Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Autumn

(45,012 posts)
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 07:58 PM Dec 2021

Is Killing the Build Back Better Act Part of Manchin's Run for President?

William Rivers Pitt, Truthout

I’ve spent the last several months trying to settle on a straightforward explanation for why Joe Manchin decided to attack, denude and ultimately destroy the centerpiece of President Biden’s domestic agenda on the cusp of what already looks to be a brutal midterm season for the Democrats.

Manchin loves his coal, sure, so the clean energy provisions at the core of the Build Back Better Act (BBB) were poison to his own personal fortune. He’s a Democrat from a bright red state, and so must cleave at least somewhat to the economic fictions that sustain the right. Given the large chunk of hell he’s carved out for himself, however, these hardly seem like enough to justify the mayhem he has unleashed within his own party.

…and then it hit me in the middle of the night like an arcing splash of ice water dropped on my bed. I sat bolt upright in the gibbering dark and announced to the startled cat coiled at my feet: “My God! He’s running for president!”

Put yourself in Manchin’s shoes. Your own seat is secure until 2024, so there is no need to run for anything next year. Over the long process of murdering the BBB Act, you raked in millions in campaign “donations” from the energy lobby and other right-leaning interests, which means you’re flush enough to fund a national campaign.



Very good points and I think it's very possible Manchin could run aganst President Biden.
I think he sees it as his duty to stop Progressives and any Progressive agenda.

https://truthout.org/articles/is-killing-the-build-back-better-act-part-of-manchins-run-for-president/?fbclid=IwAR20Ela2ElFnc9pE2DsAsa7r_GtGE2S0dBqnbawZCBzZS65VWGZp5XT_1rg

76 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Is Killing the Build Back Better Act Part of Manchin's Run for President? (Original Post) Autumn Dec 2021 OP
he'll go nowhere as a democrat nt msongs Dec 2021 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author onecaliberal Dec 2021 #2
If Manchin is EVER our candidate for president I'm moving to Europe. pecosbob Dec 2021 #3
I want what he's smoking. FalloutShelter Dec 2021 #4
Nope FBaggins Dec 2021 #5
He might would run as an Independent. I could see him doing that, claiming the Maverick mantle Autumn Dec 2021 #20
He'll draw more Trump voters Mr.Bill Dec 2021 #36
William Pitt? sheshe2 Dec 2021 #6
I got a hide last week for quoting him. OilemFirchen Dec 2021 #8
What sheshe2 said!! Enter stage left Dec 2021 #9
Agree Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Dec 2021 #15
His opinions are not worth warm piss. brer cat Dec 2021 #12
Well said. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #17
+1 TexasTowelie Dec 2021 #18
This message was self-deleted by its author sheshe2 Dec 2021 #27
I'm "his own mother". What are you saying I did? Raven Dec 2021 #32
Yes I know, Raven. You asked him to delete. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #35
You have a better memory than I do. If I did, fine. If he "doubled down" that's fine also. I raised Raven Dec 2021 #41
I deleted my post, did not mean to hurt you. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #51
Let's spell it out - he called Obama a "piece of shit used car salesman"! George II Dec 2021 #33
Thanks. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #37
Poor taste. Poor judgement. It reveals much about someone's character. NurseJackie Dec 2021 #34
He also threatened to kill another DUer obamanut2012 Dec 2021 #49
Forgot about that one. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #53
That's what happened to him? Crunchy Frog Dec 2021 #68
Welp. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #70
The straw that broke the camel's back, I guess. Crunchy Frog Dec 2021 #72
At long last! sheshe2 Dec 2021 #73
Nope. smirkymonkey Dec 2021 #7
I doubt it. Elessar Zappa Dec 2021 #10
Not gonna happen. Xolodno Dec 2021 #11
He's just an asshole! BlueJac Dec 2021 #13
Yep, an attention seeking, power hungry, asshole. Phoenix61 Dec 2021 #29
Who? sheshe2 Dec 2021 #74
No. n/t demmiblue Dec 2021 #14
If Manchin ran for Pres, he wouldn't even win his own state FakeNoose Dec 2021 #16
What a terrible, stupid take. Will he launch his campaign in 24 business hours? tritsofme Dec 2021 #19
"24 business hours" sheshe2 Dec 2021 #71
This is a ludicrous supposition. BlueTsunami2018 Dec 2021 #21
Bwahahaha. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #23
Bwahahahaha he doesn't have a gnats fart in the wind of a chance. CrackityJones75 Dec 2021 #22
Is this the person who wrote that? Just asking..... George II Dec 2021 #24
Follow his last post. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #63
Anyone who thinks this is a fucking idiot or troll JI7 Dec 2021 #25
+1 TexasTowelie Dec 2021 #26
Well said. OnDoutside Dec 2021 #30
That was what I and a few others said about Trump. nt Autumn Dec 2021 #31
What has that to do with your OP? sheshe2 Dec 2021 #39
Absolutly not a thing to do with my OP, I responded to another posters response to my OP. Autumn Dec 2021 #42
Okay. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #43
+1000 Nixie Dec 2021 #40
Yes, and a bad writer. betsuni Dec 2021 #56
Yep... sheshe2 Dec 2021 #58
A person wafting above the Independent cloud, and so much more badness. betsuni Dec 2021 #60
I can't stop laughing. sheshe2 Dec 2021 #62
Unless the GOPers have a candidate, Manchin could do it leftstreet Dec 2021 #28
GOP candidate Elessar Zappa Dec 2021 #38
and THAT is the correct answer... WarGamer Dec 2021 #45
It'll probably depend on Liz Cheney leftstreet Dec 2021 #48
There was no other reason for him to do what he did to Biden. You don't do that Autumn Dec 2021 #52
Right? leftstreet Dec 2021 #64
Just stop! sheshe2 Dec 2021 #67
You stop she! I don't have to hate who you hate. Autumn Dec 2021 #76
lol... maybe Cheney can be his running mate!!!!! WarGamer Dec 2021 #44
I could see him running as an Independent Captain Zero Dec 2021 #46
Is he imagining a silent majority supporting his kind of two faced bullshit? BlueIdaho Dec 2021 #47
lol Will Pitt obamanut2012 Dec 2021 #50
Who would his voters be? ecstatic Dec 2021 #54
Exactly. A tiny number of Independents? betsuni Dec 2021 #57
What if he gets some Joe-mentum? Iggo Dec 2021 #75
There will NEVER be a President Manchin Blue Owl Dec 2021 #55
No. What an idiotic question. brooklynite Dec 2021 #59
I heard he has his sights set on being the next Pope. AncientAndy Dec 2021 #61
Have we ever had a president from West Virginia? Poiuyt Dec 2021 #65
William Pitt? Wrong again JohnSJ Dec 2021 #66
Can he run for both US Senate and President in the primary in WV? LiberalFighter Dec 2021 #69

Response to Autumn (Original post)

FBaggins

(26,727 posts)
5. Nope
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:06 PM
Dec 2021

People who think that he can't win again in WV are really off-base. But anyone who thinks that he's a credible national candidate is just plain nuts.

Autumn

(45,012 posts)
20. He might would run as an Independent. I could see him doing that, claiming the Maverick mantle
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:26 PM
Dec 2021
I don't think he could win but he could throw a mokey wrench in the election. Pull a Jill Stein.

sheshe2

(83,708 posts)
6. William Pitt?
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:10 PM
Dec 2021

He called Obama a POSUCS and was kicked off DU for stating he would not vote for Hillary, our Democratic candidate.

I won't read a word he says and his opinions do not belong on DU.

Response to TexasTowelie (Reply #18)

sheshe2

(83,708 posts)
35. Yes I know, Raven. You asked him to delete.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:03 PM
Dec 2021

If I am wrong, please correct me and I will apologize.

Raven

(13,883 posts)
41. You have a better memory than I do. If I did, fine. If he "doubled down" that's fine also. I raised
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:20 PM
Dec 2021

have his own thoughts and opinions and to stand by them. I guess I'm a little offended that you would bring me into this as if, in some way, to bolster your obviously negative opinion of my son.

sheshe2

(83,708 posts)
51. I deleted my post, did not mean to hurt you.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 10:21 PM
Dec 2021

He did all I said, and doubled down. They are all out there.

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
34. Poor taste. Poor judgement. It reveals much about someone's character.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:02 PM
Dec 2021

He has a cult following for reasons that escape me.

obamanut2012

(26,049 posts)
49. He also threatened to kill another DUer
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 10:10 PM
Dec 2021

And, he meant it. He also was allll over Facebook in 2016 encouraging people to vote for Stein. He also isn't objectively a very good writer.

The POSUCS thing was insane. I watched it unfold in real time, and it was ll Pitt's fault, about his wife and their health insurance.

Crunchy Frog

(26,579 posts)
68. That's what happened to him?
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 12:05 AM
Dec 2021

I can remember him "leaving" DU a dozen times, and always coming back.

I've also heard stories about him getting away with things that would have gotten anyone else banned.

Always wondered why he finally left for good.

sheshe2

(83,708 posts)
70. Welp.
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 12:10 AM
Dec 2021

He got a pass on the POSUCS thread...and his follow up thread. Both rec'ed to the top of the page.

Finally gone after saying he would not vote for our Democratic candidate.

Elessar Zappa

(13,941 posts)
10. I doubt it.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:14 PM
Dec 2021

He couldn’t get past the Democratic or Republican primaries. Far too right for the Democrats and not maga enough for the republicans.

Phoenix61

(16,999 posts)
29. Yep, an attention seeking, power hungry, asshole.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:43 PM
Dec 2021

There’s no long game. He’s just having a blast turning the screws on the entire country.

sheshe2

(83,708 posts)
74. Who?
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 12:40 AM
Dec 2021

The author in the OP or Manchin?

I don't like either of them, though dislike the OP author more. He caused more damage to our party than Manchin has.

BlueTsunami2018

(3,488 posts)
21. This is a ludicrous supposition.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:27 PM
Dec 2021

Manchin would win maybe his own state in a primary and that’s it.

Pitt must have awoken from a mushroom trip to come up with this.

Autumn

(45,012 posts)
42. Absolutly not a thing to do with my OP, I responded to another posters response to my OP.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:20 PM
Dec 2021

Because I'm often polite.

JI7
25. Anyone who thinks this is a fucking idiot or trolll

betsuni

(25,437 posts)
56. Yes, and a bad writer.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 10:46 PM
Dec 2021

Fucking idiots/trolls/bad writers can be very popular with some people.

sheshe2

(83,708 posts)
58. Yep...
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 11:22 PM
Dec 2021

Lots of purple prose.

pur·ple prose
/ˈpərpəl prōz/
noun
prose that is too elaborate or ornate.


quote:

Bollocks, you say? Stuff and nonsense? I thought so, too, at first, like I’d had a dream about being attacked by a bear that had hatched from an owl’s egg in the pinwheeling core of a laundry dryer set on high, claws and fangs and socks, o my! Once the thought had settled down for a spell, though, it seemed at least as good an explanation as any.

leftstreet

(36,102 posts)
28. Unless the GOPers have a candidate, Manchin could do it
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:42 PM
Dec 2021

The author makes some points worth thinking about

Elessar Zappa

(13,941 posts)
38. GOP candidate
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:07 PM
Dec 2021

will probably be either Trump or DeSantis. Manchin isn’t anywhere near right wing enough to get past the primary.

leftstreet

(36,102 posts)
48. It'll probably depend on Liz Cheney
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 10:03 PM
Dec 2021

She's obviously gunning for the nomination, and she'll have all of establishment DC cheering her on (albeit quietly). It's not just the Democrats who want to get rid of Trump and his knuckledraggers.

But I think the author of the article is onto something re Manchin's ambitions.

Autumn

(45,012 posts)
52. There was no other reason for him to do what he did to Biden. You don't do that
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 10:22 PM
Dec 2021

unless you are positioning yourself to replace someone and you want people to think you out played that person. He had to show that he was the one in control.

leftstreet

(36,102 posts)
64. Right?
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 11:49 PM
Dec 2021

Delivering this public blow against Biden has made no sense.

Whatever hardline crap Manchin's donors insisted on could have been negotiated behind the scenes with threats to make it public, blah blah blah.

Yeah, that he wanted to make himself look strong and authoritarian doesn't seem to be a whim

sheshe2

(83,708 posts)
67. Just stop!
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 11:59 PM
Dec 2021

Pitt has no credibility here. None.

He called Obama a "Piece Of Shit Used Car Salesman" and said he would not vote for Hillary and urged others to do the same.

There was no other reason for him to do what he did to Obama or Hillary. You don't do that in one of the most critical elections of our time. Trump was a madman, we all knew that. We ALL knew.

Autumn

(45,012 posts)
76. You stop she! I don't have to hate who you hate.
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 10:39 AM
Dec 2021

He was mean to Obama? I don't care, neither does Obama. You don't like him? Don't read his writing. Ignore him. He has credibility with me and he's a terrific writer, something sadly missing.

WarGamer

(12,423 posts)
44. lol... maybe Cheney can be his running mate!!!!!
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:24 PM
Dec 2021

Just kidding, Manchin would finish last in the Primaries and Cheney will be unemployed by Labor Day.

Captain Zero

(6,799 posts)
46. I could see him running as an Independent
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:31 PM
Dec 2021

To deny the electoral college to Biden. Possibly send the race into the House.

Hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned his horde of cash.

BlueIdaho

(13,582 posts)
47. Is he imagining a silent majority supporting his kind of two faced bullshit?
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 09:48 PM
Dec 2021

He would be destroyed in big progressive Democratic state primaries. As a Republican he’d be treated like a rented mule.

ecstatic

(32,673 posts)
54. Who would his voters be?
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 10:38 PM
Dec 2021

Certainly not Democrats and Republicans don't like him so what would be the point? He wouldn't pull enough votes away from Biden to make a difference.

Poiuyt

(18,122 posts)
65. Have we ever had a president from West Virginia?
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 11:52 PM
Dec 2021

I don't think he has enough name recognition to be elected to the presidency.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Is Killing the Build Back...