Wouldn't put it past him. In 2001, Republican Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont switched parties in a 50-50 Senate to hand control to the Democrats, and in 2009 GOP Senator Arlen Specter switched to the Democrats giving them a 60-vote majority to pass Obamacare over a filibuster.
I imagine Manchin will switch parties should the GOP win the Senate in 2022 so he can remain in the majority regardless.
Does it really make sense for him to do this though? Right now he's the center of all attention and has all the power, if he switched he'd just be another Republican and have no power. It's an empty threat, but it looks like it already worked because the progressives have already agreed to make big cuts.
You forget these people are lizards, they love being in a position to force people to grovel for scraps. Remember the pure joy McCain got giving that thumbs down while fucking dying of brain cancer?
If he switched in a GOP controlled Senate he then becomes the most moderate Republican in the caucus and can do the same shit he's doing now just to the GOP. Senators in the minority can't do anything except filibuster. Senators in the majority get to shape policy.
I do not think this is an empty threat at all. And even if it is, Manchin's threat to nuke the reconciliation bill is absolutely not empty. Manchin wants nothing to pass. If the negotiation falls apart Manchin wins.
Wouldn't put it past him. In 2001, Republican Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont switched parties in a 50-50 Senate to hand control to the Democrats, and in 2009 GOP Senator Arlen Specter switched to the Democrats giving them a 60-vote majority to pass Obamacare over a filibuster.
I imagine Manchin will switch parties should the GOP win the Senate in 2022 so he can remain in the majority regardless.
Does it really make sense for him to do this though? Right now he's the center of all attention and has all the power, if he switched he'd just be another Republican and have no power. It's an empty threat, but it looks like it already worked because the progressives have already agreed to make big cuts.
What power? He wants republican shit and handing them senate control would do that with way less of a headache.
You forget these people are lizards, they love being in a position to force people to grovel for scraps. Remember the pure joy McCain got giving that thumbs down while fucking dying of brain cancer?
If he switched in a GOP controlled Senate he then becomes the most moderate Republican in the caucus and can do the same shit he's doing now just to the GOP. Senators in the minority can't do anything except filibuster. Senators in the majority get to shape policy.
I do not think this is an empty threat at all. And even if it is, Manchin's threat to nuke the reconciliation bill is absolutely not empty. Manchin wants nothing to pass. If the negotiation falls apart Manchin wins.