Joe Manchin was going with the side that had the votes..

[Casprings]

If Collins had been a no, he would have been a no. By casting a vote for a result already decided, we don’t have to worry about winning in WV, a state that went over 65 percent for Trump. We stop this bullshit by winning the Senate, not by blowing ourself up.

[yardwork]

1. Exactly. Manchin is an asshole but he must be re-elected.

We must retake the majority in Congress.

[Zambero]

2. Well put

Having said that, in 2018 Manchin is about as liberal as one could hope to get elected in the state of West Virginia.

[doc03]

4. Isn't Manchin the most powerful Democrat in Washington? nt

[yardwork]

6. Lol. Definitely not.

If Democrats retake the majority in the Senate, Manchin can be safely sidelined.

[In It to Win It]

12. I've been thinking that Dems have to win a net of 2 seats in the Senate but I'm thinking a net 3...

is needed to cancel out Joe Manchin, should he win reelection.

[shanny]

3. I urge you to review the history of Joe effing LIEberman.

[Demsrule86]

7. Perhaps he would not have been hellbent on revenge against us had he not been primaried.

No matter what without his vote, there would be no ACA which has saved many lives.

[shanny]

8. jaysus H

Once again, I urge a review of the history of Joe LIEberman.

[In It to Win It]

13. With Lieberman's vote, we basically got a watered-down version of the healthcare system we wanted

If I recall correctly, Joe Lieberman took advantage and had the public option removed from the ACA as he was the 60th vote needed.

[Merlot]

14. Lieberman removed the plan to lower the age of medicare eligibility to 55

lieberman is horrible.

[Demsrule86]

17. Without his vote, we get nothing.

What many who trashed Pres. Obama in the 2010 midterm don't understand is that was the best we could do and it was a start. If we ever get universal care, it will be because of the courageous Democrats in the House some who were conservadems who gave up their seats for healthcare. And what did we do? A fair number on our side trashed Pres. Obama and did not have his back so two years into his term, we were done in terms of implementing policy. You want some policy not everything but some than we need conservadems to get a majority because without a majority, we get nothing.

[vsrazdem]

5. It is still BS in my book.

The hypocrisy of people here constantly bitching about Bernie because he is not a Democrat, but we are supposed to make all kinds of excuses for Manchin. When the rubber hits the road, you need to take a stand.

[Demsrule86]

9. Manchin is a Democrat...and unless he/she joins the party, they can't be considered a Democrat.

[Kaleva]

15. I've never complained about Bernie and I'm not complaining about Manchin's vote.

[Demsrule86]

18. Sen. Sanders had infuriated me with his rhetoric...and I don't care for him ...but he votes with us

and helps us get a majority so I am OK with that. I tend to be very pragmatic...get in and get what you can...keep plugging away.

[rockfordfile]

10. yeah he really don't stand for anything.

Supporting a attempted rapist is a easy no.

[JDC]

11. Rosy speculation.

[Garrett78]

16. I'm not convinced him voting 'yes' was the most politically expedient thing to do.

Setting aside ethics and morals and focusing on what's most politically beneficial for Democrats, I'm not convinced it wouldn't have been best to force Mike Pence to be the tiebreaker. I'm also not convinced that Manchin helped his chances of winning his re-election bid--he may have even hurt his chances.

[Demsrule86]

19. NO, not in a state where Trump won by what 30 points and remains popular.

If WVA Democrats don't vote for him when a GOP is their only other option than they are foolish.

[Joe941]

20. He was asked that question and he denied it....

Said he made up his own mind independantly.