Political winds could be shifting, and many are speculating that Senator Joe Manchin might be considering a run for the US Presidency. His potential candidacy has some worried that he could play a spoiler role, handing the election to Donald Trump should he give it a go.
Manchin is a Democrat from West Virginia who is known for his centrist views. He is wildly popular in his home state and is actually the most conservative Democrat in the Senate. As an example of his crossover appeal, his constituency voted overwhelmingly in favor of Donald Trump in 2016.
At the same time, Manchin has been cracking down on Trump in the Senate lately, pushing hard for an impeachment investigation and speaking out in favor of immigrant rights. This is why there are fears he might be a spoiler should he decide to run for president as an Independent.
It is not out of the question for Manchin to win as an Independent in West Virginia. After all, Trump was able to pull off a winning majority in 2016 so anything is possible.
The question remains as to whether Manchin would actually run as an Independent if he did decide to throw his name in the hat. This would be something of a tricky proposition because being elected as an Independent could have long-term ramifications for Democrats, while running under the Democratic party could alienate his West Virginia constituency because of his centrist views.
The truth is, at this point, no one can really predict what will happen. Manchin has made no secret of his ambition and has already been angling for a primary run in the Democratic party. He will likely make up his mind about an independent run closer to the election.
However, if Manchin does decide to run as an Independent, he could be a major spoiler factor. It’s not impossible to imagine a scenario where he wins enough votes in West Virginia to give the presidency to Trump. It certainly is an issue to keep an eye on as the election fast approaches.
“Will Manchin Be the Wild Card That Gives Trump a Second Term?
