Manchin Couple Advocates for Greater Independent Candidate Support

WHO:

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - Joe Manchin, former Senator from West Virginia; Heather Manchin, CEO of Americans Together; Margaret Brennan, host of "Face the Nation."

WHAT:

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - Joe Manchin and Heather Manchin are advocating for greater support for independent candidates in public office.

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - 47% of American adults identified as political independents, the highest level in a decade, according to CNN's polling.

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - Only about 21% of people participated in the last presidential primaries, the lowest turnout ever.

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - Joe Manchin stated that 395 out of 435 congressional seats were predetermined in the last election, indicating a lack of competition in the system.

WHERE:

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - The discussion took place on the CBS program "Face the Nation."

WHEN:

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - The interview aired on August 2, 2026.

WHY:

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - Joe Manchin expressed that the two-party system prevents competition and that independents are not adequately represented in Congress.

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - Heather Manchin mentioned that the parties have drained independent thinking and political courage from Congress.

HOW:

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - The Manchins are working on a Declaration of Independence that includes three key points: opening competition, supporting solutions from both sides of the aisle, and ensuring accountability in voting.

[12:12 PM EDT] - CBS News - Joe Manchin noted that independent candidates face significant barriers to getting on ballots, requiring thousands of signatures, while Democrats and Republicans only need to pay a fee.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 20:10 UTC)

Joe Manchin and Heather Manchin are calling for increased support for independent candidates in public office, highlighting that 47% of American adults now identify as political independents, the highest level in a decade. During their discussion on CBS's "Face the Nation," Joe Manchin pointed out that 395 out of 435 congressional seats were predetermined in the last election, underscoring a lack of competition, while Heather Manchin criticized the two-party system for stifling independent thinking and political courage. The Manchins are working on a Declaration of Independence aimed at opening competition, supporting bipartisan solutions, and ensuring accountability in voting, as they emphasize the significant barriers independent candidates face in getting on ballots.