Former Democrats Flock to See Trump, And Hope to Oust Manchin

President says Manchin is not a reliable vote at W.Va. rally

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—President Donald Trump urged West Virginia to oust Senator Joe Manchin during his final rally blitz before Election Day, and found an approving audience among disaffected Democrats.

Trump supporters who gathered at the Huntington Tri-State Airport were optimistic about Patrick Morrisey's chances of upsetting the Democratic incumbent on Tuesday. Some stood in line as early as 11:45 a.m. Friday, more than four hours before the rally began.

"I like Joe," Trump said. "The problem is, I'm just not going to get his vote. He's a friend of mine. I'm just not going to get his vote."

Allegiance to the president's agenda was on the minds of supporters, many of whom are former Democrats. The audience was full of them, some personally convinced to change parties by the president himself, like Gov. Jim Justice and Dorothy McPhee.

"I have been a Democrat sixty some years of my life," said Dorothy, who grew up in Winfield County. "I switched over a couple years ago to Republican because I no longer can tolerate the Democratic stand on a lot of things."

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