Democratic Sen. Manchin to vote against Neera Tanden for OMB director, cites her partisan tweets

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) announced Friday he will not support Neera Tanden to lead the Office of Management and Budget at the White House, a decision that could sink her nomination.

When Biden chose Tanden, there was an uproar among some Republicans over her past tweets that mocked several GOP senators. Republicans argued that her partisan beliefs made her unfit for a job that required frequent engagement with lawmakers. Manchin, in a statement, says he agrees with that assessment, citing her tweets as his reason for opposing her.

“I believe her overtly partisan statements will have a toxic and detrimental impact on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Office of Management and Budget,” Manchin said. “For this reason, I cannot support her nomination. As I have said before, we must take meaningful steps to end the political division and dysfunction that pervades our politics. At a time of grave crisis, it is more important than ever that we chart a new bipartisan course that helps address the many serious challenges facing our nation.”

With the Senate split 50-50, Tanden now needs at least one Republican to support her nomination. At her confirmation hearing, Republican senators read aloud her tweets calling Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) “the worst,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) “a fraud,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) “Voldemort,” and one saying that “vampires have more heart than Ted Cruz.” Cruz (R) represents Texas in the Senate.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/19/joe-biden-live-updates/#link-BDHPTYMAOVAF3D3TNBVROPZNWM

[WhiteTara]

1. Does that sink her nomination?

[Drunken Irishman]

2. Yeah. Probably. Unless some Republicans support her.

[LenaBaby61]

10. Unless some Republicans support her.

NOT gonna happen.

She's done unfortunately.

[LuvLoogie]

6. Probably

Trump called half the republicans worse things. so there's that.

[mdbl]

104. No kidding. How do they look in the mirror and think they are credible?

Of course Dems are held to a standard. Repugs have no standards, or shame.

[LiberalLovinLug]

108. Thats one reason why Manchin's objections are ridiculous

You are going to block a bill because..........the one up for nomination used some not nice words against your political rivals???? Really? That's why you'd block her? After four years of derision from the same party including the President?

If only we could have elected just one more Senator. dammit.

[LenaBaby61]

8. Does that sink her nomination?

Think so.

Yet he voted for Sessions, hideous Mitch McConnell judges, and for other thuglican despots.

I guess he's the most powerful man in the Dem party. His ass has to be kissed, or he can sink everything Biden and Harris want to do. Same with Sinema.

But as many continue to say, I guess both are needed in the Dem party

[Cha]

17. That's what I was wondering.. &

I see DI's response.

That would be too bad.. President Biden chose her because she the best. She's Fearless.

[torius]

3. She's just stating facts nt

[budkin]

4. Spare us Manchin!

This from the guy who confirmed Jeff Sessions and Richard Grenell!

[bullwinkle428]

69. And Brett Kavanaugh.

[TDale313]

7. I really, really want a cushion in the Senate so he's irrelevant.

Just saying

[LenaBaby61]

12. I guess he couldn't abide her calling out his RW buddies.

Last edited Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:10 PM - Edit history (1)

He said that he wants to bring back civility .... Fuck him.

And give me a break. tRump and most of his cohorts in the GQP/MAGGOT/deplorable party tried to steal another election, destroy the US Capitol, overthrow our government, kill Speaker Pelosi, and hang VP Pence, yet he's got a hard on for Tanden, saying that he's voting against her, because he wants to bring back civility.



When did Nera Tanden ever act in an uncivil manner and you know, storm the US Capitol, overthrow our government, murder/blind a policemen, threaten to hang a vice-president or defecate in a Speaker of the Houses office 🤔

[Ollie Garkie]

13. The fuck is his problem? Nt

[Under The Radar]

14. From the guy that regretted his support for Hilary

and held Trump close until In his first 2 years considered supporting Trump in 2020...so now mean spirited tweets upset him?

[onetexan]

98. K&R

[Firestorm49]

15. Her partisan beliefs made her unfit ..........

Really? Her partisan beliefs, huh? Hypocrisy reigns supreme.

[BigmanPigman]

16. Bingo!

[Midnight Writer]

18. Did Manchin ever hear of Mick Mulvaney? A hateful, partisan, incompetent hack that headed OMB.

One of those bureaucrats that see their mission as shrinking government and using government resources for political leverage.

If we Democrats had to suck it up and deal with Mulvaney, then Republicans can put up with Tanden.

Elections have consequences, and Biden deserves a the team of his choice, just like Trump had.

[DallasNE]

95. Not Only Did Manchin Vote To Confirm Mulvaney, He Voted To Confirm Kavanaugh

Mulvaney also Tweeted sympathy for the Jan 6th rioter implying the Democrats goaded them into rioting with their hate speech. Yeah, that's the guy Manchin previously voted to confirm as OMB Director.

[Fiendish Thingy]

19. Biden should appoint her as acting director anyway...as for Manchin...

I’d get in trouble if I typed what I was thinking, so I’ll just keep my thoughts to myself, but I will say that, if Manchin continues to sabotage Biden’s appointments and agenda, his senate career will end when his current term ends in 2024.

[OnDoutside]

23. Good idea.

[Cobalt Violet]

25. I hope he does.

Tired of his shit.

[NurseJackie]

40. Without him, you get full-blown genuine REPUBLICAN "shit" to be tired of...

... and a REPUBLICAN who'll vote with the Democrats even LESS often than he does. And a REPUBLICAN who'd likely give control of the Senate back to the GOP.

I, for one, am GRATEFUL to have him. Until we have a MUCH larger majority in the Senate, we must protect his seat and make certain he continues to win in West Virginia. Frankly, aside from a West Virginia honest-ta-gahd Republican... he's just about the BEST we can hope for.

[LymphocyteLover]

49. Yes, for now we need him and he helps us control the Senate which is huge

[LenaBaby61]

79. Yes, for now we need him and he helps us control the Senate which is huge.

Agree in essence.

But what if he keeps showing his ass like this and continues to cost us unity along the way?

I know people who've told me that if he's in the mood to destroy Biden's agenda because he's a DINO/drunk on power, why bother voting for a Dem at all then? One gal I talked to earlier told me that if Biden nominates a black female to the Supreme Court when a space opens, and Manchin says he doesn't like her because HE thinks that she's too liberal? That alone will lose Dems EVERYTHING, because I can assure you that African-Americans, who pulled Biden over the line and in places where he got their vote loyally in SC won't be voting Dem for shit if that happens, and our goose is cooked. Not many in West Virginia the past decades voted for a Dem as president, and they're still anti-Dem and for sure mostly anti-black.

[LymphocyteLover]

88. I know. He sucks. Hopefully Joe can appeal to his better side.

[Jedi Guy]

26. Yeah, I'm sure the hordes of liberals in WV will vote him out...

I seriously doubt that his opposition to some of Biden's agenda is going to sink him in 2024, given that he's representing arguably one of the reddest states in the country. Unless a bunch of people from California and NYC move to WV, he's going to be just fine.

[Fiendish Thingy]

64. He will lose to the GOP candidate- Dems won't vote for him in 2024 if he blocks Biden now.

If he continues to obstruct Biden’s agenda, He will get primaried in 2024, likely by a Biden supporting centrist, but Manchin will probably win the nomination. Nevertheless, the primary will damage him.

Sabotaging Biden is not the path to re-election for Manchin, it’s the path to sure defeat.

[Polybius]

106. WV Democrats aren't like other Democrats

They love him there and are much more conservative than the rest.

[Mr.Bill]

27. Yes, Manchin needs to be worried about alienating republicans in his state,

but sometimes he seems to forget that he also needs every Democratic vote in his state, too.

[TimeToGo]

33. It's true

But the result would a loss of a seat not a more liberal senator from W-VA.

As said above, a cushion is needed. A large one.

[JI7]

36. Many Democrats in his state are racist. almost half the Democrats voted for a criminal in prison

over Obama.

[Magoo48]

63. Manchin is an asshole and is in the wrong dugout.

[FBaggins]

76. I don't think that's an option

I don't think you can hold an "acting" role after the senate has explicitly rejected you.

[Fiendish Thingy]

96. There hasn't been a vote yet, has there?

[FBaggins]

102. Wouldn't matter much

An appointee can’t serve as an acting officer unless (s)he were “acting” because they were already in a senate-confirmed position or had served as an assistant for over 90 days to the previously confirmed officer.

[bullimiami]

20. And his record?

Confirming Trump Nominees – No Democratic Senator has voted to confirm more Trump nominees (115) than Senator Manchin. Senator Manchin voted to confirm his nominee to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice Neil Gorsuch. On nine occasions, Senator Manchin was the only Democrat to vote to confirm Trump nominees, including two cabinet Secretaries, three circuit court judges, and various other nominees.

[seta1950]

21. It's really irritating

That the standard is always different for Democrats.

[TexasBushwhacker]

50. It is irritating, but it's also common knowledge

If I was looking to move up in the government, I would restrict my comments to positive ones. Otherwise, I'd keep my piehole shut, because it always comes back to bite you in the ass. JMHO

[thx64536]

84. my grandmother

My grandmother used to say in a really high pitch Edith Bunker like voice, "If you don't have anything nice to say shut your God damn mouth!"

[Cobalt Violet]

22. Sick of his shooting us in the foot already!

Make DC a state already! Fuck Manchin.

[OnDoutside]

24. Well said.

[ancianita]

30. Fuck Manchin. What a trifling asshole.

[BradAllison]

28. This is a big thing in the reigh wing blogoshpere

And Manchin is falling for it. NO ONE in WV cares.

[SunSeeker]

29. Manchin voted to confirm Jeff Sessions but he won't confirm Neera Tanden?

[dhill926]

31. yeah, I'm over this shit....fuck him...

[BradAllison]

39. But don't you know?

Poor people without a pot to piss in care about Jeff Sessions.

[Mr. Sparkle]

32. Make her acting!

[LenaBaby61]

83. Make her acting!

Biden more than likely won't do that.

Damn, I wish he would though. Makes me so mad having to live through all of the shit tRump did and continues to do. Yes I know Biden's a by the book guy, but damn, sometimes you have to think outside the box and do what you have to, even if you're a lawful Dem.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

34. I hope he doesn't switch parties.

His priorities don't seem to align with us anymore.

[Escurumbele]

45. Have they ever?

[bucolic_frolic]

35. Biden announced he won't pull the nomination

Looking for GOP allies. Pricking Manchin's power would be a real blessing. If that fails he hasn't lost anything. He's shown he can't be pushed around. Go Joe!

[Tarheel_Dem]

46. The threat here is not Joe Biden being "pushed around", it's about Manchin being pushed out of the..

party, which would hand control of the Senate back to the GOP. Biden understands this, even if some of us don't.

[Praek3]

37. C'mon WVa Voters

You need to oust Manchin. What benefits do you receive from his representation?

I dislike him for many reasons as mentioned by others. I would add that he supports awful Kelly Loeffler.

Also, can anyone show me where Manchin condemned his daughter for lying about her university degree? Can anyone show me where he condemned his daughter for more than tripling the cost of Epi pens. Or condemning her golden parachute payout for quitting her job with the Epi pen maker? She walked away with millions.

Remember that when he righteously condemns $15 per hour minimum wage.

Screw Manchin.

[The Mouth]

43. The problem is that he's about as liberal as we can hope for

We are actually pretty luck to have a Democrat there at all, sad to say.

[JI7]

38. The problem is the media won't ask him why he supported many others

that said far worse that Trump nominated but then has a problem with NT who just happens to be a brown woman.

[still_one]

41. +++

[The Mouth]

42. trashing the people who are gonna vote on your job

usually doesn't turn out well. Regardless of how much anyone deserves it.

[LymphocyteLover]

48. I don't think she was expecting this appointment when she made the tweets

and honestly, she wasn't wrong

[Escurumbele]

44. There goes Manchin again...

I am never surprised by his choices, and the fact that many of his choices benefit republicans.

Too partisan??? really? and what are republicans, they are not partisan? Give me a break...

I repeat myself when I say that the 50/50 is such a dangerous number when Manchin is around...he will tilt the balance over and over. I hope we do well in 2022 and DO get a majority because with Manchin we will almost never have a 50/50 for Kamala to decide.

[Hulk]

51. Can he really be that simple minded, and be a Senator?

Jesus...I expect this from a repuKKKe. Then again, he has shown his colors all too often. "The best West Virginia can do"....sad, really sad.

[Crowman2009]

52. With Democrats like him, who needs GOPers!

[LymphocyteLover]

53. I know a lot of Bernie-loving lefties hate Neera but I really like her fighting spirit

she was really willing to mix it up with people on twitter but I never thought she was nasty. It'd be sad if her tweets kept her from getting the nomination. So ridiculous that now Repubs are super-sensitive about mean tweets.

[PoliticAverse]

66. Well if you want someone to fight for cutting entitlements, she's the one. n/t

[LenaBaby61]

81. Well if you want someone to fight for cutting entitlements, she's the one.

Okay, how long ago did she say that?

We had a piece of shit president, a putin-lover who tried to steal/rig another election and the mutherfukker's still saying that this election was stolen from him from the bowels of Mar-a-logo, which will keep his insane MAGGOTS stirred up and believing his LIES. And MoscowMitch is going to try to destroy any agenda Biden's going to have. I'm talking CURRENTLY, right NOW.

Yet you're focusing on something Tanden discussed many years ago and who now to my liking has expressed her thoughts on entitlements/Social Security/wage inequality/paid leave most recently, plus if Robert Reich (Who I've always admired and trusted) is good with Tanden, I'm good too.

Link to tweet

Currently, Pres. Biden is talking about Social Security raises/entitlements et all, and I can guarantee you that I fear MoscowMitch and this GQP party a lot more than Nera Tanden, and this GQP party's already bitching and moaning about not being able to do Social Security raises et al because the deficit's too high (The GQP's the one who drove up the deficits into the heavens IE: Tax cuts for the rich, and they never got around to the huge infrastructure bill That fatso tRump promised he'd pass. It never happened, because they care nothing but their rich donors and richest of the rich who made out like bandits under the GQP party/GQP Presidents). Hell, MOST didn't even want to give out stimulus checks of $600 dollars, and most GQP'ers don't care about Covid-19 relief PERIOD.

[LymphocyteLover]

87. she's also taken out of context a lot

[Aviation Pro]

54. Ahem

With the Senate split 50-50, Tanden now needs at least one Republican to support her nomination. At her confirmation hearing, Republican senators read aloud her tweets calling Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) “the worst,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) “a fraud,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) “Voldemort,” and one saying that “vampires have more heart than Ted Cruz.” Cruz (R) represents Texas in the Senate.

Was she wrong?

[jimfields33]

58. She wasn't wrong but now she needs one of their votes. Oops.

Collins and Romney probably were her best chance. Since she didn’t mention Merkowski, maybe she could get her vote.

[rickyhall]

55. DINO Manchin

[marmar]

56. But Brett Kavanaugh was just fine.....

.... yeah, okay Joe.

[StevieM]

70. +1. (eom)

[mad dame]

57. Neera Tanden not great

Just found out that she had some pretty awful tweets about Bernie Sanders. She's not all that wonderful

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

59. Oh FFS

What she Tweeted was a lot tamer than what many of the GOP spew. I'm tired of turning the other cheek for the RWNJs.

[ancianita]

60. AMEN.

On her worst day she's better than the best Republican cabinet appointment.

This is ridiculous. And the people of WV don't even care... he's so ... UGH.

[radius777]

99. +1. And suddenly the 'First Amendment' defense

that conservatives are fond of citing seems not to apply when it's a brown woman's speech.

[Jedi Guy]

107. That defense is just as bogus for her as it is when the GOP uses it for one of their own.

No one has a right to the job of OMB director, for starters. No one is saying she can't speak, just that there are consequences to the things she said. That's how free speech works.

[nwliberalkiwi]

61. His Daughter

His daughter was the CEO that raised the price of Epipens so high that it was difficult to afford. The family has no morals.

[Rebl2]

67. Well that's

pretty disgusting. I didn’t know that. Was she ever investigated?

[IronLionZion]

92. Heather Bresch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Bresch

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

[yaesu]

62. maybe we can keep his attention on this long enough to get the covid relief bill passed before he

decides he doesn't like that either

[Bettie]

65. FFS Has he not read the tweets of Senators from the other side of the aisle?

So frustrating.

[iluvtennis]

80. ++++ agree. nt

[PoliticAverse]

68. Wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare and steal Iraq's oil is ok apparently...

but being mean isn't.

[FBaggins]

72. Has she received a confirmation hearing?

Or is this intended to get her to drop out prior to a hearing?

I would assume that a senator who was on the fence would want to give a nominee the benefit of a hearing. Maybe she would agree that some comments were inappropriate... apologize... and commit to something different in the future.

[PoliticAverse]

75. Yes, the hearing was back on Feb 9th...

Last edited Fri Feb 19, 2021, 10:35 PM - Edit history (1)

See: https://www.npr.org/sections/president-biden-takes-office/2021/02/09/965820114/controversial-cabinet-nominee-neera-tanden-apologizes-for-past-insults-to-republ

[FBaggins]

77. Looks like she did the "mea culpa" dance pretty well

So much for that idea

[BunnyMcGee]

73. They're going to vote against Tanden...

for saying the truth?

[Efilroft Sul]

74. There are filthy horse stables that aren't as full of shit as Joe Manchin is.

[EndlessWire]

78. I think she nailed it myself.

At least she's honest and forthright. He's not going to find many Dems that are going to talk sweet about the GOP.

Who's side is he on? He's protecting Repubs, who do not care about our country. He's very questionable.

[Moostache]

82. I hate to point out the obvious...BUT:

Manchin doing this nullifies Democratic control of the Senate, so criticism of him is 100% appropriate - and his actions are enough to get him a post take-down here according to our site rules...

I like my Senators able to post on DU,

[riversedge]

89. I certainly do not agree with Manchins stated reason: esp. when he has supported these Repugs.......

Joe Manchin opposes Neera Tanden for OMB because of her past tweets, saying that she is too partisan. He previously voted in support of Brett Kavanaugh, Jeff Sessions, Ric Grenell and Bill Barr. Tells you everything you need to know.

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Renew Deal]

85. Everyone agrees about the Cruz one FWIW

[riversedge]

86. 'Asked if he would pull her nomination, Biden said, "No."..........

Manchin Opposes Neera Tanden's OMB Nomination, A Blow To Her Prospects
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/19/969587197/manchin-opposes-neera-tandens-omb-nomination-a-blow-to-her-prospects




February 19, 20215:19 PM ET



....The White House remained undeterred Friday evening, reiterating its support for Tanden. Asked if he would pull her nomination, Biden said, "No."

In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called Tanden "an accomplished policy expert who would be an excellent Budget Director." The statement said the White House is looking forward next week's committee votes "and to continuing to work toward her confirmation through engagement with both parties."

Tanden, who has served as an adviser to Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama, would be the first woman of color to oversee the OMB.

[Midwestern Democrat]

100. It's not typical for a president to outright rescind a nomination unless it becomes very toxic like

Lani Guinier's nomination for Assistant Attorney General in 1993 - usually, a doomed nominee is allowed or encouraged to withdraw himself/herself

[Hassin Bin Sober]

90. Lol

[sakabatou]

91. Manchin is such a tool

[tblue37]

93. Joe Manchin's obstructionism reminds me of Joe Lieberman's. We're it not for Joe Biden,

I might be permanently soured on the name "Joe."

[DeltaLitProf]

94. Not a good nom to begin with

I had a sense this could happen, since she has been such a blunt truth-teller on twitter. And OMB requires a person who is a consummate diplomat and gladhander.

I'm sure she can be helpful in other roles in the administration.

[Midwestern Democrat]

103. It was a surprising choice especially since Biden thought he was going to have a 52-48 GOP Senate

when he made the nomination (I think Tanden would probably have already withdrawn by now had we not unexpectedly swept the two Georgia Senate races).

[radius777]

97. Manchin vs AOC/Kamala/Tanden,

anyone see what his targets all have in common?

His public spats with outspoken women of color are IMO a clear dogwhistle to the voters in his pro-Trump state.

Manchin is a guy who has voted to confirm many terrible white men to powerful positions who were much more 'divisive' than Tanden could ever be. We had a Twitter troll as president who attempted to overthrow democracy. But of course the scary brown woman is the problem.

This is the typical double standard that non-whites and women (especially of color) have to face in America.

[DeminPennswoods]

101. OMB is important, but it's primarily an

administrative agency. It manages the rules and does the paperwork for all federal personnel actions, develops the budget based on the President's priorties and with input from all the cabinet departments, administers the federal civil service retirement programs and federal benefits programs like healthcare, vision, dental, long term care.

[BumRushDaShow]

105. The problem with OMB however, was 45's E.O. that established the ridiculous "Schedule F"

where OMB Director (and Mulvaney replacement) Russell Vought moved quickly and targeted 88% of their positions for Schedule F and they were ready to officially start implementing it as of January 19, 2021, before Biden was able to kill the whole thing with a superseding E.O. As it is, it does take time, regardless of the lame duck rush job done by the previous administration, to actually get reclassifications finalized and get SF-50s out, so that effort is probably completely moot now.

However there is going to be need for a strong personality in there to determine if any detritus was actually left behind who might try to knee-cap from within.

There was some speculation out there as to why OMB -

Dec 16, 2020,08:13am EST
Civil Service Reform Is Needed But Trump’s Lame Duck Initiative Is Not The Answer (And Could Make Things Worse)

Susan E. DudleyContributor

(snip)

Why target OMB now?

Returning to my “why now” question, OMB’s role is particularly critical during transitions between administrations. Presidents are expected to submit their budget requests to Congress on the first Monday of February each year. The first budget of a new administration is often delayed a few weeks, but without a staff of experienced budget examiners who have institutional knowledge of the myriad federal programs and agencies, it’s hard to imagine how a new president could formulate an informed request.

Transitions are also particularly busy times for regulations, and the career OIRA staff are the president’s point people. They work with agencies to help the outgoing team complete its priorities, and then turn around on January 20th to help the incoming team revise the policies that don’t match the new priorities. If their civil service protections were removed, could they serve the institution of the presidency as faithfully, or would they be more reluctant to support one administration out of fear of reprisals from the other?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/susandudley/2020/12/16/civil-service-reform-is-needed-but-trumps-lame-duck-initiative-is-not-the-answer-and-could-make-things-worse/?sh=82aec6e2706c

[DeminPennswoods]

109. IIRC, Biden rescinded schedule F before it was implemented

nt

[BumRushDaShow]

110. That's in my post with this link

https://www.govexec.com/management/2021/01/biden-sign-executive-order-killing-schedule-f-restoring-collective-bargaining-rights/171569/

But the problem may still be with "embedded" (former) Schedule Cs who may still be there (haven't handed in their resignations) or who may have been converted to Civil Service (outside of the defunct Schedule F).

[Karma13612]

111. Surprise surprise surprise!

Sigh

Is there ANYONE else who might be a good replacement? I hate this situation but can we get someone else who would also have the necessary attributes in full measure?

[Midwestern Democrat]

112. Gene Sperling would be the most obvious choice to replace her.

[Karma13612]

113. Thanks!..nt