Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) signaled on Sunday night that he’s willing to rally in West Virginia for a $15 minimum wage, Medicare for All, and other progressive initiatives to put the squeeze on Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), a conservative Democrat who stands to be a major roadblock to those priorities.
Um. Thanks, but no thanks.
Besides speaking out against increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour and other top progressive goals, Manchin is a staunch opponent of blowing up the filibuster and has insisted that Democrats ought to seek unlikely support for their proposed legislation from Republicans.
Um. Thanks, but no thanks.
I don’t think revving up intraparty fighting is a good look right now.
There is a lot of meat for Manchin in the Infrastructure bill that is also great for those farther left in the party. We should focus on unifying Dems around it right now…and bringing along independent and even Repub voters in the process.
Fucking dumbass.
Joe Manchin is the greatest value-over-potential-replacement Democrat in all of the current Congress.
“I have no problem with going to West Virginia, and I think we need a grassroots movement that makes it clear to Joe Manchin and everybody else in the United States Senate, including Republicans, that the progressive agenda is what the American people want,” Sanders told MSNBC."
Erm, not quite. What is it that he sees that would indicate that that "the progressive agenda is what the American people want.” Based on what?? Did I miss people amassing in the streets for anything progressive? Did I miss the election of a majority of progressive legislators in other than Blue States?
How much of this is gamesmanship concerning taking some of the wind out of Manchin’s sails regarding his threats of blocking some of the Democratic agenda items and the term-limited Republican Governor of WV already supporting the stimulus package on television multiple times staking out territory to challenge Manchin when he comes up for reelection? Just a thought…
And before anyone brings up the size his rallies, don’t.
Polling data, when you ask people about actual programs.
Hey Joe! How many Republicans crossed the aisle on any meaningful Obama priorities?
I think back to the beginning of the Syrian internal conflict, and then rise in ISIS. Republicans decried the Obama plan to go into Syria to help the Yazidis. Republican stamped their feet that Obama need a new UMA tor Syria. So he asked for one, and they said no. Then a month or two later they blasted him on not helping.
Oh yeah, I’m right with you on that.
Right, Bernie. Because humble, shy, small-egoed Joe Manchin was so happy that the VP went to his state without his permission.
“Intraparty rivalry”.
Sorry but did you not notice the (I) after Bernie’s name?
The Bernie/AOC/Justice Democrats crowd talks a big game, but in the end, they go after low hanging fruit in Democratic primaries … they will deserve some credit, if and when they show that they can actually defeat a Republican incumbent with one of their “progressives.”
So…just dropping a line…Scout passed over the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday. Planned, beautiful walk that morning so it was nap time when the vet came to the house. Flowers, candles, soft music, holding his paw and looking into his sweet face…just like I promised years ago. I’m shattered, lost…but it will get better as the days go by. Been down this road before. Not changing my avatar anytime soon, and will probably lurk more than comment for awhile.
That said…
I’ll circle back here real quick to express the anger portion of the anger, denial, bargaining, depression acceptance portion of my program these past several weeks and release this:
Fuck off Bernie.
Perspective: I’ve been a regular reader of TPM some 8 years before Scout was even born and he was 13 when he passed.
Don’t hesitate Bernie. WV used to be a reliably Blue State.
Yeah…but he runs for President as a Dem…
valgalky23, so sad and sorry to hear about your beautiful dog. You have great memories for sure and may they bring soon smiles to your face. Take care of yourself as you work your way down that road.
I’m so sorry to read about Scout’s passing.
I have enjoyed your stories about him in the past.
Reading your description of how you said farewell definitely brought tears, but it also sounded very lovely.
Temper your sorrow by remembering the joy.
Take care, friend.
First do no harm