Democrat Joe Manchin is just one step closer to independence: the moderates say he is “absolutely” considering quitting the party amid speculation of a third candidacy in 2024
- “I’ve been thinking about that for a while,” Manchin said of a possible change of party
- “I really want to be able to speak honestly about the extremes of the Democratic and Republican parties that are damaging to our nation,” Manchin said
- Manchin, elected in 2010, is the only statewide Democrat in ruby-red West Virginia
Senator Joe Manchin said he had “absolutely” considered going independent, noting the “extremes” of both major parties.
“I’m seriously thinking about what’s best for me. I need to be reassured in principle,” the West Virginia Democrat told local radio host Hoppy Kercheval when asked about moving to an independent. “I’ve been thinking about that for a while.”
Manchin, elected in 2010, is the only statewide Democrat in ruby-red West Virginia. His seat is heavily targeted by Republicans in 2024 — several GOP contenders are currently preparing for a primary.
Donald Trump won West Virginia in 2020 by almost 40 points. The GOP primary will likely result in a fight between Gov. Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney.
Senator Joe Manchin said he had “absolutely” considered going independent, noting the “extremes” of both major parties
He also railed against President Biden for “playing” the Democratic grassroots after he angered the administration over the implementation of the Democrat-passed Inflation Reduction Act, which he helped author.
“I really want to be able to speak honestly about the extremes of the Democratic and Republican parties that are damaging to our nation,” Manchin said.
Manchin did not detail his plans for the future, telling reporters that he would not announce whether he would stand for re-election until the end of the year.
He has also hinted that he is considering running for president. He recently performed at an event in New Hampshire with No Labels, a group considering putting up a bipartisan third party ticket.
If he were to leave the Democrats, he would be the fourth independent member of the Senate – alongside Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Maine Sen. Angus King, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
All three typically meet with the Democrats — with Sinema being the only moderate.
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the signing of the IRA bill, Manchin defended the partisan bill with which Republicans had attacked him.
“This bill that I wrote was about energy security and really producing more gas, more oil and more coal than we’ve consistently done in the past.” And we’re doing that today,” he said Senator.
He said Biden “served unilaterally” by trying to make everything “green and clean.”
Manchin welcomed the passage of the law days ago and vowed to continue his fight with the Biden administration to ensure it is implemented as a “general” energy approach.
Manchin did not detail his plans for the future, telling reporters that he would not announce whether he would stand for re-election until the end of the year
“While I have fought and will continue to fight the Biden administration’s relentless efforts to rig the law to enforce their radical climate agenda at the expense of our energy and fiscal security, I’m also proud of the money they’re hard at work.” Families spared.” “The economic opportunity it offers to communities in West Virginia and across America,” he said.
Manchin threatened to repeal the law last April because he believed the government had broken its promise to ensure the availability of cheap fossil fuels.
“You broke your word to the American public,” Manchin told Fox News host Sean Hannity at the time. “This legislation was balanced. In the next decade, we will have enough fossil fuels to feed our country and to aid our allies around the world. We will continue to invest in new technologies for the future.”
Since the bill passed, Manchin has been at war with the White House over the portion of the bill covering EV subsidies.
Manchin said the White House has promised to pass the $7,500 electric vehicles to its standard — meaning that to be eligible for subsidies, the vehicles would have to be made from domestic parts and minerals.
But now the senator said the Biden administration had stretched credit too far, which could lead to a surge in electric vehicle sales but would give other countries a chance to reap the benefits.