Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) did not want to talk about his fellow Democrats' efforts to impeach President Donald Trump on Sunday as he gears up for his 2018 reelection bid.
Asked by NBC's Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press" if some Democrats' message of impeaching Trump was good or bad for his chances of winning in a state like West Virginia, Manchin said he didn't think impeachment was something the national party should be talking about at this time.
"Do you think that it is good or bad for your chances at re-election in 2018 if impeachment is one of the national messages of the Democratic Party?" Todd asked.
Manchin said he was bothered by the notion he would feel differently about issues because he was up for re-election. Trump carried West Virginia overwhelmingly in his 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton.
"I guess people think in Washington that I'm going to vote differently, or I'll be different, or I'll have to cowtail, if you will, to what they think might be popular. I don't think impeachment is something we should be talking about," Manchin said.
"If these facts come out if investigations go down that line, and if the rule of law is exercised and we see that there is reason to go in that direction, the House will make that decision first before it's given to the Senate, so I'm not going to waste my time or energy on that," Manchin added. "I think it's futile at this point in time."
Earlier this month, 58 House Democrats voted in favor of beginning impeachment proceedings against Trump. The resolution was brought forth by Rep. Al Green (D., Texas), who said after the vote, "This is the first vote, but it will not be the last."