Manchin is the Dem that I want to win

[cynatnite]

When you're looking at Dems, especially those in red states, it gets trickier. They've got to walk a fine line to get elected. As much as we all despise tRump, Manchin has to do what he needs to do in order to win.

Sure, he's going to say what he needs to say to get that win and it really doesn't bother me. He's going to vote with repubs a lot, too.

This is a blood and guts sport. He's going to make Dems in general pretty unhappy at times.

But here is the part that makes it all worth it in my eyes.

If Manchin wins and the Senate gets flipped from red to blue...

The Dems win control of the senate.

[BannonsLiver]

1. Whatever he needs to say to win I'm okay with.

I get it.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. MATH

As in HELL YES, whatever it takes to WIN BABY WIN!

[bearsfootball516]

3. I'm not his biggest fan, but...

There are few states that Trump has a higher favorability rating in than West Virginia. You can bet his Republican opponent is going to hug Trump hard. Manchin is very vulnerable. If he didn't announce himself as pro-Trump, he'd basically be signing his death warrant.

[cynatnite]

6. Yep, it's a pragmatic move...

It's actually a bit different in TN which is kind of weird.

Marsha Blackburn is a RW nutjob and all in with tRump, but she is so disliked here and Bredesen is a Dem who people liked as Gov. They're running for Corker's seat.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bredesen voiced support for some of tRump's policies if it meant giving him the win. It's a close race and last poll had him 5 points ahead.

[atreides1]

4. There's an alternative to your scenario

Manchin wins, does a "Jim Justice" and the Senate remains red!!!

Come on, he wins as a Democrat,and then jumps to the other side...no more worries for him, he'll be locked in until they carry him out feet first!!!

Will he jump? Who knows? Let's wait and see!!!

[dawg day]

10. i don't know why he'd bother with that.

Jim Justice was actually stupid to do that, I think.

Senators have a 6 year term. If Manchin wins, he'll (we hope) long outlast Trump.

[Staph]

12. There is literally no chance that Manchin will change parties.

He comes from a family of proud Democrats, going back to his uncle who was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1948 at the age of 21, served as State director of the Farmers' Home Administration, State Treasurer, WV Secretary of State, and went back to the House of Delegates in 1998, until he died of a massive heart attack in 2003.

A. James Manchin would come back and haunt Joe if he became a Republican!

[bottomofthehill]

5. First vote to organize the senate is the one that counts

Democratic Leader Setting the agenda and Democratic Chairman/Chairwoman running the committees.........

Say what you will but get re-elected.

[spooky3]

7. He votes with Dems far more than most Reps do.

That’s a good enough reason to support him, given the alternative.

I also appreciate that he was one of the few Dems who were vocally supportive of Sen. Franken when the accusations were being lobbed at him.

[bottomofthehill]

8. He sure does.

[Dem_4_Life]

9. Yes as current DEM to stay but to flip a seat

BETO needs to win and Cruz needs to go away forever!

[Awsi Dooger]

11. Yes, that's the tricky one

Best to ignore all the dialogue and just hope Manchin survives. In an unfavorable cycle he'd have no chance but maybe with a wave he can sneak over the line.

Desperately needed