4796

As long as it’s passed by spring, it will be fine.

4797

So, anything before may is fine?

4798

Yes, that’s 6 months before election.

4799

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/18/manchins-work-requirement-child-benefits-would-throw-grandparent-led-families-under-bus/

4800

It’s not just about the money (nor is it just “big coal” - did everyone forget the Exxon lobbyist?). It’s the trappings from being in and having power. Manchin doesn’t care about the voters in WV, nor is he making any stand on principles. It’s the same with Sinema, only with her its pharma with the puppet strings (she’s not alone, House D’s killed a bill to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Look at Heitkamp, formerly a “moderate” Senator from ND and now a lobbyist herself arguing rural voters really care about the inheritance tax.

Before them it was Liberman. Before him, Byrd. The list is long, and it will continue until such time as we get a new Constitution (which is to say, forever.)

As an aside, it doesn’t really matter if Democrats pass something or nothing in terms of the mid-terms. Elections aren’t decided on policy. In 2010 they passed stuff and suffered historic losses. It’s not a mystery why, either, the same exact thing is happening all over again (see CNN, NYT et al on Biden in crisis coverage.)

All that said, I agree with your post upthread.

4801

See, this will surely lose him his seat in the Senate much easier than if he just supported the original spending. These people probably make up 75% of WV. In my corner of Appalachia, seeing grandparents being parents again to young kids is practically normal.

4802

It’s all Meemaw, all of the time.

4803

sadly true.

4804

At this point I think there’s not a lose to put the squeeze hard on Manchin and Sinema- if you fail, Dems lose the majority most likely. The left is going to hold. If they bolt parties, neither of them would survive a primary.

Tell them to play ball/negotiate in good faith, or they’ll have no committee assignments or will get nothing passed.

I think the only way the Dems win is a combination of good luck on COVID that the delta wave is the last and we mostly eliminate restrictions by March, the economy stuff resolves itself, and we get something passed.

4805

I find that hard to believe in the case of Manchin, who is popular enough in WV to win a general election as a Democrat. Is there polling?

4806

You are dramatically overplaying your hand, dude.

4807
4808

“They are calling on President Biden to use his full power to fight for filibuster reform and pass the Freedom to Vote Act now.”

What does this even mean? Are there special powers that Biden can use to magically pass laws?

4809

Did you use your full power in asking those questions? Or did you selfishly keep some power to yourself??

4810

The President is clothed in immense power, I saw it mentioned in a movie.

4811

Points Wand

“Filibusteris Destructo!!!”

Mischief managed.

4812

You folks are silly. I like silly. :)

4813

There is a gulf between ‘ultimate power’ and ‘he is totally helpless here guys’. So chill the snark.

He’s the fucking president. He also is a former senator with knowledge and connections there. If he made it a priority, he could find levers to lean on. And yes I know damn well Manchin is the sisyphean boulder needing pushing here. But Joe, you’re the president, start pushing. That’s your damn job.

I am reminded of the movie Lincoln. During a critical moment mid film where in order to get a bill passed, Lincoln, through proxies, had to work on getting key support. There was literal backroom dealings to get enough people on board with his plan, and neutering opposition. And that was a pretty intractable and acrimonious time, if I recall.

Not saying it would be easy, but that by all appearances it is that Joe isn’t even going to try.

So they got arrested today, because the President isn’t doing what is important. And the indifference, as it was put, towards the issue is indeed disappointing.

4814

He’s been having meetings with Top Men (and Women), but we don’t know what those meetings have produced.

Bottom line is, unless you have a party willing to rollover to your every whim, you’re fucked as a President (with a majority this slim).

4815

You are a poet and you don’t know it. :)