Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) isn’t allowed to stand up for the values of West Virginia — literally.
Manchin’s dilemma was on display during President Trump’s State of the Union address in January. The senator went to stand to applaud the President and his pro-America message, but awkwardly sat back down when he realized the rest of his party remained glued to their seats.
It was the perfect visual metaphor for his political career.
Democrats like Manchin must walk a fine line between pleasing their far-left leaders and doing what’s best for their constituents. Unfortunately, time and time again, Manchin sided with the extremists when it mattered most.
Manchin voted against President Trump’s tax cuts that reinvigorated the American economy and resulted in thousands of new jobs in West Virginia. He also voted against repealing Obamacare — twice — and voted to give Congress the power to stop President Trump’s tariffs.
The Senator pretends to be a pro-Second Amendment politician, but he has worked hand-in-hand with other Senate Democrats to strip Americans of one of their most important constitutional rights.
In 2013, Manchin introduced a bill to expand federal background checks on gun show and internet sales, making it harder for law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights while doing nothing to stop school shootings or gun violence. He re-introduced the same legislation again in 2015.
The Democrat also pushes immigration policies that put all Americans in danger.
This summer, Manchin lent his support to Diane Feinstein’s radical and grossly mistitled “Keep Families Together Act.” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) — hardly an immigration hardliner by any means — said the legislation, which “would essentially prevent arrests within 100 miles of the border even if the person has committed a serious crime, or is suspected of terrorist activity,” is “far too broad.”
Manchin has also voted to keep federal funds flowing to Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that the people of West Virginia are overwhelmingly opposed to abortion.
Of course, even if Manchin didn’t put party and politics before people on those numerous occasions, the contemporary Democrat Party is hostile territory for supposed moderates like him.
Leading Democratic senators have embraced far-left extremist positions on a number of important issues, including calling for the abolishment of ICE and the government takeover of healthcare. Meanwhile, self-proclaimed socialist candidates are winning Democratic primaries and a majority of Democratic voters now think the most destructive and deadly ideology of the 20th Century is preferable to freedom.
When one looks at the big picture, it’s clear that Senator Manchin is unable to support President Trump’s America First agenda in any meaningful way, even if he wanted to. The Democrat Party is simply no place for moderates.
That’s why I left the Democrats to join the Republican Party. West Virginia’s great governor, Jim Justice, also made the switch to the Republican Party. Gov. Justice knows that when it comes to upholding West Virginia values, the Democrats can’t be trusted. It’s a shame Manchin hasn’t got the memo.
If the people of West Virginia want to protect the gains made under President Trump — and ensure they see more of them — Mountaineers must vote Manchin into retirement and send Republican Patrick Morrisey to Washington. Only a senator who is true to the principles of his or her own state can actually help further the President’s agenda and keep America great.
All Joe Manchin can do is mutter impotent objections as the Democrats drag the country into social and economic ruin.
This time Joe Manchin should not stay seated. Let’s move him out of the chamber altogether.
Harlan Hill is a political advisor, media commentator, and an advisory board member of the Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of The Daily Caller.
