Joe Manchin: “All of us came here at one time or another, and the first impression you have is how they kind of ingratiate you and…”

“All of us came here at one time or another, and the first impression you have is how they kind of ingratiate you and bring you into the fold. I am often asked--I am sure most of our colleagues are asked the same question--whom do you consider your best and closest friend and whom do you associate with and whom do you feel comfortable with? In any category, without a doubt, it is always Mary Landrieu. We come from a similar background--rural States. We come from the same culture-- hard-working people who basically don't ask for an awful lot and give a lot more back. Both of us come from large Catholic families, and we have an awful lot in common. We and our spouses have bonded, and we have done things together. That was the way I heard the place used to work, that you build relationships and there is camaraderie and you share dinners at people's homes. It is such a different atmosphere when that happens because you really do forge a bond that is so much missing in this body. Let me say one other thing. The great losers in this whole election process we just had were the great people of Louisiana. They lost a champion. They lost a fighter. That is what Senator Merkley said. There is nobody who said: I think you ought to be careful about that because I think Mary is interested. We knew there could be problems. With that being said, the best thing to do is to go talk to Mary on this subject or issue, and we would work through it.…”