Player of the Week: Joe Manchin

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) has been in the national spotlight since Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) died last month, plunging the Senate vote count and the state’s succession process into confusion. 

Manchin has the power to appointment Byrd’s temporary replacement, but the state code is ambiguous about whether he needs to call a special election to fill the remainder of the senator’s ninth term. If he has the former power, can he have the latter obligation?

{mosads}Manchin, who has long coveted the Senate seat himself — think what waiting on Byrd and Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D) amounts to — sought political cover from the secretary of state’s office, the attorney general and, finally, the State Legislature. He wants clearance to run in November without appearing overzealous to step into the shoes of the revered Byrd. Manchin didn’t want to appear to be stacking the deck in his favor, either.

The governor built up expectations of a Monday announcement after telling MSNBC on Friday that it is “highly likely” that he would run for the empty seat. But that changed over the weekend, while he was in Boston for the National Governors Association meeting.

Manchin now says he wants to wait for state lawmakers to clarify that a special election is necessary before Byrd’s term expires in 2013. If they do that on Thursday, as expected, Manchin will be quick to declare his intentions.

Republicans’ best hope for stopping Manchin from claiming Byrd’s mantle is a run by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). But it’s not clear if she’s ready or willing to wage a campaign against Manchin. Insiders speculate she might have a better shot at succeeding him as governor, which could mean that Manchin won’t face a strong challenge in a possible special election.

Manchin has been dealt a political hand that could bring him a rich reward. This week may tell whether he is as assured a player as the man he hopes to succeed.