Senator Joe Manchin, a longtime member of the Democratic Party, ditched the left and registered as an Independent on Friday.
Machin wrote on X, “My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation,” Manchin posted on X.
The senator further justifies his move in a statement.
He said, “From my first day in public service in 1982, I have always focused on doing what’s best for my state and my country, without regard to party or politics. Throughout my days in elected office, I have always been proud of my commitment to common sense, bipartisanship, and my desire to bring people together. It’s who I am. It’s who I will always be. I have never seen America through a partisan lens.”
“However, since becoming a United States Senator in 2010, I have seen both the Democrat and Republican parties leave West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy. Today, our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground. To stay true to myself and remain committed to put country before party, I have decided to register as an independent with no party affiliation and continue to fight for America’s sensible majority,” he continued.
Despite leaving the Democrats, the West Virginia senator claims he will continue to caucus with Democrats, just as the three other independent senators on the Senate.
Senators Krysten Sinema (I-Arizona) and Angus King (I-Maine) present themselves as moderates. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-New Hampshire) used his progressive background to raise funds for his campaigns.
Since he will caucus with Democrats, Manchin will still chair the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Manchin has been in the Senate since November 2010. Before this, he served as governor of West Virginia.
The senator has been critical of President Joe Biden, especially since the 81-year-old leader imposed his green energy policies.
Manchin will retire this year.
The senator earlier explored the viability of a third-party run. However, he claimed that such a move would be “very challenging.”
“The system right now is not set up for [it]. [In] the long game, maybe we can make a third-party viable where it has a process and opportunity. Right now, it’s very challenging,” he argued.
“And I’m not going to be a deal breaker, if you will, spoiler, whatever you want to call it,” he continued. “I just don’t think it’s the right time.”
Manchin declined to back Biden’s reelection bid.
“I’ve had this conversation with him and with his people that he’s gone too far to the left. They’ve pushed him and pulled him, and whatever. But that’s not where America is. That’s not where our country is,” he said.
America never has a chance to elect a moderate for president. It tends be a choice between the furthest left politician ( who half of the country detests), or the furthest right Patriot, (who the government and half the country detests because the left wing media always sides with the socialist.)