This is a superb history & analysis of Manchin from @awprokop -- a must-read for everyone. It helped me realize, on a deeper, more informed & nuanced level, that I really fucking hate this guy. https://www.vox.com/22339531/manchin-filibuster-bipartisanship-senate-west-virginia

"I truly believe in my heart of hearts, if we get rid of the filibuster, we would lose the purpose of this democracy, of this republic, which is for the people."

I don't care if he believes this in his heart, his ass, or his elbow, it is demonstrable, indefensible bullshit.

Am I supposed to find this admirable? It's either unforgiveable naivete or deliberate bullshit. Either way it ought to draw mockery & scorn. But in the beltway, naivete/bullshit about bipartisanship is always, always celebrated.

I swear to GOD if a bunch of you come into this thread and mansplain to me that Manchin would be replaced by a Republican if he were gone, or that he's the 50th Dem vote in the Senate, or other Politics 101 shit that everyone already knows, I'm going to burn this hellsite down.