Staff Reports
Sen. Joe Manchin has danced his last dance around the governor’s mansion, it seems. The West Virginia senator, now parading as an Independent, is throwing his weight behind Democrat Steve Williams for governor. Manchin’s cameo at a glitzy fundraiser for Williams is as much a swan song as it is a political schmaltzfest, effectively snuffing out any remaining fantasies of a gubernatorial run for himself.
Folks speculated that Manchin, after converting to independent status, might toss his hat into the Appalachian ring for old time’s sake. After all, the man did once rule as governor from 2005 to 2010 before his senatorial stint. Yet his top billing at Williams’ fundraiser sounds a lot like a final bow and a definitive “no thanks” to his own statewide ambitions. No doubt his name splashed across the event flyer will squash any further buzz about his potential candidacy.
For those waiting to see if U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, https://t.co/CTiwHhEok9., starts collecting signatures to get on the ballot for governor in November as an independent by the Aug. 1 deadline, this should end further speculation. pic.twitter.com/6Dx9ovOLSk
— Steven Allen Adams (@stevenadamswv) June 17, 2024
Manchin’s last-second switcheroo to being an Independent sparked curiosity and conspiracy alike. He claimed the political circus had become too broken, too partisan, and too toxic for his taste. In his grand, self-righteous declaration, he suggested he’d continue fighting for America’s ‘sensible majority’ – whatever that means. But anyone banking on seeing him collect signatures to enter November’s gubernatorial showdown can keep dreaming.
For all his pontificating on compromise and unity, Manchin managed to time his escape from the Democratic Party just a hair before the deadline to run for governor as an independent. Purely coincidental, he swears. His move seems less about moral high ground and more about staying relevant in a shifting political landscape. Sure, he left the door open for “future possibilities,” but that’s just political code for “not this time, folks.”
In the wild world of political theater, Manchin had also been whispered about as a potential third-party presidential candidate. With both major parties leaving Americans feeling less than thrilled, the notion wasn’t off the table for long. Yet Manchin hit the brakes on that runaway speculation train earlier this year, confirming he won’t be making a dash for the Oval Office either.
Manchin is playing it safe, supporting the party’s nominee and keeping his options open like a veteran politician who knows how the game is played. One thing’s for sure: the senator’s recent moves are about as far from unpredictable as it gets in the swampy world of politics.
