Former Senator Joe Manchin and his daughter Heather Manchin are leading a new effort to elect independent candidates to public office, aiming to break through the two-party system. According to recent polling, 47% of American adults identify as independents, the highest level in a decade.
The Manchins appeared on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” to discuss their initiative, citing the lack of competition in the current system as a major obstacle. They pointed out that in the last presidential election, only seven battleground states were truly contested, while 43 states were predetermined, and 395 out of 435 congressional seats were also predetermined.
Independent Candidates
Joe Manchin emphasized that the two-party system has total control over the primaries, making it difficult for independent candidates to participate. He noted that only 21% of people showed up to vote in the last primaries, the lowest turnout ever. The Manchins believe that this has led to a lack of representation for people who identify as independents.
Heather Manchin added that even those who are currently identified as independents in Congress are often caucusing with one side or the other, and therefore not truly independent. The Manchins’ effort aims to support candidates who will remain independent and work to bring negotiation and conversation to the legislative process.
The Manchins’ initiative has sparked interest, with some seeing it as a potential way to break the stalemate in Washington. However, others are skeptical about the ability of independent candidates to succeed in the current system.
What’s Next
The Manchins’ effort will likely face significant challenges, including the difficulty of getting independent candidates on the ballot. However, they believe that their initiative has the potential to make a real difference in the way politics is conducted in the US.
The success of the Manchins’ effort will depend on their ability to attract and support viable independent candidates. If they are able to do so, it could lead to a shift in the way politics is conducted in the US, with more emphasis on negotiation and conversation.
