Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said on Wednesday that she would support Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) over either Joe Biden or Donald Trump if the 2024 election came down to those choices.
In an interview with Breitbart News on July 20, Sen. Murkowski, a prominent figure in the Republican Party, was asked about potential 2024 presidential candidates. Confronted with a hypothetical scenario involving President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Sen. Manchin, she unequivocally chose Sen. Manchin. “If the choice is between Trump, Biden, and Manchin, I will go with Joe Manchin,” she stated.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski says that in a matchup between President Biden and Donald Trump, she’d vote for Joe Manchin. pic.twitter.com/UuIGyNB27S
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) July 20, 2023
This surprising endorsement from a Republican senator is raising eyebrows in the political world. Given her ongoing criticism of Trump and her issues with Biden’s policies, her decision to back up a moderate Democrat like Manchin indicates a significant shift. It reflects on the current fractures within the Republican party.
It’s crucial to note that Sen. Murkowski’s statement was in response to a hypothetical situation. Neither Trump, Biden, nor Sen. Manchin has officially confirmed their intention to run for president in 2024.
The implications of Sen. Murkowski’s declaration remain to be seen. Supporting a Democrat, albeit a moderate one, might invite backlash from her party colleagues. Regardless, she emphasized prioritizing national interests, saying, “We need to place the nation’s needs over party politics.”
Why Sen. Manchin over Trump and Biden? Sen. Murkowski has expressed concerns about Trump’s divisive rhetoric and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also criticized some of Biden’s policies, such as his stance on energy and environmental regulations.
In conclusion, Sen. Murkowski’s unexpected support for Sen. Manchin highlights the underlying divisions within the Republican party. Her bold statement underscores the necessity of prioritizing national concerns over party loyalty, possibly setting the stage for a captivating political landscape in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
