November 12, 2008 - 3:25 pm — Safe Democratic — #8
Manchin won 70 percent to 26 percent.

November 7, 2008 - 9:53 am — Safe Democratic — #8
Mancin was re-elected as governor with 77 percent of the vote to Weeks's 26 percent, according to Williamson Daily News.

October 24, 2008 - 3:29 pm — Safe Democratic — #6
Manchin has spent more than $1.1. million in the last several weeks, according to The Associated Press. Weeks spent about $9,100 and borrowed $10,000.

October 22, 2008 - 2:39 pm — Safe Democratic — #6
Manchin has a sizable lead in the latest Rasmussen Reports poll. The incumbent is trouncing Weeks 71 percent to 21 percent.

October 20, 2008 - 4:08 pm — Safe Democratic — #6
The candidates held the second of four scheduled debates on Thursday, agreeing on reinstating the death penalty in the state but disagreeing on other issues, according to The Herald-Mail. Several times, Weeks brought up the West Virginia University degree debacle that involved Manchin's daughter.

October 15, 2008 - 1:00 pm — Safe Democratic — #7
Weeks attacked Manchin for what he referred to as the "good ole boy" system of cronyism during their debate on Monday night, according to The Herald-Dispatch. Manchin said the state has made a lot of progress, while Weeks painted a dour portrait.

October 13, 2008 - 12:47 pm — Safe Democratic — #7
The candidates are scheduled to debate on Monday night in front of a statewide television audience, according to the Charleston Gazette.

October 3, 2008 - 11:24 am — Safe Democratic — #6
Manchin has been endorsed by West Virginians for Life Political Action Committee, the state pro-life organization, according to the Herald-Dispatch.

October 1, 2008 - 12:53 pm — Safe Democratic — #6
Manchin has a large fundraising advantage, WSAZ reports. According to campaign finance reports, the incumbent has $1.9 million cash on hand while Weeks has only $10,705.

September 30, 2008 - 11:07 am — Safe Democratic — #6
In a meeting with the Bluefield Daily Telegraph's editorial board last week, Weeks admitted that he faces an uphill battle in the race with Manchin but said he is not deterred. He also said he hopes to join John McCain and Sarah Palin on the campaign trail in the state. Four debates between the candidates remain and Weeks is challenging the incumbent to three more.

September 12, 2008 - 1:06 pm — Safe Democratic — #8
Manchin and Weeks are set to debate four times in a nine-day stretch, The Register-Herald is reporting. The first is Oct. 13.

September 9, 2008 - 11:04 am — Safe Democratic — #8
The Weeks campaign is complaining that it is largely ignored by the press, according to the Charleston Daily Mail. "The Republican candidate for governor ought to get two to three paragraphs even if he's doing the weather report," said campaign consultant Gary Abernathy.

September 8, 2008 - 11:34 am — Safe Democratic — #8
Manchin accepted a consultant's report on how to make the state more economically competitive but said he wouldn't take a position on any of the recommendations until the board that commissioned the study reviews it, according to The Charleston Gazette. The recommendations include an independent review of the state's judicial system. 

September 5, 2008 - 11:13 am — Safe Democratic — #8
Weeks offered strong support to John McCain and Sarah Palin, saying their politicial philosophies are closely related to his, the Register-Herald is reporting.

August 26, 2008 - 10:41 pm — Safe Democratic — #8
A member of the West Virginia State Firemen's Association is blasting Manchin for not showing up at the group's annual convention in Charleston, held just a week after the governor traveled to Las Vegas for a national firefighters' function according to the Charleston Daily Mail. 

August 18, 2008 - 2:10 pm — Safe Democratic — #8

West Virginia Metro News is reporting that Manchin will be one of the primetime speakers at next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver. Manchin said Monday morning that he had just found out about the invitation and was honored to be asked. "I'm very proud to be able to talk during the Convention, during the primetime."

August 14, 2008 - 9:39 pm — Safe Democratic — #8
Legal Newsline is reporting Industrial giant DuPont used West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin's office to skirt limitations concerning its appeal of a $382 million jury verdict, attorneys who sued the company said Wednesday. Prominent plaintiffs attorney Mike Papantonio says the company coaxed Manchin and the West Virginia Medical Association into filing amicus briefs urging the West Virginia Supreme Court to hear the appeal.

August 12, 2008 - 8:10 am — Safe Democratic — #8

West Virginia most prominent conservative talk show host, Hoppy Kercheval asks the question: "So why is it that Weeks, the GOP nominee for governor, gets about as much press coverage as a church covered dish supper?"

In a column he says that, "part of the answer is that Weeks isn’t going to beat Joe Manchin.  It’s hard for the press to get interested in a race that, well, probably isn’t going to be much of a race."

July 31, 2008 - 7:35 pm
Ahead of President Bush's trip to the state today, Gov. Joe Manchin announced CONSOL Energy's plans to build what he called "the nation's first modern coal-to-liquids plant" near one of its Northern Panhandle mines.