The Lexington Herald-Leader highlights that many folks associated with the coal industry are planning to spend big this election cycle to target anti-coal members of Congress. Those being targeted include Congressman Nick Rahall from West Virginia’s Third Congressional District.

“With the recent Supreme Court ruling, we are in a position to be able to take corporate positions that were not previously available in allowing our voices to be heard,” wrote Roger Nicholson, senior vice president and general counsel at International Coal Group of Scott Depot, W.Va., in an undated letter he sent to other coal companies.

“A number of coal industry representatives recently have been considering developing a 527 entity with the purpose of attempting to defeat anti-coal incumbents in select races, as well as elect pro-coal candidates running for certain open seats,” Nicholson wrote. “We’re requesting your consideration as to whether your company would be willing to meet to discuss a significant commitment to such an effort.”

Read the complete story on the Lexington Herald-Leader website by clicking here.

The movement to draft Shelley Moore Capito for U.S. Senate is well underway. The following e-mail was forwarded to West Virginia Red last night…
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From the Charleston Daily Mail…

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is feeling pressure to run for the U.S. Senate, but has yet to make a decision.

“I don’t know which direction I’m going to go, I’m sorting through that right now,” Capito said.

But Capito said she is not scared of losing a Senate election, which, given the likely timing of the race, would force her to give up her House seat. But she is worried about the state losing the momentum that she says she brings.

Read the full story here.

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito released the following statement today regarding an election to fill the remainder of the U.S. Senate term left vacant by the death of Senator Robert Byrd.
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The West Virginia Conservative Foundation has sent out a special action alert encouraging people to attend the Environmental Protection Agency hearing in Charleston today…
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Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito is speaking out about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Roll Call on the eve of a mountaintop mining permit hearing in Charleston.
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What is on your mind today? Last Friday Front Porch before the Primary Election, so campaign staffers can spend all day arguing on West Virginia Red!

Use this thread to talk about anything, complain about something, send kudos to someone, or simply share gossip. Have a good weekend!

Who is winning? Who is losing? What are your prediction for Primary Election Day? – I will offer my thoughts on Thursday.

Fundraising amounts for the first quarter of 2010 for West Virginia’s federal races…
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The West Virginia Conservative Foundation has released a list of Tax Day Tea Parties taking place across West Virginia on Thursday, April 15th.
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Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito points out the theory that Democrats have that by calling any piece of legislation they want a “jobs bill” that it will make jobs magically appear no matter how bad the legislation may actually hurt the economy and job creation.
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The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on President Obama’s health care reform legislation today, most likely later this afternoon. This is an open thread for those watching the health care reform debate and vote. Various reports signify that Rep. Mollohan and Rep. Rahall are likely to support the health care reform bill.

C-SPAN has coverage of the U.S. House floor. It can also be viewed online.

UPDATE: Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito will be one of the last Members of Congress to speak in opposition to the health care reform bill. Sources say she is expected to speak around 8:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito is calling legislation to reign in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that has been introduced by Rep. Alan Mollohan and Rep. Nick Rahall as too little too late and the wrong approach for her two colleagues, who have not been very forceful in their support of the coal industry.
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The National Review Online writes how President Obama’s policies have put West Virginia’s coal fields in play for Republicans. The post cites a story from Tom Nelson in the New York Times and a story from Rob Cornelius in the State Journal.
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