I have to admit that I voted for Joe Manchin only because I saw him as the lesser of two evils, and I really didn’t want to take any chance that a Warner (and part owner of Morgantown’s own McCoy 666) would be elected. (Like I had anything to worry about. Apparently his business practices spoke for themselves, and the election was a rout.)

I have to say, however, that for the past several weeks Joe Manchin has really impressed me.

In response to the Sago Mine disaster, I thought that he was compassionate, understanding, and also willing to take responsibility, even if the fault was not his.

Add to that, last night’s State of the State address.

After remembering the miners who died, and discussing his plans to help their families, one of the top items he addressed was health care. Specifically, he spoke of the need to provide health care to the working poor, and proposed a combination of preventative care clinics and private insurance to help cover those who are do not currently have health insurance.

If he keeps this up, I may end up actually liking him.

Text of the Governor’s speech
Charleston Daily Mail
Charleston Gazette

(I’ve always loved the term “State of the State” it’s so wonderfully redundant without actually being so.)