Manchin could surprise Washington with an eleventh-hour comeback effort
Chuck Schumer’s Quest to Keep Joe Manchin on Board
In a twist that reads like political theater, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is not ready to throw in the towel when it comes to Sen. Joe Manchin. While Manchin has eased away from the spotlight and higher office aspirations, Schumer has proposed an intriguing game plan.
The Surprise Proposal
Despite Manchin ending his bid for reelection and ignoring the siren calls for a presidential run, Schumer suggests the senator could contend as an independent in West Virginia’s Senate race—a move that may thwart Republican efforts to snatch control of the Senate.
“I think that’s a long, long, long-shot scenario,” Manchin said to CNN about running independently. “So I don’t anticipate that happening. I don’t anticipate running.”
Yet, in classic political noncommittal fashion, Manchin left a sliver of possibility open ahead of the summer filing deadline, adding, “I don’t know if anything in Washington, D.C., is 100%.”
The West Virginia Political Landscape
Eyeing Manchin’s seat is former coal executive Don Blankenship, whose controversial background includes a prison sentence related to a fatal mine explosion. His potential securing of the Democratic nomination could shift Manchin’s stance on re-entering the race.
Meanwhile, Gov. Jim Justice, backed by ex-President Trump, and Rep. Alex Mooney are contenders on the Republican front, intensifying the battle for West Virginia’s Senate seat.
Manchin’s Political Future
Manchin’s November announcement to forgo reelection sparked rumors of a third-party presidential challenge. However, he dismissed speculation last month, stepping away from a potential bid with the bipartisan group No Labels.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
Democrats’ Uphill Battle in the Senate
Previously deemed the most vulnerable Democrat for 2024, Manchin’s departure now marks the seat as a probable GOP gain. The Democrats are in for a grueling fight, requiring victories across all competitive areas, including in Montana, Ohio, and Arizona.
With such a complex political chessboard ahead, Schumer’s move to retain Manchin could be more than a long-shot—it might just be the strategic play that determines the power balance in the Senate.
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