Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) did not hold back in a candid CNN interview as he prepares to retire from the Senate next month.
Manchin, who unenrolled from the Democratic Party earlier this year, expressed sharp criticism of his former party, accusing Democrats of becoming out of touch with everyday Americans and ceding influence to a progressive minority.
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Speaking to CNN’s Manu Raju, Manchin shared his disappointment with the current state of the Democratic Party, describing it as “toxic” and far removed from the values he once associated with it. “I am not a Democrat in the form of… what the Democratic Party has turned itself into, the national brand, absolutely not,” Manchin said.
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Manchin, who has represented West Virginia in various political roles for decades, reflected on his upbringing in Appalachian poverty and the influence of his grandfather, a staunch supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.
He credited the Democratic Party of that era with creating programs like Social Security that lifted millions out of poverty.
“But there was a split,” Manchin said, explaining that he had never aligned with the liberal or establishment wings of the party.
Instead, he identified with the moderate, pragmatic approach that he believes the Democratic Party has abandoned.
Manchin criticized the current Democratic Party for what he sees as a push to mainstream extreme progressive ideologies. “The D-brand has been so maligned from the standpoint of, it’s just, it’s toxic,” Manchin said.
He argued that progressives have distorted the party’s egalitarian ideals into a platform that seeks to “tell you how to live your life” to accommodate a minority viewpoint.
“No. I will protect you, just don’t try to mainstream it,” Manchin said, calling out what he perceives as an overreach by “Washington Democrats.”
He added, “You oughta figure out how you lost somebody like me.”
Manchin also highlighted the changing political landscape in his home state of West Virginia.
Once a Democratic stronghold where three-quarters of voters identified with the party, the state has shifted solidly red.
He attributed the decline in Democratic support to a perception that the party is now more focused on handouts for “people who don’t work or won’t work” than on policies that benefit hardworking Americans.
Manchin’s retirement has resulted in a significant shift in the Senate. His seat was easily won by Senator-elect Jim Justice (R-WV), a Republican who will join a strengthened GOP majority in the chamber next year.
The loss of Manchin’s seat contributed to Senate Democrats losing their majority, further compounded by Kamala Harris’s electoral defeat.
Manchin described the current Congress as “the worst performing Congress in the history of the United States of America” and expressed relief at leaving Capitol Hill.
Reflecting on his departure, he said, “It’s basically infringement on me making decisions,” pointing to what he sees as the Democrats’ increasing focus on control rather than fairness.
As Democrats grapple with the loss of the Senate majority and internal divisions, Manchin’s critique serves as a warning to party leaders about the risks of veering too far from the mainstream.
His comments highlight the challenges Democrats face in balancing progressive priorities with the concerns of moderate voters in swing states.
For Manchin, the decision to leave the party and the Senate reflects his frustration with what he sees as a party that has lost its way. “The Democratic Party, the Washington Democrats, have tried to mainstream the extreme,” he said.
Watch the video:
JOE MANCHIN EXIT INTERVIEW WITH CNN.
‘The Democrat brand is now toxic.’pic.twitter.com/0X7m8Iw8OW
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 25, 2024
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Manchin’s departure leaves a void for moderates seeking a voice in an increasingly polarized environment.
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