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Joe Manchin "seriously" considers leaving Democratic Party (www.axios.com)

submitted 1 year ago by negativenull@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

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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.

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[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 116 points 1 year ago

I mean... he isn't a Democrat, so...

[-] negativenull@lemmy.world 77 points 1 year ago

He's following Kyrsten Sinema into irrelevance.

[-] BrooklynMan@lemmy.ml 34 points 1 year ago

*all the way to the bank

FTFY

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[-] aseriesoftubes@lemmy.world 58 points 1 year ago

Framing No Limits as a “centrist group” would be hilarious if they weren’t such a danger to America. No Limits exists to be a spoiler candidate to get Trump elected. After all, Harlan Crow—Clarence Thomas’ billionaire BFF and massive Republican donor—is a major contributor to No Limits.

Also, Joe Manchin can suck an egg.

[-] galaxies_collide@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

He can suck something much harder than an egg.

[-] keeb420@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

a fist?

[-] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 54 points 1 year ago

Progressives were right about him. Any centrist Democrat who spent any time at all pretending his shit didn't stink: don't you dare start speaking ill about him now. He's exactly the same piece of shit you knowingly defended for years because he was killing progressive legislation for you.

Face, meet leopard. Leopard, face.

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[-] galaxies_collide@lemmy.world 46 points 1 year ago

He’s not a democrat, so he should quit lying.

[-] negativenull@lemmy.world 41 points 1 year ago

Good riddance?

[-] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago

As much as I hate the guy and his blantant dishonesty (especially about political affiliation)

The guy happens to be threatening control of the house. Though it sounds like he’s fishing for bribes or something from the pubies.

[-] uphillbothways@kbin.social 21 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

*control of the senate

small correction. agree wholeheartedly otherwise.

[-] zkfcfbzr@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Since he'd become an independent who caucuses with the democrats, it wouldn't change the balance of power in the senate even if there were still a 50/50 split. Sanders, Angus King, and Sinema are already independents who causus with the democrats.

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[-] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

He's going to lose his seat, and he isn't supporting anything worthwhile on the democratic agenda. Democrats need to defend 23 seats vs 11 for the Republicans, and Manchin is going to be a red seat regardless of whether he wins or loses. If they retain the Senate, it will be because of a massive blue turnout, and those blue voters are not enthusiastic about Manchin.

[-] circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org 34 points 1 year ago

No one has seriously considered Manchin to be a Dem for a while, so, good for him to get with the times

[-] reddig33@lemmy.world 32 points 1 year ago

Leave already. Quit taking democratic fundraising money if you aren’t a Dem.

[-] TwoGems@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago

He loves yummmy dark GOP money

[-] LostMyRedditLogin@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago

Hopefully Synema loses her reelection and all these idiots leaving the Democratic Party learn a real hard lesson.

[-] Astroturfed@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago

Her move to leave was blatant self interest. Polls showed she was going to lose a primary in a landslide. She has no chance in hell of winning re-election. She's just hoping to be a spoiler at this point.

[-] PrinceWith999Enemies@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

I don’t think I’ve seen anything that predicts she has a chance in hell. I’m betting she moves on to guest host on Fox.

[-] FReddit@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Yeah, they need a new liar now that fucker Carlson is gone.

[-] mateomaui@reddthat.com 20 points 1 year ago

Yeah, well, fuck him now and later.

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[-] AncientFutureNow@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago

He's been voting republican for years. Wolf in sheeps clothing. Fuck the GOP. Fuck Manchin

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[-] Sanity_in_Moderation@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

The amount of people that don't understand that Manchin prevented Mitch McConnell from being the speaker of the Senate is disappointing.

[-] Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

Actually, I think this is the only reason he hasn't been hung by his testicles by the rest of the Democrat party. It is literally the one and only purpose he serves, as he's been a massive roadblock to virtually all other meaningful legislation.

And what people understand is we still need him for that purpose.

Right now, the Senate is a 51/49 split. If Diane Feinstein kicks the bucket, Manchin and Sinema would literally decide who the Senate Majority leader is. Piss off Manchin and he votes for McConnell, and would you really trust Sinema not to flip votes in exchange for political favors?

Manchin may be almost singlehandedly stopping the Democrat agenda, but it's at least better (Read: slightly less shitty) than stopping the Democrat agenda and installing McConnell as majority leader and sending us backwards.

[-] UltraMagnus0001@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago

please leave. we know how you vote already

[-] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

He said wants something in return for not leaving.

[-] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Knowing his history and knowing Democrats, he'll get it and then leave anyway.

[-] Burn_The_Right@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

Let me know when he seriously considers leaving our planet.

[-] OldWoodFrame@lemm.ee 14 points 1 year ago

Bernie Sanders has also "left the Democratic party", he's an independent who caucuses with Democrats.

If that's what Manchin is considering, it probably makes him more electable in WV. If he's voting with Democrats on most things like he is now, that sounds like a good thing.

[-] assassin_aragorn@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I didn't consider this. Good point.

[-] blazera@kbin.social 13 points 1 year ago

Hes makin the joe lieberman circuit. I think Chris Coons is next in line to be the democrats scapegoat for not getting anything done.

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[-] MacGuffin94@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

Personally I don't like him but I would not be surprised if this was a move more because he views a D next to his name on the ballot as a bigger liability than an I. He's not a good let alone great asset but the reality is that he is head am shoulders better than whatever lunatic WV would elect from the GOP. The most important thing to have our of WV is someone Ds can work with and you know you aren't getting that from a R but you can work with Manchin.

[-] PrinceWith999Enemies@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

I think the Dems are better off cutting him loose and spending the election money in a purple state on a seat they can flip. Tell Manchin to get bent and spend those resources on something that will get you votes in the senate, not drama and extortion.

Besides, whether D or I, he’s going to lose the election. Backing him is just throwing good money after bad. Pull his committee memberships and let him keep a seat warm until he’s voted out.

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[-] dannoffs@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 1 year ago

He would have to be incredibly stupid to do so. The only reason he has so much influence is because he's the furthest right Democrat. The second he's no longer a dem, he's just another replaceable right-wing shit head.

[-] CoolSouthpaw@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Ugh. Just get the fuck out already. He's such a motherfucking piece of shit.

[-] crusa187@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] Decimit@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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

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[-] wwaxwork@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I thought he'd left already, or was that only in spirit?

[-] FReddit@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Just go.l, Manchin. Your hatred of all that's good makes you a Republikklan.

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this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2023

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