Here are a few ideas, coming from my old and disorganized mind:
I'd start with the questions of is it better to try to lessen Manchin's influence within the Democratic Party/ Senate, or to support a primary challenger against him when he is up for re-election? As his most recent re-election was in 2018, it suggests that people not only have time to consider what -- if anything -- they are willing to do, there is also the option of changing one's opinion. That would likely depend upon factors involving Manchin's behaviors as a US Senator.
One option is for leadership to identify, hopefully soon, those elections in 2022 where we could potentially win one or more seats. At the same time, we need to be fully aware of what seats we are going to have the most difficulty in winning re-election. I find it useful to study the list of the approximately one-third of the Senate seats that will be contested:
https://www.dailypress.senate.gov/?page_id=25246
In my opinion, we have our work cut out for us, regardless of how we view Manchin. His role has to be viewed in both state and national contexts. Our goal isn't to cut off Joe's nose, in spite of his face.
Let's consider what Democrats in West Virginia seem to want, what they are okay with, and what they are not okay with. Since he has been elected to the Senate three times, after holding important state offices, he obviously gets the votes needed to maintain his position. More, many people -- himself included -- are convinced that only a conservative Democrat can win in that state. And, in recent times, that appears to have been true. But having been true does not mean it will remain true for eternity.
Within the state's Democratic Party, there is a range of opinions, as there are in every state. There are progressives, liberals, moderates, and conservatives in our party. It is safe to say that Joe's strongest support comes from those two groups on the right -- moderate and conservative Democrats. Likewise, he is more likely to frustrate liberals, and potentially lose any support from progressives.
His campaign people know who has or has not supported him financially. For the sake of this conversation, I'll stick with real live human beings, rather than industry-corporate financing. If those who have donated contacted his office, and made clear they will not help again if he doesn't change his behavior, he would take notice. If the liberals and progressive contact his office to say they will consider supporting a primary challenger, Joe will be aware of it. Of course, these factors alone are not going to change his mind.
However, if in the next few years, he becomes aware that the liberals are organizing voter registration programs on each college and university campus, and the progressives work to increase the amount of support for a primary challenger among the Democratic Left, he is likely to get the message.
People from other states need not opt to be helpless bystanders. It is possible, for example, for us to simply send a letter or postcard to Mancin's office, saying "I will donate to a primary challenger if you don't act like a Democrat," it could get his attention -- if enough people do so. Also, progressive and liberal organizations have the ability to participate in voter education-registration-participation at those colleges and universities. Heck, they could even do so in low-income neighborhoods, including working with the local leadership within these communities. Obviously, this would require a primary challenger that -- unlike Manchin -- appeals to these populations.
That's just from the top of my fat head, although it is rooted in experience with elections on the local and regional levels.
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