Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Thursday he is "thinking seriously" about dropping his affiliation with the Democratic Party and becoming an independent.
Why it matters: Manchin has made a career out of proclaiming his independence from D.C. Democrats. But his latest comments have added significance, given his public flirtation with a possible third party presidential bid in 2024.
What he's saying: "I'm thinking seriously," Manchin told West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval, adding, "I have to have peace of mind, basically. The brand has become so bad. The D brand and R brand ... You've heard me say a million times, I am not a Washington Democrat."
- Pressed on how seriously he is approaching the idea, Manchin said he has "been thinking about that for quite some time" and wants to "make sure that my voice is truly an independent voice."
- Manchin said he hasn't "made any decisions," telling Kercheval, "When I get ready to make a decision, I'll come see you."
The backdrop: Manchin has been dropping hints for months that he may follow the lead of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who announced her switch to independent in December but still caucuses with Democrats.
- Asked about becoming an independent later that month during a CBS News interview, Manchin said, "I'll let you know later what I decide to do, but right now I have no intention of changing anything."
- There were rumors as far back as 2021 that Manchin may bolt the party – though he dismissed them then as "bull****."
What we're watching: Manchin faces an uphill reelection battle in a state that voted for former President Trump by nearly 40 percentage points in 2020. The frontrunner in the GOP primary for his seat is popular Gov. Jim Justice.
- Manchin has spent the last year distancing himself from President Biden and fellow Democrats, repudiating parts of the Inflation Reduction Act and even threatening to oppose Biden's Environmental Protection Agency nominees.
- He may also decide to go another way. He headlined a New Hampshire town hall last month hosted by No Labels, a centrist group that is laying the groundwork for a potential third party presidential ticket.
Why he hasn’t been kicked out for blocking the alleged dem agenda every step of the way is a bit of a puzzle…until you put the pieces together to realize he’s expertly doing his job.
Because he somehow wins in a location that they believe would vote republican otherwise. He is being held onto just for the needed numbers. If we didn’t keep having such close numbers in congress he would have been primaried a long time ago.
*Fixed typos
Because voting republican most of the time is better than all the time, Manchin is the most liberal person West Virginia would elect.
Kicked out of what, the Democratic Party?
Yeah, let's kick him out so now we have 49 votes in the Senate and can pass nothing, that'll sure show him!
If not Manchin, Sinema. If not her, the senate parliamentarian. If not them, repugs will yell at us. If not that, anything they need, to not actually do a damn thing to materially improve the lives of working class people.
Yeah well, he represents the voter constituents in a state that is historically right leaning so I'd say I agree with you but I'm fairly sure you didn't mean it that way.