Manchin backs Clinton as Democratic presidential nominee

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is backing Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Party’s nominee in the 2016 presidential race.

In a conference call with reporters Monday, Manchin called Clinton “’warm, compassionate, engaging and tough.”

Manchin said Clinton is “battle-tested” and ready for the office.

Manchin, a Democrat, waited until the 2008 Democratic primary was a foregone conclusion before extending his support to President Barack Obama. Clinton had already thrown her support behind Obama at that point.

In 2012, Manchin said he wasn’t sure he would vote for Obama, and chose not to attend the Democratic National Convention.

Clinton announced her candidacy earlier this month.