Alan Mollohan loses primary fight

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Washington Post

West Virginia Democratic Rep. Alan Mollohan lost his bid for a 15th term tonight at the hands of state Sen. Mike Oliverio, a defeat that further affirms the anti-incumbent sentiment coursing through the country.

Mollohan hadn't faced a serious primary fight in more than a decade and was seen in some circles as unbeatable given that the 1st district seat had been in his family since 1968. (His father held it from 1968-1982 before handing it off to the son.)

But, Oliverio, who served a single term in the state House of Delegates before being elected to the state Senate in 1994, ran hard against Mollohan's entrenched incumbent status and the lingering whiff of ethics problems that had dogged the Congressman for years.

The race has gotten very nasty over its final weeks with Oliverio referring to Mollohan as "one of the most corrupt members of Congress" and the incumbent retorting that his opponent is "lying" and "spreading right-wing smears".

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/house/alan-mollohan-loses-primary-fi.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. So Oliverio's win removes an obvious vulnerability. From the article:

On the Republican side, former state Del. David McKinley won his party's nomination. Republicans, however, had made clear they preferred to run against Mollohan and must now re-orient their strategy.

Interesting.

[Petrushka]

2. K & R

:thumbsup:

[whereaminow]

3. It's a start

We need to hang the Sword of Damocles over all their heads to make sure they get the message who's really in control here. Let them see the power WE hold!

[doc03]

4. Oliverio ran on a teabagger style platform

against the HCR bill and deficits. So this fall I expect the teabaggers will support his Republican opponent, it will be a battle of who can be the biggest teabagger.

[w4rma]

5. And Mike Oliverio campaigned on voting against Rep. Pelosi for Speaker of the House. (nt)

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

6. Yup. Oliverio's a rightwing DINO

We have a lot of them in WV. With the huge registration advantage Democrats enjoy over Republicans, most GOP politicians run as Democrats so they have a chance at gaining name recognition.

Oliverio has nothing in common with the Democratic Party. He ran against health care reform, sponsors anti-gay amendments to the WV constitution and campaigned almost exclusively on rightwing radio. He says he'll vote against Pelosi for speaker. Dick Morris was here in WV helping out his campaign just two weeks ago.

He's an opportunist and will no doubt switch officially to the GOP when he feels it will help his career most and grab headlines.

[Kingofalldems]

7. Just went t Wikipedia and looked this guy up--He is royal DINO

No shock that a certain someone is trumpeting the nomination of a fake Democrat-----right here on DU. Oh and he got a big thank you from GW Bush for helping with the Alito nomination.

[whereaminow]

9. I'd vote against Pelosi also

I'd vote her out completely if I could. But I'm sure she treats her particular "constituency" very well, so she's probably got the job for some time to come. You people that vote for her are sure messing up the rest of the country just so you can have somebody that really brings home the bacon.

The speaker's job should rotate randomly to prevent anybody from getting too much power. All committee chairmanships should do the same. Help get that damn Lieberman out, and Hatch... and Pelosi.. OUT! All of them!

[Democat]

8. Good and bad news.

He has a better chance of winning, but he is more right wing.

Will be funny if the tea baggers try to claim credit when a Democrat wins. GOP should be happy about that!