The man’s been governor, now he’s elected Senator, twice. I wonder if he is setting himself up to be a “centrist” Dem nominee in 2016 or 2020? Don’t think the Dem party would be immune from having half a dozen Marxists running against each other, with Manchin getting a plurality as a fresh face who can appeal to Reagan Dems. After 8 years of Obama, a lot of Dems will be ready for something different.
I suspect that Manchin is a pretty smart operative, and he is looking to expand his reach by talking about “conversation”.
He's Clintonesque in that respect. But, I don't see much chance of him ever getting the Democrat Nomination baring a miracle, he has too long a track record in West Virginia of being on the wrong side of the national democrat party on social issues like abortion and gay marriage. Heck he even refused to endorse Obama or attend the democrat convention.