West Virginia's Sen. Joe Manchin is one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators heading into the 2018 midterms and, unlike most members of his party, he is running as someone willing to work with, rather than obstruct, President Donald Trump.
Manchin, whose state voted for Trump by more than 40 percentage points, told Politico he regretted backing Hillary Clinton in 2016 and said he wouldn't rule out endorsing the president in the 2020 election over whomever his Democratic opponent turns out to be.
"I’m open to supporting the person who I think is best for my country and my state," Manchin said. "If his policies are best, I’ll be right there."
Manchin said, "Washington Democrats are making it more difficult for me to be a West Virginia Democrat" and he wishes he had not backed Clinton against Trump. During the campaign, Clinton said as president she would put coal miners and coal companies out of business.
Manchin, whose state has long relied on coal jobs, almost pulled his support for Clinton after that remark, he told Politico. But he stuck with her.
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05.20.2024