Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) supports President Trump in nearly every way, and engages in a little PDA to prove it.
Despite his party affiliation, Manchin has embraced Trump's policies and Cabinet picks — endorsing CIA Director Gina Haspel and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and supporting his immigration proposals, Politico reported Wednesday. Trump has poked fun at his unexpected ally, teasing him for often trying to hug him.
"We just kind of do the man-bump type thing," Manchin told Politico, defending himself. "That's it. And I think he's pulling me as much as I'm pulling him." Manchin says he embraces Trump both literally and figuratively because he's "supporting the person who I think is best for my country and my state."
The Democratic senator is seeking re-election in West Virginia, parlaying his support for the president into support from conservative voters. "I'm with [Trump] sometimes more than other Republican senators are with him," Manchin bragged to Politico.
Manchin's opponents are pointing out that even an often-conservative Democrat is still a Democrat, and note that Manchin voted against Trump's tax reform bill and took issue with Trump's claim that he can pardon himself. Despite their differences, Manchin thinks he can both vocally support Trump on most issues and work toward a compromise on others.
Maybe they can hug it out. Read more at Politico.