West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin criticized fellow Democrat Harry Reid for dividing the country by attacking President-elect Donald Trump. Manchin called the attack an “absolute embarrassment.”
Manchin called on Democrats to “have an open mind and give President-elect Trump the chance to lead” in a statement released Friday evening. Manchin’s statement followed one from Reid calling Trump a “sexual predator.”
“Senator Harry Reid’s statement today attacking President-elect Trump is wrong! It is an absolute embarrassment to the Senate as an institution, our Democratic party, and the nation. I want to be very clear, he does not speak for me,” Manchin said. (RELATED: Anti-Trump Protests Funded By Left-Wing ‘Charity’)
“As difficult as it is for anyone to lose an election, the American people have spoken and Donald Trump is our President-elect. Senator Reid’s words needlessly feed the very divisiveness that is tearing this country apart. Now, more than ever, it is time for us all to come together as Americans. We must as Secretary Clinton and President Obama so graciously said, have an open mind and give President-elect Trump the chance to lead,” he continued.
“To be clear, as I have always said and believed, I will work with anyone, no matter their party, to improve the lives of West Virginians and all Americans. Just as I will oppose anyone who may propose policies that hurt our nation; we are Americans first, not Democrats or Republicans first. Unfortunately, there are some who forget that at times like these it is wrong to put party and politics above our country.”
Manchin’s statement came after Reid claimed that “White nationalists, Vladimir Putin and ISIS are celebrating Donald Trump’s victory, while innocent, law-abiding Americans are wracked with fear – especially African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Muslim Americans, LGBT Americans and Asian Americans. Watching white nationalists celebrate while innocent Americans cry tears of fear does not feel like America.”
Manchin is pro-life and an NRA member — both rarities among Democrats. During Tuesday’s election Manchin left open the possibility that he would break ranks and join the Republican party.