Joe Manchin Isn't Moved by Dem Attacks--He's Emboldened By Them

[Celerity]

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has been unmoved by threats and attacks from Democrats. Part of that may be because he revels in those attacks.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/joe-manchin-isnt-moved-by-democratic-attackshes-emboldened-by-them



When activists paddled their kayaks to Sen. Joe Manchin’s houseboat in Washington, D.C., earlier this month to protest the West Virginia Democrat’s opposition to a $3.5 trillion social welfare bill, what they encountered was a man very comfortable with being heckled.

Like others who have pressured Manchin to reconsider—Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and pretty much every other liberal activist and elected Democrat between them—these progressive pushers aren’t moving Manchin. In fact, they may just be stiffening his resolve.

Part of the reason Manchin has survived in the increasingly red state of West Virginia is because he’s built a reputation as a true moderate. He is known for dashing Democratic dreams large and small while finding chances to back Republican priorities.

And it’s exactly these big moments—when Sanders and like-minded Democrats express their endless frustration with Manchin—that help him burnish the gadfly credentials needed for a Democrat to survive in a state that went for Donald Trump in 2020 by 38 points.

snip

[BlueJac]

1. Just a big asshole, reminds me of Mitch the bitch!

[4Q2u2]

2. Defund WV

Go after his price gouging Daughter.
Put tolls up on every road leaving WV.
See how much He revels in that.

[a kennedy]

3. and I'm sure all the attention is feeding his big fat head as well.....🤮 🤮 🤮

[Bev54]

4. Work hard to elect more dem senators and make him redundant along with Sinema

then get good candidates to primary them out.

[Ace Rothstein]

5. Joe Manchin is gonna be the biggest vote oppressor in 2022.

You're gonna have a ton of people stay at home because nothing is getting done, 99% of which falls on Manchin and Sinema.

[Celerity]

8. We still don't know exactly what Sinema will demand to be carved out, other than (I may be missing

some other things with her) no prescription drug price negotiation, and no on a huge chunk of the tax increases.

As it now looks like free community college is going to be scrapped (and other than NV which already has free community college tuition, ALL of the rest of the swing states that would have helped), plus student loan debt relief (even at the slashed $10K amount) is looking unlikely, this is going to especially negatively impact the the 18 to 40 year old vote.

[FBaggins]

10. I still say that the differences between Manchin/Sinema are under-considered at this point

She kept saying that the climate aspects of BBB were the most important to her and her state... but Manchin appears to have been successful in getting much of them removed. People keep saying that once Manchin gets on board, Sinema will fall in line... but how do we satisfy both of them?

[Celerity]

11. yes, I've been saying this for awhile, they have two different (somewhat) areas of slashing desires

with some seemingly at loggerheads, like you just pointed out

[Ace Rothstein]

12. The older I get the more it all looks like a big charade.

Why bother voting if the people you put in power abandon their promises? As much as I hate Trump, he constantly tried to push his agenda forward despite largely legislative failures in doing so. That's why the cult is behind him 100%

[SunImp]

13. Yeah, things like this WILL demotivate voters immensely

[Celerity]

14. "The idea of the moderate middle is bullshit: it's a rhetorical device meant to marginalize some

policy positions at the expense of others.”

https://www.vox.com/2014/7/8/5878293/lets-stop-using-the-word-moderate


from the article in this OP

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215964490

[C_U_L8R]

6. Fame is fleeting

No one knew Manchin before he started his obstruction tantrums
and no one will remember him after. He's added nothing to the nation.

[Bleacher Creature]

7. And by "attacks" he means asking him to justify his positions.

Beyond just "this costs too much."

[Irish_Dem]

9. He loves the power and control over others. And loves tormenting his colleagues and voters.

[Patton French]

15. That certainly appears to be the case. (n/t)