Carte Goodwin Chosen to Replace Senator Byrd

West Virginia needed to appoint a replacement for Senator Robert Byrd, who died at the age of 92. Byrd was a Democratic senator who fought hard for the interests of West Virginia. Even friends of mine who are Republicans respected Senator Bryd for what he did for the state. Governor Joe Manchin has appointed Carte Goodwin to fill Senator Byrd's seat in the Senate. The appointment is even more important, as the Senate is held up on an important issue regarding "the extension of jobless benefits."

Carte Goodwin is a successful lawyer practicing for the firm Goodwin and Goodwin. He has served as "Manchin's general counsel for much of the last five years," according to the Washington Post. Goodwin "will be the youngest member of the senate at 36."

However, Carte Goodwin will not be the long-term successor of Senator Robert Byrd. Goodwin is a stop-gap until a special election occurs. According to the Washington Post, the election could be held as soon as November, and the candidates would probably be Governor Joe Manchin for the Democrats against a Republican, possibly Representative Shelley Moore Capito.

Goodwin has strong ties to the Democratic Party. I would expect him to vote the party-line on the unemployment extension bill. If the bill passes, it would be a win for President Obama and the Party. Goodwin will likely be a puppet for Joe Manchin. However, the appointment will strengthen Goodwin's political resume. If Goodwin has political ambitions, the appointment by the Governor will help them. The appointment strengthens his ties with Joe Manchin. It is a win-win situation for both Democrats. The appointment is a win for the Democrats and President Obama as well.

Goodwin won't have a fair chance to fill Senator Byrd's shoes. Byrd's shoes are big shoes to fill, as far as West Virginians are concerned. It is not fair to expect someone who is only sitting in the Senate for a few months to fill those shoes. Goodwin won't have a chance to go against party lines for the good of West Virginia, like Byrd did for his people. The real successor will be the winner of the special election. Regardless of who wins the election, they will be filling Byrd's seat, and not the seat of Carte Goodwin. At the age of 36, Carte Goodwin does have the time to develop into a great statesman. However, this is not his time.

Sources:

The Washington Post