Democrats want to forget the 2014 midterms.
West Virginia Sen. John Manchin, for example, is ready to move on from Tuesday’s results, calling the election a “real ass-whupping” for his party.
The freshman Democratic also expressed his frustration with President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a brief interview with the Washington Post on Wednesday — hinting his feelings may have been echoed in the minds of voters who cast his party out of the Senate majority.
“Harry let us vote, let’s do something. It’s easier for me to go home and explain what I voted for and against than to explain why I don’t vote at all,” Manchin said.
“This is a rough and tumble sport and you know what? Every member of Congress — 535 — has earned the right to make a complete fool of themselves if they want to,” he added. “We just have to make sure that the American public can see who wants to get something done, who wants to be an obstructionist and who wants to be a fool.”
But his outward frustration with his party has not led him to want to leave, despite any sort of recent suggestions he do so, he noted.
Manchin also had nice words for the Republicans and their performance Tuesday.
“I think the Republicans played it masterfully,” he said. “You didn’t see them playing to the extremes in their primaries. Cory Gardner is a perfect example. He was a very conservative member of Congress. He runs for the Senate and he couldn’t get to the middle quick enough. So they understand what this country wants.”
Running for West Virginia governor is still on the table, said Manchin.
“If the same old same old is going to continue to exist, then I’ll look at other options. Being back home can be a damn good option.”
