Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was long one of the Senate’s most conservative Democrats before becoming an independent earlier this year.
Manchin has often lamented the unwavering bipartisanship that was once the hallmark of the Senate and has criticized President Joe Biden’s left-leaning policies while also hinting at a possible presidential run.
Manchin briefly opened the door to campaigning after Biden dropped out of the Democratic presidential nomination last month.
But Vice President Kamala Harris quickly secured the support of Democratic leaders, and Manchin rejected the idea of a campaign.
Within days, Harris’ political ratings had soared and her campaign boasted growing enthusiasm and millions of dollars in donations.
Manchin praised his former Senate colleague in a recent interview with The New York Times.
“I was surprised. She’s done some good things,” Manchin said of Harris’ early performance as the Democratic front-runner.
“She and I sat next to each other on the Intelligence Committee for a year, so we were very close and worked well together,” he continued. “She’s very bright, very intelligent.”
Manchin said Harris, who had a decidedly liberal legislative record during her time as a senator, energized his campaign.
“It’s amazing what she’s accomplished in three weeks. I think she’s brought a vibrant energy to this campaign,” he said.[S]He inspires people.”
Manchin also praised Harris for her shift in stance on fracking. As a 2020 presidential candidate, Harris supported a ban on the oil and gas drilling technique. But her campaign said late last month that she would not support a ban on fracking.
“[N]”She’s facing this leadership as one of the most powerful people in the world looking at where we stand on energy issues, and I’m pleased with that,” Manchin said.
The senator, who has served in the Senate since 2010, declined to run for re-election in November.
