Staff Reports
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is making headlines as the only reasonable Democrat on Capitol Hill. Manchin’s conservatism has made him a misfit in the current Democratic Party, which has become increasingly radicalized under the Biden administration. Democrats are already facing a tight spot in the upcoming 2024 Senate races, and with someone like Manchin not toeing the party line, they will lose even more ground.
Joe Manchin Again Has Us Wondering Will He or Won't He? https://t.co/38VLnNjOHQ
— David Smithers (@DavidSmithers13) April 4, 2023
Manchin recently spoke out against the indictment of former President Donald Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a move that has been regarded as politically motivated. The Senator pointed out that no one should be targeted by the law, especially through the political process. Despite this, he was pressed by liberal media outlets, such as CNN’s “State of the Union,” suggesting that he believes Trump is a political target. He made it clear that he believes that everyone, including former presidents, should be subject to the law.
Sen. Manchin says he won’t decide on whether to run for re-election or president “until the end of the year.” https://t.co/8wmJgm1nKc
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 2, 2023
During his appearance on the show, he was also asked about his political future. With rumors circulating about him potentially running for president in 2024, Manchin played coy and didn’t commit to supporting President Biden or running himself. West Virginia voted for Trump by a large margin in 2020, and Manchin’s reluctance to swear his allegiance to Biden shows that the senator knows the pulse of his state. He’s waiting until the end of the year to announce his position.
Manchin’s appearance on various Sunday shows only added fuel to the flames of his potential presidential run. When asked if he would run as part of the No Labels group, which would position him as a centrist candidate, he sounded tired and wore out. Manchin has previously stated that people “are tired, sick and tired, of the fighting and division that we have and dividing the country,” but he didn’t give any clear direction on his political future. He’s clearly a moderate centrist, but he’s yet to commit to running as one.
Manchin’s political ambiguity has both Democrats and Republicans perplexed. On one hand, Democrats know that they would lose the senator’s seat if he chose to run as an independent or Republican. On the other hand, Republicans are cautiously optimistic that they could gain a valuable ally if Manchin were to switch sides. Either way, Manchin’s political future has become a question mark, and the American people are eager to see where he lands.
As both Democrats and Republicans prepare for the battle of the century in 2024, Manchin’s swing vote becomes even more critical. The senator’s conservatism has made him a target for the Biden administration and a reluctant ally for the Republican Party. Regardless of which side he chooses, his decision will have serious implications for the future of American politics.
