So has Manchin made his defection official yet?

[msfiddlestix]

I don't have cable and I'm headed out to a doctors appointment while I still have medicare.

Just need a heads up in advance if at all possible.

Thanks in advance!

[GoCubsGo]

1. He's not going to defect.

If he does, he becomes a nobody low man on the totem pole. He loses his ability to pull the kinds of stunts he's pulling now. He's not about to do that.

[PortTack]

2. This!

[Bettie]

4. And he's more useful to Moscow Mitch

because he can say that HE isn't obstructing anything. He gets all of his agenda items without doing anything more than encouraging two Democrats to be dicks.

[msfiddlestix]

7. good point.

just he's just champing on the bit to make sure we fail, cuz that's gonna score him big points with Mitch et al.

interesting strategy and I guess it must be working.

[MFM008]

3. He would live to

But he wont because then he would be 100% irrelevant.

[BlueCheeseAgain]

5. Not sure what you mean by defection, but the answer is no.

He has not said he's firmly against the BBB, nor are there any hints of him leaving the Democratic caucus.

[msfiddlestix]

8. so what the hell is he gaming for then?

[brooklynite]

6. What do you mean "while I still have medicare"?

Nobody has proposed getting rid of Medicare.

[msfiddlestix]

9. tongue in cheek