Joe Manchin’s Vote Against Build Back Better Only Counts if the GOP Sticks Together and That Isn’t Likely – Opinion

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin took to Fox News yesterday to let the White House know he was a big no on “Build Back Better.” Build Back Better is the profligate spending bill designed by Biden’s handlers to both bankrupt America and impose socialism, not surprisingly this bill is also the centerpiece of  Biden’s domestic agenda. (READ: WATCH: Here’s the Moment Joe Manchin Officially Killed ‘Build Back Better’, The Coping and Seething Begins After Joe Manchin Nukes Biden’s Presidency, and WH Response to Manchin Decision on Build Back Better Is Pure Delusion.)

Leftists were outraged by the allegations that Schumer and Biden had been conned by Manchin.

It was absolutely correct for the progressives to insist upon the connection of the infrastructure bill with the BBB. They were played.

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 19, 2021

There are two possible theories I have heard:

1. Progressives in the house were a big hit.

2. The charade was being played by house progressives.

They don’t look good, no matter what. https://t.co/ZLdGQZUPIk

— Peter Daou (@peterdaou) December 19, 2021

Curious if progressives like @RepJayapalAnd @MondaireJonesThe bipartisan bill made those who voted in favor feel as if they had been cheated.

— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) December 19, 2021

The use of the word “played” is everywhere. It is what detectives call “a clue.”  Someone high in the Democrat party communications apparatus had used that word in their talking points. It is much like Rush Limbaugh’s epic “gravitas” montage from the 2000 election.

When I look at the landscape, I’m a lot less sanguine about the outcome of the Senate vote. Manchin is accused of being the reason BBB won’t pass this year by all those who point fingers at him. That’s nonsense. Manchin’s vote is only meaningful if the 50 Republican senators vote in lockstep to defeat the bill. This is not a possibility, according to me.

Senate GOP’s caucus has a lot of quislings that will take the bait if offered. To paraphrase James Carville’s statement during the Clinton impeachment imbroglio, You drag $100 billion through the US Senate — there’s no tellin’ what you’ll find.”

For instance, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski has consistently voted for Biden appointees and nominees and is by no means a reliable member of the caucus.

Liberal Lisa Murkowski has shown us she’s Biden’s Chief Enabling Officer. Multiple Radical Extreme Biden nominees have been confirmed by her voting repeatedly! She is NOT a true Republican and does NOT lead with Alaska Values, it’s time for her to go. pic.twitter.com/HAnS6QR3hn

— Kelly Tshibaka – Endorsed by President Trump (@KellyForAlaska) December 19, 2021

Heritage Action gave Murkowski 35% of the vote in its last session. The Heritage Action score is not what it used to be but Lousiana’s John Kennedy has a 96%, Missouri’s Josh Hawley has 94%, and Mitch McConnell has a 71% rating. Another weakling is Maine’s Susan  Collins. Her score is 47%. Both Collins and Murkowski will likely vote with Democrats rather than with Republican coworkers. West Virginia’s Shelly Moore Capito and Utah’s Mitt Romney are a coin toss.

So while we should give Manchin props for having the stones to buck his caucus and do what is right for America, let’s not lose sight of the fact that there are at least four Republican Senators who are possible sellouts. These two are far more likely than the others to support Chuck Schumer and not stand for the BBB insanity.