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West Virginia Republicans last hope for defeating Rep. Alan Mollohan fell as the Justice Department ended the investigation into him with no charges. Despite all the noise by the GOP, the four-year investigation that went on for years under the political machinations of the Bush "Justice" Department has come to an end.
The Justice Department has shuttered its nearly four-year investigation into the personal finances of Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), freeing the 14-term lawmaker to pursue what could be a tough bid for reelection without the lingering cloud of a federal criminal probe.
Tough reelection? Let's hope the Republicans believe their own propaganda. If the Republicans can find an opponent who didn't lie to boost his or her resume like their past challengers have done and if the RNCC provides HUGE amounts of money to a potential challenger will I believe the Republicans really think they have a shot. The WV GOP will make a lot of noise, but look for Rep. Shelley Moore Capito to help squelch any national GOP efforts to recruit and fund a real challenger to Mollohan. She does not want a potential rival for other offices in the state to come from within the state party that she controls.
In any event, a Republican challenger would have to get by Mollohan, who has been highly effective despite the mud thrown at him by the Republicans.
In a statement, Mollohan said the investigation was sparked by a conservative watchdog group's partisan actions. The probe was launched when he was serving as the top Democrat on the House ethics committee.
"For nearly four years, in the face of a politically-motivated assault on my character, I have continued to fight for jobs and the working families of West Virginia. With this behind me, I am more determined than ever to stand up for the people of the First Congressional District and fight for what matters," Mollohan said.
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