Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said on Wednesday morning he will not caucus with the Republicans - but the GOP has one more hope of bolstering its majority in Independent Sen. Angus King.
King will announce on Wednesday afternoon whether he will abandon Democrats after Tuesday's loss.
But Manchin wasted no time in dismissing the dreams of GOP strategists across the country. Asked if he will stay with Democrats, Manchin replied: 'Yeah and I've said this: I'm a West Virginia Democrat, it's a lot different than being a Washington Democrat.'
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'I am fiscally responsible and conservative, if you will, and socially compassionate,' Manchin said. 'I haven't voted party lines nor will I.'
GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, a member of leadership, said that he expects Manchin to be with Republicans on some issues like energy, but said King's predicament is a little different given his independent status and how switching caucuses could benefit Maine. King and his aides have declined to say who the former Maine governor will caucus with - though Hill Democrats believe King will stay with the Democrats rather than risk alienating them in the future if control of the chamber should change.
King is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. press conference in Brunswick, Maine, 'to discuss which party he will caucus with in the upcoming Congress.'
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With the GOP at 52 senators already with several elections undecided that could further bolster their majority, Manchin said Republicans are in 'good shape' and don't need any help from him.
That said, Manchin isn't ruling out a change in his political future: He said he's still considering running for his old job as West Virginia governor and will decide whether to run next year, once he says it's clear whether the Senate will turn into a place where deals are made or whether he's in for another two years of gridlock.
'I'm keeping every option open, I'll wait until next year, see how things shape out,' he said. 'If it looks like it's going to be same old same old ... it's not going to be a place I'm going to want to spend a great deal of time.'
Entities 0 Name: Manchin Count: 6 1 Name: GOP Count: 3 2 Name: West Virginia Count: 3 3 Name: Maine Count: 3 4 Name: King Count: 2 5 Name: Congress Count: 1 6 Name: Sen. Angus King Count: 1 7 Name: Senate Count: 1 8 Name: Republicans Count: 1 9 Name: Washington Count: 1 10 Name: Sen. Joe Manchin Count: 1 11 Name: South Dakota Count: 1 12 Name: Sen. John Thune Count: 1 13 Name: Brunswick Count: 1 14 Name: Obama Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1yXPVE2 Title: Republicans Seize Control of Senate, Retain House Description: Republicans took control of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, a result that transforms the political dynamic in Washington and gives the GOP new power over President Barack Obama 's final two years in the White House.
