Decision time for the Conservative Dem

Fox News is reporting that newly-elected Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia may come over to the GOP. Manchin fiercely opposes Cap and Trade, and other big items on the Obama agenda.

From Fox, "Power Play":

Republicans are making some big promises to try to lure West Virginia Senator-elect Joe Manchin to cross the aisle.

Aside from his pick of committee assignments (likely the Energy and Natural Resources Committee), Manchin might get support for one of his pet projects - a plant to convert coal to diesel fuel that has stalled under Democratic leadership in Washington.

It's one of Manchin's pet projects and could mean big money for the state's coal producers.

"Republicans believe in an ‘all of the above' approach to energy," one top Senate aide told Power Play. "And coal-to-diesel could certainly be part of that."

Manchin's switch could mean Republican support for not just $1 billion in seed money for the project but also a deal, much sought in coal country, to require the armed forces to use converted coal for fuel.

Republicans believe Manchin is particularly susceptible to the overture because he is up for reelection in 2012 and will have to be on the ticket with President Obama, who is direly unpopular in West Virginia.

In the final two weeks of the election John McCain campaigining in WV asserted half-jokingly, that Manchin should just join the Republican Party.