Manchin, other top W.V. Dems, plan to skip Democratic convention

(CBS News) Three Democrats from West Virginia, including first-term Sen. Joe Manchin, are skipping the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. this September, where President Obama will formally receive the party's presidential nomination.

The West Virginia Democratic Party told reporters Monday that in addition to Manchin, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Rep. Nick Rahall do not plan to join West Virginia's delegation. State Party Chair Larry Puccio said Sen. Jay Rockefeller will attend and will serve as the group's honorary chair.

Mr. Obama is unpopular in the state and lost 41 percent of the West Virginia primary vote to a convicted felon. Manchin -- who faces his own re-election battle this year -- has said he's not sure he'll vote for Mr. Obama.

In a statement explaining his decision to skip the convention Manchin said, "I intend to spend this fall focused on the people of West Virginia, whether that's representing them in my official U.S. Senate duties or here at home, where I can hear about their concerns and ideas to solve the problems of this great nation. I will remain focused on bringing people together for the next generation, not the next election."

The senator has opposed the president on some high-profile issues, voting with Republicans to support a failed amendment to authorize construction on the Keystone pipeline as well as a failed amendment on the issue of contraception coverage.

[valwayne]

What the voters of WV have to remember is that a vote for Sen Manchin is a vote for Obama, a vote for Sen Reid, and a vote for Nancy Pelosi. Sen Manchin may vote against Obama, Reid, and Pelosi when it doesn't mean anything to put on a show for the people of WV, but when those 3 really need him he is always there for them. Just by being there he helps Obama and Reid keep control of the Senate. The people of WV should take that into consideration. They may like Senator Manchin, but voting for him gives Obama and Reid a lot of power they use to hurt WV?

[wvlawgal]

You are so wrong. When the Dems count on other dems to vote with them, DINO JOE votes the exact opposite.

[MurdochSucks]

WVa has 6.9% unemployment, what are they up in arms about?

[RonMarlar]

This is significant, and WV will be joined in this or some other ways in opposition to Obama by coal-producing states such as KY, OH, TN, VA, WY, etc., maybe also oil-producing states like LA, TX, ND, etc. Obama has alienated so many people with his policies while pandering to homosexuals, abortionist/murderers, illegal aliens, his chances of re-election even by theft are slim indeed.

[RushBabe1]

Its all political. They still support BARRY HUSSEIN O, but just don't want too look like they do.

Oh well. Time for true change... MITT ROMNEY 2012

[MurdochSucks]

True Change? From Mitt Romney? The only difference between Romney and Bush is the holy artifact they worship.

[StepMJohn]

West Virginia voters - don't be fooled. No matter what a Red State Democrat says at home, it's how they act in Washington that counts. Tom Daschle represented South Dakota when he was Senate majority leader, yet he routinely acted as if he were from California in Washington.

Voting for Romney and then sending Democrats to Congress makes no sense

[MurdochSucks]

Voting for Romney period makes no sense. Why did he get the Republican nominee anyway? If you really want somebody different at least the nominee should be Ron Paul. If you're just about the same tired tricks that almost destroyed the global economy go ahead and vote Romney. Watch for another power wealth grab to squeeze even more of the middle class into poverty.

[Quick_Brown_Fox]

Hilarious. 41% vote for a convicted Felon still in prison AND YET turn around and install a Governor and a Senator answering to the same caporegime. Yes, Manchin voted against Obama a few times (when it didn't matter) to set up his smoke screen back home. Hey, WV. If the Democrats repulse you so much, stop voting for them.

[liberalmike]

TRAITOR!!!
Go ahead and join the republitards you know you want to!
You are a P.O.S..

[liberalmike]

Oh and I hope you lose!!

[oetk]

First, I'm curious what you think of Obama completely skipping out on Wisconsin. Is he a POS, a coward? Does he want to join the "Republitards"? Second, I thought you liberals were much too enlightened and sensitive to use a suffix like "****" to describe someone you consider lacking in intelligence.

[stormerF69]

Joe Manchin is right to stay away,After Obama set the EPA to gut the coal industry and produce such harsh regulations on carbon that there will never be anothr coal fired energy plant built in America. West Virgina's economy is coal,not hot gases produced from Obama's green CZAR.

[marychgo]

If I were a West Virginia Democrat, I'd be seriously annoyed at my Senator and Governor for lacking the cojones to stand up for Democratic values and the best interests of the nation. Yes, WV coal miners, your kids won't be able to earn the living you've earned -- at great risk to your health AND life -- by digging fossil fuel out of a hole in the ground. But if you want your kids to have half a chance to earn SOME kind of a living -- and you hope to collect Social Security when you get a bit older -- you'd be a lot better off voting for Obama than for Romney!

[audemus]

I've never understood how some people can so willingly and ignorantly support politicians who DO NOT have their interest at heart....

[marychgo]

I'm afraid, audemus, that the problem is that the voters' best interests and the best interests of the people who can afford to write checks for multi-thousands (or multi-millions) of dollars are often in direct conflict. I prefer politicians who worry more about the voters' best interests....

[frankothemountain]

They want to keep their jobs! ALL of them should stay home.