What Will Manchin and Sinema Do?

Playbook: “Sinema has the bank account of someone seeking a second term — she has $10.7 million to spend, per this month’s FEC reports. But she’s yet to announce a re-elect amid serious doubts about her path to a second term after leaving the Democratic Party last year. The favorite for the Democratic nomination, Rep. Ruben Gallego, outraised Sinema in Q2, and limited public polling of a hypothetical three-way race shows her in dire straits — and potentially paving the way for a GOP win.”

“Manchin, meanwhile, is amid a Hamlet act — pondering whether to launch an uphill re-elect, launch an even more uphill third-party presidential bid or step back from politics entirely. Another Senate run would likely match him up with Republican Gov. Jim Justice, who has sky-high approval ratings, considerable wealth, a checked business record and a long, testy relationship with Manchin. Democrats’ hopes for keeping the seat rest entirely on whether Manchin can be coaxed into one last showdown with his old rival.”