[pessimizer]

> Oil companies give money to manchin because they know he agrees with them and if he wins will fight for their legislation, whether they funded him or not.

Neither they or you know that. And nobody but you assumes that Manchin fights for his beliefs, rather than for what benefits him personally. And no, I'm not assuming the opposite. I instead choose not to fantasize about his internal states, or speculate about what he would do if an industry that has always supported him ceased to support him.

[HDThoreaun]

Sure, it's just speculation. That's what was being asked for. There are reasons to donate to politicians other than quid pro quo.