While I was disappointed to see Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) throw support behind the PRO Act, he slightly redeemed himself yesterday.
How? In the first “Fox News Sunday” program hosted by anchor Bret Baier, Senator Manchin formally announced he’s voting “No” on President Joe Biden’s atrocious $1.75 trillion Build Back Better spending plan.
He declared, “I cannot vote to continue this piece of legislation. I just can't. I've tried everything possible. I can't get there.”
Baier proceeded to ask him, “You're done? This is a no?”
Manchin responded, “This is a no on this legislation"
Here’s why Manchin’s “No” vote is the Christmas miracle America needed.
Why Manchin is Voting “No” on BBB
In a statement released yesterday, Senator Manchin made it abundantly clear that after engaging in negotiations with fellow Democrats he couldn’t come around to supporting the Build Back Better Act.
“For five and a half months, I have worked as diligently as possible meeting with President Biden, Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi and my colleagues on every end of the political spectrum to determine the best path forward despite my serious reservations," read Manchin’s statement.
"I have made my concerns clear through public statements, op-eds and private conversations," he added. “I have always said, ‘If I can’t go back home and explain it, I can’t vote for it.’ Despite my best efforts, I cannot explain the sweeping Build Back Better Act in West Virginia and I cannot vote to move forward on this mammoth piece of legislation."
Is Manchin a self-serving opportunist, or is he best representing his right-leaning constituents who are concerned about inflation and spending? The evidence points to the latter.
His Constituents in WV Overwhelming Oppose BBB
Manchin understands inflation is having a toll on all West Virginians.
To his detractors, it’s hard for them to swallow the truth: Build Back Better is exceedingly unpopular in the deep red Mountain State.
According to a poll released by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, 53 percent of West Virginians strongly oppose Build Back Better. 73 percent said they were strongly concerned about inflation, while 64 percent of those polled said BBB will make inflation worse.
Ouch.
Another poll from MBE Research found President Biden and his party, save for Manchin, are underwater in West Virginia.
Significantly more West Virginia voters disapprove (65%) of the job Joe Biden is doing as President of the United States than those who approve (32%). Conversely, the Republican Governor of the State, Jim Justice, enjoys a 68% job approval rating compared to 28% who disapprove. Interestingly, United States Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat, has an overall job approval rating of 60% compared to 37% who disapprove despite President Biden’s relative unpopularity among Mountain State voters.
61 percent of poll respondents indicated they agree with Senator Manchin’s opposition to the Build Back Better spending plan.
The Left Goes Apoplectic on Manchin for Listening to Constituents
The reactions to Manchin’s announced “No” vote from lawmakers and so-called journalists, however, are unsurprising.
Sam Stein of POLITICO whined Manchin will be responsible for perpetuating the “climate crisis.” He wrote, “A lot to process on the Manchin news but, from a substantive standpoint, it's just objectively devastating for the planet. The last best chance at climate change legislation is gone.”
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called Manchin’s reasoning for opposing BBB “bulls***, tweeting, “Let’s be clear: Manchin’s excuse is bullshit. The people of West Virginia would directly benefit from childcare, pre-Medicare expansion, and long term care, just like Minnesotans. This is exactly what we warned would happen if we separated Build Back Better from infrastructure.”
“Conservative” Jen Rubin blamed Manchin for destroying democracy and called his actions “destructive,” writing, “If Manchin is no on both BBB and voting, Biden is done. Democracy is hanging by a thread. Hard to think of anyone more destructive.”
"If he doesn't have the courage to do the right thing for the working families of West Virginia and America, let him vote no in front of the whole world." Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.”
Conclusion
It’s clear Manchin wants to buck his party and be an independent voice. However, if Democrats continue to descend down a far-left path, he’ll feel more at home in the Republican Party—at minimum, caucusing with them.
What Senator Manchin did was extraordinarily bold. And we conservatives should applaud him for opposing the monstrosity that is the Build Back Better social and climate spending plan.
He single-handedly saved America this holiday season. Merry Christmas to us, indeed.
