Skip to content

Joe Manchin: The man of the moment

Political Theater, Episode 224

A familiar sight: Reporters and photographers follow West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin as he walks through the Capitol last week.
A familiar sight: Reporters and photographers follow West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin as he walks through the Capitol last week. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

In an evenly divided Senate, every senator has the ability to be a kingmaker. But West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin has taken it to the next level.

At a time when Democrats in the majority are assembling their Build Back Better legislation, Manchin has had a huge influence on one of the most consequential pieces of it: How to address climate change. And that has placed him at odds with his party.

On this episode of the Political Theater podcast, CQ Roll Call staff writer Benjamin J. Hulac details Manchin’s effect on the party’s policy package, while we revisit a recent conversation with Andrea Billups of West Virginia Public Broadcasting for more context on the Mountain State’s politics and culture.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

Food, and Nazis, for thought — Congressional Hits and Misses

The pro wrestlers the Democratic Party needs to emulate

Judge orders temporary end to freeze on foreign aid spending

Photos of the week ending February 14, 2025

GOP budget framework gets over initial hurdle in House

Takeaways: White House visit by India’s Modi becomes mini trade summit