Is it even strategic anymore, or should we just take him at his word and figure out...something else? Feels like he's been pretty consistent and we should just believe him at this point.
Manchin has to stop fucking around. I understand the strategy of exhausting all avenues so he can go back and tell his voters that he had no other choice but to deep six the filibuster and so forth. Y'know, how about going back and saying that he helped them despite other Republicans try to stop these good things being passed? The infrastructure bill is bipartisan since the majority of Republican voters want it! So, pass the bill then Democrats can brag they passed the bill that would help their community and Republican didn't. Beat them with that hammer. It also precludes Republicans from taking credit for something they didn't vote for.
It's often said that Republicans run to be elected to a government position so they can prove that government doesn't work (by breaking it). Since many voters won't know why it doesn't work doesn't that till the soil to plant the seed of an authoritarian? Y'know, someone coming in and saying that Congress is broken and that they can make things work? It's the whole 'trains running on time' justification for a dictator being in charge.
Is it even strategic anymore, or should we just take him at his word and figure out...something else? Feels like he's been pretty consistent and we should just believe him at this point.
Manchin has to stop fucking around. I understand the strategy of exhausting all avenues so he can go back and tell his voters that he had no other choice but to deep six the filibuster and so forth. Y'know, how about going back and saying that he helped them despite other Republicans try to stop these good things being passed? The infrastructure bill is bipartisan since the majority of Republican voters want it! So, pass the bill then Democrats can brag they passed the bill that would help their community and Republican didn't. Beat them with that hammer. It also precludes Republicans from taking credit for something they didn't vote for.
It's often said that Republicans run to be elected to a government position so they can prove that government doesn't work (by breaking it). Since many voters won't know why it doesn't work doesn't that till the soil to plant the seed of an authoritarian? Y'know, someone coming in and saying that Congress is broken and that they can make things work? It's the whole 'trains running on time' justification for a dictator being in charge.