A hypothesis about Manchin/Flake/Collins/Murkowski...

[RockRaven]

Manchin wants to vote yes, b/c that's what the majority of West Virginians want and he's up for re-election. But maybe he doesn't want to be *the deciding vote* that puts Kav on the Court -- that might be dangerous in terms of pissing off donors and party leadership (who is spending big on his re-election, but could pull out - after all what good is he if he won't vote with you on the biggest vote of the decade).

So if all of the GOP votes yes, Kav is confirmed and he can also vote yes b/c there was no effect on the outcome.

But if 3 GOP vote no, he can vote yes and Kav still doesn't get on the Court.

If there are two GOP no's then Manchin's yes would be the deciding yes (thanks to the Pence tie-breaker). One GOP yes plus his yes would not be decisive (would eliminate the need for Pence to tie-break) -- but would look to people not considering that (i.e. not-politically-obsessed/casual WV Dem voters) like he cast the decisive yes vote.

Maybe Manchin is trying to work those 3 to all go one way or another.

[Kajun Gal]

1. All about the money. Lord. These guys should read the bible. Money is the root of all

EVIL!

[qazplm135]

2. I think it's simply

Him trying to figure out what they are going to do so he knows what the score is going to be.

[still_one]

3. I think the republcians are going to vote to confirm without any opposing

[jaysunb]

4. Voting his conscience might be a novel concept. n/t