MANCHIN asked by @AriNatter whether an energy company he founded is a conflict of interest as he...

[demmiblue]

MANCHIN asked by @AriNatter whether an energy company he founded is a conflict of interest as he negotiates reconciliation:

MANCHIN: "I've been in a blind trust for 20 years, I have no idea what they're doing.

Ari: You're still getting dividends.

MANCHIN: "You got a problem?"

More from @AriNatter RE: the energy company Manchin founded: Your son still owns it, doesn't he?

MANCHIN: "You'd do best to change the subject."

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Scrivener7]

1. Hmmmm.... seems like there is something he REALLY doesn't want to be talked about.

Wonder what Democrats could do with that...

[2naSalit]

3. I bet he's not happy about revelations...

About his private plane and the yacht in DC where he entertains for lunch and other things. I wonder if it serves as a VRBO too.

[FBaggins]

6. Revelations?

Both have been public knowledge for years.

[mobeau69]

22. Known orange pig is con longer but 40% don't know.

[bluewater]

24. There's something being known and being widely known, I suppose.

As in "it was a revelation to me."

But point taken, what would be a better word? Reminder? Recollection?

[FBaggins]

27. What would be better? Maybe "spin"?

The obvious intent is to make it look like luxury living - when that true of most senators and the two specific examples (plane and “yacht”) are not exactly luxury items. One is a single engine prop plane (he’s been a pilot for 40 years) and the other is a houseboat that is cheaper than almost any DC residence of another senator.

[bluewater]

32. Perhaps "reminder" would be better? But did someone just mention "spin'?

Maybe the intent was to "remind" people that even simple living down home Senators like Manchin have so much more money than the average American they are representing?

As for "spin", perhaps someone claiming "the two specific examples (plane and “yacht”) are not exactly luxury items" is the one engaging in "spin"?

Seems so.

Especially if that person may have been trying to imply that the "not exactly luxury item" single engine prop plane Manchin owns is within the financial reach of the common man.

Hmmm. What "non-luxury" plane exactly does Manchin own and how much is it currently worth?

In 1975, the Cherokee 140 gave way to a Cherokee 235, which was replaced in 1981 with a brand-new Piper Saratoga that the instrument-rated Manchin still owns and flies today.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2010/january/pilot/pilots-joe-manchin-iii

Ok, he bought a brand new Piper Saratoga in 1981 and that is the plane he still owns and flies today. And what is that selling for today? Average current price is about $151,000.

https://www.globalplanesearch.com/listing/aircraft-for-sale/Splash/Piper-PA-32-301T-Turbo-Saratoga/153366#:~:text=Featured%20Aircraft%20for%20Sale%20%20%20%20Aircraft,%24252%2C342%20%20%20View%202001%20Aircraft%20%3E%20

Ok, but calling an approximately $151,000 private airplane a "non luxury item" is spin. The spinniest spin spin spin.

[FBaggins]

34. That would make sense if anyone were comparing him to the "common man"

No US senators are likely to qualify.

We're implicitly comparing him to the senators who are currently contesting with him.

His estimated net worth is 67th in Congress according to OpenSecrets.

[bluewater]

36. Um, you called a $151,000 private plane a "non luxury item"

That was spin plain and simple.

Calling it a "luxury item well within the reach of most Senators" would have been more accurate, perhaps, but that is not what was said.

Sorry, but you were spinning when you called Senator Manchin's $151,000 private plane a "non luxury item", so pardon me if I don't let that whopper slide on by.



I have said all that I think pertinent on the topic of you referring to a $151,000 private plane as a "non luxury item", so, please, enjoy the rest of your day.

[FBaggins]

37. For private pilots flying that far that's about as cheap as you get

The carying cost is quite likely cheaper than most senators’ flight costs.

[Bettie]

33. Public knowledge maybe

but publicized? Not really.

[2naSalit]

38. Oh...

I didn't know about it until recently.

[Maraya1969]

7. Maybe fly planes over his house or drive around his town with some of those

trucks with the billboards on the side? Or regular billboards in his town or around WA DC?


Maybe we could all flood his FB and Twitter pages with this information. I'd do it. Someone come up with the the correct information in a short paragraph; I'd be happy to spread it around. I'd also donate money to get the billboards going.


I think the answer is we have to make him squirm by exposing him and his family.

[FBaggins]

2. He could have shut that down so much easier

“Hmmm… you may be right. Perhaps I should recuse myself from the entire reconciliation debate”

[Beachnutt]

4. Hmmm, there's the squeeze

now tighten the vice.

[spanone]

5. 'entitlement mentality' sounds like republican bullshit

[Walleye]

11. ☝️😡

[jcgoldie]

12. exactly

I guess all these freeloaders wanting affordable childcare and to save the planet from burning up are bankrupting our grandkids (who will of course be burnt up...)

[jalan48]

23. My first thought reading this is that Manchin's arrogance sounds very Republican.

[phylny]

28. Yes, how dare our tax dollars work for we the people.

[secondwind]

8. Beginning to like him less and less. He is ONLY about himself.

True Democrats are not like this at all. Ugh

[jcgoldie]

14. No

He's about some folks with a lot more money than himself...

[SWBTATTReg]

9. Sounds like from the way Manchin is acting is that he's the one w/ the entitlement issues...

[vanlassie]

10. BOOM.

[Baitball Blogger]

13. "You'd do best to change the subject."

Last edited Thu Sep 30, 2021, 04:15 PM - Edit history (1)

Really? What a red flag.

[oregonjen]

16. Sounds like a threat to me.

[Baitball Blogger]

20. It is. It's the worst kind of good ole boy mentality.

[CrackityJones75]

26. My thought as well.

And he was stupid to admit there is a scab to be picked at.

[Peregrine Took]

18. All press isn't lapdog to gain access....Manchin no likee hard questions.

Bet that's going to bug him all day. LOL

Thank God for courageous press people.

[Takket]

15. Someone struck a nerve...

[Beachnutt]

17. Now keep striking it until

he cries uncle....

[NewHendoLib]

19. he's no Democrat

[C_U_L8R]

21. This is a politico at the end of an inglorious career

Grabbing all the cash and attention he can, and lighting the house on fire as he exits.

We are better without him and his ilk. Even if it means losing. There I said it.

[onethatcares]

25. he flaps his jaws

and says nothing.

and America keeps electing this kind of person to positions. I can't bring myself to say, "positions of leadership". Nope, no f ing way.

[UTUSN]

29. He seems to have caught the Bully Virus - lot of that going around - is there a vaxx for that?!1

[LiberalFighter]

30. Looks like Manchin was making a threat.

[stillcool]

31. He's being played...

and he likes it. No self-it seems.

[BlueLucy]

35. Why aren't Whitehouse reporters asking him these kind of questions everyday? nt