Red-state Dem claims not to ‘have a lean’ but admits Kavanaugh has ‘all the right qualities’

Julia Cohen, DCNF

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) looks on during a news conference to discuss the national opioid crisis, on Capitol Hill June 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Democratic senators discussed the opioid issue and how it relates to the Senate health care bill being considered. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) — (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said Wednesday that while he does not “have a lean” on whether he will vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, he believes that Kavanaugh “has all the right qualities,” according to a Wednesday interview on Talkline Radio.

“I don’t have a lean, he seems to be a very fine person of high moral standards … he has all the right qualities, he’s well educated, and with that, we have to just look at making sure that the rule of law and the constitution is going to be followed,” Manchin said in the interview Wednesday.

“Most importantly … I intend to hear from West Virginians … I think they have also a right … we want to hear from them too during this process,” Manchin said during the interview.

Manchin is a key vote in the confirmation of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Manchin was one of three Democrats who voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch in 2017, and if Republican swing votes Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski or Maine Sen. Susan Collins back out on Kavanaugh, Manchin could make up for the potential justice’s loss.

Manchin previously turned down an invitation to meet Kavanaugh at the White House to meet the nominee, The Daily Caller News Foundation reported Monday. He said in a Monday tweet that he would “look forward to meeting [Kavanaugh] in a setting where we can discuss his … experience, judicial philosophy & perspective on access to healthcare.”

I appreciate the President inviting me to attend tonight’s announcement at the WH. I look forward to meeting the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience, judicial philosophy & perspective on access to healthcare for WVians with pre-existing conditions.

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) July 9, 2018

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