Posted on 12/22/2017 4:27:00 PM PST by Kaslin
Of course it will, Joe. More than 80 percent of Americans will get a tax cut next year under the new law, with nearly as many taxpayers enjoying relief through at least 2026 (and very likely beyond). Of the plan's tiny handful of 'losers' (less than five percent), most are high-income earners living in high-tax states who itemize their deductions -- as opposed to taking the now-doubled standard deduction, as 70 percent of filers currently do (a number that will grow). It...doesn't sound like many West Virginians fit that profile. Manchin knew all of this, of course, but he voted with Chuck Schumer anyway, just as he's refused to help Republican Senators confirm a number of highly qualified judges nominated by President Trump. Confronted with his tax reform vote on local radio, Manchin struggled to defend his decision:
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Wednesday struggled to explain his opposition to the Republican tax overhaul, conceding in a local radio interview that it contains “some good things” that could benefit his state. “There’s some good in this bill. I acknowledge that,” Manchin said, when West Virginia radio talk show host Hoppy Kercheval asked the senator why he opposed legislation that will benefit the “vast majority” of taxpayers and businesses in the state. “The things that you mention are correct. Initially people will benefit and see some changes in their taxes,” Manchin admitted...At times, it appeared that Manchin was wrestling with his answers, trying to justify his “no” vote without being too critical, and antagonizing Trump...Trump still has high approval ratings in West Virginia, a state he won over Democrat Hillary Clinton by nearly 42 percentage points. The senator could face blowback for voting against a measure Trump championed — and that was supported by the Republicans in his state. If voters in the working class-dominated state come to embrace the tax bill, Manchin’s re-election challenges could intensify. And it’s not just him. Democratic senators from Republican-leaning states facing similar potential hurdles over their opposition include Claire McCaskill of Missouri; Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota; and Joe Donnelly of Indiana.
Manchin said that he opposed the bill because it adds to the national debt, and because the individual rate cuts weren't permanent. These are contradictory reasons. And if he was so concerned about the "temporary" tax cuts (as it stands families will receive relief every year for almost a decade), why wouldn't Manchin have voted for the bill, adamantly insisting that he'll vote to extend the tax cuts, or make them permanent, at the earliest possible opportunity? He also blamed his vote on the legislation's repeal of Obamacare's individual mandate tax, marking the latest instance in which he's defended the failing healthcare law, despite assuring West Virginia voters that he's opposed to 'the bad parts' of it. Other faux moderates like Indiana's Joe Donnelly, and North Dakota's Heidi Heitkamp (who was forced to retract some of the false propaganda she spread about the bill) should be held to account, as well. And while we're on the subject of vulnerable Senate Democrats, what to make of this news?
Clinton mulls role in 2018 midterms: https://t.co/O2lE0qWoK7 pic.twitter.com/i5F0wUv3HM— The Hill (@thehill) December 21, 2017
Hillary's favorable rating is at an all-time low -- even lower than Trump's -- yet she's reportedly thinking about stumping for Democrats across the country next year. Will Missouri's Claire McCaskill, who was the very first member of Congress to endorse Hillary Clinton for president last cycle (in 2013!), welcome her old friend and ally back to the Show Me State for some campaign "help"? Mrs. Clinton managed to attract 38 percent of the Missouri vote last November. I'll leave you with this observation:
WaPo: "It’s remarkable that not a single Democrat in either chamber voted for this...the undeniable math is that most people are going to pay less...the sky will not fall." #taxreform https://t.co/KqNImowerf— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) December 20, 2017
"Remarkable," indeed.
Throw the bum out
Big mistake, Joe. Manchin is toast now. POTUS is MASSIVELY popular in WV and will destroy him.
No WAY!!!
Biggest fraud in the Senate. Get rid of this punk WV.
The film Flam man!
Senators were once elected by, and worked for, their states.
Today, they are elected by the people, but work for their political party.
The rat leadership threatened to hang, draw, and quarter the wayward.
Hey Joe, did your crow come with a slice of cheese and fries?
I was considering sending thank you notes to Senator Sack-o-Durbin and Senator Duckworthless for passing the tax relief legislation. Do you think they would understand the irony?
He’s had enough chances to change parties and keep his job. Trump should help a good R run against him and beat him. Manchin seems like a decent guy but just doesn’t get it.
Yes it would help WVA, but Chuckie wouldn’t let me, and I wasn’t a big enough man to stand up to him.
Manchin is a jerk. The hard-working people of his state should kick his ass to the curb.
Trump needs to find a real conservative and help to brutalize this fool Manchin next year. We don’t need another RINO POS like Capito though.
Tell the truth, Joe.
You voted no because that was the order from the democrat gestapo leaders.
Under no circumstances are you permitted to cooperate with republicans to do what is right for the country.
The interests of the democrat party must come first!
Who the hell is this Joe Manchin guy? Chuck Shumer is the Senior Senator from West Virginia. That should be crystal clear to WV voters by now.
Fake News will show Manchin polling better than Jenkins right up to the end.
Who in Motaineer country belieces Manchin.. He has just gone weak-kneed at all the wealth redistribution in it. Millions of billions more to those Who pay zero in the first place. Or it could be the Democrat middle class sleaze in it. Minchin isn’t a fan of working cifizens.. so I bet he loves this as the 2 Chuck n Nancy debt deals.
Ha ha, that’s a good one.
Strategic error on Manchin’s part. Should have held his vote til the end and Schumer should have released him. His best bet now is to switch parties like his governor did.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.