Manchin says 'if character means anything, you can't vote for Ken

Joe Manchin has spent the last several years building a brand out of being the most powerful finger-wagger in Washington. Now he’s telling Texans they shouldn’t vote for Ken Paxton because of “character.” This from a man who single-handedly killed his own party’s spending ambitions, cashed in on coal connections, and then left the Democratic Party when it stopped being convenient. If character means anything, maybe Manchin should sit this one out.

The attack on Paxton isn’t about morals. It’s about politics. Paxton has been the attorney general taking the fight to Biden’s border policies and federal overreach, and he’s got the endorsement of President Trump. Manchin literally admits he doesn’t know James Talarico, the Democratic candidate, but is “discouraged” by him anyway. That’s not an argument. That’s a hit job from a guy who no longer has a seat at the table and is trying to stay relevant in the post-Democrat afterlife. Texas voters can smell that from a mile away.

Paxton has had his legal troubles, sure. But Texas Republicans know exactly what they’re getting, and they’ve twice elected him statewide. Manchin suddenly discovering a deep concern for ethical purity is rich, especially when he spent years propping up a national Democratic machine that looks the other way on every scandal that serves its agenda. The character lecture is just cover for the real message: don’t send another conservative to Washington.

West Virginia’s loss is America’s gain. Manchin can go on NewsNation and play the elder statesman all he wants, but he left the swamp, retired to the speaking circuit, and now wants to tell another state who to send to the Senate. Texas doesn’t need that advice. Take it from someone who never had to face Texas voters: keep your character concerns to yourself..