Former Democrat Issues Warning To Lawmakers
Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is urging elected officials in Washington to ease the tone of political discourse and step away from constant confrontation, particularly as the country moves through the holiday season.
Appearing Sunday on The Cats Roundtable with radio host John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 AM, Manchin said the current climate of nonstop political attacks is unhealthy for the nation. He emphasized that the holidays should be a time for gratitude, reflection, and unity rather than division.
“We need to calm things down,” Manchin said, noting that disagreement does not require hostility. He argued that leaders can oppose policies and ideas without resorting to personal attacks or demonizing those on the other side.
‘Attack Mode’ Is Hurting the Country, Manchin Says
According to Manchin, too many lawmakers are operating in what he described as a constant “attack mode,” treating political opponents as enemies rather than colleagues.
He stressed that Americans want their leaders to succeed and govern responsibly, regardless of party affiliation. Healthy debate, Manchin said, should focus on solutions and outcomes that benefit the nation, not inflammatory language that deepens division.
Manchin also pointed out that voters are capable of recognizing when leaders put politics above the public interest. He called on lawmakers to work together at the negotiating table and prioritize what is best for their states and for the country as a whole.
Warning Against Political Extremes on Both Sides
The former senator cautioned that both Democrats and Republicans risk being pulled too far toward ideological extremes. He urged Congress to return to what he described as a practical, common-sense center where legislation can move forward.
Manchin said his political approach has always centered on fiscal responsibility combined with compassion, a balance he believes most Americans support. While people may disagree on policy details, he emphasized that shared values such as patriotism and respect for the Constitution still unite the country.
Calls for Civility Grow After Political Violence
Manchin’s remarks come amid renewed calls to reduce political hostility following the September killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In a recent CBS News town hall, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, said leaders across the political spectrum have a responsibility to lower the temperature and choose their words carefully.
In the aftermath of the incident, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois acknowledged that extreme rhetoric has escalated too far on both sides of the aisle. He criticized the practice of using sweeping labels to describe political opponents, saying it fuels anger and distrust.
Durbin noted that portraying conservatives or liberals in extreme terms only widens divisions and distracts from governing.
Bipartisan Concerns Over Harsh Political Language
Some Republican lawmakers have also expressed concern that sharp language from President Donald Trump, including comments referring to certain Democratic lawmakers as “traitors,” could complicate bipartisan cooperation as the legislative session nears its end.
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky described such remarks as counterproductive and warned they could make it more difficult to reach agreements on key issues.
Former New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg previously echoed similar concerns, cautioning that labeling political opponents as traitors for holding different views risks turning serious policy debates into political theater.
A Shared Message: Lower the Temperature
Despite ongoing disagreements in Washington, leaders from both parties appear to agree on one central point: the nation’s political climate has become dangerously heated.
As the country heads into the holiday season, calls like Manchin’s highlight a growing belief that restoring civility, restraint, and mutual respect may be essential for effective leadership, national stability, and the long-term health of American democracy.
