West Virginia Gov. Manchin to Delay Appointing Byrd Successor

In a move that could delay passage of financial reform in the Senate, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D) said today that he would delay appointing a successor to the late Sen. Robert Byrd's seat until after the West Virginia attorney general reviews an election law that stipulates when an election must be held to fill the seat.

Based on state law and legal precedent, West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant ruled last week that a special election would not be held in November 2012. Manchin says he wants that decision reviewed before moving forward.

"There is reasonable concern that there should be clarity to this," he said at a press conference. "It's the most prudent thing to do."

"I'm very hopeful it will be as quickly as possible, beginning of next week or sooner," said the governor, who said he's been speaking to the White House, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.), as well as members of the West Virginia legislature on the issue. "We will be waiting anxiously the attorney general's opinion."

Manchin said he owed it to the legacy of Byrd to take the right steps to fully review the process before moving forward.