- Mitch McConnell said many Democrats don't align with Joe Manchin on policy positions.
- "He feels like a man alone," McConnell told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
- McConnell signaled that the Republicans would welcome Manchin if he chooses to switch parties.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that there aren't many Democrats who agree with Sen. Joe Manchin's policy positions and appeared to suggest that the West Virginian should consider switching parties.
"I think what Manchin is discovering is that there just aren't any Democrats left in the Senate that are pro-life and terribly concerned about debt and deficit and inflation. So he feels like a man alone," the Republican leader told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
"If he were to join us, he'd be joining a lot of folks who have similar views on a whole range of issues," McConnell added.
McConnell has recently weighed in on the idea of Manchin becoming a Republican as the Democratic West Virginian faces criticism from members of his own party after he tanked negotiations on President Joe Biden's nearly $2 trillion social policy and climate spending bill, known as the Build Back Better Act.
"Well, you know, as I've said the last couple of days, I've had this conversation with him off and on for a couple of years. We come from states that have a lot in common, that have become increasingly red over the last decade or so," McConnell said Wednesday.
Manchin has made no public indication that he intends to change his political affiliation, and he shut down rumors earlier this year about him leaving the Democratic party. But in light of his recent decision to crush negotiations over Build Back Better, the speculation has resurfaced.
Should Manchin cross the political aisle, that would give the Senate majority to Republicans and make McConnell the Senate majority leader.
Hewitt asked McConnell about that potential scenario and if Manchin would still retain his energy committee chairmanship.
"That's something we'd talk to him about. Obviously, he, I'm sure, enjoys being chair of the committee," McConnell said. "It's important to West Virginia. And all of those things are things we've discussed."