Manchin eyes Senate exit

The Hill ^ | June 13, 2019

[SMGFan]

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is eyeing a possible exit from the Senate, and his decision could be a significant factor in which party controls the majority in 2021.

In moments of frustration, the centrist senator has gone so far as to tell colleagues he may leave the upper chamber before the end of this Congress, or after the 2020 elections.

Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) keeps a close watch on Manchin, and the senators have a good working relationship. While Schumer recognizes that his West Virginia colleague can get exasperated by dysfunction in the Senate, he believes Manchin is content and engaged in his job.

But Manchin says he’s deeply irritated with the lack of bipartisan cooperation on Capitol Hill, where passing bills has largely become an afterthought in the 116th Congress.

Manchin noted supporters in West Virginia are pressing him to run for governor next year, and he’s considering it.

“I have people back home that want me to come back and run for governor. We’re looking at all the different plays. I want to make sure whatever time I have left in public service is productive,” he told The Hill.

Asked if he’s happy with how productive he is in the Senate, Manchin replied, “Not at all.”

[SMGFan]

Sen Manchin when was the Senate bipartisan?

How would a bipartisan senate work? Gop agrees with a Democrat Senate majority?

[FlipWilson]

Run for governor Joe. Do it and resign today to do so. But on your way out, switch parties.

[BobL]

He was an excellent governor, and will be again...while Republicans pick up that seat.

[CMailBag]

Bipartisan is when Republicans bend over and spread their cheeks.

[Alberta's Child]

Joe Manchin is unhappy with the work the Senate is doing?

This is a guy who can probably count on one hand the number of meaningful, useful bills he's actually voted on during his Senate career.

That's not a criticism of Manchin, either. I'd say the same thing about nearly everyone in Congress.

[Williams]

Yes he sounds like a wonderful conservative person but he let his soul continue to be in the possession of those devil democrats.

[marajade]

I feel the man is one big giant fraud.

[HamiltonJay]

Absolutely the GOP will pick up the seat....

WV is TRUMP all the way... which is why Manchin has been one of the D’s who’s sided with the GOP or court nominees and others.

If he leaves, GOP is +1 in the senate.

[marajade]

Manchin voted against the tax cuts or repeal of the ACA though didn’t he.

[SMGFan]

Plenty of Republicans who were bipartisan have left Senate office by retirement or McCain.

Which Democrats were bipartisan besides Manchin?

[HamiltonJay]

Trust me, Manchin retires, GOP picks up a Senate seat in WV.

Had the D senator been ANYONE but Manchin, they would have lost that seat last cycle... Didn’t help that the GOP candidate wasn’t ready for prime time but even so, he would have likely beat any other D.

Manchin leaves, WV gets a R Senator and the Dems know it.

[Roccus]

Manchin voted against the tax cuts or repeal of the ACA though didn’t he.

Don't know....but I DO know that as governor he REMOVED the 6% sales tax on groceries. It was done incrementally, but it was DONE!

[JLAGRAYFOX]

If Democrat, Senator, Joe Manchin wanted to do something great for the people in the great state of West Virginia and all the American people, he would leave the failed Democrat Party and, become a Republican Senator this very day!!! He would them, immediately be in a terrific position to remain as an influential Senator or, he could leave the Senate and run for Governor in West Virginia, where he would easily win!!!

Wise up, Senator, Manchin.....your party has left you hanging out to dry....so, turn Republican today and become one of the major leaders of the pack to help & assist, “Make America Great Again”!!! Do it!!!
Senator, Manchin, switch political parties next Tuesday evening in Orlando, Florida, while standing at the side of POTUS, Donald J. Trump!!!

[fortheDeclaration]

Would be a major development if he did, shouldn’t have won reelection.

[miliantnutcase]

Ahh the dem’s Jeff Flake.

[relictele]

Maybe it’s personal familiarity coloring judgment but Joe is a somewhat sympathetic figure...except in certain areas.

1) He is a DINO - which is completely apropos since old-line Democrats are extinct now.

2) He has always been pro-gun both personally and politically. Lazy DC media types think coal is the #1 issue in WV when guns is the correct answer. It’s what cost Gore the state in 2000 (leading to FL mess) and they’ve never looked back.

3) He has always been pro-coal including when Obama took aim at it. Perhaps an obvious point but he was unyielding.

4) He PROBABLY would have switched parties...if his name weren’t Joe Manchin. Too many relatives in too many offices before him. Most WVians would embrace it...a few old-timers wouldn’t.

5) Some of the story is true. He hates dealing with coastal prigs like Schumer.

6) He was a coward on Obamacare when first running/elected - refused to take a position.

7) He had an uncomfortably close run this last time round from a bit of a non-entity. Left a bad taste in his mouth.

8) Has an ego. Doesn’t like criticism applied to all Dems when it’s applied to him too. Still wants to be liked/valued.

9) Gov Justice has been getting the Trump treatment from a load of ankle biters getting out of state $$$. Is vulnerable due to phony scandals. Manchin knows this.

10) Manchin could be governor probably until he chooses to retire even in a deep red state. Even a single term would rehab his ego, his image, etc.

[Alberta's Child]

In terms of voter registration, West Virginia is (surprisingly) a heavily Democratic state. The place is filled with nationalists and social conservatives, but Republicans can't win there if they toe the party line of the national GOP.

The downside of West Virginia is that on a per-capita basis, it has more white people on welfare than anywhere outside of Europe. THIS is why its Republican leaders usually vote like Democrats on the ACA, tax cuts, etc.

[Buckeye McFrog]

translation: This state is turning red so quickly I likely can’t win another term.

[nvcdl]

Manchin is hardly pro-gun - he was pushing mandantory background checks on private gun sales which is #1 on the wish list of the anti-gun crowd.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks so much for your support to this point... I personally apprecaite it...
FReepers, it's far beyond time to wrap up this FReep-a-thon.  Lets do it today.  Please chip in.

President Donald J. Trump and the Free Republic of the United States of America
President Donald J. Trump's address to the United Nations on 09/19/2017.

Ramirez political cartoon:  Google LARGE VERSION 06/12/2019: LINK  LINK to regular sized versions of his political cartoons (archive).
Garrison political cartoon:  Socialism the Millennial Flytrap LARGE VERSION 06/2019: LINK  LINK (scroll down) to regular sized versions of his political cartoons (archive).

FReepers, 97.514% of the Second Quarter FReep-a-thon goal has been met.  Click above and pencil in your donation now.  Please folks, lets end this FReepathon.  Thank you!
...this is a general all-purpose message, and should not be seen as targeting any individual I am responding to...

Just $428.00 dollars to 98.00%