Joe Manchin is likely to vote for Biden

Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) has made it clear that he will be casting his vote for Joe Biden in the upcoming November election, despite his decision to leave the Democratic Party and register as an independent. He has firmly ruled out supporting Donald Trump at the ballot box.

Last November, Senator Manchin announced that he would be leaving the Democratic Party and not seeking a third term in 2024, sparking speculation that he may be considering a run for governor in the GOP-dominated state of West Virginia this fall.

During a recent interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle, Manchin discussed his decision to still support Biden despite his split from the Democratic Party and his disagreements with the party’s agenda. He expressed his belief that the Democratic Party has turned its back on its traditional base in West Virginia, suggesting that the party no longer values the qualities and attributes of the people in his state.

Senator Manchin has been critical of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, particularly the provisions related to clean energy incentives, which he has labeled as a “radical climate agenda” that could be harmful to West Virginia’s coal mining industry.

However, during the interview, Manchin acknowledged that Biden had listened to his concerns and assured Ruhle that he would be voting for Biden in November. He emphasized Biden’s long-standing reputation as a political centrist, stating that he is hopeful to see the president return to the center.

When pressed by Ruhle on whether he would consider voting for Donald Trump, Manchin made it clear that his love for his country is too strong to support someone who has undermined the democratic process and the rule of law. He emphasized the importance of a leader who values the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Manchin, who has been serving in the Senate since 2010, highlighted in a statement that his decision to leave the Democratic Party was driven by his belief that both major parties have become too focused on partisan extremism, putting democracy at risk. Despite his independent status, Manchin continues to caucus with the Democrats in the Senate, where they currently hold a narrow majority.

In addition to his Senate responsibilities, Manchin has also reconfigured his leadership political action committee to support centrist lawmakers from both parties, showing his commitment to bridging the political divide and finding common ground in a political landscape that is often polarized.