Thread by @kazweida, For our #ThursdayThread , we're asking a question that has no easy [...]

For our #ThursdayThread , we& #39;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)

(2) Manchin& #39;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">https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/...

Opinion | Joe Manchin: I will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster

We will not solve our nation’s problems in one Congress if we seek only partisan solutions.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/joe-manchin-filibuster-vote/2021/04/07/cdbd53c6-97da-11eb-a6d0-13d207aadb78_story.html

(3) There isn& #39;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& #39;t up for re-election until 2024. And it& #39;s not clear he& #39;ll run again. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-joe-manchin-is-so-willing-and-able-to-block-his-partys-goals/">https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/...

Why Joe Manchin Is So Willing And Able To Block His Party’s Goals

Senate Democrats need all 50 members of their caucus to band together to pass bills that don’t have any GOP support. So, in theory at least, any senator could c…

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-joe-manchin-is-so-willing-and-able-to-block-his-partys-goals/

(4) If Manchin isn& #39;t likely to run again, he probably doesn& #39;t need to bend over backward to play nice with the GOP for his constituents.

So why is he obstructing his own party& #39;s agenda? What does Joe Manchin want? https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/what-drives-joe-manchin/618208/">https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/arc...

What the Media Are Missing About Joe Manchin

The senator has skillfully managed his image, to stay viable in a state that went from a Democratic to a Republican majority.

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& #39;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/">https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/2...

What’s the deal with Joe Manchin? Here are 3 key things to understand why he might sink a lot of...

The West Virginia Democratic Senator seems to be at the center of basically every issue swirling around American politics these days.

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& #39;t been a reality in Washington in decades.

Manchin is confident he& #39;s the guy who can "make things happen" and broker deals. In short, this is about Manchin& #39;s ego. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/god-emperor-joe-manchin-might-singlehandedly-throttle-democratic-agenda-filibuster">https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021...

God Emperor Joe Manchin Might Singlehandedly Throttle the Democratic Agenda

The conservative Democrat wrote in an op-ed that there is “no circumstance” in which he'd kill or weaken the filibuster. There’s just one problem: his argument makes no sense.

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& #39;ll work with him. That he has the inside track on building consensus.

And he& #39;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">https://www.forbes.com/sites/and...

Manchin Warns Democrats’ Election Reform Bill Could Cause Another Jan. 6

The West Virginia Democrat, whose vote would be critical, has not said where he stands on the sweeping legislation.

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& #39;d say it& #39;s pretty simple.

Joe Manchin is enjoying his power trip. And he& #39;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/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/...

Opinion | We’re all Joe Manchin’s prisoners

If you want to know what will happen, figure out what the West Virginia senator wants.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/08/were-all-joe-manchins-prisoners/

(9) And sure, it& #39;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">https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chr...

Chris Wallace Asks Joe Manchin If He's 'Enjoying' His Power 'A Little Too Much'

The conservative West Virginia Democrat, a key swing vote in the Senate, appeared on four Sunday shows.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-wallace-joe-manchin-power_n_6045521dc5b60208555f9042

(10) So we& #39;re stuck with Joe Manchin. And the bad news is I don& #39;t think he& #39;s a problem we can solve.

Our best solution is to focus on getting more seats in 2022 so we don& #39;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">https://nymag.com/intellige...

Democrats Have a Good Chance of Holding the Senate in 2022

With the Judiciary on the line, the Senate landscape favors Democrats in the next midterms.

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& #39;ll do this again.

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