Posted on 02/05/2018 3:45:56 PM PST by Hojczyk
It’s not easy being the man in the middle.
Joe Manchin will be the first one to tell anyone that.
“I am trying to hang in there, but it is getting tougher every day,” he told me. “You know why I say it sucks? Because it doesn’t have to suck. It doesn’t have to be an unfriendly, hostile work environment. The reason I say hostile is the way things are set up on both the Republican and Democrat side, you are supposed to come to work every day and work against the person on the other end,” he added, referring to his GOP colleagues, many of whom he is close to.
Manchin is a self-proclaimed moderate, a rarity on both sides of the aisle. Evidence of our politically polarized times are everywhere — especially at Tuesday’s State of the Union address, where Republicans spent the majority of their time standing and clapping while Democrats looked sullen and unhappy.
Meanwhile, there was Joe Manchin, standing like a sentinel of reason among a sea of stone. His Democratic colleagues refused to show any sign of approval during President Trump’s speech, even for things they had previously supported.
Several times Manchin stood alone applauding the president’s remarks on infrastructure, rebuilding Detroit, opioids, paid family leave, amnesty for Dreamers, the American flag and low black unemployment.
Twice the camera caught him about to rise to applause only to be given the stink eye by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and he awkwardly stayed in his seat, forcing Manchin to appear to choose party over his state.
It was only an appearance.
“Oh, you missed the look I gave back to him, I was like, ‘Come on,’” he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Everyone is a moderate, in their own eyes.
The democrats must have something on him....or he is really dumb...
Should have switched parties like the governor..
His opponent will have great video of him and the rats a the State of the Union
Moderate - hardly - just a commie Rat who wears a disguise to fool the voters back home.
“Great Moderates In American History.” I’ll wait for the movie.
He's not choosing party over state. He's choosing New York, California and Beltway donors over his state.
Salena Zito should know better than to write this slop.
Moderate compared to what? Manchin is imagining a vain thing
He took an oath of office. The moderate position is to fulfill one’s oath of office. That means follow the original intent plainly indicated in the Constitution.
WV needs a good Senator.
One is this Democrat who talks a good game and votes with Schumer. The other is a Bush League Republican who votes with McCain, Graham, Rubio, etc.
Patrick Morrisey for Senate 2018
Exactly. They’re making him look like a rogue Dummycrat. He aint. He’s bought like everyone else..
Don’t worry Joe, I think (and hope) you are only one more election away from not having to worry about it anymore.
Just like McCain, Graham and Rubio do, except they pretend to be conservatives.
Anyone supporting the dnc is not a moderate.
Moderate = no nads.
Old Joe is only moderate during election season.
After that Old Joe votes whatever Schumer wants for the next 5 years.
BS! Spineless morons who eventually support anything to the left of Mao.
Oh jeez, just quit whining and resign....
Nothing is wrong being a moderate.
I am moderate on some issues.
The thinnest book in the world is Things Moderates Accomplish. Things that stand in the middle of the road get run over.
Thank you Salena. Another ‘outta the park’ article.
Kinda feel sorry for Joe. He must lead a conflicted life. Bet he has thought often about changing to a Republican. IMHO, he’d be much happier. Don’t know what that would do to his reelection prospects.
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