UPDATE: Senator Joe Manchin has decided to sign on to Feinstein's Keep Families Together Act.

[Beaverhausen]

let's give him all a phone call, shall we?

It's S.3036.

his Washington DC office -202-224-3954
his Charleston WV office - 304-342-5855

Someone posted below that Manchin decided to do the right thing.

I think our calls helped!!!

[MrsCoffee]

1. U.S. Sen. Doug Jones says he'll co-sponsor 'Keep Families Together Act'

https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/06/us_sen_doug_jones.html

[Beaverhausen]

2. Good to hear. He wasn't on board as of last ight.

[leftstreet]

3. No surprise. Manchin is a Trump supporter

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Thursday released an ad that touts his support for President Trump's plan to build a wall along the Mexico-U.S. border.

Manchin, who is running for reelection in a state that Trump won by 42 percentage points, said he voted in favor of funding Trump's proposed wall, which the president said during his 2016 campaign would be paid for by Mexico.

snip


He's sought to play up his willingness to back Trump and said earlier this month that he was open to supporting Trump's 2020 presidential run.

“I’m open to supporting the person who I think is best for my country and my state,” Manchin told Politico. “If his policies are best, I’ll be right there.”

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/392350-manchin-touts-support-for-trump-border-wall-in-new-ad

[NCTraveler]

9. He is not a Trump supporter. Your link backs that up.

Black and white thinking is for simpletons.

"Manchin is a Trump supporter"

You have a history of blatantly lying about Democrats, as you have done here.

[OliverQ]

11. He said he would consider supporting Trump in 2020.

[NCTraveler]

12. Correct.

That is from his words and an accurate statement.

[theaocp]

29. I guess you're okay with that, then?

Feel free to disagree with the senator from WV anytime. I'd hate to see you beDazzled by his D.

[NCTraveler]

33. I don't know why I wouldn't be ok with your correction of the other poster.

You corrected a blatant lie. I'm all good with that.

[theaocp]

41. True believer word games can be fun.

Let's try this again: you're cool with him supporting 45, no matter what bullshit excuses he comes up with, so he keeps his seat?

[NCTraveler]

42. I never even insinuated such a thing.

All I did was correct a blatant lie.

When a lot of fight is combined with a beautiful imagination........

I corrected a blatant lie. You clearly supported me in that as your follow up was completely accurate and rebutted the blatant lie as well. That is called agreement. No clue where you are getting the rest of your stuff. Not from anything I have ever said. That's for sure.

There should be a basis for assumptions. Otherwise it's not an assumption, it's simply imagination.

What is a "true believer"? Are you now mocking Bro's?

[Trek4Truth]

44. That sounds like a smart thing to say if you are a Democratic Senator from a deep red state who is

rabidly in love with RUMP.

[atreides1]

28. Manchin is a Democrat!

When it's convenient, Joe is a Democrat! Currently it isn't convenient, because he wants to keep his senate seat...so he'll be very careful about what he does and doesn't do...so as not to upset the voters of West Virginia!!!

Joe is kind of like Two Face, from Batman...only he doesn't flip a coin when he makes his decisions...or does he???

[NCTraveler]

40. Agree with your overall assessment. nt

[disillusioned73]

54. Saw that..

not surprised at all..

[Demsrule86]

59. He is not a Trump supporter. He is running for election in a red district.

[leftstreet]

60. His own words

sup·port
səˈpôrt/
verb
verb: support; 3rd person present: supports; past tense: supported; past participle: supported; gerund or present participle: supporting

1.
bear all or part of the weight of; hold up.
"the dome was supported by a hundred white columns"
synonyms: hold up, bear, carry, prop up, keep up, brace, shore up, underpin, buttress, reinforce, undergird
"a roof supported by pillars"

“I’m open to supporting the person who I think is best for my country and my state,” Manchin told Politico. “If his policies are best, I’ll be right there.”

How is that not support?

[Demsrule86]

62. He just supported Feinsteins bill...do you think if GOP were in his place that would happen? We

need Manchin if we are to have any chance of stopping Trump, and Manchin is in a tough spot...honestly your words hurt our efforts to take back the senate...with baby jail now a reality, I would think you want to lend a hand instead .

[Demsrule86]

65. You really should delete this as Sen. Manchin has signed on to the Feinstein bill...

I fail to understand when Trump is kidnapping children and now has baby jail..babies in cages why you don't understand how important it is to take the senate and stop him. I have to say, I think Sen.Manchin has good heart...but I have to wonder about some on this board...not specifically saying you.

[Me.]

4. But, But, But...You Know

He votes with Dems

[UTUSN]

8. This.

[bahrbearian]

15. I get confused

Bernie's not a Dem

[Me.]

18. What's Confusing About That

I am not at all confused when he says "I am not A Dem", I believe he knows who he is and isn't

[karynnj]

19. We have a very narrow chance of running the boards and getting the majority in the Senate

Having the majority is a big deal ... and he WILL vote to caucus with the Democrats. That alone is worth him winning over his Republican opponent. Consider that his Republican opponent is likely NEVER to vote for us.

Imagine it is the day after the election and the WV seat is the only one still in question -- and the Senate is 50 Democrats and 49 Republicans at that point. As Pence decides a 50/50 tie, for all purposes they can control the Senate with 50 - though as in 2000, Democrats may have more weight in committees than now. Tell me how unimportant it is for Manchin to win?

If he wins, we have 51 Senators - as happened in the 2006 election and while we can't pass anything (even if we also get the House) to move our various agendas, we can keep lots of bad things from happening. In addition, like in 2006, that situation is far better as a backdrop in 2020. Especially if our nominee is a Senator, like Harris, Booker, Gillibrand, Klobuchar etc - think of the difficult votes that McConnell could manufacture. (Consider in 2004, the Republicans played with Kerry - rescheduling important votes after he adjusted his schedule to get to DC - and in at least one case when he was not there, had enough Republicans vote with Democrats to make his vote seem critical.)

[Me.]

22. Not If He Votes With Comrade Trump

That flies right out the window

I refer you to post #3

[karynnj]

25. Has he suggested he would not caucus with the Democrats?

Consider that Lieberman endorsed McCain while he caucused with the Democrats. As long as Manchin caucuses with us AND could potentially be the deciding vote in who has the majority, THAT vote is more important than if he endorses Trump.

Consider that in 2006, we would not have gained the majority without Webb, who had not just endorsed GWB 2 years earlier, but wrote an article swiftboating John Kerry. Yet, John Kerry, gave him the money he needed for GOTV in the primary from his leadership PAC and endorsed him in the primary-- because he was the only realistic chance to get that seat. Webb was never a dependable vote on bills, but he made Harry Reid the majority leader.

[Me.]

27. I Referred You To Post #3

where Manchin is reported as saying he would support Comrade Trump's policies if he agreed with them and why wouldn't he use that tired old excuse of his constituents. This is one of those moments where, when someone tells you who they are/what they think, it's best to believe them rather than be fooled once again. And as to the past, this is not that and the situation is now dire and we shouldn't count on any Senator from WV whoever they turn out to be.

[karynnj]

36. No one here is saying that they would put Manchin on their list of great Democratic Senators

What many of us are saying is the current choice is Manchin or his Republican opponent.

I get that Manchin has said he supports many Trump policies and that he might even endorse Trump over our nominee. My point is and remains that unless he says he won't caucus with the Democrats or even might not caucus with the Democrats, his win is important. How important will be determined by how the other seats play out.

In 2006, we needed to nearly run the table - and we did. The only open seat we lost was Corker defeated Harold Ford in Tennessee. This year is actually tougher - several Democrats are up in states that have been red in recent elections.

[Me.]

39. And What I Am Asking Is....

if Manchin says he will vote with the Comrade, his words, what's the diff?

[karynnj]

55. As I said he has never said he would NOT caucus with the Democrats- that ONE vote could be important

This EVEN if he were to vote with the Republicans on every other bill - as his opponent would while caucusing with McConnell.

The choice is a constrained choice - him, the Republican and maybe the coal exec who went to jail over deaths in an unsafe mine if he runs too.

[Me.]

56. There's No Question

that the odds of him voting with the Dems is better than the other 2. That said, I have no trust in someone who says they might vote with Comrade Trump...say on an immigration bill, another tax increase or some other which the scared/angry white majority in WV back heartily.

[KitSileya]

69. The difference is majority vs minority.

Which decides who sets the agenda, who leads the committees, who decides what gets put up for a vote. That is incredibly important regardless of whether Manchin votes with the GOP 100% or not - because by bringing things up for a vote, we can hang their votes around their necks at every opportunity ("They voted against ending family separations. Joe Blow, R-state, is for children being torn from their mother's breast"...cue toddler jail audio tape.)

[Tom Rinaldo]

51. You speak for me. Thank you

If we keep Schumer's seat and pick up two more Schumer controls who investigates Trump. Democrats determine which bills make it to the Senate floor. McConnell singlehandedly was able to block full Senate consideration of a bill to protect Mueller even though it passed a Republican controlled Judicial Committee with the support of Grassley and strong bipartisan support. If Manchin goes down Republicans likely retain control and he is replaced by someone who will vote 99% of the time with Trump.

[drray23]

32. not how it works.

As long as he caucuses with the dems and we have over 50 seats (like 51), then we have the senate majority leader who gets to decide whats even put on the floor. We also have the chairmanship of every committee and have subpoena power.
Whether Manchin sometimes votes against what we want does not matter. Whats important beyond anything else is to have the majority control.

[Me.]

37. I Am Quite Aware Of How It Works

and if we have 51 Senators but one votes with Comrade Trump it becomes a tie and then Pence decides.

[drray23]

46. again thats not the point.

If we control the senate we wont vote on crazy stuff since our senate leader wont put it on the floor.

[Me.]

47. We Differ

Yes it's good to have majority leader who controls the floor but in the end it comes down to votes

[drray23]

49. yeah ultimately it does matter.

However, any good leader is going to make sure that what gets on the floor can pass within our own caucus. We wont vote on killing the ACA for example. I think the benefits of that alone is well worth putting up with blue dog democrats. Not to mention, we can also make sure the investigations into Trump and his ilk dont die off. We will have the power to keep them going and subpoena witnesses.

[Me.]

50. Good Points

[BannonsLiver]

35. All true, but you'll never get the most myopic folks to understand that.

[Demsrule86]

63. Manchin is on board...doing what is right...and at great personal risk I might add....

so maybe we are not myopic. We understand you have to have power in order to do anything and of course stop Trump...end baby jail.

[Tavarious Jackson]

5. Manchin is a republican in all ways

I know he is in a red state and all that but he does not represent democrats

[mythology]

53. And yet if compare his voting record to the other Senator

You'd realize how utterly inaccurate this is. His historic voting record is roughly as Republican as Susan Collins is Democratic. Would you say Susan Collins is a Democrat in all ways?

[Tavarious Jackson]

57. no, Neither are democrats. nt

[Botany]

6. He is playing to his West Virginia racist base

In W.V. many people only like people of color who play ball for W.V.U., Marshall,
the Pittsburg Pirates, and the Steelers.

[vi5]

7. "75% of the TIME!!!! He'll vote for majority leader Schumer!!!!"

"He has to listen to his constituents......Would you prefer a Republican!!?!?!?!?"

So tired of hearing the excuses for this clown.

[gratuitous]

10. He has to listen to his constituents!

It's a real good excuse, until you turn it back on the people using it: So, you're saying that the people of West Virginia, Joe Manchin's constituents, are so brain dead, amoral, and unethical that they would lock up children in cages because Fox News told them to be skeered? "You can't paint all West Virginians like that!" Just following your "constituents" logic to its conclusion.

[vi5]

14. Also....

..that logic never seems to apply to Republicans in blue states or districts.

[gratuitous]

17. Isn't that a curious phenomenon?

Democrats, liberals and progressives are constantly bombarded with tut-tuts and "Is that suitable language?" scolds from the schoolmarms, prisses, and pitty-pats, but for some reason those same standards aren't applied to a President who talks about grabbing women by the pussy or bombing the shit out of other countries or firing that son of a bitch for being insufficiently obeisant before the flag. And his rabid fans are definitely not upbraided for gleefully sporting a "fuck your feelings" t-shirt or marching and chanting about blood and soil, while killing a citizen who turns out to disagree with them.

[bahrbearian]

16. Why did he vote to deregulate Banks , did his Constituents call for that too?

[maxrandb]

21. NO! But

I am saying that at least 51% of them are...and that's all it takes

[Trek4Truth]

45. It's called being real. I'll take 75% of the time over 0% any day. nt

[Trek4Truth]

13. DONE. nt

[maxrandb]

20. Joe knows his constituents

When this nightmare is all over, can we expel states like WV, AL, SC and MS from the Union?

[LuvLoogie]

23. This is why I was skeptical of the Dems' putting forth of legislation.

It plays into trumps hands and gives Republicans cover for their bigotry. It made no sense unless you had unanimous Democratic support upon the announcement.

The UN is getting involved. That is where this will be played out--on the world stage, not the sausage making confines of congress.

[Thrill]

24. He has to see which way the wind blows first

.

[JI7]

31. He already knows which way the wind blows in his state

[Freethinker65]

26. IMO, Joe will sign only if he can say it is bipartisan. The Democrats need one Republican co-signer.

Manchin knows politics.

[kimbutgar]

30. He's scared to upset the ravusts in West Virginia

Joe, sometimes one needs to take a moral stand. But I know all those commercials will be fun against you saying his you supported murders and rapists.

But go ahead and be the chicken you are!

[Tatiana]

34. He probably won't. And we just have to deal with that.

Sad to say, he represents a swath of rabid racists. He tries to give them what they want in order to keep his seat.

Until we can get West Virginians better educated and informed, this is the best we're going to get out of Manchin.

[NewJeffCT]

38. UPDATE - Manchin is now on board

Per Kyle Griffin on Twitter.

All Democrats now on board with this bill.

0 Republicans still, though Ben Sasse did issue a strongly worded statement

[Beaverhausen]

43. Thanks for that good news

I updated the OP.

[SidDithers]

48. And now all the people trashing the Democrat upthread can eat their words...nt

Sid

[sheshe2]

52. +++

[Demsrule86]

58. Good for him. It is a political risk for him, but if any issue demands standing upon

principle this is it.

[bdamomma]

61. Keep on your congressman, and senators

they cannot ignore this. And this is no fault of the Democrats either tRump is spewing his venomous rhetoric saying they are to blame. That is total BS and they are not in charge of all 3 branches WTF

[Cha]

64. Gracias to Joe Manchin for doing the Humane Thing.

Calls do Work sometimes!

Gracias, Beaverhausen

[JI7]

66. Manchin is going against Most of the People in his State in Supporting this

[Demsrule86]

68. It is an act of political courage. And those criticizing Manchin should be ashamed.

[Demsrule86]

67. Really ? You mean...he is not a republican?

[IMG][/IMG]

[melman]

70. What do you think of this?

Just curious.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Demsrule86]

71. I think he is in a red state and has to get elected. But no one will follow Manchin except a GOP...

if he loses. How much has Capito voted with us? The answer is 0 times...thus I would rather have him than a Republican ...votes with us most of the time...and those votes for the wall are going nowhere. He has signed on to Feinstein's bill which is an act of political courage. He is a moderate to conservative Democrat and without such we can not get a majority...so all the ideology in the world won't change that. You want a truly liberal senate? So do I... we go out and make our case in this center left country and win hearts and minds...until then we must have a big tent party which will include Democrat, you and I don't agree with. Sometimes we need to look at things as the are not as we wish they could be...we can't attain a Senate majority without moderate to conservative Democrats...you better hope that Manchin and other vulnerable moderate Democrats win election because if we don't get the house, they are all that stands between us and the worst Republican legislation imaginable. Also, if Manchin wins election and we win a senate majority which is hard but not impossible...it will be huge for judges. This sort of post only helps Republicans as it discourages Democratic voters from coming out and supporting a candidate that we need to win...not saying you do this on purpose. But, first it was the horror of Manchin not signing on to Feinstein's bill now he did this-very courageous I might add...so no you bring up other stuff. 'Oh look at the votes on the wall'. Itis an election year...He is a red state Democrat what should he do? We need Manchin to win period.

[melman]

72. So this

Link to tweet

is all okay just because 'red state'?

"We need more border patrol agents, drones, towers, ground sensors, thermal imaging, and Blackhawk helicopters at the border to ensure there is complete surveillance."

That's okay? I disagree.