Manchin's Cowardly Yes Vote Fooled No One

[quadtetra]

I understand the thinking that he is in a Deep Red State whose electorate is mostly pro-Kavanaugh. But the way it played out fooled no one, especially these pro-Kavanaugh people he thinks he can win over. It was extremely obvious that he waited till the Republicans had the votes and announced literally his Yes vote one second later.

The pro-Kavanaugh people aren't THAT stupid. They know it was Kabuki theater!

If he had voted No like Heitkamp with a strong principled stance, at least a few of the pro-Kavabaugh people will respect him and those for whom Kavanaugh isn't a top issue might overlook it.

Meanwhile, a strong No might motivate the Democratic base to turn out!

If he really felt like he needed to vote for Kavanaugh, he should have staked his position early. He could still have changed his mind but when actually voted Yes, it doesn't look like a cowardly last second Kabuki theater vote.

[blm]

1. I think he set himself up to lose today.

.

[chillfactor]

2. He sold his soul today to the devil...

and he will not win re-election. So selling his soul does him no good. He is a weak MAN.....Murkowski a strong WOMAN!

[at140]

3. Manchin's vote would have made no difference

after Collins came out "Yes" and Flake is also "Yes".
Right now Manchin is leading his opponent by 9 points in polls but in WV tRump won by 40+ points. His 9 point lead was risky if he voted "No". Now with a "Yes" vote he is much more likely to prevail in November. And we need every democratic senator in the senate.

[quadtetra]

4. But the way he voted Yes doesn't help him!

If he needed to vote Yes, he should have said he was leaning or likely to vote Yes from day one (but giving himself an out to change his mind)

The way he went about it won't win him over any voter who was strongly pro-Kavanagh. Its obvious that it was Kabuki theater and they won't respect it.

[redstateblues]

5. We had already lost. What he did gives us a chance to take back the Senate.

[YessirAtsaFact]

6. Thanks for explaining this so succinctly

You made the same point I wanted to make in just a few words

[Calista241]

8. Apparently he called the White House before the cloture vote to tell them he was a yes vote.

[Funtatlaguy]

7. He has a horribly weird nerdy Repub opponent. Manchin will be re-elected easily.

[at140]

9. You know what, I try to keep up with the news,

and yet many times I have no idea what some of the state-wide candidates look like or sound like. I bet 80-85% of voters vote party line or from a glimpse at a TV Ad without really studying the critical issues.

[Funtatlaguy]

10. Saw him speak. Very short, nerdy, carpet bagger. Not likeable. Manchin got lucky.