White House communications director Kate Bedingfield on Thursday brushed off concerns over Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) reiterating his opposition to eliminating or weakening the filibuster in a Washington Post op-ed, as Democrats work to push their sweeping voting rights bill and other major legislation forward.
In other words, Biden is signaling to Manchin, “let’s make a deal.” With Joe handling the negotiations, I bet a deal can be made with Joe.
“She asserted that senators raising their concerns is simply part of the process behind advancing legislation.”
Sure hope your right.
Agreed, 100%. Manchin wants something; I believe he and the President will work it out. Manchin is also glad for the publicity, I’m sure. I do wonder about Synema now and again.
Manchin, a moderate Democrat
Manchin is a far right ‘Democrat’ and his ego driven obstinance serves to protect our minority rule ‘democracy’. This is especially damaging to our national interests when he fights to protect the political power of a minority fascistic far right cult of personality while extremely limiting the power of a pro-democracy majority in this country.
In essence he’s granting fascism dominance over democracy as long as the fascists can get 41% of the senate votes. He backs this policy even when the legislation in question has over 60% support among actual citizens of said democracy.
Fuck Manchin. (and yes, I’m aware that he’s from a deep red trump state, he’s still an unprincipled asshole).
We will see if Joe Joe can get it done.
Well that’s was the dance before McConnell got the power. And I don’t just mean the power of being Senate Majority Leader.
This could all be a bunch of theater designed to give Manchin cover back home. He can say he was vehemently opposed to altering or killing the filibuster, even wrote an op-ed about it, but now sees that the GOP is completely unwilling to work with them. I’m with Jason Johnson on this one. Manchin isn’t going to allow himself to be the sole Democrat who kills historic voting rights bills. He’ll probably insist on being the final vote so that he’ll get all the credit. The man is an egotistical clown, but I don’t think he’s stupid. Plus, he’s never stood in the way of Democrats passing legislation and he was never the 51st vote to confirm Trump’s nominees.
But does Sinema know what Sinema wants? Has she even talked to her constituents back in AZ?
You said it.
Or at least it’s the impression he’s giving.
McConnell announcing implacable opposition to anything the Democrats propose has take the Senate Republicans out of the game. It has also weakened Manchin’s hand because he can’t point to any path to 10 Republican votes. At this point in Manchin’s career he wants to be remembered as a successful politician, not as someone who stood in the way of the future.
Remember the Covid bill, Manchin caved when Biden was able to win the support of the governor in West Virginia (a Republican). Look for something like that here.
I’m not convinced that he would be the only one. If he gives cover to Sinema to do the same, we’re down two votes. Even Harris can’t help with that.
I sure hope to hell you turn out to be right. This little turd could literally change the economic and social history of this country. That infrastructure bill could make profound economic, positive changes.
OT: I’m watching the Chauvin trial and the devastating expert testimony by pulmonologist dr Tobin.
Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed on a 50-48 vote. The no votes were 48 Democrats, the yes votes were 49 Republicans and Joe Manchin.
Did Manchin vote against any the Heritage sponsored candidates for the federal bench?
Remember the Covid bill, Manchin caved when Biden was able to win the support of the governor in West Virginia (a Republican). Look for something like that here.
Would love to get another great quote from the WV governor. Something like "This infrastructure legislation will keep every West Virginian employed for decades. " Which, BTW, it will. Plus they might even get some personal educational infrastructure out of it as well. Maybe.
I am. Sinema needs this to pass desperately because her state is one of the states that will soon pass their new voter restrictions and she needs votes from the very people this bill will help.
I just looked it up. You’re right, he was the 51st vote because Daines had his daughter’s wedding to go to. I assure you that McConnell would’ve rescheduled the vote and Daines would’ve moved heaven and Earth to get Kav on the Court. So, while Manchin was technically the swing vote, Kav already had the votes to be confirmed.
Isn’t that true for more than just her, though? That’s why I’m not convinced. Sometimes, these knuckleheads vote against their own best interests and the unintended consequences hit them like a ton of bricks when it’s too late.
It’s like someone else said elsewhere this morning - Latinas went in a big way for Trump - more so than in earlier elections - these new voting restrictions would very well hurt the GQP by taking Latina access away.
Pretty soon WV will have a Joseph Manchin III Highway, a Joseph Manchin III Bridge, a Joseph Manchin III Federal Office Building and Joseph Manchin III whatnot. Just like with Robert Byrd.
$64,000 question.
“But does Sinema know what Sinema wants?” Just like Manchin.