Manchin Leaves Open Possibility Of Leaving Democratic Party And Becoming Independent After Sinema's

[Celerity]

Defection

https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/12/12/manchin-leaves-open-possibility-of-leaving-democratic-party-and-becoming-independent-after-sinemas-defection/?sh=545def3e7403

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) did not rule out following in Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.)’s footsteps and switching his party affiliation from Democrat to Independent when asked by CNN on Monday if he was considering the move–despite doubts he would ever defect from the party his dynastic political family has belonged to for more than a century.

KEY FACTS

Manchin, speaking for the first time about Sinema’s defection last week, said “I can’t tell you what the future is going to bring,” adding “I’m not a Washington Democrat . . . and if a Washington Independent is – we’ll see what happens there,” in an interview with CNN on Capitol Hill on Monday.

Manchin, often referred to as “King of the Senate” due to his outsized power as the most conservative Democratic senator who can sway outcomes by voting with Republicans, prefaced his comments with this disclaimer: “I have no intention of doing anything right now.”

The remarks follow former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R)’s prediction that Manchin will “never” be a Republican, he said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” noting the Manchin family’s long history in Democratic politics in West Virginia.

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[CentralMass]

1. Gee that's a shocker.

[Celerity]

2. I wonder if he does that if Murkowski and Collins do the same, there would be 6 indies in the Senate

then

[CrispyQ]

3. Perhaps they suffer from "I wouldn't want to be in a party that would have me as a member" complex?

I wish we had the numbers to tell both of them good riddance.

[Demsrule86]

6. We are in major trouble with the Senate...we could easily lose Montana and WVA and Arizona

When Sherrod Brown retires where will we find a Democrat to replace him?

[sanatanadharma]

8. That makes them "Marx-ists"

Marx-Bros or simply 'grouch-es"

[agingdem]

4. he's not going anywhere..

he's an arrogant sonofabitch..there's no way he's going to "follow" Sinema...he now has more power than he did before...and unlike Sinema he has high approval in his state.

[Demsrule86]

5. Might help with reelection. So who cares. We need him to win in 24

[clutterbox1830]

7. He is not leaving. There is little incentive to do so.

He will lose Rep primary in WV. He is far too liberal (if you can imagine) for that party.

He is a lock to win the D primary unlike Sinema. His best bet to win if he stay D.

He generally says that stuff to sway R and Ind votes to him in WV.

[secondwind]

9. HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING YOU, JOE????!!!?

[tritsofme]

12. lol, paying him to do what? To put himself in the strongest position to hold the seat for Democrats?

[msfiddlestix]

10. I prrdicted this happening with boh Senators... it was in the pot stewing, not a hard read.

For anyone who might be somewhat surprised.. all the signs leading to this moment had been in plain view for the past two years

I knew they both were going to pull this shit if we made any gains in the this election.

I should be over with being angry about it, but it still bites.

[tritsofme]

11. Who cares? If he can pull off some jujitsu and hold that seat, more power to him.