Joe Manchin III on Principles & Values Democratic WV Governor

My forte is creating jobs; I'll bring spirit of capitalism

Raese, the millionaire heir to a powerful company in the state, repeatedly cited his business acumen, promising to "bring the spirit of capitalism to the United States Senate."

"My forte is creating jobs," he said.

To Raese: Mr. Obama's name will not be on the ballot!

Manchin emphasized his opposition to parts of the president's health care overhaul and said he would be "independent" from his party in Congress. Asked by one of the debate moderators to name a policy advanced by Democrats he agreed with, Manchin named Social Security, Medicare and the minimum wage--avoiding any of the major bills Obama and the Democrats have passed over the last two years.

Nonetheless, businessman John Raese, who has surged in the polls by linking Manchin to Obama, assured the audience that the president and governor "are together" on most key issues.

"I hate to inform my opponent, but Mr. Obama's name will not be on the ballot," Manchin said after Raese had linked him once again to the president.

"The bottom line is President Obama or President Bush, I'm an American, I want my president to succeed," Manchin said.

Duty as governor to work with the president

Raese claims Manchin would be a "rubber stamp" for the administration. Manchin said it is his duty as the state's governor to work with the president.

The Obama administration's pursuit of a cap-and-trade policy for greenhouse gases has not gone over well in coal country.