Joe Manchin goes down in flames when confronted with McConnell's pledge to totally obstruct Biden

[Celerity]

https://www.rawstory.com/joe-manchin-bipartisan-hypocrisy/

On Wednesday, in discussion with CNN's Chris Cuomo, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) talked about his reverence for the Senate and his conviction that its existing rules can be used to forge compromise — but grew evasive and resistant when Cuomo reminded him the GOP's stated position is to block the Biden administration from doing anything.

"Robert C. Byrd used to explain to me ... he said Joe, the best way for me to explain it is why does every state — can you imagine the little state of Rhode Island, little state of Delaware, having the same representation in the great body of the Senate as California or New York, all these larger, much larger states, in landmass and population," said Manchin. "There's a reason for that. How these rules have evolved, the intent why they would have done — why they've done Jim Crow isn't acceptable. It wasn't acceptable then, is not acceptable now at all. I think we have to have a process but, also, you have to have a minority. If not, what we have is basically chaos. What goes around comes around here. I've been in the minority here."

"I don't think you play power politics as well as the other side," argued Cuomo. He noted to Manchin that McConnell said just this week that he is focused "100 percent" on stopping the Biden administration, which would leave little room for compromise with the minority. Manchin replied that "I still have confidence" in the Senate, and that "I can assure you there are Republicans working with Democrats," regardless of McConnell's words.

Once Cuomo began to fact check him on Republicans refusing to work in a bipartisan way, Manchin went down in flames.

Watch below:

[mopinko]

1. what a crock.

[bullwinkle428]

2. Rachel Maddow has been REPEATEDLY making the point that McConnell

has been adamant that there will be zero Republican votes for the infrastructure bill. She said that this absolutely makes things easier from an execution standpoint, because there is not a shred of ambiguity from their side of the aisle. We only have to figure out how to get this done within our party. Manchin is clearly attempting to shirk his responsibility here...

[azureblue]

39. cutting off his nose to spite his face

The astounding STUPID thing that Mitch is doing is stonewalling, when he could be indulging in a game of "we can offer a better plan than Biden" game of one upmanship. If Mitch listened to the American peopel and did what they wanted, people would vote for GOP and therefor the GOP would not have to resort to lies and cheating. But no. Mitch is determined to be a pig headed fool and kill his party.

[MoonRiver]

3. Manchin is the walking, talking personification of a DINO!

[NurseJackie]

15. Perhaps. But he's OUR "dino" 💖 ... so, count your blessings.

Without him, McConnell is in charge and calling the shots and deciding what is allowed to come up for a vote.

[NewJeffCT]

18. And, sadly, until there is a sea change in WV politics

Manchin is about the best Dems can do in WV:

in 2018, Manchin was primaried from the left by Paula Swearengen (sp?) and won the primary by about 30, and then Manchin barely won the general against a guy that would have voted with Trump 95-100% of the time.

In 2020, Paula S. won the Dem nomination for Senate. Against Shelly Moore Capito, she lost by almost 45%

[JohnnyRingo]

36. I have to keep reminding myself that.

I know many in our party want Joe Manchin to see things more like Bernie or Schumer, but he wouldn't last the election cycle in West Virginia. They would recall him and put in Trump's shoeshine boy.

I keep saying, it could be worse than Manchin.

[MoonRiver]

28. I know, but it's still infuriating.

[Politicub]

45. If it's any consolation, I was infuriated, but am now just frustrated.

And it is taking me a lot of effort to change my mindset from infuriated to frustrated. It is an ongoing and active process. My blood pressure starts to rise when I read articles like this, but NurseJackie’s reminders that he is a Democrat and it would be so much worse if we did not have a bare majority in the senate, have had an effect on me.

I realized that I don’t need to like his behavior, but I can still appreciate the degree of control that the democrats have of the senate. This is obvious to many, but has taken me some time.

I’ve had a lot of therapy, and I am trying to apply what I have learned over the years when it comes to having a degree of control over what I think. All of those hours on the couch do not need to go to waste.

Not trying to change your mind. I’m just a kindred spirit sharing what is helping me manage what I think about Manchin.

[NurseJackie]

47. Wise words.

[MoonRiver]

49. I totally agree with your mindset, but sometimes I get blindsided by the stupid.

[lagomorph777]

34. With blessings like that, who needs curses?

Well, I do. I use curse words a lot when discussing Manchin.

[NurseJackie]

46. So much energy and emotion being wasted on something that cannot be changed...

... he is who he is. Nothing more, nothing less. At this late date, NOBODY should be surprised. NOBODY be disappointed.

Instead, people who hate him just need to accept reality and learn to cope with it. OR... better yet, instead of insulting him and trying to kneecap him at every opportunity, I wish that more people would work to add at least two more Democrats to the Senate and he'll become irrelevant. All this hand-wringing and overwrought emotion is just a waste of time that serves no good purpose.

[lagomorph777]

53. Nobody is surprised. And anything can be changed, with the right plan and execution.

We can't afford to give up; this clown is jeopardizing the entire Biden agenda, therefore jeopardizing our chances in 2022. Which is probably his goal; he doesn't want a strong Dem majority in the Senate because that would take away his special power.

He is not invincible. He can be influenced. We have to keep hammering away at him because there is no other realistic option right now.

[NurseJackie]

62. Sure.

[lagomorph777]

63. Oh, brother

OK, let's just give up and die.

Nope. Not having it.

[NurseJackie]

65. Nobody said "give up and die" (except you, just now).

But I can tell you that the chronic hand-wringing does nothing. It won't change him. He is who he is. Accept it and do what CAN be done rather than fixating on what can't be done.

[wellst0nev0ter]

55. McConnell will be in charge in 2023

If Democrats keep covering for the Manchins

[NurseJackie]

64. LOL!

If Democrats keep covering for the Manchins

No... only if people fixate on him to the exclusion of all other opportunities we have to GAIN OTHER seats in the Senate.

He is who he is. Accept it and move on. Find another plan to increase our majority. People who continually moan and whine and complain about Manchin aren't doing anything positive or proactive.

[wellst0nev0ter]

69. This is the same refrain heard in 2010-2018

The best way to win elections is to pass agenda for the people, not placate self-centered obstructinists

( In b4 "LOL!! )

[Buns_of_Fire]

4. I watched that. It's amazing how persistent Manchin is in protecting

his Good Friends from Across the Aisle. Sure, the minority should have a voice, but that doesn't mean that the minority gets to run things. That's why they're the minority, dumbass!

[NoMoreRepugs]

19. Have a voice - yes - decide the direction of the country? No

fucking way. Majority rules, that’s why we have elections IMO.

[Volaris]

20. It's also arguable that since what that minority has decided to do with that voice

Is sit in the corner and suck on their trump-brand pacifiers, what they might have said otherwise is now irrelevant. I get that Manchin WANTS THEM to be participatory, but they ain't gonna, HE CLEARLY CANT MAKE THEM, and the clocks ticking.

It's probably not acceptable, but let's now take the Kentucky money (and maybe a few others from GOP leadership), shove it all to West Virginia, and see if a multi-billion dollar check for his own people, changes his mind.

I'm not otherwise a fan, but yeah it's time for
another cornhusker kickback.

(On edit)-- and, maybe fuck WV, too. If Manchin and Sinema bail, we still need 2. Has anybody bothered to ask Mittens or Princess Lie-a what infrastructure they might need in Utah or Wyoming?

[spanone]

5. Ugh.

[Etherealoc1]

6. Write up the legislation

and put it to a vote through reconciliation, your move Manchin, let's see you vote it down.

Enough with the BS excuses.

[Celerity]

16. the huge problem is that massive parts of the Biden/Democratic Party agenda are not eligible

for being passed via reconciliation. especially the hyper crucial voter rights/protections bills, and the police reform/racial justice bills.

If Manchin and Sinema refuse to even let actually impactful modifications to the filibuster (forget binning it altogether) occur, (ones that mean we can get to cloture eventually, even it is takes far longer), then NONE of that will ever even see a floor vote.

I also truly fear Manchin and Sinema are going to demand a massive reduction in the 4 trillion total between the two infrastructure parts (human and physical plant) that WILL go through reconciliation. We may be lucky to end up with 1.5 to 2 trillion usd or so TOTAL, between the two. The Rethugs counter proposal for physical plant infrastructure is a joke, 500 billion over 8 years, so 62.5 billion a year, with the majority of it backloaded years from now (when they figure they can kill it off if/when they win back Congress and/or the POTUS). In contrast they (the Rethugs) have NO problems dumping 1.5 trillion usd or so per year for the war/security/surveillance state via on and off budget funding.

[Etherealoc1]

43. Yes

my focus is on the infrastructure bill.
All of the stuff I consider them DOA.

[marie999]

8. Manchin is very good at using Republican talking points.

[StarfishSaver]

9. "McConnell told you he won't work with you" "He's just one person"

He's the MINORITY LEADER!!!

[Merlot]

37. And he has a history of obstruction and using his power to benefit his party over country.

[Hortensis]

97. Had to laugh. Maybe a bigger font would get it through.

[panader0]

10. As Cuomo said, the Repub 50% of the Senate represent only 20% of the American people.

Skewed indeed.

[oasis]

11. Message to Joe M: "Either come through, or you're through!". (eom)

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. So, Joe, we all ask again: WTF is it that you want?

More campaign money?
A statue of you honoring bi-partisanship?
Ambassadorship?
A puppy?

[Harker]

22. I'd go along with a statue of him on a rearing horse...

and as soon as he's irrelevant again, melt it down for something useful.

[lagomorph777]

41. Bribery, extortion (oops, I mean incentives) - whatever it takes, we have to do it.

Manchin is trying to destroy the country.

[wnylib]

13. When is Manchin up for election again?

Couldn't this lack of support for things his constituents need in a poor state like WV be used to run a real Dem against him?

[ancianita]

17. The best question of the 117th Session, imo.

[Celerity]

26. Not until 2024, same for Sinema, which make their obstructionism even more galling.

Manchin is likely toast in 2024 (it does no good to primary him, he is the only Dem who has a remote chance to win) as he barely won in t2018, with the monster Blue Wave at his back. Sinema WILL, for sure, be primaried, hopefully by a non maverick centre left type, a Kelly-style Dem. A full blown prog cannot win in AZ, we just need a team player.

[AZProgressive]

90. I will vote for who I want in the 2024 Arizona primary

The problem is national Democrats picking Sinema in the first place and I knew she was going to act like this because I am from her district which is now represented by Greg Stanton.

Sinema is the one who can't win because she doesn't listen to her constituents. I hope someone like Grijalva runs but I'm voting for who I want in the primary. I voted for Deedra Abboud in the 2018 primary who Sinema declined to debate.

National Democrats should stay out of Arizona elections. I'll vote for Mark Kelly & Greg Stanton in 2022 but Mark Kelly should support the Pro Act because Arizona is a right-to-work state. I'm voting for who I want in the 2024 primary.

If the Arizona GOP steals a future election I'll move to a state where my vote will count.

BTW John McCain wasn't a "maverick" because he voted in line with his party. He would have disagreements but he was a conservative.

[Celerity]

91. all good!

🖖

[BradAllison]

93. If Sinema keeps enabling the rethugs.....

...they'll cheat her right out of office and I then she'll be the one "fucking off".

[Tommymac]

29. WVA is so RED NO other Democrat will be able to win there.

Just not happening in the next 2 or 3 cycles.

Dems need to win other seats and get a 6 to 8 seat majority - to overcome Manchin and Sinema...but my feeling is another Corporate Dem or three will then come out of the woodwork like Joe Lieberman did 15 years ago to continue blocking the works.

Until we get Corporate Money out of Government Our Democracy is never going to be safe. Just the way it is.

[wnylib]

67. WVA is also a poor state. The infrastructure program

would benefit them, especially by offering retraining and alternative jobs to mining. That should count for something among the people regardless of how red they are. A Senator who opposes a program that could help the state economically should be vulnerable to challenge by a candidate who promotes the state's economic development.

[Tommymac]

79. People are just not politically engaged like we are here. (Politely saying they are stupid)

I understand what they should do.

But they will not. Can't make a horse drink.

[Ace Rothstein]

89. Not winning Maine or NC seats in Nov really hurt.

[NewJeffCT]

60. Manchin was primaried from the left in 2018

and he won the primary by 30 points, then barely won the general.

The person that primaried him from the left in 2018 won the nomination for Senate in 2020 and lost by almost 45 to Shelly Moore Capito.

[Jon King]

14. Manchin will be irrelevant in 2022 either way.

If the Repugs get the House, he will be irrelevant as nothing will get done. If Dems hold the House and net gain 1-2 Senate seats, he will be irrelevant.

The sad thing is with redistricting the former is likely. Dems could get to 53 Senators, yet Repugs take the House.....so all this huffing and puffing from Manchin will simply waste the one chance Dems had of accomplishing helpful legislation.

Either way Manchin won't be interviewed by anyone come 2022 as he will be irrelevant one way or another.

[Polybius]

81. Unless the unlikely happens

Dems hold the House and the Senate stays the same or we gain one. Then Kyrsten Sinema would be the second swing vote.

[greymattermom]

21. Is there a way to have states opt out, like happened with medicaid expansion?

Let West Virginia and all states with 2 Repub Senators opt out. That will save a lot of money. You know they plan to vote against it then take credit for it.

[Escurumbele]

23. "Both parties are the same"??? Is this guy stupid?

What a tool...I have never liked him, he doesn't seem to understand that WV could have elected a republican, they did not because they want Democratic ideas to become bills, and to pass.

Someone needs to slap some sense into that guys head...I think he loves the attention he gets from republicans, it just fills his soul with joy.

[Buns_of_Fire]

27. I await his pilgrimage to Florida to kiss Rump's Rosy Red Ass.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, of course.

The sooner this fool can be marginalized, the better.

[DownriverDem]

24. Manchin has no excuse

He's not up for reelection until 2024. What is he doing?

[knightmaar]

25. "Extremes on both sides"

Fuck off.

One extreme is a bunch of conspiracy nut, treasonous, ignorant racists.

The other 'extreme' wants everyone to have healthcare and clean, breathable air.

[Xoan]

30. Machine like Byrd ...

Can be bought. Wordsalads not withstanding.

[Doc Sportello]

31. I have this feeling that if Manchin switched parties

He'd lose the talking points about "bipartisanship" and toe the repub line.

[nowforever]

32. SMART

If you ask me Joe is very well aware of the circumstances just like Biden. Both old soldiers are in sync on how to go about it, talk compromise and bipartisanship and then let the GOP sink themselves. Manchin will support the 4 trillion to rebuild this country, but he will make it look like he was dragged to the dance.

[Duppers]

33. Saw that live...

Yelled at tv set. Manchin deserves to go down but dh said it's either him or a repub from WV.

Congrats to Chris Cuomo.

[kacekwl]

35. This guy is full of shit. No reasonable person

knowing what we know and what has been SAID by McConnell and all republicans could make these statements especially the both sides do it crap. He has another agenda. I would love to know what it is and why.

[world wide wally]

38. None so blind as those who WILL not see

[Snackshack]

40. Manchin

Is a tool / safety net for the GOP. He may as well just switch parties. Kick him to the curb already, he’s been doing this for far too long. Let the GOP go back to majority in senate and continue with their path of destruction. The GOP would immediately blast the filibuster (good thing). Immediately block everything Biden is doing (with manchin they are already so wth) and let the American people continue to see the GOP giving the 🖕🏼 to them and in 2022 vote them all out. One would think the GOP killing 600,000 in one yr and trying to over throw the government would be enough for manchin and voters to realize just who the GOP is, but apparently not.

[Fiendish Thingy]

42. Jim Crow Joe shows his true colors...er, color.

I hope he gives more interviews with sharp reporters who won’t put up with his false “bipartisan “ bullshit.

[Johonny]

44. LOL he's such a joke.

[AZLD4Candidate]

48. The makes the both sides argument and I had to shut him off

Extremes on both sides. Senator, show me one Democrat that claims Biden didn't win.

Explain to me the extreme on the Democratic side that has control of the Democratic Party.

Because the extremes on the Republican side have control of their party and have elected extremists.

Just to name a few Congresscritters:
Boebert
Greene
Gohmert
Fox
Scalice
McCarthy
Stefanik
Jordan
Gaetz

Just to name of few Senators
Lummis
Blackburn
Johnson
Cruz
Cotton
Hawley
Tuberville

[BobTheSubgenius]

51. "what we have is basically chaos"

Yes, Joe, and that paragraph proves it. Word salad is an oral or written form of chaos.

[Blue Owl]

52. Time for Munchkin to make a choice

You can't be bipartisan when one side is hell-bent on destroying the other

[Dawson Leery]

54. Manchin is unlikely to win again in 2024.

So why not do what is right?

[wellst0nev0ter]

56. That's the thing, he's showing his true colors

We don't need to cape for him anymore. Squeeze him or cut him loose.

[NurseJackie]

66. His "true colors" are that he's a Democrat*. Learn to love it.

His "true colors" are that he's a Democrat*. Learn to love it. You'll never get a Vermont-Style Democrat in WV.

* a West-Virginia Democrat, but a Democrat nonetheless.

Better for people to focus all their energy on something more productive, rather than de-structive.

[wellst0nev0ter]

68. Learn to love his sheer nonsense

Learn to love the fact that he is undermining Biden's agenda, and is on track to put the Democrats in the political wilderness for the next generation, just because he has a "D" by his name, is that what you are suggesting?

Learn to spend your energy NOT defending people like Manchin.

( In b4 "LOL!" )

[NurseJackie]

72. Accept reality. He is who he is and there's NOTHING you can do about it...

... except to work hard to add a couple of more additional Democratic senators to our numbers. Then he won't matter as much. I think people should be obsessed with electing more Democrats, not with a single senator from West Virginia. People who accept reality, who live in the real world, who don't obsess over Manchin are the ones who do more for the Democratic party.

Learn to spend your energy NOT defending people like Manchin.

I'm not defending him. I'm "defending" reality and trying to redirect everyone's obsession with him into doing something positive, rather than all this self-destructive hand-wringing.

[wellst0nev0ter]

74. Yet here you are "defending reality"

Whenever people put pressure on Joe Manchin like we're supposed to. We have seen that electing any Democrat simply doesn't work, and his obstructionism will not give us any next time. You heard the predictions that the Dems will lose the House next election, so I don't understand where this happy-go-lucky attitude comes from.

Democrats who obstruct Biden's agenda are the ones who are self-destructive. I prefer Democrats who don't do that, what about you?

(In b4 LOL!! )

[NurseJackie]

77. LOL!

Whenever people put pressure on Joe Manchin

Name-calling and insults are not "putting pressure" on anyone. It just a juvenile way to respond and it serves no good purpose.

I prefer Democrats who don't do that, what about you?

You won't find any who win general elections in West Virginia. Love him for who he is, and learn to accept reality. Count your blessings... because without him, we lose control of the Senate.

[wellst0nev0ter]

78. Thanks for following my script

Some people accept reality of perpetual Republican dominance abetted by the gross malfeasance of certain Democratic members.

Others like me refuse to accept that reality. Others are more concerned about "petty insults" I guess.

[NurseJackie]

80. There's no malfeasance. He is who he is... he makes no secret of this. Everyone knows it.

The people of West Virginia elected him (barely) over his Republican opponent. Count your blessings. We're very LUCKY to have him. It serves no good purpose to smear him or do anything that would harm his chances of re-election (or to do anything that would "force" him from office.) --- If either of those things happens, West Virginia voters will elect a Republican who'll vote with the GOP 100% of the time.

I live in the real world. Not a fantasy world. Bullying and name-calling will not change who he is or what he believes in or what his constituents elected him to do.

Move on.

(I do not believe that "malfeasance" is the word you're looking for. He's done nothing unlawful.)

[wellst0nev0ter]

82. Joe Manchin has done nothing wrong, you say?

We clearly live in two different worlds, with me living in the world where I WANT to see Democrats keep winning for a change.

[NurseJackie]

83. No. You know perfectly well, that's not what I said. 🤡😂🤣

Joe Manchin has done nothing wrong, you say?

Good grief! No. You know perfectly well, that's not what I said. 🤡😂🤣

You accused him of "malfeasance" and that has a very specific meaning. You've accused him of doing something illegal, and that's simply not true. He has done nothing illegal. He has done exactly what the voters of WV elected him to do.

with me living in the world where I WANT to see Democrats keep winning for a change.

If that's true (and I'll take you at your word) then it's time to stop smearing Democrats. Thank you very much.

[wellst0nev0ter]

84. That is what you said

learn to accept reality

[NurseJackie]

85. That's not true. You said he had committed a crime. I corrected you.

That is what you said

That's not true. You said he had committed a crime. I corrected you. He has done no such thing. Words have meanings and it's important for people to know the meaning of words before they bandy them about... for example... accusing someone of "malfeasance". Fact of the matter is NO SUCH THING has happened. Deal with it and move on.

learn to accept reality

I accept the reality of the dictionary and the correct definition of words.

[wellst0nev0ter]

86. Dictionary lawyering already noted

Manchin is still committing malfeasance against the Democratic party.

Learn to accept reality

[NurseJackie]

87. Ridiculous. No. He did not. No he is not. 🤡

[wellst0nev0ter]

88. Repeating things over again

Doesn't actually help your argument, y'know

[Hassin Bin Sober]

92. Everyone knows Susan Sarandon is the real culprit here.

Speaking of living with reality...

[George II]

96. What does Susan Sarandon have to do with this discussion. Has she been elected to the Senate?

[NurseJackie]

94. LOL! The truth isn't up for debate or interpretation. He has committed no crime.

Doesn't actually help your argument, y'know

LOL! The truth isn't up for debate or interpretation. He has committed no crime. I've stated the facts. You accused him of "malfeasance" when no such thing happened. It's a ridiculous and absurd accusation.

🤣😂🤡😜

[LetMyPeopleVote]

102. In the real world, Joe Manchin Is a Big Overperformer

The real world is a nice place where facts matter. https://politicalwire.com/2021/03/31/joe-manchin-is-a-big-overperformer/

Perry Bacon Jr.: “Because voters increasingly back the same party in congressional and presidential races, only six of the 100 currently serving senators are from a different party than the one their state backed in the 2020 presidential election.

“Even among that group, Manchin stands apart. Hillary Clinton and Biden were completely trounced by Donald Trump in West Virginia in 2016 (42 percentage points) and 2020 (39 points), respectively. But in 2018, Manchin won in West Virginia (by 3 points) despite an aggressive GOP effort to defeat him.”

“In fact, considering the extreme GOP lean in West Virginia, Manchin’s 2012 and 2018 victories are two of the most impressive wins of any American politician in the 21st century.”

[George II]

103. Malfeasance is "The performance of an illegal act, particularly by an elected official"....

Are you claiming that Joe Manchin committed an illegal act?

Unbelievable.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

101. How is this going to work

All you can proposed is holding your breath and pouting. Your plan has no chance of changing Senator Manchin's mind in the real world. I like living in the real world and facts matter in the real world

Link to tweet

I would love to have a magic wand but in the real world there are no magic wands. To get change in the real world, you have to do hard work. Texas will turn blue and this will not be due to magical thinking but due to hard work.

If you have a plan that will work in the real world, let us know what this plan is

[George II]

95. "Gross malfeasance of certain Democratic members"? Just who are these "Democratic members"?

I certainly don't know of any.

But if you're referring in part to two in particular who have been bashed incessantly in the last few weeks, it may come as a surprise that in 2020 they voted WITH the Democrats more than a Senator touted to be one of the more "progressive" in our caucus.

I don't see how anyone can continuously bash Democrats who loyally vote with us and ignore those who don't.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

100. I like living in the real world

Link to tweet

?s=20

[LetMyPeopleVote]

99. oe Manchin is literally defying gravity, and is as "blue" as anything Dems will get from West Virgin

Link to tweet

[Blue_Tires]

57. The only solution is to increase our majority in the senate

as long as it's only a seat or two, red state moderate Dems will hold all the power...

This is the same dilemma that hobbled Obama's first term...

[Carlitos Brigante]

58. Said it before and I'll say it again. It's not that he's this mindblowingly dumb and stupid. It's

that he thinks WE are.....

[Ilsa]

59. Of course there will be bad faith on the part of GQP.

McConnell has promised it. His team won't work with "the center" because they believe they have to act tough to "own the Libs." Manchin doesn't want what Biden wants, but he has no power if he changes parties.

[CrispyQ]

61. Manchin has never been or never will be as relevant as he is now.

IMO, that's what this is about. Attention. Relevancy.

[Hotler]

71. Stop spreading rumors.... Joe Manchin does not...

pick up envelopes of cash in dimly lit parking garages.

[JustAnotherGen]

73. All he needs to do

Is to walk away from his stance when it comes to Civil Rights legislation.

Example - Voting Rights. He and Sinema should make a joint statement that Voting Rights are the most basic way to participate in our Republic. They will vote for a rule change for simple majority on basic Civil Rights.

HR1 and HR4 means AG Garland has laws to stop the State Legislature and GOP Governor's insanity.

That gives us a fighting chance at keeping the Senate in 2022. We have a shot at the House.

If it helps Murphy in Ohio - and the person he endorses for his seat - that's a good thing. If it helps the nominee in PA for Senate - that's a good thing.

He needs to understand - that 41.5 million more people are being represented in the Senate by the Democratic Party than the GOP.

We may be "more" - but we are being held hostage.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

75. He'll be a hero to every American fascist if he successfully blocks

the bulk, or all, of President Biden's agenda, especially HR 1, which will cause Democrats to get slaughtered in the in the 2022 elections.

If Sad Old Elvis is re-elected in 2024 because of Manchin's obstruction, he may give Manchin a Cabinet Post, and Presidential Medal of Freedom.

[Hortensis]

104. He will never be a hero to fascists, tho. He's a real person with a real record

to evaluate him by. He is what he is and no need to imagine him as some far worse, scary-clown construct.

THAT is the Republican, WV's AG Patrick Morrisey,

"

West Virginia’s attorney general announced the state will support a federal lawsuit to challenge presidential election results in swing states won by Joe Biden."

He was the other choice for the people of WV in 2018. Always far right all the way, and now Trump traitor.
Trump might be "president" with almost unlimited powers right now if he'd been elected instead of Manchin.

[LiberatedUSA]

98. I don't even understand McConnell's strategy here.

He can’t possibly want the filibuster removed, so why say he will obstruct 100% when that very response justifies removing the filibuster. Did Trump’s uncontrolled mouth rub off on him?

[Celerity]

105. Because he knows Manchin and Sinema will never voted to bin it. Only gamble McTurtle is taking is

possible modifications, but I see nothing from either so far that makes me think they will support actually impactful modifications, the type where we can achieve cloture. Manchin has shot every suggestion down so far, and Sinema is even more radical. She wants a 60 vote threshold on ALL Senate action, and the two mini nuke exceptions repealled.

[LiberatedUSA]

106. I very much I hope I am still around in 30 or 40 years.

Living to 70 or 80 is certainly possible. I want to see how the history books judge him, and I am very interested in seeing the documentaries and movies about the entire freak show after that kind of time and reflection has passed.

[Celerity]

107. a lot depends on how far Manchin and Sinema are will to go down the obstructionist road, AND if

they do wander far down that path (ie blocking all non reconciliation-eligible parts, massive parts, of Biden and the rest of the Party's agenda, plus how much they shrink the reconciliation bills themselves) how that affects us in 2022 and 2024.

If they refuse to budge at all on even modifications of the filibuster, and then we lose Congress and possibly the POTUS (also Breyer and the SCOTUS loom large) in 2022/2024, they will go down in history as the most hated Democrats since Dixiecrat days, of that there is little to no doubt. It will be damn near absolute if Manchin runs and losses in 2024, same for Sinema (although she may well lose a primary), as then it was all for naught, more or less. Even if Manchin holds onto his seat, but we lose the Senate anyway, doubly so.

I am SO hoping they both see the light and become team players. Time will tell, and time is tight, as there is a very high chance we lose the House in 2022, especially after losing seats post 2020 Census, and then the flood of partisan RW gerrymandering and voter suppression that is now going to occur.