NRSC Blasts Manchin Over Commitment To Democrats

West Virginia Senator-elect Joe Manchin’s (D) dismissal of a report that he is considering switching parties highlights his willingness to serve as a rubber stamp for the Democrats’ agenda over the next two years, says the group tasked with electing Republicans to the Senate.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a scathing criticism of Manchin on Tuesday after a spokesman in the Governor’s office responded to a story on Fox News’ website claiming that Senate GOP’ers had attempted to persuade Manchin to leave the Democratic party.

“Joe Manchin is a lifelong Democrat, and he is not switching parties. This is exactly what is wrong with Washington; individuals try to put politics before our nation,” said the spokesman, Melvin Smith.

The NRSC interpreted that statement as a sign that Manchin plans on abandoning a pledge he made during the campaign to vote independently and break with Democrats on certain issues, such as cap-and-trade legislation.

“Joe Manchin promised to put his state first while hunting for votes in West Virginia, but just a week after the election, it’s clear that he’ll do the exact opposite in Washington,” said NRSC Communications Director Brian Walsh. “We look forward to hearing Joe Manchin explain how backing an anti-coal, pro-stimulus, and pro-ObamaCare liberal like Harry Reid is ‘putting West Virginia first,” Walsh added.

Manchin, who has served as Governor since 2005, easily defeated Republican businessman John Raese in last week’s election. He will assume the seat formerly occupied by the late Robert Byrd (D), who served in office for more than 50 years. Manchin’s term ends in 2012.

Comments

[MKSinSA]

So when there was a possibility of Manchin accepting the $1 billion Republican bribe to switch parties, he was a man of great morals and ethics. When he declined, he's suddenly a cad. I'd like to hear the GOP's explanation for how a man whose constituents voted for him as a Democrat, with all the alleged baggage cited, isn't putting the desires of his state's voters first.