Manchin, state GOP spar over missed vote

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Conrad Lucas sent out two press releases on Thursday afternoon attacking Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., for "political cowardice" for failing to vote Wednesday on an amendment to a Senate bill that would prevent spending more money on health-care programs.

Manchin responded in a press release, stating, "Today's lie by the West Virginia Republican Party about my missed vote to attend my cousin's funeral and visit my ill mother represents the most disgusting part of politics and a perfect example of why reaching bipartisanship and commonsense solutions to the problems our state and nation face have become so difficult."