obama, the top of his party’s ticket.

It also cites his vote with Republicans on a birth control issue.

But Manchin’s votes on reproductive health have also cost him the longtime support of West Virginians for Life.

But the editorial says that the former governor has no worthy opponent from either party and will probably win re-election.

Former state legislator Sheirl Fletcher is Manchin’s primary challenger.

Republican John Raese is seeking a rematch in November.

The 2008 Presidential Election, West Virginia voters overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton.

Joe Manchin gave his superdelegate vote to Obama.

Joe Manchin voted for and took away our right of habeous corpus just a few months ago.

Joe Manchin put wife Gayle on the State Board of Education…so she could play a major role in our school overthrow.

Joe Manchin appointed cousin Mark to School Building Authority.

We remember.

.... we won’t even discuss how many millions you cost taxpayers in special elections because you wanted to go to Washington. You didn’t even finish your elected term as Governor, Joe.