In case you didn't check out the Daily Kos Election news section this morning, here's some news that I think is disappointing:
http://www.statejournal.com/...
Former U.S. Sen. Carte Goodwin won't run in 2014 when former colleague and senior Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., retires.
Goodwin told The Associated Press that he's ruled out seeking either that seat or the West Virginia congressional seat of Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. The 2nd District Republican earlier announced plans to run for U.S. Senate in 2014.
Goodwin's decision removes him of someone many considered to be a leading contender in the Democratic quest to recruit candidates for these two races.
Goodwin said working in Washington, D.C., and seeing his wife and their two young children only on weekends doesn't appeal to him at this time. - The State Journal, 2/19/13
A little while ago, I wrote why I think Goodwin was our best choice:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
But with Goodwin out, the search for our candidate continues:
http://atr.rollcall.com/...
His decision ensures Democrats must continue their search for a candidate to run in this competitive Senate race in 2014.
Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s retirement paved the way for an open-seat race in West Virginia this cycle. Both parties expect a competitive race, and CQ Roll Call rates it as a Tossup.
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, declared her candidacy for the Senate seat last year. Polling shows she’s a strong contender — possibly the front-runner, depending on which Democrat wins the nomination.
Democrats considering runs include businessman Ralph Baxter, state Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Robin Davis, Rep. Nick J. Rahall II and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant. - Roll Call, 2/19/13
I am bummed about Goodwin not running but I don't believe this race is a lost cause. I think we have a big bench and we still have an opportunity to defeat Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R. WV-2) in the general. Plus we still need to see if the Club For Growth can come up with someone to challenge Capito:
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/...
Ms. Capito is likely to be challenged for her nomination by a candidate supported by the Club for Growth or other conservative groups. But is not clear that these challenges would have much of a chance at success. West Virginia is very conservative culturally, but it is also quite poor and moderate fiscally, not making it a good fit for libertarian-minded groups like Club for Growth.
Were such a challenge to succeed, however, it could be extremely risky for Republicans. West Virginia is among the only remaining states where there are still large numbers of conservative Democratic voters and conservative Democratic candidates. Democrats control the governorship, the Statehouse and the state Senate, and the former Democratic governor, Joe Manchin III, easily won his United States Senate races in 2010 and 2012. - Nate Silver, New York Times, 1/31/13
Plus maybe David Nir is right that Goodwin not running might be the best thing for us:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
But I can't say he personally excited me for either contest, as I don't think running as a bland "business-friendly" Democrat is the way to hold back the Mountain State's red tide—I think you need to go a little bolder and more populist. - David Nir, 2/20/12
We still have some time to find our ideal candidate but the clock is ticking and finding someone sooner than later makes our chances at holding onto this seat better.