General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsManchin may be voting like a Rep but at least he caucuses with Dems.
If he switched parties Republicans would control the Senate and any chance for Biden to accomplish anything more, including a SCOTUS judge, would be eliminated, probably forever.
BlueCheeseAgain
(1,654 posts)He votes like a conservative Democrat. His voting record is far to the left of even Susan Collins.
Polybius
(15,467 posts)Socially, he's more conservative.
TexasTowelie
(112,361 posts)TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)We're lucky enough to pick up the pieces of his dual loyalties.
We would probably be better off working to bolster Dems in our own states and districts.
BlueCheeseAgain
(1,654 posts)atreides1
(16,091 posts)He's not working very hard...WV has an overall ranking of #47 out of 50 states.
#47 healthcare
#45 education
#48 economy
#50 infrastructure
#36 natural environment
On the bright side at least WV isn't one of the top 10 worst states to live in!
AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)Just finished reading Woodward and Costas Peril, and I have to say I was totally disgusted with Manchins playing both sides in the stimulus negotiations. He could have tanked it. Of course, his excuse to Biden was, Im working for West Virginia. Is this a genuine belief of his, or just sanctimonious bullshit in order to keep the Dems by the short hairs, knowing full well that the Dems cant afford to have him defect?
Id be more than happy to see him go, but for the slim margin. I agree time is better spent shoring up the majority so we can show this asshat the way across the aisle.
Nay
(12,051 posts)the whole DU thing, but I can't stand that guy.
leftstreet
(36,111 posts)He'd lose all his power
cstanleytech
(26,316 posts)Calista241
(5,586 posts)Is the ability to claim credit for any legislation that passes. Which can only happen as a Dem until 2022, since we control all three branches of government.
He'd have the same power within the Senate. I'm sure McConnell would give him the chair of any committee he asked for. Hell, they'd probably let him chair every committee with the possible exception of the Judiciary Committee.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)that the Democrats could pass if hw wasn't acting as a proxy for the republicans. Where is he when it really counts ?
Mike Niendorff
(3,462 posts)He wouldn't survive a Republican primary in his wildest dreams.
I wish more Dems understood this.
His *ONLY* path to retaining office is with the support of the Democratic Party and Democratic voters.
Could he run a suicide mission and switch parties? Sure.
But that's exactly what it would be.
MDN
bottomofthehill
(8,343 posts)As one who saved democracy or the one who let it die. Either way, He is out in a few years.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)so that he could run uncontested provided he makes the appropriate commitments. Like not supporting a Supreme Court Nomination unless Repubs as a whole support the nominee.
If he's really going to run again in 2024, I would expect him to switch parties sometime mid / late next year. That way we can retain the Senate as long as possible, but he still gives the Repubs some face by flipping before we could potentially lose the Senate in 2022. Flipping after the Repubs hypothetically win the Senate in 2022 gives them no incentive to make a deal.
I'm praying it doesn't happen, but politics has made me jaded as hell.
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)Is that the Democrats have accountability but no power. I can hear the ads already - Democrats control the Legislative and Executive branches but can't get anything done.
It is better that we have the 50/50 split otherwise nothing will be accomplished, but we will need to be prepared for what is to come.
Voltaire2
(13,112 posts)He and Sinema forced giant cuts to both bills, and forced their delinkage, leaving the second bill in a limbo from which it may never exit.
The two of them have blocked this administration from doing anything that would change the narrative heading into the midterms, by design, and this will likely result in the loss of both houses.
So this caucus bit is at this point mostly irrelevant.
Nay
(12,051 posts)JT45242
(2,285 posts)Leadership in the Senate doesn't call for a vote if they know they will lose because manchin had THREATENED to vote with the rethuglican.
You don't miss any of the shots that you don't take. So, manchin can hide behind the handful of votes that do happen and never take heat for the ones that don't.
Like the house passed law that would codify Roe v Wade. It hasn't been called for a vote. If it did, every senator would be on the record. But no vote and everyone can not take the shot.
Mad_Machine76
(24,429 posts)If hes gonna switch I wish hed just do it and let the apocalypse begin. It would probably be the last we hear from him too.
Efilroft Sul
(3,581 posts)His ego will bring majority rule and the Biden administration crashing down around him. Let's all remember to thank Manchin for caucusing with the Democrats and his deep, abiding love for the filibuster that enabled Republicans to establish permanent minority rule across the land. They couldn't have done it without you, senator.
MineralMan
(146,324 posts)He doesn't vote like a Republican. He votes with Democrats almost all the time. Please do your homework before posting.