IN June, Gov. Joe Manchin  created a federal political action committee, laying the groundwork to support "centrist candidates."

On June 27, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review headlined it this way: "West Virginia's 'centrist' governor readies for national role (Byrd's Senate seat.)"

"Manchin, 62, is considering a Senate run should Robert Byrd, 92 . . . decide not to seek a 10th term in 2012."

Byrd died the next day

Manchin, one of the most effective and popular governors in West Virginia history, seemed to have a lock on the Senate seat.

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid flew in for the memorial service, perhaps as eager to court Manchin as to memorialize Byrd.

But in a month, the whole dynamic changed. No fewer than 10 Republicans filed in the Republican primary for the special Senate election.

Ten? Really?

I should have realized it  meant they had a lot of company.

And when the Daily Mail's editorial board met with those Republican candidates, now-GOP nominee John Raese said he wouldn't be a "rubber stamp" for Barack Obama."

Fellow candidate Mac Warner said "When he [Manchin] puts on that [Democratic] jersey . . ."

Then I knew. We have a rip-snorter on our hands.

"Centrist," it turned out, wasn't nearly right enough.

"I won't be a rubber stamp for Barack Obama," is a deadly effective sentence, and Raese has forced Manchin to make some important clarifications.

As recently as Sept. 29, Manchin indicated the state would not sue the EPA until it actually denied a mountaintop mining permit instead of just paralyzing the whole industry.

By this week, though, Manchin's strong stance against the EPA was not strong enough.  Manchin, clearly behind in the polls, announced that the state would be filing after all.

"It's a shame when you have to take action against your own government," the governor said, "but sometimes it has to be done."

Indeed.

When we first met with Democratic candidates, Manchin did not support repeal of Obamacare, adding: "Did they get everything right? No."

But by Friday, people who Googled "Manchin" and "repeal" and "Obamacare" found two citations next to each other:

July 16, The Weekly Standard: "West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin Endorses Obamacare."

And this headline: "Manchin vs. Obama(care): A West Virginia Democrat tries to get elected.

"West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin has become the first Senate Democratic candidate to call for the repeal of Obamacare . . . . " (three days ago).

Oooh.

The Wall Street Journal went on to say:

"The state's voters still like the governor, but they're afraid what will happen if he becomes one more vote in a Democratic Congress, like Senator Jay Rockefeller, who has rubber-stamped most of the Obama agenda."

Ooooh again.

Further clarity will follow.

The airwaves are awash in  ads and old film clips. In one, Manchin is seen saying that coal-fired utilities will have to pay, perhaps through "a carbon tax."

How many West Virginians looked up from paying their electric bills this month and thought, as I did:

"We will?"

Think again.

I don't know how this contest is going to turn out. Nothing is certain.

This is revolution, American-style. It's been called "the continuing revolution."

The American people may revolt against those who would be their rulers at any time - at the ballot box.

It's a beautiful thing to watch.

Nationwide, officeholders who thought of themselves as powerful only a few months ago are quaking in their wingtips before the sovereigns of this country - the people themselves.

Voters have already made one thing quite clear: They send people to Washington to serve them, not party leaders.

West Virginia's next senator, whether it be Republican John Raese or Democrat Joe Manchin, will remember that.

He is just serving out Byrd's term. He will have the seat only until January 3, 2013.

Then he has to win the confidence of his rulers once again. This will instill a certain discipline.

It's a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Maurice is editorial page editor of the Daily Mail. She may be reached at 348-4802 or ha...@dailymail.com.