This guy could go all the way!

And be an election spoiler like Ralph Nader. Of course, Nader tanks Al Gore, Joe would repeat the favor this time tanking the Republican nominee.

Joe Manchin Weighs Leaving Democratic Party

West Virginia senator hasn’t said if he will run for re-election in the deep-red state

By Siobhan Hughes, WSJ

Aug. 10, 2023 4:10 pm ET

WASHINGTON—Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.), who has at times split with his party and President Biden, said he was weighing whether to leave the Democrats and become an independent as he considers his political future.

“I would think very seriously about that. I’ve been thinking about that for quite some time,” Manchin said when asked if he would become an independent. The Democrat, who hasn’t said whether he plans to run for re-election in the Senate next year or perhaps seek the presidency, made the comments on a West Virginia program hosted by radio personality Hoppy Kercheval.

“I can’t accept either party right now,” he said.

Manchin, 75 years old, has been a pivotal figure in the closely divided Senate, where Democrats currently hold 51 seats compared with 49 for Republicans. He has used his vote to gain leverage over Biden administration policies, including offering support for the Inflation Reduction Act climate and tax bill on the conditions that the proposal also approve a natural-gas pipeline and overhaul the energy permitting process.

He clashed with other Democrats and angered progressive activists by refusing to support efforts to eliminate the filibuster, the legislative tool that requires a supermajority of 60 of 100 senators to pass most legislation.

Manchin represents a solidly red state, and would face a tough Senate re-election campaign if he runs. Already, popular Republican Gov. Jim Justice has jumped into the race, along with GOP Rep. Alex Mooney.

Manchin has said he wouldn’t make a decision until near the filing deadline next January. In 2018, he didn’t announce his plans until January of that year. He won re-election by three points.

Centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I., Ariz.), who is also deciding whether to run for re-election next year, became an independent late last year but continues to belong to the Democratic caucus. The other independents in the Democratic caucus are Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), a leading progressive, and Sen. Angus King (I., Maine.)