{"id":2639347,"date":"2026-08-02T18:01:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T22:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-manchin-says-two-party-system-has-choked-out-independents\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T18:02:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T22:02:54","slug":"joe-manchin-says-two-party-system-has-choked-out-independents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-manchin-says-two-party-system-has-choked-out-independents\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Manchin says two-party system has &#8216;choked out&#8217; independents"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjoe-manchin-says-two-party-system-has-choked-out-independents%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2639347&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former West virginia Senator Joe Manchin criticized the U.S. two-party system for limiting meaningful depiction for independents. He argued that both Republicans and Democrats have created a political structure that discourages competition and favors ideological extremes, making it tough for independent candidates to get on ballots and compete effectively. Manchin highlighted that most elections are heavily predetermined, with only a few battleground states deciding outcomes, leading to a lack of real competition. He also expressed concern about the increasing polarization within parties,with influences like MAGA on the right and DSA on the left overshadowing moderates. To address this, Manchin and his daughter, Heather Manchin, are launching the Independent Leadership Council to support independent candidates and promote political independence in Congress. He envisions independents as potential pivotal votes that could force both major parties to negotiate and work across party lines.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former West Virginia Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-manchin\/\">Joe Manchin<\/a> argued that America\u2019s two-party system has left independent voters without meaningful representation, saying <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\">Republicans<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\">Democrats<\/a> have built a political structure that discourages competition and rewards ideological extremes. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you\u2019re an independent, try to get on the ballot,\u201d Manchin said on CBS News\u2019s <em>Face the Nation <\/em>Sunday. \u201cThey make you jump through every hoop in the world, go out and get thousands of signatures. If you\u2019re a Democrat or Republican, you pay a fee, just go on the ballot.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4672295\/joe-manchin-two-party-system-independents-elect-more\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Joe Manchin says two-party system has \u2018choked out\u2019 independents, launches effort to elect more<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4672299\/sanders-says-republican-voters-vote-for-el-sayed\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Sanders says \u2018many\u2019 working-class Republican voters could vote for el Sayed in general election<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4672204\/james-carville-democratic-party-hasan-piker\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>James Carville says he\u2019ll leave Democratic Party if Hasan Piker \u2018becomes a force\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manchin criticized the Democratic and Republican parties for maintaining tight control over ballot access and the nomination process, arguing that the system makes it far more difficult for independent candidates to compete.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn the last presidential election, it came down to seven battleground states. That means 43 were predetermined; of 435 congressional seats, 395 are predetermined. There\u2019s no competition whatsoever in the system,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) says America&#8217;s two-party system has &#8220;choked out&#8221; competition, as he and his daughter, Heather Manchin, spearhead a new effort to elect independent candidates to Congress that would not caucus with either party.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re saying, be an independent, be\u2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YkzUBuXFfS\">pic.twitter.com\/YkzUBuXFfS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FaceTheNation\/status\/2083951153268576289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manchin also warned that both the Democratic and Republican parties are increasingly being driven by their ideological wings, saying, \u201cMAGA is taking over the Republican Party, and now you have the DSA that seems to be having a lot of energy on the Democrat side. What happened to the people that lived their lives in the middle, that make decisions, that make things work in America.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former Democrat-turned-independent is teaming up with his daughter, Heather Manchin, to launch the Independent Leadership Council, a new effort aimed at backing and electing independent candidates. The initiative merges her Americans Together organization with the Independent Center, a nonprofit focused on researching and engaging independent voters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bresch echoed her father\u2019s concerns, arguing that lawmakers have lost the political independence needed to negotiate across party lines. \u201cThe parties have literally sucked out any independent thinking. Can we get someone elected outside the two-party system and go to Congress and stay independent?\u201d she said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4662239\/joe-manchin-launching-independent-network\/\"><strong>JOE MANCHIN IS LAUNCHING A NEW INDEPENDENT NETWORK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manchin\u2019s remarks build on a message he has championed since leaving the Democratic Party and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3024128\/joe-manchin-leaves-democratic-party-and-registers-as-independent-2\/\">registering<\/a> as an independent in 2024.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manchin argued that truly independent lawmakers could become pivotal votes in a closely divided Congress, forcing both the Democratic and Republican parties to negotiate rather than rely on strict party-line voting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchin: Two-party system sidelines independents, discourages competition<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4275,"featured_media":2639348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP25259105528720-e1785702970399.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5118,23324,32696,5894,79367],"class_list":["post-2639347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bipartisanship","tag-independents","tag-joe-manchin","tag-politics","tag-two-party-system"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP25259105528720-e1785702970399.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4275"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2639347"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2639351,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639347\/revisions\/2639351"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2639348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2639347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2639347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2639347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}