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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs Manchin Considering Quitting the Democratic Party?
As the drama with intra-Democratic negotiations over the Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill intensifies even more, a report involving one of the storys central figures is bound to get a lot of attention. Veteran Mother Jones reporter David Corn is hearing talk from Joe Manchins associates that he is mulling a party switch, which he will execute if and when he becomes definitively dissatisfied with his influence over his fellow Democrats. The report was very specific:
The timing of this news makes it immediately suspect, and Manchin himself quickly brushed it aside:
Link to tweet
The transparent motive for Manchin to put out what Corn is reporting is, of course, to remind Democrats in general and progressives in particular that he can not only deny them his vote for the reconciliation bill but can threaten or even deny them control of the Senate. In other words: Hes not just one among many senators claiming leverage over this most consequential piece of legislation, but the Big One, if only because hes willing to walk away from his party entirely if his demands arent met. So its a power play, not an actual threat at this point, at least.
Read more: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/10/is-joe-manchin-considering-a-party-switch.html
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)Ocelot II
(115,681 posts)He'd be just another GOP senator who isn't fascist enough for them. He'd be an unpopular nobody. As a nominal Democrat he gets an enormous amount of attention and holds power over the party's goals.
moondust
(19,972 posts)Just another soldier in the back row who wouldn't last long among lockstep fascists.
The switching story *could* be a tactic to try to scare Democrats into submission.
Shermann
(7,412 posts)bottomofthehill
(8,329 posts)bottomofthehill
(8,329 posts)C_U_L8R
(44,999 posts)He must likes the perks.
Bev54
(10,048 posts)We have always known that but he has voted for democratic policies far more than Sinema has. He is not going anywhere, as has been said he is important right now.
easttexaslefty
(1,554 posts)Where the god lord split ya
Ocelot II
(115,681 posts)lapucelle
(18,252 posts)Budi
(15,325 posts)Someone said some associate said...
Until it's announced by Manchin himself, it's bs.
Would "they" be happy with McConnell as Speaker?
Media's quite pleased with the profits Manchin is making them.
Truth or Lie isn't the point, profit still ranks #1.
"Money & Media"
Galraedia
(5,022 posts)It's just Manchin's way of getting attention and exposure to earn himself brownie points with the conservative base in West Virginia.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Manchin is a top dollar name for Corporate Media right now.
They live for this shit!$$$$
Truth or lie. Doesn't matter one wit.
Until he declares it himself, the intent of this story is suspicious, & profitable.
Big Corporate Owned Media thanks Joe Manchin, & those who feed them those sensational headlines..everybody win$
$$$$
Generic Brad
(14,274 posts)He is losing bigly so he's playing his last card before he relents. No way he crosses the aisle to be last in line amount the GOP.
Sinema, on the other hand, remains a wild card and I wouldn't put anything past her. She does not behave logically.
stillcool
(32,626 posts)a Democrat, he loses whatever power he has. Goes to the other side and withers on the vine.
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,130 posts)Budi
(15,325 posts)Until Manchin says it, it's all a telephone game feeding the profits of Big Corporate Owned Media.