U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin took questions from AJC political reporter Greg Bluestein and studio audience members during The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s virtual town hall Friday afternoon.
“It’s a listening tour, really. I want to hear from you all,” Manchin said as the event began. “I have come to the conclusion: We’re not going to fix it in Washington.”
Manchin didn’t say definitively whether he’s seeking the presidency. He saluted Georgia’s senators, both Democrats, and bemoaned the mean-spirited state of politics.
“You’re expected to pick a side and fight like the dickens against your enemy,” he said. “It’s not who I am and it’s not who the majority of the country is.”
While he repeatedly struck a conciliatory tone, Manchin was clear on one point: " I love my country too much to support Donald Trump.”
He drew applause in saying the United States needs to continue supporting Ukraine and called the border “the greatest crisis we’re facing today.”
While Bluestein, just back from New Hampshire, noted Manchin sounded like someone pondering a bid for the White House, the senator responded, “I’ll never be a spoiler. I’d have to see a clear opening if I was going to be involved.”
He added, “Why did we end up with just a duopoly?”
Watch the event here:
Manchin said education in the country has a long way to go, specifically for educators of public schools. He claims that those who could be incredible teachers are choosing other avenues for higher income.
“Education is the great equalizer,” he said, “and we’re not paying well enough.”
The event took place on the Georgia State University campus where students arrived early to hear from the veteran senator and two-term West Virginia governor.
“I’m excited to hear something different; I hear everyday on the news from our current political candidates is a lot of the same,” said Georgia State junior James Wilson, 21, of Covington, who is studying public policy and urban education. “I think these kinds of conversations are important to young voters because we’ve made it clear where we stand in our current space in politics. We’re not very excited about Joe Biden and less excited about Donald Trump, so we’re looking at an election where young voters are just not excited.”
“I feel like a lot of candidates are either pandering to us or openly disrespecting the young vote,” he said.
Georgia State freshman Touba Kamal, 18, of Cumming, also arrived early for the event.
“We tend to be really polarized in this country, and I think that we need a middle part where a lot of people can agree on a lot of stuff,” she said. “I’m looking forward to hearing his take on foreign policy specifically and economy in general.”
Manchin, who mused that Congress has become “a hostile working environment,” is traveling the country as he considers a third-party presidential run in 2024. He spoke at the University of Georgia in November.
“Following the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, many are focused on a Trump vs. Biden election. But voters in states like Georgia will actually decide who becomes the next president of the United States,” said AJC President and Publisher Andrew Morse. “The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is offering this live interview with Sen. Joe Manchin because he is one of the most important independent political voices in the nation. We will serve our customers by pressing Manchin on his views and plans.”
Students gave Manchin high marks after the town hall concluded.
“I think he connected really well,” said senior Kathryn Szypulski, 22, of Cary, N.C. “Especially for someone like myself who is more middle of the road with party lines.”
“What I really appreciated was the senator wanting to work in the middle and kind of fix the political discourse,” said junior Jordan Madden, 19, a public policy major from Atlanta. “Young voters focus should really be on the local elections. We tend to focus on the office of the president without recognizing where a lot of the work actually happens.”
arvin.temkar@ajc.com
arvin.temkar@ajc.com
