The White House said after meeting a group of Republican lawmakers on Monday night to discuss coronavirus relief legislation, that Biden “will not settle for a package that fails to meet the moment,” as Senate Republicans push to shrink Biden’s hefty rescue plan.
Does the cowboy riding the bull actually think he can stay on until it’s worn out and gives in?
Pelosi and Schumer have already started the reconciliation process.
Haven’t enough of us died?
I say compromise by getting the whole $1.9T and not kicking McTurtle sharply in the groin.
Manchin is playing a foolish game. Pres. Biden wants the BIG relief package; the Democrats in Congress want the BIG relief bill; the American people desperately need the BIG relief bill; and the Governor of WV lobbied for the BIG bill, but, but Manchin thinks a little bill with fewer funds is sufficient. Manchin is a prime example of a mediocre middle-of-the-roader.
Shorter Biden - “I offered you a place at the bargaining table and you made a big show of spurning me for the benefit of your base. Instead of voting for a bill that might have some adjustments based on your input, you’ll be voting on a bill that has no R input. Good luck explaining your No votes in 2022.”
We knew that after Biden sent Harris to WV to upset Manchin. At one time I had my doubts about Biden, not anymore.
Not to overgush but this is a leader. The other guys try to bluff him and he calls that bluff.
Sigh. Sadly, Biden has chosen to cave in to The Squad and the Radical Far Left instead of listening to the wise and sober advice of these Very Serious Republicans. With the debt and deficit exploding and Social Security about to go broke literally any minute (give or take 15 years), we need to scale back spending, balance the budget and get our fiscal house in order.
Now is not the time for radical experiments and yet more SOCIALISM. If the past four years have taught us anything, it’s that cooler heads must prevail, and maybe another tax cut is called for, targeted at those who are most likely to trickle it down on the lesser members of the population. I don’t even recognize my moderate center-right neoliberal country anymore.
What next, free luxury yachts and covid testing for illegal aliens? Sigh.
Manchin will cave. He has no choice, being boxed in from the right AND left, in both cases for thinking too small. Does he really want to run on pushing for less relief and stimulus during a pandemic and downturn that’s hit his state especially hard? He will make noises about being embarrassed, to save face and salve his delicate ego, then vote yes.
He’s the new Joementum.
Sorry. That, right there, is the deal breaker, for me. Keep the damned money; kick McConnell.
It’s a good time to remind Republicans that Trump made them lose the Presidency and both houses of Congress, with them cheering all the way, and they aren’t not even done yet.
If a house is listed for $ 190,000, and you offered $ 68,000, you would rightly be laughed at. Now an offer of $ 160,000 might be a starting point for negotiations to reach a price of $175,000. But better move quickly or it will be gone…
All being orchestrated so that Manchin has a reason to support eliminating the filibuster.
Originally I had serious doubts about Harris doing this. Thinking that a coordinated effort with Manchin showing full support for her TV spot would be much better optics for the Dems in general. Now I’m thinking this was the way to bring him around, long-term especially. Biden knows these Senate dweebs much too well to let something like this happen without his intention and assent behind it.
Nobody knows how to “play the Congress Game” more than Joe Biden due to his 40 years playing it.
He understands how to “twist arms” and "gut Senators with a stilleto " when they oppose him, and when to “shower them with gifts” and “grant them the publicity they desire”, all with a Smile on His Face.
The last time I saw a Democratic President who understood these tactics this well was Lyndon Johnson.
He “got it done” by knocking heads, and handing out goodies. Carrot and Stick.
Biden understands this. Good thing too.
I remember a story about FDR, who was in a meeting with the Democratic Progressives who were yelling at him to “Go BIG!” and FDR smiled at them and said: “I agree with your proposals. Now MAKE ME DO IT.” He understood that his role was to “stay above the fray” and let the dirty work be done by the Congress itself, and it worked!
Exactly. He needs political cover to do it.
Just realized it was Groundhog Day and if you’re pining for spring I hate to tell you but Phil saw his shadow. I’m at the other end of the state from Punxsutawney but it’s snowing for the third day straight here and winter going on for a while is fairly believable.
The core error of the Obama Administration (visible, to me, only in hindsight) seems to have been taken well to heart. If you want to come negotiate on our bill in good faith, we welcome that process, but your input will be measured in due weight with that good faith.