WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:

“Governor Manchin has been nothing but a lap dog and rubberstamp for President Obama’s liberal tax, spend and borrow policies. Governor Manchin supported President Obama’s budget busting $862 billion stimulus and his government takeover of health care and now West Virginians are all feeling the negative economic effects.

“Governor Manchin’s liberal record and ties to the Washington elite have politicians like President Obama and Harry Reid dancing for joy, but people in West Virginia will feel the brunt of their misguided policies.  The Democrat leadership’s binge-spending agenda has resulted in high unemployment, skyrocketing debt, and an out-of-control growth of government. The last thing the U.S. Senate needs is another liberal yes-man in Governor Manchin that will do anything the President asks, even if it will kill jobs and hurt the economy in West Virginia.”