News - Joe Manchin Opposes Socialist Candidates, Cites 'Crazy' Platforms

In a candid segment on CBS's 'Face the Nation,' former Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia unequivocally declared his opposition to supporting any self-described socialist candidates. When probed by host Margaret Brennan, Manchin responded with an emphatic 'No way, my God, no,' when asked if he could ever back a socialist candidate. Emphasizing his reasoning, Manchin expressed skepticism about the radical changes proposed by socialist platforms, which he described as advocating for the dismantling of governmental structures, including Congress and the Senate, and argued these ideas leaned towards the 'crazy.' Manchin voiced his concerns that socialist platforms threaten the nation's energy production and public safety, noting, 'They’re for dismantling everything that we know, whether it be the structure of government... no police... are you crazy?' He highlighted the necessity of maintaining law enforcement to ensure crime-free communities and upheld the importance of energy production, asserting, 'There’ll be no energy, OK? We have right now a tremendous amount of energy we’re producing, and the world depends more on us than ever before.' Joining her father, Heather Manchin shared her misgivings regarding the Democratic Party's reluctance to challenge socialist candidates. She critiqued the leadership's pursuit of control over character and the adverse effects of such prioritization. The conversation occurred amidst a backdrop of rising influence among Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed candidates, such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and congressional hopeful Darializa Avila Chevalier. Despite rising socialist sentiment among Democrats, reflected in polls where 52% favored socialism over capitalism, Manchin's stance remained firm. Efforts to obtain comments from the DSA were unsuccessful, rendering the organization silent on Manchin's criticisms. Meanwhile, the sentiments expressed by Manchin and his daughter reflect broader concerns within the Democratic Party about balancing progressive ideals with pragmatic governance.