Just gotta say... I really like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia

[Goodheart]

On MSNBC right now. Seems ultra-caring for his constituents without any of that common haughty pomposity a Senator.

[bresue]

1. I agree and tries to remain positive in the midst of mudslinging

[magicarpet]

2. Take a peek at his voting record....

If you are a progressive have your barf-bag at the ready. He votes like a Re-thug.

[OKNancy]

5. no he doesn't

He votes like a Democrat from a very red state. He votes with the Democratic majority 73% of the time
https://ballotpedia.org/Joe_Manchin_III

Read this about the chances of a non-incumbent Democrat winning in WV https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/liberals-would-be-foolish-to-target-joe-manchin/
Hint: 1 or 2% chance

[Demsrule86]

6. No he doesn't...

welcome to DU...

[Panich52]

3. Unfortunately, his concern is short-term

He's a DINO who too often supports Repubs' social & economic policies.

Latest case in point is his support f/ Trump's resurgence of environmentally disastrous & economically stagnant coal production. If he was actually so caring about the future of West Virginians, head be looking f/ ways to break the stifling tradition of "coal country" and look f/ more future-oriented economic policies.

[Demsrule86]

7. He has to win re-election...why would he stick his neck out for something that can't happen under

the GOP...do you ever consider that if you have the most perfect liberals anywhere in Congress...just like us...but have only a minority of such people...we lose every battle. He won't vote for Trump care...I promise you any WVA GOP type would.

[Bradical79]

11. He's certainly useful more often than not

But that doesn't make him less of a bigot, or obligate anyone to actually like him.

[Panich52]

13. He could still push f/ more rational policies. What you

describe is mere self-preservation. Keeping his job by supporting policies destructive to constituents only helps him.

[Demsrule86]

15. He is opposed to Trumpcare...

He has not supported destructive policies...but you can bet a Republican would.

[Panich52]

16. His support f/ coal is destructive, as is his support f/

anti-choicers.

[Demsrule86]

17. He can't win without supporting coal...it will die regardless...

and we need the majority...we lost in Montana yesterday with a candidate that was never going to win a conservative state...for some reason...it was believed that rallies by Sen. Sanders would help. It didn't. The vote was closer than 2016 which is encouraging, but you can't run liberal candidates in red states...Manchin is much better than any GOP and if he loses, it will be a disaster for us. He was with us on the Methane vote as well, and we would have lost without him.

[Demsrule86]

18. Manchin votes with us most of the time...you think a GOP would vote for planned parenthood?

"Manchin told POLITICO that he’s prepared for a politically charged vote, and that he would continue to support federal funding for Planned Parenthood as long as the four-decade-old ban on the use of federal money for abortions remains in place."


http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/14/abortion-politics-senate-2018-238331

[Demsrule86]

19. If we are to retake the Senate and stop the GOP court packing, we need Manchin.

We are in serious jeopardy in the Senate in 18 and those who cry for purity are enabling the GOP.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Eh?

He's not my Senator so I don't give a shit. I love Booker and a lot of liberals hate him. But I love him and I'm proud to be represented by someone who would never throw around an idea like - everyone pay a 1/2% sales tax to fix infrastructure.

Manchin is way out of touch with people who have modest homes but pay $8, $9K a year in property taxes. He has no clue how we live and survive in high tax states. That 1/2 would take food off the table of a middle class family of four in central nj.

[OnDoutside]

10. But he's not repesenting NJ, he's not representing a true Blue state, and that's the problem.

He denies a seat to the Republicans without ever being a dependable Democrat. That's as much as Democrats can expect in West Virginia right now.

[JustAnotherGen]

14. As long as Manchin takes that 1/2 percent sales tax on everything

Idea to the state of government of WV for their infrastructure - aok.


I expect Booker and Menedez to tear his throat out if he tries to nickel and dime us to death in NJ.


Phil Murphy has brought that up twice in town halls I've attended.

Even Phil Murphy will defend us from W.VA not ever paying their fair share.

[Thrill]

8. He's the type of politician, I just don't like

He worries more about staying into office, than integrity. And he wants to be loved by both sides too much.

[Demsrule86]

20. You have to get elected...and that requires pragmatism.

[RandiFan1290]

9. Y'all are posting in a thread

[Bradical79]

12. He's a bigot

He's somewhat useful, and seems to care about certain kinds of people, but that doesn't mean I will like him.