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For our #ThursdayThread , we're asking a question that has no easy answers.
How do you solve a problem like Joe Manchin?
I mean honestly. What the hell does this dude want?
(THREAD)
How do you solve a problem like Joe Manchin?
I mean honestly. What the hell does this dude want?
(THREAD)
(2) Manchin's come forward again today with more bluster about how he will never ever eliminate the filibuster, which certainly means any hope for significant voting rights legislation is withering on the vine.
So what are we gonna do about Joe Manchin? https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/joe-manchin-filibuster-vote/2021/04/07/cdbd53c6-97da-11eb-a6d0-13d207aadb78_story.html
So what are we gonna do about Joe Manchin? https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/joe-manchin-filibuster-vote/2021/04/07/cdbd53c6-97da-11eb-a6d0-13d207aadb78_story.html
(3) There isn't much Dems can do. Historically, West Virginia was a Democratic stronghold but those days are long gone. Today the GOP dominates the state.
Manchin isn't up for re-election until 2024. And it's not clear he'll run again. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-joe-manchin-is-so-willing-and-able-to-block-his-partys-goals/
Manchin isn't up for re-election until 2024. And it's not clear he'll run again. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-joe-manchin-is-so-willing-and-able-to-block-his-partys-goals/
(4) If Manchin isn't likely to run again, he probably doesn't need to bend over backward to play nice with the GOP for his constituents.
So why is he obstructing his own party's agenda? What does Joe Manchin want? https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/what-drives-joe-manchin/618208/
So why is he obstructing his own party's agenda? What does Joe Manchin want? https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/what-drives-joe-manchin/618208/
(5) There is some speculation Manchin is channeling his predecessor, Byrd, and eager to bring home the pork to West Virginia.
But Democrats have tried enticing him with all sorts of goodies and frankly, Manchin doesn't seem that interested. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/24/nation/whats-deal-with-joe-manchin-here-are-3-key-things-understand-why-he-might-sink-lot-democratic-agenda/
But Democrats have tried enticing him with all sorts of goodies and frankly, Manchin doesn't seem that interested. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/24/nation/whats-deal-with-joe-manchin-here-are-3-key-things-understand-why-he-might-sink-lot-democratic-agenda/
(6) Manchin seems to be genuinely invested in this idea of bipartisanship that hasn't been a reality in Washington in decades.
Manchin is confident he's the guy who can "make things happen" and broker deals. In short, this is about Manchin's ego. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/god-emperor-joe-manchin-might-singlehandedly-throttle-democratic-agenda-filibuster
Manchin is confident he's the guy who can "make things happen" and broker deals. In short, this is about Manchin's ego. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/god-emperor-joe-manchin-might-singlehandedly-throttle-democratic-agenda-filibuster
(7) Manchin spends lots of time chatting with Republicans. He always has. He sees them as friends and believes they'll work with him. That he has the inside track on building consensus.
And he's always eager to scoop up & parrot back GOP talking points. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/03/24/manchin-warns-democrats-election-reform-bill-could-cause-another-jan-6/?sh=57b356545470
And he's always eager to scoop up & parrot back GOP talking points. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/03/24/manchin-warns-democrats-election-reform-bill-could-cause-another-jan-6/?sh=57b356545470
(8) Manchin is hard to read, but after digesting dozens of probing profiles and deep dives, I'd say it's pretty simple.
Joe Manchin is enjoying his power trip. And he's pretty delusional about the toxicity of the GOP and their flirtation with fascism. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/08/were-all-joe-manchins-prisoners/
Joe Manchin is enjoying his power trip. And he's pretty delusional about the toxicity of the GOP and their flirtation with fascism. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/08/were-all-joe-manchins-prisoners/
(9) And sure, it's tempting to lean on Manchin and make his life extremely unpleasant, but Democrats have to be wary.
Manchin could decide to defect to the GOP (see Jeffords 2001) and then Mitch McConnell will control the Senate again. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-wallace-joe-manchin-power_n_6045521dc5b60208555f9042
Manchin could decide to defect to the GOP (see Jeffords 2001) and then Mitch McConnell will control the Senate again. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-wallace-joe-manchin-power_n_6045521dc5b60208555f9042
(10) So we're stuck with Joe Manchin. And the bad news is I don't think he's a problem we can solve.
Our best solution is to focus on getting more seats in 2022 so we don't have to be held hostage by a delusional, ego-hungry senator from West Virginia. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/03/democrats-have-a-good-chance-of-holding-the-senate-in-2022.html
Our best solution is to focus on getting more seats in 2022 so we don't have to be held hostage by a delusional, ego-hungry senator from West Virginia. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/03/democrats-have-a-good-chance-of-holding-the-senate-in-2022.html
(END) Thanks to @kantarjiev for the thread suggestion. Stop by on Tuesday and we'll do this again.
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Like threads like this and want to keep them coming? You can support my work here:
http://paypal.me/kazweida http://patreon.com/kazweida
