Earlier than turning into an impartial earlier this yr, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia had lengthy been one of many extra conservative Democrats within the higher chamber.
Manchin, who usually laments the once-unshakable degree of bipartisanship that was an earlier hallmark of the Senate, beforehand floated operating for president — whereas criticizing President Joe Biden for a few of his extra left-leaning insurance policies.
After Biden stepped apart because the Democratic presidential nominee final month, Manchin briefly opened the door for a possible marketing campaign.
However Vice President Kamala Harris shortly secured help from Democratic leaders, and Manchin shut down the marketing campaign thought.
Inside days, Harris’ political inventory soared and her marketing campaign boasted a surge in enthusiasm and thousands and thousands of {dollars} in donations.
In a current interview with The New York Occasions, Manchin praised his former Senate colleague.
“I have been shocked. She’s achieved some good issues,” Manchin stated of Harris’ early strikes because the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“She and I sat on the Intelligence Committee for one yr collectively, facet by facet. So we have been very shut, labored effectively collectively,” he continued. “She’s very shiny, very sensible.”
Manchin stated Harris — who had a distinctly liberal legislative document when she served within the Senate — has energized the marketing campaign.
“What she’s been in a position to do in three weeks has been wonderful. I feel she’s put a vivacious power to this marketing campaign,” he stated. “[S]he is received individuals fired up.”
Manchin additionally complimented Harris’ shift on fracking. As a 2020 presidential candidate, Harris backed a ban on the oil and fuel drilling approach. However her marketing campaign stated late final month that she wouldn’t help a fracking ban.
“[N]ow, going through this management as one of the vital highly effective individuals on the planet, she’s taking a look at the place we stand on power, and I am blissful for that,” Manchin stated.
The senator, who has served within the higher chamber since 2010, declined to run for reelection in November.
