Published: May 09, 2008 12:09 am            

Governor senses excitement as primary approaches

FAIRMONT — Urging his fellow West Virginians to vote in the state’s primary on Tuesday, Gov. Joe Manchin said he senses excitement among residents as he travels across the state.

“West Virginia hasn’t been in play in 48 years,” he said.

“It’s an exciting time, especially for the Democratic party all over the country, because we have two wonderful, wonderful candidates,” in Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, he said.

Manchin voted Thursday afternoon at the Marion County courthouse, taking advantage of the state’s early voting period.

The early voting period continues today and ends Saturday. Voters can cast their ballots from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Saturday.

Manchin is one of the state’s 11 unpledged or “superdelegates.”

He’s also president of the Democratic Governor’s Association, so he’s staying neutral between Clinton and Obama. As head of the DGA, he will have to work with the party’s nominee in the general election on Nov. 4.

He also is uncommitted, he said, because “I wanted this state to enjoy it all. I want you to hear these candidates.”

He’s looking forward to a Manchin family tradition: an election eve Democratic rally at the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department on Monday night. The event is set for 6-8 p.m.

Manchin said he has invited all of the candidates on the party’s ticket to appear at the public event.

“I’m inviting both of them,” he said of Clinton and Obama.

The early voting precinct is in the Allan W. Babcock Conference Room on the first floor of the J. Harper Meredith Building next to the courthouse. The location is accessible for handicapped voters. Two parking spaces by the entrance door in the Jackson Street parking lot are reserved for early voters.

Mary Gay Priolette, a deputy county clerk, said 1,815 county voters had cast early ballots by 3 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s picked up a little bit,” compared to previous primaries in a presidential year election cycle, she said.

E-mail Bill Byrd at bbyrd@timeswv.com.

        

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