Manchin sits with Kavanaugh, but wants another meeting

After meeting with Brett Kavanaugh on Monday, Sen. Joe Manchin said he likely would seek a second sitdown after the Supreme Court nominee's confirmation hearings — thus extending the time the West Virginia Democrat will remain undecided even as pressure on him ramps up.

Manchin spent two hours in what he repeatedly called a "very productive" meeting with Kavanaugh, becoming the first Senate Democrat to greet President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick on the Hill.

But the intense pro-Kavanaugh push Manchin faces from conservative groups and GOP challenger Patrick Morrisey didn't appear to affect him, a sign that Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) private entreaties for vulnerable red-state Democrats to keep mum on their stance may be paying off.

Manchin told reporters after meeting with Kavanaugh that he expects to seek a second meeting with the nominee after the Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing, the same approach the Democrat adopted before ultimately supporting Justice Neil Gorsuch last year.

“There's always going to be things that come up that maybe we didn't count on or maybe we didn't cover, or maybe that I want more clarification [on]," he said.