Subject: Re: Joe Manchin Contemplating A Switch
If he continues to caucus with the Democrats, then what difference does it make?

None.
What he really wants to do is shed the label of "democrat". He's going to get hammered by Jim Justice next year as WV is deep red and apt to stay that way. If he runs as a McCain-esque maverick independent he figures he doesn't have to get tarred with the AOC and Brandon brushes.

But it's too late for that. He sold his state out for the proverbial 30 pieces of silver (<--- see what I did there?) and now he gets to answer for it.