Joe Manchin is opposing big parts of Biden's agenda as the Koch network pressures him

[PSPS]

- The Koch network has been actively pressuring Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin to oppose key legislative items linked to Biden’s agenda, including filibuster reform and voting rights legislation.

- The lobbying effort appears to be paying off. Manchin, in a recent op-ed, wrote that he opposed eliminating the filibuster and that he would not vote for the For the People Act.

- The Koch network specifically calls on its grassroots supporters to push Manchin, a conservative Democrat, to be against some of his party’s legislative priorities.

The political advocacy group backed by billionaire Charles Koch has been pressuring Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to oppose key parts of the Democratic agenda, including filibuster reform and voting rights legislation. That lobbying effort appears to be paying off. Manchin, in a recent op-ed, wrote that he opposed eliminating the filibuster and that he would not vote for the For the People Act, which, advocates say, would limit the influence of big donors on elections.

President Joe Biden has called some of the voting restrictions proposed by Republican leaders in several states “sick” and “un-American.” The president has praised the For the People Act and has said the filibuster must be changed. Sixty votes are needed to break the filibuster in the Senate in order to allow legislation to get a final vote. Democrats, who have 50 seats, have narrow control of the chamber because of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote.

CNBC reviewed an episode of a Koch policy group Americans for Prosperity’s video series, along with ads crafted by the organization. The network specifically calls on its grassroots supporters to push Manchin, a conservative Democrat, to be against some of his party’s legislative priorities. Americans for Prosperity launched a website titled West Virginia Values, which calls on people to email Manchin “to be The Voice West Virginia Needs In D.C. — Reject Washington’s Partisan Agenda.”

More at: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/08/joe-manchin-is-opposing-big-parts-of-bidens-agenda-as-the-koch-network-pressures-him.html

[blm]

1. Gather at Manchin's office with antiKoch Protest Signs.

Give Joe REAL grassroots, not ALEC astroturf.

[CrackityJones75]

2. The answer to Joe Manchin is elect more dems

[Bettie]

4. Well, we can do that

IF we're allowed to vote and IF state legislatures don't decide that they don't like the result and make it more to their liking.

A number of states have new election laws to make sure that we don't elect more Dems.

[CrackityJones75]

6. I agree however,

It is dangerous to hint that we will not be able to do it if XYZ happen. If those things happen do you intend to no longer try to win elections? The fact of the matter is that WE the voters failed to get enough Democrats elected in the last election.

[Bettie]

13. I live in Iowa

and I'm surrounded by MAGATs. Will I try to win elections, yes.

Will it be possible or likely? No.

This state has changed a lot in the 20 years I've lived here. Not for the better.

And the issue isn't getting out the vote, it is state legislatures changing the vote to fit who they want to win.

I hope those laws are taken care of by court challenges, but if they aren't, all the voting in the world won't make a single bit of difference, because State legislatures will be able to overturn any election that they lost.

Yeah, I'm worried, but I'll vote. I always do. I also work with my county committee.

I do what I can, but it feels like a losing battle around here.

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. No, the answer to Manchin is take to the streets

Waiting until November 2022 will be too late.

In this current crisis of democracy, the traditional, familiar, comfort zone paradigm of “we’ll work really, really hard, get out the vote, and win more seats!” will not apply.

The fight is NOW, in WV, not 2022 at the ballot box.

Marches, billboards and media campaigns shining light on Manchin’s bought and paid for status and highlighting his obstruction of the creation of good paying jobs in WV is a good first step.

[CrackityJones75]

10. I am not saying that we shouldn't do that.

But it will not change his mind. The amount of funding from Koch and others will not let him sway his mind.

[Autumn]

3. Not to worry. We've been assured that Manchin votes with Biden 100% of the time.

[Bettie]

5. Though, to be fair, there have been what?

Half a dozen votes?

And the filibuster means never having to go on record for most things.

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. 100% of the time Manchin and McConnell allow a bill to come to the floor. Nt

[SharonClark]

9. What would happen if Manchin voted for

the popular Biden agenda and was bold in his support that he was voting to help the people of his state?

I think he might be surprised by the support he would receive.

We need bold and articulate elected Dems who can sell a progressive agenda and not those like Manchin who run from it.

[lame54]

11. Rename it For the Koch Brothers Act

[moondust]

12. Fossil fuels alliance?