Manchin on the Fence About Obama Vote

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: National Journal

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who has done more than any other Democrat up for reelection this year to distance himself from President Obama, said he does not know if he will vote for Obama or presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney in November.

“I’ll look at the options,” Manchin said this week. The last three years “have made it pretty rough” for his state, he said.

That stance is at odds with almost every other Democrat who is up for reelection this year or is from a state that Romney is likely to win. And it’s an indication of the unique effort Manchin has made to establish his independence from Obama and other Democrats. The senator has regularly used floor speeches and closely watched votes to, as he puts it, “respectfully” highlight differences with Obama, especially on environmental issues. He said Obama has never called him or sought a one-on-one conversation.

Manchin said his own vote will depend on how his constituents view the contest.

Read more: http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/manchin-on-the-fence-about-obama-vote-20120419

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President Obama lost WV 56%-43% in 2008. It's no surprise that Manchin is terrified of being linked to the President.

[Arkana]

1. Manchin's a piece of shit anyway.

Unfortunately, looking at the bench in WVa, he's the best available. Dude is basically a Republican.

[mvd]

18. You would think that WV could have a Democratic Senator that would..

at least vote for the Democratic President. Many of the Democrats, including President Obama, are too conservative for this Democrat - but it's easier said than done getting progressives in some places. Still, you should support the Democratic leader (Obama).

[MaineDem]

2. Wow!

I'm glad I don't live in WV. I'm not sure how much I could support this man.

[otohara]

3. Keep Your Vote To Yourself

isn't that a better solution or is he pandering to the -t-baggers

[NeverEnuff]

4. Born and raised

I lived there half of my life. It used to be so Democrat that the Democrat Primary was the election. Democrats ran unoposed in the general election. Manchin's Dad was SOS and a clown. It turned Red for Ronnie Raygun and is now so dumb I wouldn't go back on a bet.

[northoftheborder]

15. Please use "Democratic" rather than "Democrat" when used as an adverb or adjective.

Or we might think you a troll.

[Tx4obama]

17. We are 'democrats' but it's: 'the Democratic Party', 'the Democratic Primary' n/t

[geardaddy]

5. Hey Manchin, just leave the party already.

[joeglow3]

7. Why?

If he is going to get elected anyway, why not use the "D" behind his name to get us 1 step closer to a majority and the ability to control the agenda?

[geardaddy]

8. Because he's not acting like a democrat.

[joeglow3]

10. Yeah. I got that. It still hurts us.

We have 2 options:

1. He is an "R", votes against us and gets the thugs 1 step closer to a majority and the ability to control the agenda, or
2. He is a "D", STILL votes against us, buts gets US 1 step closer to a majority and the ability to control the agenda.

I can damn well tell you which of those 2 I prefer.

[geardaddy]

12. I see your point.

[rayofreason]

19. A reasoned position. n/t

[loyalkydem]

6. Um.......

If he's not going to vote for President Obama, why did he register and win as a democrat? I don't understand.

[bathroommonkey76]

9. There are some decent Democrats in West Virginia,

unfortunately Joe Manchin is not one of them.

A friend of mine that lives in WV and happens to be a Dem told me that the only thing that President Obama has against him is the color of his skin.

Manchin should start caring about the epidemic of prescription drug abuse for his fellow citizens. That place is a cess pool for Oxycontin addiction. The Hope Pain Management Clinic in Beckley is one of those legal drug dealers that supplies these drugs to the Beckley & Bluefield areas.

Read the comments about this place here:

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/beckley-wv/TBUCLLJLTRBOIJSAT#comments

I was shocked to find out these types of places exist there. North Carolina doesn't have these types of pill mills; why does West Virginia?

[KamaAina]

11. What an ass. What is it about senators named Joe?

This guy is Lieberman Lite. The only decent one is now our VP.

[gratuitous]

13. Ah yes, prior to 2009, West Virginia was often mistaken for Shangri-La

So everything wrong there is clearly President Obama's fault. If only he'd called Joe Manchin for a one-on-one conversation!

[marshall gaines]

14. blue dog

that's a true blue dog Democrat. Traitorous betrayer.

[Tx4obama]

16. If Manchin is even thinking of voting for the REPUBLICAN AGENDA - then vote him OUT OF OFFICE! n/t

[Tax Man]

20. 'hi, i'm joe manchin, and i have no balls'

[DallasNE]

21. It's A Secret Ballot

So why would Manchin even feel the need to comment, either way, on this non-issue. Sure, Manchin should run his own campaign but I don't see how this can help him with his base.

[newrocker]

22. Good point

This is just for 'show.'

But it's hard to understand why he announced it - his seat seems to be pretty safe.