Coal for Christmas: Three signs Manchin could deliver Democrats a big blow before 2024

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has been a frustration for many Democrats as one of the deciding votes in the evenly split Senate, but he could deal the party more headaches before 2024.

One of Manchin's allies in the Senate, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), recently defected from the Democratic Party and has filed the necessary initial paperwork to fundraise for a reelection bid in 2024. Sinema's defection puts the Arizona Democratic Party in a tough position for the pivotal 2024 Senate race in the Grand Canyon State.

Manchin is another pivotal seat Democrats need to hold on to in 2024 if they hope to maintain control in the Senate, but a defection could make him more difficult to govern with. Here are three recent signs Manchin could join Sinema in creating Democrats a headache.

Manchin gave his clearest indication yet he may be looking to leave the Democratic Party with an admission on CBS News's Face the Nation on Sunday. When asked by Margaret Brennan if he would follow Sinema's lead, he did not rule it out.

“If people are trying to stop something from doing so much good because of politics, thinking somebody else will get credit for it, let’s see how that plays out. And then I’ll let you know later what I decide to do,” Manchin said.