Manchin just used false equivalency in placing responsibility for the debt ceiling impasse

[Uncle Joe]

on both Schumer and McConnell.

I didn't know Schumer was holding it up?

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

1. Yep

Always bothsiderism

[Mad_Machine76]

2. Manchin

sure does seem like he's either a plant or useful idiot for McConnell (like with Sinema)- to keep Senate Democrats gummed up.

[Uncle Joe]

3. I believe McConnell is creating the debt ceiling impasse

as leverage against Schumer because of his opposition to the reconciliation bill and Manchin knows this.

[Mad_Machine76]

4. Susan Collins *did* deliver that ransom note the other day

Essentially: "Drop the Reconciliation Bill/BBB and we'll vote to raise the debt ceiling", so, yeah, that's probably it. But he has to know that Democrats aren't going to allow the debt ceiling to be breached and that there's no way in hell they're giving up BBB, so is there anything else Mitch is angling for here?

[Uncle Joe]

6. I believe it's more about getting

limitations and/or special stipulations in the reconciliation bill that benefit the mega corporations and oligarchs.

This way McConnell has a hand in shaping the reconciliation bill without appearing to do so and Manchin gets to play the "bi-partisanship" bull while enabling McConnell.

[ColinC]

8. This actually seems to be the most logical and intuitive explanation

Thank you!

[Uncle Joe]

9. Yes, it seems the political world turns on plausible deniability

on several levels.

That's how you can tell a politician from a political leader.

[Carlitos Brigante]

5. It's part of his "aw shucks, I'm just a guy from the 'sticks'" bullshit routine. nt

[dlk]

7. Manchin is showing his passive-aggressive side

We’re stuck with him for now, unfortunately.