Murkowski has more balls than Manchin

[musicblind]

10. There are two silver linings about Manchin's vote.

These silver linings are only in the context of knowing that Kavanaugh's nomination was, at the point Manchin declared his vote, unstoppable.

The first silver lining is the Republicans were hoping for a 50/50 split in the Senate because they believed having Pence break the tie would be a great photo-op and boost for his Presidential aspirations. By voting with the Republicans, Manchin denied them this opportunity.

The second silver lining is that Manchin's vote could not have stopped the confirmation in any way, however, he could try and use his vote to help us get a Senate majority to fight against Kavanaugh.

Had the Republicans only had 49 votes, there is no way Manchin would have voted how he did. He voted how he did in order to deny Republican's talking points about partisanship, Pence a photo-op, and his opponent more fodder in the WV race.

It is cynical to vote for an attempted rapist to achieve those means, but that is why he made the decision he did.