Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin was elected to the Senate last year in a special election to fill the vacancy created by the death of Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, and thus must run for a full six-year term next year. Republicans have been hoping that Manchin’s 53-percent showing in a race against a less-than-perfect GOP nominee was a sign that the former Governor’s popularity was on the wane. They have believed that 2012 when President Obama, who is not popular with West Virginia voters, will be at the top of the ballot would increase Manchin’s vulnerability.
Manchin, though, is proving to be a difficult target. While he has cast some votes that might not sit well with voters, he has worked to stick close to the ideological center and has focused his attention on issues important to the state. The fact that Republicans haven’t been able to recruit a first-tier candidate to challenge him means that Manchin doesn’t appear to be in much danger of losing his bid for a full term.
Manchin, 64, grew up in Marion County and graduated
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