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‘I’ll Look at the Options’: Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin Says He May Not Vote for Obama

Apr. 20, 2012 2:57pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) (AP)

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) said he might not vote for President Barack Obama come November.

In an interview with National Journal, the senator who won a special election in 2010 after the death Robert Byrd is up for re-election himself, and said a vote to give Obama another term is not open and shut for him.

“I’ll look at the options,” the former West Virginia governor told National Journal, saying the past three years “have made it pretty rough” for his state and that his vote will ultimately come down to what will be best for West Virginia.

“Right now in West Virginia, these first three-and-a-half years haven’t been that good to West Virginia. So, then you look [at] what the options will be, who will be on the other end,” Manchin said.

Sen. John McCain won West Virginia in 2008 55 percent to 42 percent.

As National Journal pointed out, Manchin declined to say ahead of his 2010 election whether he would vote for Obama in 2012 or vote to keep Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) as Senate Majority Leader.

As CNN pointed out, Manchin has at times been known to buck his own party — being one of about a dozen Democrats to back the Keystone XL pipeline in March and voting against raising the debt ceiling. As a Senate candidate, he was featured in a campaign ad firing a rifle at the Democrat-backed cap and trade bill.

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Comments (76)

woebegone
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:30pm
All due respect to all of you that are deeply suspicious, I get that. But there is one insane little corner of me that hopes that not all Democrats are socialists and recognize that completely abandoning every philosophical tenet that built the US is simply discordant with a successful future. Saw and interesting quote today from Margaret Thatcher. “Europe was built by history, the US was built by philosophy.” It seems that until the socialists started to work from the inside (many years ago now) it worked pretty well. This incoherent and inflammatory rhetoric from both sides does nothing but undermine any possibility for success.

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- Baddoggy
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:57pm
  Good try…But he IS running for re-election and he must distance himself from the Commie, Marxist, Socialist Liar….enough rhetoric for ya? Hope so….
  
  Report this comment
- happ77
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:02pm
  I also would like to give him the benefit of the doubt but
  it’s hard to believe anything that comes out of a politicians mouth
  these days. Mc Cain won WV by a landslide, Manchin knows he needs
  the voters to split their ticket. Romney will win WV by a larger margin
  then McCain. Lets see what Manchin is saying in September. I think
  he’s toast.
  
  Report this comment
- truth or consequences
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:21pm
  I have no idea how he got in knowing the coal stance of the Chief Exec.
  Of course the state is hurting, aren’t they big tobacco also.
  LOL or CRY or both!
  
  Report this comment
- woebegone
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:42pm
  I know, I know. I know that this administration is into buying votes rather than making a case. The entire state of Nebraska is exempted from the costs of Obamacare? not to mention all the special deals to unions and government workers and on and on. Essentially Obamacare is exempted for everyone but me! Still I have that insane corner of hope, can’t help it, sorry. I just can not believe that every Democrat in this country is such a user that it doesn’t occur to them that the abject abuse of the majority of workers is what this administration is calling for. If you don’t belong to a Union you are ripe for the picking? Really? I am not usually a rainbows and unicorns sort of person but I may be such here. If on the off chance I am right, doesn’t it make sense to create a soft landing place for the dissenters? How does castration for retribution of past wrongs make sense in moving forward? How does gloating at this President’s profound, unremitting failure to do any sort of genuinely USA-centric leadership (essentially doing his job) do anything but further polarize the factions? I am not advocating mealy mouthed acceptance of past missteps, I am advocating a stance of acceptance of defection without humiliation. This President only knows how to campaign, he has never lead, or even been an appropriate figurehead (bowing to other leaders?!!!), it is more sad than hateful or more cynically, it is more shameful than is imaginable by any previous American Preside
  
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- The Gooch
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:43pm
  WV resident here. Manchin knows which side his bread is buttered on. He appears to understand the reality of the need for energy and understand that way too many leftists are ready to gut the coal industry. I know lots of blue collar Ds who can’t understand why the hell their unions are getting behind Obama again. You turn against coal in this state, you’re all but politically dead. Hopefully, this will wake some folks up the REAL purpose of unions: Ideological tools and slush funds. Remember, Manchin is also running on his 2nd Amendment chops (a BIG deal in this state) and his stance on Obama care (the one instance of flip flopping… he was for it before he was against it).
  
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- LOJ
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 6:04pm
  Quite honestly, Not all Democrats are Socialists or Communists, they care too much about their families and Freedom!
  
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- db321
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:57pm
  This is the first time in my life – I am voting straight Rep Ticket – Dem’s don’t want to pass a budget – they don’t want to cut Gov Spending – they need to find another Job – Then we are going to clean house of those Rep – that don’t get it. America is pi$$ed and we will show it in the voting booths!
  
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- kaydeebeau
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:57pm
  I could almost buy that there are still some non-socialst democrats left, however, the idea that Manchin could still consider a possibilty of voting for O says all that needs to be said… Wake up WV….if it thinks is might support a “duck”, it is a “duck”
  
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- kaydeebeau
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:55pm
  @ LOJ…name 3
  
  Report this comment
- kaydeebeau
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 11:01pm
  @ LOJ and one more hting…if not all democrats feel that way,then they would be conservative or the very least Republican.
  
  We, as a nation, have moved so far left, that the modern day “establishment republicans” of today are the equivilant of the Democrats of the days of JFK.
  
  And therein lies the biggest problem. We have so much work to get us at least back to the center, none of us can afford to wait for “someone” to do “something”/
  
  We have all got to be the “someones” doing “something”
  
  Report this comment
LVQT
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:11pm
Translation: “My vote can be bought with more stuff; we like stuff.” Obama should quickly have a conversation with Manchin about how flexible he can be after his re-election. I’m sure if he can be flexible with the Russians, he can surely be flexible with WV. Da?

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- Stuck_in_CA
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:20pm
  Did Mitt Romney Commit Voter Fraud In Massachusetts in 2010?
  http://www.businessinsider.com/did-mitt-romney-commit-voter-fraud-in-massachusetts-in-2010-2012-4
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:24pm
  Nail hit directly on head .. it’s Let’s Make a Deal .. comrade Obama.
  
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- Patrick Henry II
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 9:15pm
  Bingo!!!
  
  Report this comment
elosogrande
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:10pm
I think I recall this jerk coming up with the same b—s— when he was running the last time. What a phony. The people of West Virginia should vote him out and let him know that they don’t give a damn how he votes.

Joe, just vote, go home, and get a real job…if you’re capable of handling a real job.

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- slr4528
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:19pm
  I completely agree with you. He is just making it look like he is playing tough with Obama. Behind closed doors,he is on board with Obama’s agenda. People in WV aren’t that bright if they can’t see through Manchin’s political posturing.
  
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thibx
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:10pm
i never unstood this man manchin he is from west virginia big coal state and oboma promised to shut the coal industry down. when he ran in 2008 he is a democrat who was governor voted for oboma. he needs to wise up and switch to indenpent party or republican.

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- cherigc
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:59pm
  he will Joe Manchin is THE ONLY Dem I looooooooooooooove! He is a “real” democrat like JFK!
  
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Zeke48
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:07pm
WV is stuck with this idiot, and the GOP is stuck with our idiot from Mass.

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Rayblue
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:05pm
He’s playing hard to get. Isn’t that cute.

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- Mateytwo Barreett
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 6:22pm
  HAha, I got my coffee-blown through the nose proof keyboard on.. Shnort check!
  
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slr4528
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 4:05pm
Manchin would be a fool to listen to anything Obama will promise him….everything will be off the table when it comes to Obama’s reelection promises if Obama wins….there will be nothing to stop Obama….people just need to remember Obama’s sweet whispers to the Russian president.

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I.Gaspar
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:56pm
Joe thinks they’re going to offer him some sugar….he’ll be lucky to get the hind end of the dogs obama dines on. What a putz…

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progressiveslayer
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:54pm
Joe will fall in line and kiss the Marxist in chief’s ass,he’s a politician they all lie.

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moreteaplease
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:53pm
“Right now in West Virginia, these first three-and-a-half years haven’t been that good to West Virginia.”
—————————————————
They haven’t been too good for the rest of country either. I’ll believe it when I see it.

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YesNdeedie
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:44pm
I think with Joe’s common sense attitude, Raese is going to have a difficult time taking away his seat.
I do not believe Senator Manchin dances to some one elses’ song but it’s not voting time yet so I’ll keep watching.

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TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:43pm
He’s just contemplating saving his political skin. Never trust a lib.

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CougarNick78
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:41pm
I don’t think so…..

Manchin had a chance to vote against Obamacare, and a few other things, and he buckled, then voted the party line. He’s a poser.

This is just as laughable and lowdown as the so-called Blue Dogs making noise about voting for McCain and not Bam in 2008. They went from dogs to b#tches at the snap of Bam’s fingers. I expect Manchin to go lapdog also.

He won by a whisker, but may lose by a wider margin come 2016 when his term is up.

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giatny
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:30pm
Manchin and Warner have been my favorite Democrats all year.
They both support middle of the spectrum solutions and bemoan
the cowardice of the extremists that won’t put the people first.
If the Republican Party weren’t dedicated to prolonging its
serial stupidity, Manchin would be a better fit with them than the
Dems. WV does not like Obamacare or the war Obama and the EPA
have declared on the coal industry. I actually think he would make
a great vp choice for Romney. I don’t mean to make the tea people
flip, but the country will not solve its problems from the extremes.

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qpwillie
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:28pm
It’s no surprise that a Democrat would be considering Romney. It’s we conservatives who are gagging at the idea that we”ll probably have to vote for him.

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- ScreaminEagle
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:47pm
  Grew up in the same county as Manchin. We don’t call him commie-Joe for nothing. He’ll do or say what he has to to get elected. Rockefeller needs to go too. It’s time to clean house. If these Hillbilies had’nt put him in in the first place we might not have the problems we do. Could have changed a lot in Senate votes. Thanks for nothing WV.
  
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llotus
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:27pm
Is this another Nelson Deal this guy is looking for………or maybe just the first domino. There has to be a first. Wishful thinking. Lotus.

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Tri-ox
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:26pm
Manchin will do as he is told by obama – he is not capable of anything else.

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- YesNdeedie
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:47pm
  I disagree and think your post more describes Rockefeller than Manchin.
  
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Wyatt
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:23pm
Unfortunately, once these spineless jellyfish get to DC it becomes all about party and their standing within the party even if it screws the people. Don’t count on Joe Munchkin al all. They’ll turn on a dime when they get “the call”.

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- AmazingGrace8
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:46pm
  Rats leaving a sinking ship. This Joe guy resembles the cheating husband many years ago (he has a long name-starts with a B, I think) and the girlfriend knocks on the door of the home of the cheating husband & the wife answers the door and gets shot in the head. I think the wife forgave her husband and the girlfriend spent some time in jail & is now out .
  Day after day….dirty politics and phoney politicians…we all will be showering 2 or 3 times a day to get all the dirt off us…or turn off the radio/tv & go outside & enjoy life while we can before Pres.Obama gets re-elected. Ugh!
  
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makeemstop
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:22pm
If Senator Joe is smart, he could boost his chance of reelection significantly by making an early honest admission… let his people know the results are in… they’ve been for a while… its just hard to swallow…

No state has been doing well under Obama and I can’t vote for him.

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StrangernFiction
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:17pm
Joe Manchin’s vote ratings for 2011:

Heritage Action 12
National Taxpayers Union 23
ACU 15
Club for Growth 15

Yeah, this guy’s a real moderate.

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- GoodStuff
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:49pm
  Sadly, the “conservative” people of WV will re-elect him based on name-recognition. Sad to see people so ignorant of the issues.
  
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BillnGA
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:17pm
Horsec$%p!!!!!!!

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the_system_disconnect
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:15pm
We can only hope……..

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13th Imam
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:11pm
Bull Crap

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- AvengerK
  Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:22pm
  Let’s put this into perspective. A lot of democrats are seeing Obama as a liability to their chances for re-election.
  Take the vote in the house for the Keystone pipeline for instance…the House passed a vote to move the pipeline forward. Before they voted, Obama issued a veto threat. The House approved the pipeline anyway-by a veto-proof majority, 293 to 127. Sixty-nine Democrats abandoned Obama to vote with Republicans. That’s a lot of defections. The senate is almost as bad for Obama. As the republicans are very close to having enough democrats defect to their side of the aisle on Keystone and prevent Harry Reid’s filibuster. So then Obama’s faced with a dilemma. Accept the measure and face the wrath of the enviro-whackos or veto the measure and face the wrath of most of the country.
  
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Mark0331
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:04pm
The old phrase about ‘buttered bread’ and which side he wants to be on comes to mind….

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Detroit paperboy
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:01pm
He will fall back in line before November , or Nancy will be paying him a visit……

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