Joe vs. Joe: Four times Manchin broke with Biden ahead of possible presidential bid
Sen. Joe Manchin: A Thorn in the Democrats’ Side
Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) consistently positioned himself as a centrist roadblock, much to the frustration of his fellow Democrats. With the Democrats’ slim majority, Manchin often held the power to make or break party-line votes, forcing negotiations and compromises that sometimes derailed President Joe Biden’s agenda.
Lessons for the GOP in 2023
Undoubtedly, Manchin relished his role in the upper chamber. The West Virginia Democrat frequently clashed with Biden, becoming increasingly critical of the president’s policies in recent months.
On Thursday, Manchin announced that he would not seek reelection to the Senate, sparking speculation about his future plans, including rumors of a third-party presidential bid. Such a move would pit Biden against Manchin in a new way, setting the stage for another rivalry the president must face as he seeks reelection.
Here’s a roundup of the times Manchin clashed with Biden ahead of his retirement announcement, which could have implications for the 2024 cycle:
- Manchin’s support for Biden’s agenda plummeted over the last 11 months
During Biden’s first two years in the White House, Manchin largely supported the president’s policies and voted in line with his position. However, after the 2022 midterm elections, Manchin’s support saw a significant drop as he entered the final stretch of his Senate term.
Throughout the 117th Congress, from January 2021 to January 2023, Manchin aligned with Biden’s position 87.9% of the time. But in the last 11 months, that number plummeted to just 21.4% — a staggering 67-point drop.
Initially, these numbers were attributed to Manchin’s tough reelection fight in a state where former President Donald Trump had a significant victory in 2020. However, with Manchin now retiring, it raises eyebrows as to why he was so eager to distance himself from the president.
- Manchin sank key Biden ‘Build Back Better’ legislation
Manchin played a crucial role in sinking one of Biden’s top legislative priorities, the Build Back Better Plan. This plan aimed to invest in various social, infrastructural, and environmental programs to create high-quality employment opportunities.
Teaming up with fellow centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Manchin negotiated the legislation, positioning themselves as holdout votes due to certain provisions in the bill. Together, they scaled back the size and scope of the legislation, particularly its cost to the government.
Despite these efforts, Manchin ultimately rejected the bill, effectively sinking it as he held the key swing vote. In December 2021, he expressed his frustration, stating, “I just can’t. I’ve tried everything humanly possible. I just can’t get there.”
- Manchin becomes first Democrat to oppose Biden judicial nominee
In a surprising move, Manchin voted against Nancy Abudu’s confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, making him the first Democrat to oppose one of Biden’s judicial nominations. Manchin’s spokesperson explained that he voted against her confirmation to prevent the appointment of “partisan advocates” to partisan courts, especially when public trust in the judicial system is waning. Despite Manchin’s opposition, Abudu was still confirmed due to the absence of three GOP senators.
- Manchin threatened to derail signature Biden law that he helped craft
One of Biden’s major legislative victories, the Inflation Reduction Act, relied heavily on Manchin’s support to pass in the Senate. As part of the deal, Manchin even secured the legislation’s name, although Biden later expressed regret over it.
However, Manchin later reversed his stance, expressing frustration with the Biden administration’s implementation of the law and accusing the president of advancing a ”radical climate agenda.” He even threatened to vote for the repeal of the act if it came up for a vote in the Senate.
In a September op-ed, Manchin criticized the politicization of the Inflation Reduction Act, stating, “Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, Washington hypocrisy has been on display, with both sides politicizing the bill to gain a partisan advantage.”
Manchin’s distancing from the legislation was further evident when he chose to skip a major White House event celebrating the one-year anniversary of the act’s passage in August.
Sen. Joe Manchin’s clashes with President Biden have left a lasting impact on the Democratic Party and could shape the political landscape in the upcoming 2024 cycle.
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How has Joe Manchin’s opposition to progressive policies affected the legislative process and the Democratic Party’s agenda?
Anchin’s resistance to progressive policies
Manchin’s opposition to progressive policies has been a consistent thorn in the side of the Democratic Party. His centrist stance clashed with the more progressive members of the party, often causing division and heated debates within the caucus. One of the most notable examples of this clash was Manchin’s resistance to eliminating the filibuster. Progressives argued that eliminating the filibuster was necessary to pass key Democratic legislation, while Manchin stood firm in his support for the filibuster, citing the need for bipartisanship and protecting minority rights. Manchin’s opposition to progressive policies extended beyond the filibuster. He also expressed reservations about the size and scope of some of Biden’s proposed spending measures, such as the infrastructure bill and the proposed expansion of social programs. His resistance to these policies led to intense negotiations and compromises, with Manchin using his leverage as a swing vote to shape the final legislation. This forced Democrats to make concessions and scale back their ambitions, frustrating those who wanted bolder and more progressive action. The impact of Manchin’s centrism on Biden’s agenda cannot be understated. His reluctance to support certain policies and his insistence on bipartisan compromise slowed down the legislative process and watered down the final outcomes. With Manchin’s retirement announcement, the Democratic Party will lose a key centrist voice in the Senate. This could have significant implications for the party’s future, as it navigates the upcoming 2024 election cycle. On one hand, Manchin’s departure could give the Democratic Party more room to pursue a more progressive agenda, as they no longer have to cater to his centrist preferences. This could energize the progressive base and attract new voters who have been frustrated by the party’s moderate stance. On the other hand, Manchin’s absence could also leave a void in the middle ground of American politics. With the current political landscape dominated by polarization and extreme partisanship, Manchin’s willingness to work across the aisle and find common ground will be sorely missed. Furthermore, Manchin’s retirement opens up a Senate seat in West Virginia, a state that has seen an increasing Republican presence in recent years. The race to fill his seat will be closely watched, as it could potentially shift the balance of power in the Senate. In conclusion, Sen. Joe Manchin’s centrism and resistance to progressive policies have made him a thorn in the Democrats’ side. His retirement announcement raises questions about the future direction of the party and the impact it will have on President Biden’s agenda. While some may see his departure as an opportunity for a more progressive agenda, others may lament the loss of a centrist voice in a polarized political landscape. All eyes will be on the race to fill his Senate seat and the implications it will have for the balance of power in Congress.The future implications
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