Joe Manchin threatens to leave Democratic Party for the last 18 months of his political career
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Since he would presumably keep caucusing with the Democrats to keep his committee assignments, really, who gives a shit?
Sen. Joe Manchin III, a centrist West Virginia Democrat who has at times sparred with his party, said Thursday that he has “seriously” considered leaving the Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 election.
In a Thursday interview with West Virginia MetroNews host Hoppy Kercheval, Manchin said he would “think very seriously” about leaving his party to become an independent. His comments come amid speculation that he could mount an independent bid for president in the 2024 election, challenging President Biden.
Manchin told Kercheval that he’s been thinking about becoming an independent “for quite some time.”
Manchin said he thinks that, because of partisanship, the Republican and Democratic “brands” have become “so bad.”
“It’s not the Democrats in West Virginia; it’s the Democrats in Washington,” he explained. “… You’ve heard me say a million times, I’m not a Washington Democrat.”
If he thinks he actually has a prayer of beating Justice in 2024 it’s just sad. And if he runs No Labels, he’s a consummate asshole whether formally leaves the party or not.