As a result of the death of Senator Robert Byrd, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin will appoint a replacement to serve until ... um ... we're not exactly sure. Paul Kane has this story in the WaPo.
It could matter a lot whether the appointee's term ends in January 2011 or January 2013.
The Senate will surely be more closely divided after the next election than it is now. West Virginia is a state that generally leans Democratic yet is also generally conservative in many ways. That is a candidate for a Republican pick-up in a year with no incumbent and a generally pro-GOP trend. Change of control is something less than an even-money proposition right now, but it's a bit closer if there is a West Virginia election.
The Senate Judiciary Committee would be a very different place with Jeff Sessions in the chair.
It could matter a lot whether the appointee's term ends in January 2011 or January 2013.
The Senate will surely be more closely divided after the next election than it is now. West Virginia is a state that generally leans Democratic yet is also generally conservative in many ways. That is a candidate for a Republican pick-up in a year with no incumbent and a generally pro-GOP trend. Change of control is something less than an even-money proposition right now, but it's a bit closer if there is a West Virginia election.
The Senate Judiciary Committee would be a very different place with Jeff Sessions in the chair.
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