The Democratic Party has become much more liberal in recent years. Many more conservative Democrats left the senate between 2012 and 2018. Of the blue dogs remaining is Joe Manchin and Jon Tester. They are more conservative to many other senate Democrats. They, especially Manchin, can vote with Republicans more often than not. In the 116th Congress, Manchin voted with Trump at roughly twice the rate of Schumer, whose 25% represented most other senate Democrats.

Although both have seemingly opposed more progressive agendas, they have both continued to do well electorally in states that are overwhelmingly conservative. Manchin did vote for Brett Kavanaugh, and negotiated down the unemployment benefits extension bonus. But he voted for the Rescue Plan, and has voted to convict Trump twice. Though both did worse in their reelection bids despite 2018 being a blue wave year, both continue to survive despite being more liberal than their respective states typically for.

So are Manchin and Tester possessing qualities the Democrats should try to include more of? Or do they represent things the party should move on from?