Sen. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinManchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House MORE (D-W.Va.) is signaling that President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE should avoid picking a Supreme Court nominee that is openly pushing to overturn Roe v. Wade, instead encouraging him to choose a "centrist."

"All of that stuff is red flags for all Americans. And I think he needs to get a jurist basically looking at the law. The Roe v. Wade has been the law for 40-some years," Manchin told a West Virginia radio station on Friday when asked if he wanted a jurist who would overturn the 1973 Supreme Court case that established the right to an abortion.

Instead, Manchin said Trump should pick a "centrist" to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement this week. Manchin warned that it would be harder to get a nominee who wanted to overhaul the landmark decision confirmed by the Senate.

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"You give me a constitutionalist, who believes in the rule of law and is centrist and moderate. ... I think it's somebody that will go along way and be received well," Manchin said.

Pressed if getting a justice that would help overturn the case wasn't a priority, Manchin added that he was "pro-life" but added that abortion is a divisive issue.

"I'm pro-life. But I know how that divides our country immediately and divides everyone. They're split right down the middle on that. If he picks somebody that's hardcore on Roe v. Wade or that hardcore on repealing health care, that's a bigger lift. That's going to be harder person on either side. He has to make that decision," Manchin said.

Though Manchin was pressed on Roe v. Wade, he argued on Friday that pre-existing conditions are his top priority at the moment.

Manchin's comments come after he met with Trump at the White House early Thursday evening for roughly half an hour as the president seeks support for his forthcoming Supreme Court nominee.

The Democratic senator, who is running for reelection this year in a state won by Trump in 2016, said he expects Trump to pick someone "center-right." Manchin recalled that when Trump asked what he thought about potential replacements, "I said, 'Mr. President that's your choice.' "

Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo in an interview excerpt released Friday that "putting conservative people" on the Supreme Court was his priority, but said he would "probably not" ask nominees beforehand how they might vote on Roe v. Wade.

In addition to Manchin, Trump met this week with Democratic Sens. Joe Donnelly Joseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court MORE (Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Centrists, progressives rally around Harris pick for VP 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents MORE (N.D.), who are also up for reelection in states won easily by Trump in 2016.

The three Democratic senators voted for Trump's first Supreme Court pick, Justice Neil Gorsuch, last year and are viewed as the Democratic senators most likely to support Trump's forthcoming nominee.

Trump also met with moderate GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Pebble Mine CEO resigns over secretly recorded comments about government officials Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election MORE (Alaska) and Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November MORE (Maine) on Thursday.

The two are considered potential swing votes because they've broken with their party over health-care and abortion-related legislation.

Kennedy cast the deciding vote in a number of major cases and was the fifth vote in a 1992 case upholding the right to an abortion.

"If he goes with the hardcore, you know someone who is hardcore on the right to life, they have a problem, those two have a problem," Manchin added Friday, referring to Collins and Murkowski.

Red-state Democrats are under a mountain of pressure to confirm whomever Trump selects.

The nominee is expected to be announced on July 9. The White House and Senate GOP leadership wants to get them confirmed before the next Supreme Court term starts in October.

West Virginia Attorney General and GOP Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey's campaign immediately seized on Manchin's comments as Republicans look to weaponize the Supreme Court fight heading toward November.

"If Sen. Joe Manchin is unwilling to support justices who will defend the sanctity of life, West Virginia voters cannot trust Manchin to stand up for life," said Nathan Brand, a spokesman for Morrisey's campaign.