So, listening to RW talk radio here in Charlotte, and Joe Manchin is their new hope

[Goodheart]

It's actually a good take.

We know that Washington DC is going to immediately apply for statehood, which would mean a 50-50 Senate tie would suddenly become a 52-50 advantage. Puerto Rico would make that 54-50.

But here's the deal. Under a 52-50 advantage Joe Manchin suddenly becomes a far less important vote.

I'm not here to impugn Mr. Manchin, but only to get some idea of his position on the statehoods of DC and Puerto Rico, as well as on other potential programs such as the Green New Deal and a Public Option for Healthcare. He's a hard man to predict.

[dawg day]

2. Manchin will be important, but so will Romney and Murkowski

They might well end up voting along with Dems on many issues. At least with Schumer, there will be some things to vote on! And they will likely vote for Biden's nominees.

[Azathoth]

3. That's the same game we played with Susan Collins

Manchin isn't going to defect or side with the GOP. He's going to follow the time-honored tradition of using his vote to extract maximum pork from Dems for whatever issues he's championing. By 2022, West Virginia will have more new bridges and military contracts than the other 49 states combined.

[exboyfil]

8. Maybe we can come up with a more creative way

to spend that money that can make lasting change to West Virginia. They sure didn't want it when Clinton proposed it.

[TheRealNorth]

4. I don't expect Manchin to vote for increased gun control

Or anyrhing that will harm the coal and natural gas industry.

[exboyfil]

5. Should have given Commerce to Tomey

I don't like it, but the Senate is more important.

Well there is always Ron Johnson. He is neck deep in this Russian disinformation thing. Besides he accused Hunter Biden of child pornography.

[jcgoldie]

6. They will have to kill filibuster for that to come to vote

Manchin has said thats doa.

[themaguffin]

7. Manchin has no political future. He has no reason to go right.

[kairos12]

9. Let's hope he doesn't

go Lieberman on us.

[Coleman]

10. Manchin is

undecided about DC statehood
against Puerto Rico statehood

Don't bet on any Republican voting for statehood for either one.

[Goodheart]

11. And what's his reason for opposing Puerto Rico?

[Coleman]

15. Politically he is right of center

more republican than democrat. He is in WV, not your most friendly group for "foreigners" or any POC. He was and may still be looking at governor of WV. He is a wild card in this 50/50 split on any legislation, especially progressive legislation.

[old guy]

12. Manchin is going to be a very powerful Senator.

I have feared this since the Georgia election. Remember Joe Lieberman (sp). Personally, I don't trust Manchin very far, but that's just me.

[BannonsLiver]

13. Manchin has already said he's not down with any of the "crazy stuff."

Expanding the court, getting rid of the filibuster and adding states.

[Alhena]

14. Those votes will be fillibustered- we need 60 votes, not 50.

And Manchin has made 100% clear he won't get rid of the fillibuster. I doubt he wants things like global warming legislation to pass, being from a coal producing state.