West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, one of the Democrats� most conservative and contrarian members, declined on Sunday to say whether he wants Democrats to retain control of Congress after the November elections.

The senator told NBC�s �Meet the Press� that will be determined by the choices of voters in individual states, rather than his own preferences. He added that people �are sick and tired of politics� and want their representatives in Washington to put country over party.

�I�ve always taken the approach, whoever you send me, that�s your representative and I respect them and I respect the state for the people they send and I give it my best to work with them and do the best for my country,� Manchin said.

Manchin faces reelection in 2024 in a state where Donald Trump prevailed in every county in the past two presidential races, winning more than two-thirds of West Virginia�s voters. But in distancing himself from fellow Democrats, Manchin also tried to decry the rise of partisanship.

�We�re not working for any party. We�re not working for any political idealism,� he said, bemoaning �bickering over political outcomes and who�s going to be in charge of what� at a time of global tensions, war and economic uncertainty fueled by rising inflation.

Manchin was booked to appear on five news shows, the culmination of a high-profile week in which his compromise with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., revived a package of White House priorities on climate, health care, taxes and deficit reduction. The West Virginia senator torpedoed a grander plan last December and previously lowered expectations about a substantial agreement being reached.

The surprise deal, while more modest than earlier versions, seems to have helped transform Manchin from pariah to partner.

On �Fox News Sunday,� he defended the 15% minimum tax on corporations with $1 billion or more of earnings as closing �loopholes,� rather than an outright tax increase.

Manchin said the plan, the �Inflation Reduction Act,� would help with manufacturing jobs, reduce deficits by $300 billion, lower prescription drug prices and accelerate the permitting process for energy production. These are the kinds of priorities that Republicans have supported in the past, Manchin said.

�We�re doing everything you�ve asked,� Manchin said. �I would hope, and in normal times, this would be a bipartisan bill, but I understand the toxic atmosphere we�re in.�

The Senate is divided 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris the tiebreaking vote, giving the Democrats control of the chamber. In the House, Democrats have a 220-211 edge, with four vacancies. But in midterm elections, voters often reject the party that holds the White House, and this year, President Joe Biden�s unpopularity and rising inflation are creating strong headwinds for Democrats.

Manchin demurred when asked on NBC whether he hoped Democrats would keep their majorities in Congress.

�I think people are sick and tired of politics, I really do. I think they�re sick and tired of Democrats and Republicans fighting and feuding and holding pieces of legislation hostage because they didn�t get what they wanted,� he said, adding, �I�m not going to predict what�s going to happen.�

(AP)