Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia likes to talk big about bipartisanship. That talk will be tested in the coming months. With the Senate split 50/50 between Rs and Ds any defections at all will have outsized consequences. That is not the only factor that makes his senate seat hot though. With the other Joe signing executive orders that effectively kill coal, Manchin may not be long for this congress.

I imagine that the usual power players are looking for dirt to use in their favor, on both sides of the aisle. We should also pay attention to any overtures China may make to help the state of West Virginia. Manchin has already expressed concern about an 83.7 billion dollar investment that the CCP planned to invest in his state. It makes you wonder if there are other offers that haven’t seen the light of day.

In any case, his seat in the Democratic party is likely finished.  If he defies the Dems, especially early on, they will put a fork in him. His only real options are to switch to the Republican party or retire.