In the Impeachment, It’s Joe Manchin’s Time

 

It is Senator Joe Manchin’s time to shine. It is time for him to stand up for party and for country. He has a chance to plant his standard in the ground and start rallying the Democratic Party back to responsible, American governance. Imagine this scene Friday, as the proceedings resume:

Senate Majority Leader rises: “I yield two minutes to the senior Senator from West Virginia.” A gasp and stir goes through the chamber, Chief Justice Roberts is gobsmacked. Sen. Manchin strikes forward and proclaims:

I am a Democrat.

I always have been.

I want my party back.

I demand my party back.

Back from the haters.

Back from people who call my people “deplorable” and mock them on every television screen.

Back from the socialists, whose bad ideas and violent ends we Democrats have repeatedly rejected.

What I have seen for the past week is a profoundly undemocratic play by extremists operating under my proud party’s banner.

No more. This ends now. We start to take back our party now.

As a proud West Virginian, as an American, I have seen and heard enough. I move for an immediate vote and dismissal of these contemptible charges.

With that, Senator Manchin walks back to his seat. Sen. Romney slumps in his chair, colorless, the picture of a man who realizes history has passed him by, that he has no power left to strike at, to spite the Great Big Ugly Man and his voters.

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  1. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    How great would that be! I know one thing, and I think Manchin knows it too: These people are not Democrats, not anymore. Somebody, I don’t care who, has to stand up and say so, and take their party back before it’s too late for us all.

    • #1
  2. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    It would also earn him votes from the Virginia counties that join West Virginia after secession.

    • #2
  3. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    That would be better than him changing parties. (But it might force him to do so.)

    • #3
  4. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Ain’t happenin’.

    • #4
  5. Doctor Robert Member
    Doctor Robert
    @DoctorRobert

    Your keyboard, God’s eyes.

     

    • #5
  6. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    Ain’t happenin’.

    Sad, but true. Manchin might vote against conviction (which fails if less than 67 senators vote for it) but is unlikely to break with party ranks and actually move for a dismissal which could be done with 51 votes.

    • #6
  7. PHCheese Inactive
    PHCheese
    @PHCheese

    I like it.

    • #7
  8. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Clifford A. Brown: With that, Senator Manchin walks back to his seat. Senator Romney slumps in his chair, colorless, the picture of a man who realizes history has passed him by, that he has no power left to strike at, to spite the Great Big Ugly Man and his voters.

    Clifford, what have you been smoking?

    • #8
  9. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    • #9
  10. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    • #10
  11. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    He’d have to get in line behind all the previous presidents that need to be censured, starting no later than Andrew Jackson (who needs to have his expunged censure reinstated) and ending no sooner than Barack Obama.   

    • #11
  12. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?  

    • #12
  13. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    Why are you opposed to rooting out corruption? 

    • #13
  14. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    That is not what happened. Read the transcript. Poor Adam Schiff should have read it before making himself look like an even bigger jackass. And as we all know perfectly well by now, that use of the word “perfect” is just a part of Trump’s normal speech patterns.  I swear to God if he said the sky is blue, you people would find a way to call it treason.

    • #14
  15. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    Whatever you are smoking, I suggest you stop. It seems to be making you delusional. You are believing things that are demonstrably false.

    • #15
  16. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    I guess we’re slipping into a hijack (so apologies to CAB), but this seems like a good place to get an answer to a question I’ve been asking for quite awhile:  Please point to the specific language in the July 25 call that conveys extortion.

    • #16
  17. Dave of Barsham Member
    Dave of Barsham
    @LesserSonofBarsham

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    There’s enough evidence to merit an investigation into Hunter and what influence it had on his father, the Vice President. It doesn’t have to be a “perfect” call. Running for president does not make one immune from criminal investigation if it’s warranted. 

    • #17
  18. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    Still clutching at straws, huh?

    • #18
  19. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    I don’t believe it was a perfect call; however, I do believe there is a pirma facie case that the Bidens were involved in corrupt dealings.  As such there is nothing here that is impeachable or censurable.   I think Trump has damaged his defense case by asserting there was no quid pro quo.  I also think Bolton’s characterization, although not completely substantiated is probably true.  That having been said based on the preponderance of the evidence presented and the likely testimony of  Bolton and the Bidens at this point I don’t think we need further witnesses or evidence to come to judgement here.  

    • #19
  20. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Fealty to Trump will be the ruin of the Republican Party.  

    • #20
  21. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Fealty to Trump will be the ruin of the Republican Party.

    Whatever.  Could I prevail on you to address my comment in #16.

    • #21
  22. Dave of Barsham Member
    Dave of Barsham
    @LesserSonofBarsham

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Fealty to Trump will be the ruin of the Republican Party.

    Not wanting impeachment and tweets you don’t like to become a precedent for removing a President of the United States isn’t fealty, it’s sanity. 

    • #22
  23. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Dave of Barsham (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    There’s enough evidence to merit an investigation into Hunter and what influence it had on his father, the Vice President. It doesn’t have to be a “perfect” call. Running for president does not make one immune from criminal investigation if it’s warranted.

    Yeah, but asking Hunter if he spoke to his father about it is not the way to go. It’s not important to know that, anyway.  Asking him to verify some dates, and asking him whether the guy in the video is his father might be useful, though. 

    • #23
  24. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Dave of Barsham (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    There’s enough evidence to merit an investigation into Hunter and what influence it had on his father, the Vice President. It doesn’t have to be a “perfect” call. Running for president does not make one immune from criminal investigation if it’s warranted.

    Yeah, but asking Hunter if he spoke to his father about it is not the way to go. It’s not important to know that, anyway. Asking him to verify some dates, and asking him whether the guy in the video is his father might be useful, though.

    Getting Hunter Biden on the witness list is not about what he says. It is about the documents he and associated financial and corporate entities would be compelled to produce.

    • #24
  25. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    Sad.

    • #25
  26. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    How about Democrats Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Krysten Sinema, and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, and Pat Toomey all announce in a new conference that they will not vote to remove Trump, but will immediately ask for Trump to censured?

    For what? Having different politics from theirs?

    For using the power of the presidency to try to extort Ukraine to do an investigation of the Bidens, or do you really believe that the July 25, 2019 call by Trump was a “perfect” call?

    Nonsense, and you know it.

    • #26
  27. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Fealty to Trump will be the ruin of the Republican Party.

    Nonsense, except under the condition that “Republican” means “Bushie” not “Reagan.”

    • #27
  28. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Clifford A. Brown: With that, Senator Manchin walks back to his seat. Senator Romney slumps in his chair, colorless, the picture of a man who realizes history has passed him by, that he has no power left to strike at, to spite the Great Big Ugly Man and his voters.

    Clifford, what have you been smoking?

    It was too early in the day, but now it is time for a fine cigar, thank you. You do understand that the gambit I urge on Senator Manchin, (Democrat-West Virginia) would indeed have just such an effect on Mittens, right? I did not take the time to give my usual link to my post on Flake and The Great Big Ugly Man. 

    • #28
  29. RyanFalcone Member
    RyanFalcone
    @RyanFalcone

    I posted a few years ago that Manchin would be a Republican by the time Trump was re-elected. I’m now doubting that it might happen but he is clearly sick of the rest of his party. If Bernie gets the D nomination, I think that mightbe the last straw. 

     

    It is instructional that only the rejection of this idiocy will end up being bi-partisan and that Trumps numbers will have clearly improved among both Republicans and independants at the concludion of it.

     

    Everyone now knows this was a horrific injustice. There are only 2 types of people still making a case for the impeachment, partisan hack Democrats and the morally and mentally feeble (but I repeat myself).

     

    Tomorrow will be glorious. 

    • #29
  30. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Fealty to Trump will be the ruin of the Republican Party.

    Whatever. Could I prevail on you to address my comment in #16.

    Well Republican Senator Lamar Alexander just referred to the House Manager’s “mountain of evidence” to prove that Trump withheld aid, in part, to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Biden’s.  Good enough?

    • #30
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