Republicans eye Manchin as top target in 2024

[mystery-ak]

 Republicans eye Manchin as top target in 2024
by Alexander Bolton - 11/14/22 6:00 AM ET

Senate Republicans say Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will be a top electoral target in 2024, even though he has voted with them more often than any other Senate Democrat and helped Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) block an effort to reform the chamber’s filibuster rule. 

Smarting from the disappointing failure to retake the Senate majority in this year’s midterms, Republican strategists predict that McConnell will pour millions of dollars into West Virginia next cycle to flip Manchin’s seat. 

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, one of several Republicans who could challenge Manchin in 2024, said the centrist Democrat will pay a political price for supporting the Inflation Reduction Act, which included major components of President Biden’s agenda such as tax reform, prescription drug reform and hundreds of billions of dollars to fight climate change. 

The bill passed the Senate in August by a straight-party line vote in the 50-50 Senate. 

“Sen. Manchin deeply disappointed West Virginians and let them down tremendously when he supported the ‘Build Back Broke’ bill last summer. That legislation really hit our state very hard. You can dress up the pig anyway you want but most people in West Virginia understand that that bill is going to hurt us,” Morrisey told The Hill in an interview. 

“He let the air out of his balloon and it’s not going to be so easy to pump it back up,” he said. 

Morrisey, who is “evaluating options” about what to do in 2024, said “we’re looking very closely at the Senate race.”

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3731740-republicans-eye-manchin-as-top-target-in-2024/

[mountaineer]

Morrisey would be the right man for the job. I've known him personally for 10 years or so and respect him and his intellect. He's performed admirably as WV AG. He probably lacks the charisma the low-info voter looks for, though, as he's short, overweight and has a high-pitched voice, whereas Joe is tall and an experienced, slick politician. His TV ads would surely trot out his hunting rifle and his resume as a former WVU football player.

A lot of Republicans would like to see Patrick run for governor, instead, as Jim Justice is term-limited. Not sure who might be our best hope for the Senate race if Pat chose to run for the state office.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Manchin is the best we can do?  I actually like the guy. Time to grow a pair, GOP.

[cato potatoe]

The 2024 election cycle features a number of democrats who were elected in 2006, 2012, and 2018 ... particularly bad years for the GOP.  It would seem to be a great opportunity if the top of the ticket is not a clownshow. 

Nearly all republican seats have incumbents who are favored, with Cruz being the question mark.  Ben Sasse's seat is open, and Braun is running for governor of Indiana.

Ohio, Wisconsin, Montana, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, the Virginias, and Pennsylvania have dems.  Dem senators from Maine and Delaware could retire.  Twelve other safe dems seats are coming around, and those may soak up some of the fundraising.

But once again, fewer first tier candidates will be available, since they'd have to kiss an orange man's behind.

[mountaineer]

While a lot of West Virginians are Trump supporters, it doesn't appear to me that any WV politicians have ridden or even tried to ride his coattails. He shouldn't be much of a factor in the 2024 Senate race in WV.

[Hoodat]

Manchin is the best we can do?  I actually like the guy. Time to grow a pair, GOP.

Exactly.  Republicans eye Manchin as the easiest target in 2024.  The one win they can get by putting forth the least amount of effort.

Montana, Nevada, Ohio, and even New Jersey are all Senate seats the GOP could flip.

[roamer_1]

Exactly.  Republicans eye Manchin as the easiest target in 2024.  The one win they can get by putting forth the least amount of effort.

Montana, Nevada, Ohio, and even New Jersey are all Senate seats the GOP could flip.

Testercle? Not likely. East of the Hump loves their Democrats.

[mountaineer]

Republican U.S. Rep Alex Mooney says he'll run against Manchin; thread here: https://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,484883.0.html

[catfish1957]

GOP needs to use a tactic the dims employ.

Help elect a lefty in the Primary.  Then let the Conservative WV voters devour the poor SOB.