Joe Manchin, a senator from West Virginia who left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent earlier this year, is further separating himself from his old party as he gets ready to depart Congress after almost 15 years, referring to the Democratic brand as "toxic."

Manchin said that the shift was the reason he quit the party in an interview with CNN's Manu Raju on Sunday, stating, "The D-brand has been so maligned from the standpoint of, it's just, it's toxic."

Manchin, a longtime swing vote in the Senate, added that he no longer sees himself as a Democrat “in the form of what Democratic Party has turned itself into.” He blamed progressives for the shift, saying the party's brand has shifted to telling people what they can and cannot do.

Manchin went on, In essence, they have expanded upon the notion that, "Well, we're going to tell you how to live your life from that point on, but we want to protect you there."

Manchin portrayed progressives, a small group of party lawmakers who he says wield excessive power, as being disconnected from the vast majority of Americans.

“This country is not going left,” he said.

According to the former governor of West Virginia who is now a senator, he was a lifelong Democrat because the party used to emphasize everyday concerns like "good job, a good pay." However, he said that Democrats are now too preoccupied with delicate social issues like transgender rights and are taking "no responsibility at all" for the federal budget during the election.

However, Manchin further criticized Republicans for their lack of common sense on the gun issue, claiming that they also do not accept responsibility for the national debt.

Manchin remarked, "It's just common sense; they're too extreme." "I won't prevent you from buying it, but you will have to show some maturity.

Democrats are going too far and want to outlaw it. The Republican replies, "Oh, let the good times roll." Allow everyone to have anything they desire," Manchin continued. "Just a few basic things there."

"For someone to say that, they've got to be completely insane," the senator said Raju in response to new House Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar's comments that Democrats would have won the election if the party had been more like outgoing caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal and less like Manchin.

"Americans cast ballots," Manchin declared. They could have voted for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, you know. Not much has been said about Donald Trump. You know exactly what you're receiving. He hasn't backed down from it.

"That's too far right, you might say," he added. Alright. If so, why did they veer off course just as Kamala was attempting to somewhat return to the center?

Rather, after supporting progressive causes during her first presidential campaign in 2019, Manchin attributed Vice President Harris' defeat on her failure to position herself as a centrist candidate.

Manchin said it's hard to appear to be somebody who you're not. Prior to the election, he refused to support the vice president.

Manchin admitted that he likes Trump and gets along "well" with him, but he sidestepped questions about who he voted for in November. "I want to help any way I can," he said to the president-elect during last weekend's Army-Navy football game.

Manchin claimed to have told Trump, "I want you to succeed." "Whether you support him or not, whether you belong to the same party, whether you like him or not, every red-blooded American should want their president to win."

For a third party, Manchin is prepared

The senator contemplated entering the presidential race to run against Joe Biden in the Democratic primary prior to Manchin's departure from the party earlier this year. He even discussed a second run after the president's campaign concluded.

However, Manchin informed Raju that although he saw a "avenue" in voters seeking a centrist candidate rather than a rerun of Biden vs. Trump, he didn't think he had a chance of being on ballots in all 50 states.

After attempting to run with the centrist organization No Labels, Manchin revealed that he came to the conclusion that "I have no chance of winning if I can't participate in all 50 states."

Why, therefore, would I—or anyone else—go through that and become a spoiler in history books? Manchin went on. In the end, No Labels decided against running a third-party presidential unity ticket in 2024.

However, Manchin emphasized the importance of centrist voters and emphasized that there is a desire for moderates in both the White House and Congress.

The election of the US president is determined by the centrist-moderate vote. And they don't govern that way after they arrive. Neither side does. They each go to their own corner," Manchin remarked. If the middle had a voice and a party, it might be able to compel the Democratic Party and the Republican Party to come back.

When Raju asked Manchin if he thought it was time for a third party, he replied that he did.

The senator went on to say that the third party will be known as the "American Party" and would represent moderate Republicans and Democrats. He did reveal, though, he wasn't going to be its leader.

I'll be cheering from the sidelines. "I'll be their greatest cheerleader ever," Manchin declared.

In addition to a GOP majority in the House, the departed senator will be replaced by West Virginia GOP Governor Jim Justice, a flipped seat that would give Republicans control of the chamber.

Upon being asked if he will miss the Senate, Manchin responded, "I don't think so."

The senator, who is known for saying that the chamber "sucks," maintained that the opinion is valid but argued that the House "sucks worse."

"Those poor people. "Over there, I'm feeling so bad for them," Manchin said. They don't move. Dead heat is upon them.

However, Manchin has a positive outlook on the last forty-plus years of his political career.

Manchin remarked, "Serving the people of my great state and being able to contribute to my great country has been an honor of a lifetime."