Everybody Hates Joe Manchin

Sen. Joe Manchin has had a remarkable political survival story over the years. He has been able to convince enough Republicans, cycle after cycle, even though he hails from the most reddest state in the Union.

This is mostly from his “clown nose, clown nose off” routine in which he pretended to be a strong candidate for non-deciding votes and then he surrenders to radicals within the party when it matters. However, it seems that this dynamic is over.

In my latest NBC News survey, which I thoroughly analyzed regarding its implications for the mid-terms and what it said about them, there is one clear thing: Everyone hates Joe Manchin .

NBC’s Chuck Todd says “No one loves” Joe Manchin. pic.twitter.com/QYWCALPyAl

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 21, 2022

While Manchin’s decision to plunge headfirst into a brick wall, after strapping his self with dynamite, is not a significant historical marker. However, as a political calculation it is one of the most disastrous in recent history. Everybody who liked him (even many people outside his party) now hates him. Those who hate him already still hate him.

All those leftwingers that harassed him and threatened his job, as well as his safety in the public eye? The dude is still a problem. Manchin hasn’t hit the home run in the bottom ninth. This analogy was used by him to Senator Chris Coons as he discussed how he would betray his constituents. He’s instead playing the goat to Democrats who don’t care about the “largest climate change bill” he passed.

Who could have guessed that 87,000 IRS employees and subsidies for wealthy people to buy electric vehicles during an inflationary boom wouldn’t be popular? According to the same NBC News poll, a majority believe that the Inflation Reduction Act either will make the situation worse or nothing.

What did Manchin receive in return? A hollow promise to allow reform, which has yet to be considered in the Senate and with no assurance of passage in more progressive House. Manchin could not be more suckered if the promise was written on his forehead.

It seems that the Republicans, who once gave the man the benefit of doubt, have finally given in. It seems that the conciliatory tone of GOP senators, which has supported West Virginia’s senator for many decades, has mostly disappeared. This should stop Manchin from making backroom deals that would allow him to appear “conservative” while voting for Republicans in elections already decided. It seems that his constituents in Manchin’s home state won’t give him another chance, regardless of how many pork promises he makes. Manchin has crossed the line and his political career is over. Only question now is whether Manchin has the intelligence to decide whether or not he would prefer to be retired first, or if he just wants to die in a glorious loss.