Putnam County Democrats brought out the big gun Saturday night as                               they rallied in                                         Hurricane at a                                        candidate forum.                                   Governor Joe Manchin,                                III, who is seeking                                     re-election, spoke of                                 health care for                                        everyone, more                                       education, and ask for                                   four more years in "The best job in West Virginia," to the delight of the crowd.

"I wake up every morning able to serve the finest people in America, West Virginians. It's the perfect job that I love," says Manchin. "Please allow me to serve another four years, and if I've ever offended you, please vote for my wife. She hasn't offended anyone!"

The crowd roared its approval.

Gayle Manchin wasn't in the gathering, however, her husband made it clear that West Virginians have a team in the capitol.

"She works as hard as I do," Joe Manchin admits. "West Virginians get two for the price of one."

Manchin promised to support whoever the Democrats put on the presidential ticket, whether its Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

"Both will do a fantastic job for this country," Manchin says, "And move us forward into a great future."

That great future starts in West Virginia, Manchin says. "We have a confidence we didn't have 10 years ago. We have great people, we have great resources, and we are in the center of millions of people in surrounding states. West Virginia is a wonderful state with a wonderful future."

It all starts with attitude, Manchin says.

"If you get up in the morning and think you can, you will," he says. "If you think you can't, you won't. West Virginians will make it happen."

Manchin made his comments immediately following a spaghetti dinner donated by former District 4 Senator Oshel B. Craigo and his Gino's Restaurants. Craigo emceed the evening, which included dozens of Democratic candidates seeking local, state, and federal offices.

Those candidates manned the food line, serving up the pasta and fixings to about 1,000 people who came out for great food and the chance to talk politics.

The dinner and forum was held in the commons area of Hurricane High School, April 19th.