Why isn't Manchin a Republican?

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

You know, if anything the Democrats are overall more moderate than the Republicans and by corollary will generally will have more moderate Congressional caucus than the GOP.  I think Manchin being in office is a function of that.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

You know, if anything the Democrats are overall more moderate than the Republicans and by corollary will generally will have more moderate Congressional caucus than the GOP.  I think Manchin being in office is a function of that.

Maybe on fiscal issues...  However, there seem to be far more socially moderate Republicans in Congress than there are socially moderate Democrats.

Around two-thirds of Republicans self-identify as conservatives while less than half of Democrats self-identify as liberals.  The Democrats also have a larger moderate core when compared to the GOP.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

The last 6 years have wiped out many socially moderate Democrats, unfortunately. If there's ever a Democratic congressional wave, I expect them to make a comeback.

That is accurate.  If the numbers of socially conservative Ds in Congress increased in 2006, they should increase again in the next year Democrats flip the House.