According to Politico, Joe Manchin (D*-WV) has endorsed Republican Susan Collins’ 2020 reelection bid. It’s a short piece so I’m quoting the whole thing:
Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin endorsed GOP Sen. Susan Collins for reelection on Thursday, in a rare rebuff of partisan politics in an increasingly polarized Senate.
The moderate West Virginia senator also offered to campaign for the vulnerable Maine incumbent. It’s a boon for Collins, who Democrats likely need to beat if they hope to take the Senate majority in 2020.
Manchin made his comments in an interview with C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” program that will air beginning on Friday night.
I’ve defended the election of folks like Manchin in the past in ruby red states but this is too much. He’s following in the footsteps of another Joe who went from Democratic Vice Presidential candidate with Al Gore to endorsing McCain against Obama in 2008.
I had read rumblings that Manchin was considering a run for Governor against Bevins Jim Justice and I was hoping he wouldn’t do so because it would be so tough to retain his seat in our column but I’ve just changed my mind. I want him to go for it and allow a non back stabbing Democrat to at least have a chance to represent the state.
The only other motive I see for him is that he is seriously entertaining a party switch. At this point, I’m ready to cut him loose. There is no good reason for any Democratic officeholder to endorse a Republican. He could have easily stayed silent.
It’s your move Schumer.
*Nominally