Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has benefited from waiting to reveal where he stands as the swing vote in a chamber closely divided between Democrats and Republicans.
He’s taken the same approach when it comes to the next phase of his political career: The moderate Democrat has teased possible retirement, a run for reelection to the Senate or even a presidential campaign in 2024 — possibly as an independent candidate.
During a multi-day trip to West Virginia’s capital this week, the 76-year-old expressed growing frustration with the polarized U.S. two-party system.
I agree with him that the two party system is broken, but we don’t need more so-called centrists. We already have a center-right party in the Democrats.
We also don’t need yet another self-obsessed septuagenarian calling shots that will have ramifications long after they’re dead. Especially one who owes their wealth and influence to fucking coal.