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'''Joseph Manchin''' was elected in November 2010 as the United States Senator from [[West Virginia]], filling the seat formerly held by the late [[Robert Byrd]].  Because Manchin was filling a vacant seat in a special election, he was sworn in almost immediately and then participated in the [[lame duck]] session of [[Congress]] prior to 2011.

'''Joseph Manchin''' was elected in November 2010 as the United States Senator from [[West Virginia]], filling the seat formerly held by the late [[Robert Byrd]].  Because Manchin was filling a vacant seat in a special election, he was sworn in almost immediately and then participated in the [[lame duck]] session of [[Congress]] prior to 2011.

Manchin portrayed himself as a "[[conservative]]" in order to be elected, campaigning against the positions of the [[Democratic Party]] leadership on [[cap and trade]], [[gun control]], and the Bush tax cuts. As a Senator, however, he has shown himself to be left-wing (though definitely less so than the majority of his party). Manchin displays [[liberal values]] not only in his beliefs, but also in his behavior, using vulgar language in public.<ref>Weaver, Al (August 7, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/joe-manchin-i-dont-give-a-s-t-if-i-win-re-election/article/2630818 Joe Manchin: 'I don't give a s--t' if I win re-election]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Thomsen, Jacqueline (August 7, 2017). [http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/345589-manchin-i-dont-give-a-sh-t-if-i-win-reelection Manchin: 'I don't give a s---' if I win reelection]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (August 7, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/07/manchin-says-doesnt-give-s-about-getting-reelected.html Manchin says he doesn't give a s--- about getting reelected]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref>

Manchin portrayed himself as a "[[conservative]]" in order to be elected, campaigning against the positions of the [[Democratic Party]] leadership on [[cap and trade]], [[gun control]], and the Bush tax cuts. As a Senator, however, he has shown himself to be left-wing. Manchin displays [[liberal values]] not only in his beliefs, but also in his behavior, using vulgar language in public.<ref>Weaver, Al (August 7, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/joe-manchin-i-dont-give-a-s-t-if-i-win-re-election/article/2630818 Joe Manchin: 'I don't give a s--t' if I win re-election]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Thomsen, Jacqueline (August 7, 2017). [http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/345589-manchin-i-dont-give-a-sh-t-if-i-win-reelection Manchin: 'I don't give a s---' if I win reelection]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (August 7, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/07/manchin-says-doesnt-give-s-about-getting-reelected.html Manchin says he doesn't give a s--- about getting reelected]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 7, 2017.</ref>

Manchin was previously the Governor of West Virginia.

Manchin was previously the Governor of West Virginia.

He abandoned his pro-gun views in 2013 when he co-wrote the Manchin-[[Toomey]] gun-grab bill, showing his true colors as an anti-gun [[liberal]].

He abandoned his pro-gun views in 2013 when he co-wrote the Manchin-[[Toomey]] gun-grab bill, showing his true colors as an anti-gun [[liberal]].

However, in 2016, Manchin expressed his willingness to work with Republican President [[Donald Trump]], and voted for most of his cabinet nominations, and for [[Neil Gorsuch]]. This earned him ire from "progressives", who demanded his removal from his leadership position and consider him a "DINO" (Democrat In Name Only).<ref>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/03/02/225000-progressives-sen-schumer-remove-joe-manchin-leadership</ref> However, whenever a close vote for a conservative bill or a Trump Administration nominee was held, Manchin took the liberal Democrat position.

However, in 2016, Manchin expressed his willingness to work with Republican President [[Donald Trump]], and voted for most of his cabinet nominations, and for [[Neil Gorsuch]]. This earned him ire from left-wingers, who demanded his removal from his leadership position and consider him a "DINO" (Democrat In Name Only).<ref>https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/03/02/225000-progressives-sen-schumer-remove-joe-manchin-leadership</ref> However, whenever a close vote for a conservative bill or a Trump Administration nominee was held, Manchin took the liberal Democrat position.

It was reported in April 2017 that less than 2% of Manchin's campaign donations actually came from his state of West Virginia.<ref>Scher, Brent (April 20, 2017). [http://freebeacon.com/politics/less-2-joe-manchins-campaign-donations-came-west-virginia/ Less Than 2% of Joe Manchin’s Campaign Donations Came From West Virginia]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved April 23, 2017.</ref>

It was reported in April 2017 that less than 2% of Manchin's campaign donations actually came from his state of West Virginia.<ref>Scher, Brent (April 20, 2017). [http://freebeacon.com/politics/less-2-joe-manchins-campaign-donations-came-west-virginia/ Less Than 2% of Joe Manchin’s Campaign Donations Came From West Virginia]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved April 23, 2017.</ref>