It wasn't a mistake morally, or ideologically, or from core values, or from representing his fellow citizens of West Virginia.
It was only a mistake politically, because it politically damaged his viability to keep his job. Now, he's "open" to possibly supporting a Republican, but I'd bet that opening would close very quickly if he were reelected.
Manchin is "open" to saying whatever he needs to say to win.
-PJ
I sat with a large group of people from the WV Panhandle during Trump’s inauguration.They hated Manchin back then. He should have corrected sooner.