It’s the best way to win another Senate term . . . if he doesn’t run for president.

  • ATQ
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    11 months ago

    He’s not the Senate swing vote any more, so this is how he gets attention.

      • jpj007@kbin.social
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        11 months ago

        He also at least votes for a Dem Majority Leader and, coming from West Virginia, the alternative would be a full-fledged Republican.

        I don’t like the guy, I disagree with him majorly, but he’s better than the only likely alternative.

        • wagesj45@kbin.social
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          11 months ago

          A barely necessary evil given how tight everything is. I wouldn’t feel bad if he stepped on a lego, though.

      • BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social
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        11 months ago

        I mean, this is just false. He’s essentially the last remnant of the old Southern Democrats that have since been nearly entirely replaced by Republicans, but they absolutely did exist. Hell, god damn Missouri had a Democrat Senator and Governor not that long ago. Louisiana still has a Democrat Governor. The party used to have a pretty substantial conservative wing that was actually competitive in the South. They clashed with the rest of the party constantly, but they also played a key part in allowing major Democratic victories like the ACA to pass.

        • Itty53@kbin.social
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          11 months ago

          Manchin isn’t that. He’s a neoliberal. Southern Democrats were the precursors to neoliberals but manchin isn’t one.

          Southern Democrats were Democrats who voted against the civil rights act. Manchin isn’t that old. He’s been in office since the mid 80s. He is a classic neoliberal. Liberal on social policies, conservative fiscal policies wrapped in a feel good liberal gild.

          • Billiam@lemmy.world
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            11 months ago

            Liberal on social policies, conservative fiscal policies wrapped in a feel good liberal gild.

            Don’t forget the hard-on for fossil fuels, planet be damned. That yacht ain’t gonna sail itself.

      • Itty53@kbin.social
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        11 months ago

        Oh yes he was. Manchin is a residual from the neoliberal movement. He’s a great reminder that Democrats have been “radical centrists” for decades.

        Democrats aren’t your friends. They’re just the better option between two conservative parties.

        • majkeli@kbin.social
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          11 months ago

          Democrats aren’t your friends. They’re just the better option between two conservative parties.

          Exactly.