- Senator Joe Manchin on Sunday again dodged questions about Democratic loyalty.
- He was asked by Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo if he still considered himself a Democrat.
- In response, Manchin said he identified “as an American.”
Senator Joe Manchin on Sunday dodged a question about whether he still considered himself a Democrat.
Manchin I was interviewed on the talk show “Sunday Morning Futures”. Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo pressured him to reiterate whether he still considered himself a Democrat.
“I consider myself American,” Manchin told Bartiromo. “I am American at heart.”
In the same interview, Manchin called for the two parties to unite.
“My main concern is how to bring this country together,” Manchin said. “How do we make it work? How do we make Democrats and Republicans Americans again, not just party supporters?”
“This is what’s happening now. We’re pushing people further apart, pushing them to take sides, and we’re rewarding bad behavior,” Manchin added. rice field. “This country must be united with America at its center.”
— Aaron Ruper (@atrupar) February 26, 2023
manchin – from West Virginia, completely red statse — Known to be a conservative moderate Democrat. During his two years he was one of the most powerful voices in the Senate. Manchin had the power to make or repeal bills because the Democrats had a majority.
For example, Manchin used his influence in December 2021 when he blocked President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” bill and vowed not to support appropriations bills. But he also did his fair share of making legislation happen for Democrats when he pushed for passage of the Control Inflation Act in 2022.
rear Senator Rafael Warnock Wins Georgia Runoff In December, Senate Democrats had more breathing room.They are Majority of 51 seats In the Senate, allowing Manchin to pass legislation while resisting.
But Manchin still holds a key seat for Democrats in the 2024 election cycle.
Manchin has always been shy about his party loyalty
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it would be “a great idea” if Manchin changed parties.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that I’ve been suggesting for years that it’s a great idea for him to come to our side on behalf of a red-hot state like West Virginia,” McConnell said. said in December 2021.
Manchin has made no formal moves to officially change political parties, but he has not ruled out the possibility in his public statement on the matter.
In December, Manchin dodged a question about whether he intended to switch to the Republican Party.Manchin told CBS He doesn’t see “much legitimacy in the identity of being a Republican or a Democrat.” He added that he would tell people “later” what to do with his party affiliation.
Mr. Manchin did not say publicly in January whether he intended to run for president.
“We have not yet decided what we will do in 2024. It is two years from now to do what is best for the state and the country,” said Manchin. told NBC’s Chuck Todd“Everything is on the table.”
A Manchin representative did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.