Manchin sits with Republicans last night.

[Emile]

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, opted to sit on the Republicans' side of the House chamber during President Biden's first State of the Union address.

Why it matters: Manchin has been outspoken in recent days against what he has branded “hypocritical” policies on energy imports pursued by the Biden administration. N0netheless, he stood repeatedly with his fellow Democrats to applaud policies outlined by the president.

"While Americans decry what is happening in Ukraine, the United States continues to allow the import of more than half a million barrels per day of crude oil and other petroleum products from Russia during this time of war," Manchin said this week.

Manchin also reportedly did not stand with his fellow Democrats when the president spoke about an expanded child tax credit, a policy over which the senator has expressed serious qualms.

The details: Manchin was seen sitting between Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). He was the only Democrat seen sitting with Republicans.

https://www.axios.com/manchin-sits-republicans-state-union-2c4e1413-6fdd-467d-9fd3-55c54b21d235.html

[Beetwasher.]

1. What a Dick

[we can do it]

2. Or Mancin sits with Romney in spirit of bipartisanship.

[Hav]

15. Yes, it's funny how that detail

was almost hidden at the end of that piece when it could have been mentioned by just using 3 more words in the introducing sentence or the headline .

[Orrex]

3. And every night

[hamsterjill]

4. Traitor.

Just like his handlers. This guy is compromised in some way. I’d bet my eye teeth on it.

[Mad_Machine76]

5. I'm not too worried about this

unless he actually switches parties. As long as he's a 50th Democratic (or Democratic-caucusing) vote that keeps McConnell Minority Leader, that's about all that matters to me, aside from electing more Democrats to make him and Sinema irrelevant.

[hadEnuf]

10. Yes, Manchin is simply a stop-gap. He is no real Democrat.

Any Democrat who sides with today's GOP is a phony.

[Hoyt]

11. Exactly.

[lagomorph777]

6. We have to make SineManchin irrelevant this fall.

I know it's a long shot, but if we don't, America is toast.

[Calista241]

7. I don't think he'll switch parties this term.

Assuming he's going to switch parties before his next election in 2024, whether it's for the Senate or for Governor, I don't think he can run and win as a Democrat in WVa. So he either has to be an independent, or a Repub.

If he waits until after the Senate confirms Kentaji Brown Jackson, that basically gives the Repub Senate leadership nothing. Other than nominal control of the chamber, no legislation is going to pass without filibuster reform. Basically, Manchin has already stalled Biden's agenda, and flipping to the Repubs doesn't get McConnell anything tangible to claim victory.

I don't know, maybe i'm talking out of my ass. Manchin is just so frustrating and I don't understand.

[SoCalDavidS]

8. Seating Was Assigned By Pelosi

And supposedly they moved some people at the last minute to hide the fact that several repubs boycotted the speech.

[Hoyt]

12. Hey, facts apparently don't matter anymore.

[Polybius]

14. He admits that he sat with Republicans on purpose

He said it was to show support for bipartisanship.

[Hoyt]

18. Pelosi also assigned seats, so choose who you want to believe. Personally, I think we have to

try to work with the other side. But that's not popular around here.

[Polybius]

19. Pelosi would not move a Democrat into the Republican isle

Pelosi did assign seats, but by Party. He admits that he moved.

[Hoyt]

20. OK, but I'm not going to crucify him because he keeps McConnell from becoming Majority Leader.

[BradAllison]

21. He did that by endorsing Susan Collins over a Democrat in 2020. Great man!!!! n/m

[Emile]

16. The facts were he chose on his own who he wanted to be with!

[Polybius]

13. Yeah, but they moved seats last minute same-Party only

They did not move a Democrat over to the Republican isle. He admits that he chose to sit there.

[JasonMain]

9. Manchin (R-Coal Baron)

[W_HAMILTON]

17. When is Manchin going to learn...

...that his efforts at bipartisanship are pretty much a one-way street?

Or maybe he does already know this...

[Emile]

22. Oh I think he already knows.. .

Eom.