Manchin crosses party lines in officially endorsing Murkowski

[AZProgressive]

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) crossed party lines on Sunday and officially endorsed Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in her reelection race.

"I'm endorsing my dear friend Lisa Murkowski," Manchin said alongside the Alaska senator during a joint-interview with CNN's "State of the Union."

"Alaska could only be so lucky to have her continue to serve them," he added.

The announcement came after co-anchor Jake Tapper noted that Manchin supported Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) when she was running for reelection in 2020.

https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/593041-manchin-crosses-party-lines-in-officially-endorsing-murkowski?amp

[sakabatou]

1. One wonders what he would do if those two senators had Democratic Party challengers.

[ColinC]

3. I imagine he would still endorse her.

They are kinda similar types of "independent" politicians. Might one day form their own caucus, I could imagine...

[Lancero]

4. He heavily implied, if not outright stated, that he'd support Murkowski over a Democrat in '19.

And he also came out in favor of Susan Collins in 2020 rather than her Democratic challenger Sara Gideon.

So... Yeah. As long as it keeps him as the 'deciding vote' in the Senate, he'd whole heartedly come out in favor of Republicans.

[ColinC]

2. He's using his newfound clout with the right wing over his BBB attention to help

keep a moderate Republican over some extremist alternative. Good for him. I guess.

[Sneederbunk]

5. Had to do this because media has ignored him for several days.

[rso]

6. Manchin

There’s no democrat running, and I’d rather have Murkowski than a trumper in the Senate.

[Deuxcents]

7. Was thinking that..who are her opponents?

[jcgoldie]

8. Murkowski or a Trumper

What has been the difference?

[rso]

9. Murkowski

Just off the top of my head, Murkowski voted to keep the ACA and more recently, she voted to convict Trump in the second impeachment trial.

[jcgoldie]

10. voted with Trump 73%

4 points higher than Rand Paul.

[rso]

11. Murkowski

73 % is still lower than virtually all the trumper Senators. Since you brought up Rand Paul, it’s a fact that Rand Paul voted to eliminate the ACA and voted to acquit Trump both times.

[Mr. Ected]

12. To be fair, they each endorsed each other

And as much as I want to be snarky about it, it's pretty unusual to see two Senators from different parties sitting together and having a constructive conversation these days.