Earlier today, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin was on CNN:

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin tells CNN's @kaitlancollins that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has agreed to leave Medicare and Social Security cuts off the table in debt ceiling negotiations.

Watch: https://t.co/R5XRkGKXkh

— CNN (@CNN) January 27, 2023

(Manchin said the same thing on Wednesday.) Thinking about McCarthy’s assurance to Manchin, this image immediately popped into my mind:

Are the Republicans going to shut down the government? I don’t know, but one of Manchin’s possible opponents seems to think so:

Proud to introduce the Social Security Guarantee Act. We owe a legal guarantee to seniors throughout West Virginia and the country that their hard-earned benefits will be fully paid. pic.twitter.com/9p4RuDg3Kj

— Rep. Alex Mooney (@RepAlexMooney) January 26, 2023

My hunch is that Mooney knows a shutdown is coming (and will vote for it); his proposed legislation is there so that he can say to West Virginia seniors: “I was looking out for you.”

Running for President?

In other Manchin news, Senator Joe may be running for President:

NEW: @Sen_JoeManchin (https://t.co/A9qEVDhA58.) won't rule out a presidential or reelection bid with a different party in 2024.

Manchin: "Everything is on the table." pic.twitter.com/QUPi4fDjId

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 22, 2023