Why isn't Manchin a Republican?

[Free Bird]

He's more conservative than even some Reps in the senate, and for all intents and purposes his policies line up more with theirs than the Dems. I think that, much like King, if the senate switches, he'll give everything serious thought. But why is Manchin a Democrat in the first place, and will he switch as the Republican Party's power continues to grow in West Virginia? That's my only explanation for anything he does. Being a Democrat is, for now, still
a safer way of being elected locally in WV.

[Free Bird]

Because he's a democrat.

He sides with the Dems on economic purposes. And economy is the most important.

Do most Dems actively pursue a balanced bipartisan budget and a CAREFULLY planned stimulus instead of throwing money and hoping it does something? Oh and he actually supports cutting corporate taxes, a big Democrat no-no.

Honestly he won't fit perfectly anywhere. He'd be called a RINO as much as he is currently called a DINO.

[Free Bird]

I see I see. So the last few nominees have been too liberal for them?

[Free Bird]

Because he's a Democrat.  Susan Collins is a Republican.  John Barrow is a Democrat.  Andrew Jackson was a Democrat.  Abraham Lincoln was a Republican.

Throughout history, they've been two rival teams.  Period.  You pick your team, and most politicians remain with that team for life even if some members of the team's coalition changes.  I'm guessing Manchin's father and grandfather were Democrats, and that's reason enough for him.  Good for him, because that's how I feel about being a New England Republican.

Somehow

[Free Bird]

1. The Democratic Party is a big tent party and he's welcome there.

2. He doesn't want to be primaried by some right wingnut job.

Also, what does this have to do with Presidential Election Trends?

I was wondering if he would do a soul search after the midterms if Pubs take over, AND he has expressed interest in a presidential run

[Free Bird]

He's more conservative than even some Reps in the senate,  

That is a false statement.

and for all intents and purposes his policies line up more with theirs than the Dems.

That is also a false statement.

if the senate switches, he'll give everything serious thought.

This, too, is a false statement.

But why is Manchin a Democrat in the first place,

Because his political positions have always aligned much more with those of the Democratic Party than the Republican Party, and they continue to do so.

and will he switch as the Republican Party's power continues to grow in West Virginia?

No.

That's my only explanation for anything he does.

That's too bad.

Being a Democrat is, for now, still a safer way of being elected locally in WV.

Indeed, but that's not relevant to Manchin's political party affiliation.

I refer you to John McCain

[Free Bird]

He's more conservative than even some Reps in the senate,  

That is a false statement.

and for all intents and purposes his policies line up more with theirs than the Dems.

That is also a false statement.

if the senate switches, he'll give everything serious thought.

This, too, is a false statement.

But why is Manchin a Democrat in the first place,

Because his political positions have always aligned much more with those of the Democratic Party than the Republican Party, and they continue to do so.

and will he switch as the Republican Party's power continues to grow in West Virginia?

No.

That's my only explanation for anything he does.

That's too bad.

Being a Democrat is, for now, still a safer way of being elected locally in WV.

Indeed, but that's not relevant to Manchin's political party affiliation.

1. Kirk, Portman, Collins, Grassley, perhaps McCain - all to the left of Manchin. Granted, it's not as if there are no other senate democrats who are as conservative are almost as conservative as Manchin is - Heidi Heitkamp comes to mind.

Please find one reliable source that ranks any of the aforementioned GOP Senators as more liberal than Joe Manchin.

He won't be able to do that because there aren't any, but here are some that rank Manchin as more liberal!

DW Nominate is considered the top source in ideology rankings:
http://voteview.com/SENATE_SORT111.HTM
http://voteview.com/SENATE_SORT112.HTM

And here is National Journal's rankings: http://www.nationaljournal.com/free/document/download/5077-1


Bonus: Here is the one incredibly unreliable/discredited source that shows Manchin as more conservative than several GOP Senators. However, those Senators include Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and many others that none of us would argue belong there, so we know it's not legit. It also ranks Begich as more liberal than Sanders, Carper as more liberal than Menendez, Portman as more conservative than Inhofe, and is generally otherwise full of sh*t: http://thatsmycongress.com/senate/

The bottom line is that it's fun to think of Collins and Murkowski as more liberal than Manchin because of where they're from, their demeanors, and all of their willingness to compromise. But the bottom line is that that's just not how it works. Collins and Murkowski nearly always vote with Republicans, and Manchin nearly always votes with Democrats.

Joke's on you.
Collins
http://www.ontheissues.org/images/s060_050.gif

Manchin
http://www.ontheissues.org/images/s040_040.gif

Slight, but it's there

[Free Bird]

I can't believe that I'm actually agreeing with IceSpear. And OnTheIssues isn't reliable?

[Free Bird]

He is a placeholder, so that it won't be a GOP takeover in 2018. Although, it will speed up that chance if he decides to run for gov and appoint Goodwin.  I doubt he wants to stick around and see what happens in an off year election in 2018.

Ummmmm..... there already has been a takeover

[Free Bird]

I meant a GOP pickup of WVA in 2018, should he decide to run for gov and keep the seat in Dem hands  should he appoint a replacement.

Even if he appoints, they'll lose. Only Rocky and Manchin could keep those seats Dem. One is retired now, and the other is poised to in one form or another within less than 4 years.