Statehouse Beat: Next Governor Will Have Difficult Job

By Phil Kabler After months of speculation, it was a little anti-climatic when Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced he was staying put in Washington rather than opting for a third term as governor.While some state Democrats were practically begging Manchin to come back, there were some sound reasons for Manchin to stay, even if he would have been all but assured of winning the governor's race.First, it's no secret Manchin relishes the media spotlight, and in his new capacity as a key moderate Democrat swing vote in the Senate, his star will shine even brighter with more frequent appearances on national newscasts such as "Morning Joe" and "Face the Nation."Needless to say, the network TV bookers wouldn't come calling very often if Manchin were back as governor of a small, poor, politically insignificant state - short of a major flood, mine disaster, or other catastrophe.