time now for our political update. paul steinhauser in washington at the desk. when's crossing, paul? >> new stuff for you. let's walk about west virginia. if the republicans take back the senate, still a big if, a place to probably do it is west virginia. this seat is in democratic hands over 50 years. this is robert byrd's all seat. take a look at this. brand new on the cnn political ticker. is west virginia up for grabs? well, one of the top political nonpartisan handicappers said, yes. the state is a toss-up. the race is between the governor, popular democrat joe manchin and joe raci a businessman. when the rating came out yesterday, one of the top republican independent groups called american cross roads announced to put money in the effort there. republicans think this is a place to win where they can grab back big seat. okay. let's move ahead and talk about