Republicans stick with Republicans, and Democrats stick with Democrats. That’s how the game is usually played.
But friendly fire in the U.S. Senate has the Republican Party in an uproar.
Unfortunately for the American people, politicians tend to look after their own tribe, even if it hurts the voter.
A lot of the time, that means defending politicians who make backroom deals with the other party.
Most of the time, it’s RINOs (Republicans in name only) who are compromising the principles of the party.
The Democrat Party, on the other hand, has a stronger stranglehold on its elected officials.
Well one Republican has had enough, and he’s telling all.
Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV) is criticizing Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) as he prepares to run for the state’s United States Senate seat in 2024.
Mooney, widely regarded as the underdog in the Republican primary against the popular governor, called Manchin and Justice “liberals” in an interview with Politico.
“I’m actually more likely to beat [Manchin] because I show a difference between the two,” Mooney told the outlet. “I’m a conservative and Joe Manchin and Jim Justice are liberals.”
The Republican congressman also said that Manchin and Justice are “essentially the same” while theorizing that Manchin wants Justice to take the Senate seat.
“I think Manchin supports Jim Justice and wants him to take the seat,” Mooney said.
Justice announced his candidacy for the Senate seat in the Mountain State in April, while Mooney announced his candidacy in November 2022. Manchin has not said whether he will seek for reelection to his position, although he has stated that if he is “in a race, I’m gonna win.”
Mooney is skeptical that Manchin, largely regarded as the most vulnerable incumbent senator due for reelection in 2024, will win a Senate race in 2024.
“Dude can’t win,” Mooney said to Politico.
The Republican congressman also expressed disappointment that the National Republican Senatorial Committee has not endorsed him, but vowed to remain in the race until the May primary.
“There is no scenario by which I won’t be on the ballot on May 14,” Mooney said.
According to a May ECU poll, Justice leads Mooney in the Republican primary 53% to 12%. According to the same poll, Justice leads Manchin in a head-to-head matchup 54% to 32%, while Mooney leads Manchin 41% to 40%.
Manchin has also stated that he will not rule out running for president in 2024, most likely on a third-party ticket backed by the centrist group No Labels.
The West Virginia Democrat has stated that he will decide whether to compete for reelection to the Senate, or any other post, by the end of this year.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
