Joe Manchin: “That's not government's role. We're supposed to be a partnership, an ally, not an adversary and an enemy.”

We’re trying to get a person who can be committed to — and totally committed to – being an independent with an independent voice.

My observation, and recommendation from observation, would be, John, trust me, set yourself free and become an independent.

The way the parties have weaponized the political process today, they make it impossible to have a 'D' or an 'R' next to your name and speak to the other side.

When you like both people and both sides, you can sit down with both sides, you can agree to disagree, you can try to find compromise and make things happen.