After spending decades of his political career as a Democrat, retiring Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia left the party in May to file as an independent, claiming at the time it was the only way he could “stay true” to himself and remain committed to putting “country before party.” It’s no surprise, then, that with only days left in Congress, he’s speaking his mind about national politics and holding nothing back when it comes to how “toxic” the Democratic brand has become.
“The D-brand has been so maligned from the standpoint of, it’s just, it’s toxic,” Manchin told CNN’s Manu Raju in an interview that aired Sunday. “You know, I’ve told them. I said, first of all, as an American and as someone in the Senate, I’m going to take the constitutional oath, the Constitution that I take very, very, very, very seriously.”
Manchin said he’d help everyone in the nation pursue their happiness in life but called out those who are trying to normalize “extreme” views on everyone else.
“I don’t care who they are. I don’t care what color,” he added. “I don’t care about any of the things they love, and they do it. And that’s you. And I’m going to make sure you have that opportunity and right to live your life just don’t make your life, if it might be on the extremes or in the minority of few, make me believe that’s the norm or make me and my family believe, or my children believe or this or that. No, I will protect you. Just don’t try to mainstream it. And the Democratic Party, the Washington Democrats, have tried to mainstream the extreme.”
Manchin also blasted the incoming House Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar, who claimed Democrats would’ve won the 2024 election if they had gone further to the left, championing views from people like outgoing caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal instead of someone like Manchin.
“For someone to say that, they’ve got to be completely insane,” the West Virginia senator remarked.
Manchin blamed Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss on her failure to successfully portray herself as a moderate given the extreme views she took up during her first presidential run in 2019.
“If you try to be somebody you’re not, it’s hard,” said Manchin.
New — Joe Manchin unplugged as he leaves the Senate.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 22, 2024
“This has been the worst performing Congress in the history of the United States of America.”
The Senate “still sucks … The House sucks worse than the Senate.”
“The D-brand is …. toxic”
On progressive leader saying they… pic.twitter.com/IWbWyBkoui