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Alhena

(3,030 posts)
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 06:27 PM Oct 2021

So is the consensus that Manchin is preferable to Sinema?

Neither one is anything to write home about, but at least Manchin articulates his position and his reasons. Plus, he wants the rich to pay more taxes, and I recognize global warming legislation is a hard sell in his home state. But Sinema seems like a complete corporate stooge who takes huge donations from corporations, doesn't want them or the rich to pay a dollar more in taxes, and voted against a minimum wage increase with a gleeful curtsy. Manchin seems like a coherent Blue Dog democrat, Sinema seems like ... I don't even know how to categorize her since I've never seen a politician like her. She almost seems like a sociopath.

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So is the consensus that Manchin is preferable to Sinema? (Original Post) Alhena Oct 2021 OP
Sinema bothers me more because she is local AZProgressive Oct 2021 #1
Manchin is a publicity hound and nevergiveup Oct 2021 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Oct 2021 #3
I hate them both budkin Oct 2021 #4
I don't know - is glioblastoma preferable to melanoma? hatrack Oct 2021 #5
Melanoma (even advanced stage IV has a 22% five year survival rate); only 25% of glioblastoma hlthe2b Oct 2021 #6
Yeah, Manchin strikes me as garden-variety venal and self-important hatrack Oct 2021 #7
I choose 'What is cancer free' for 500 Alex nt Celerity Oct 2021 #12
can I pick C, none of the above??? NewHendoLib Oct 2021 #8
I think they're both awful. BlueTsunami2018 Oct 2021 #9
My opinion is that 52 Democratic Senators are preferable to 50. Beastly Boy Oct 2021 #10
unless one of the newly elected ones decides to make it 'The 3 Musketeers' Celerity Oct 2021 #17
I like Fetterman. I live in a neighboring state but we get PA TV Walleye Oct 2021 #22
How accurate is that? Polybius Oct 2021 #27
Lamb was one of the leaders in the attempts to dump Pelosi as Speaker. Celerity Oct 2021 #30
Yes, have always liked Fetterman mvd Oct 2021 #31
Or 53, 54, 55...etc and 40-50 more centrist Dems in the House Septua Oct 2021 #20
I want us to win seats next year in NC, PA and WI to make them both irrelevant. LonePirate Oct 2021 #11
That's the solution for the Manchin/Sinema problem. Elessar Zappa Oct 2021 #13
two knobs one fuck. Voltaire2 Oct 2021 #14
added bonus points for using a favourite expression of mine when it comes to political manoeuvring Celerity Oct 2021 #21
Well. 48656c6c6f20 Oct 2021 #15
If the two of them... Septua Oct 2021 #16
Who cares? Nothing much any of the rest of us can do about them... TreasonousBastard Oct 2021 #18
One is more likely to be replaced with another Democrat JI7 Oct 2021 #19
I won't wipe my butt with either RainCaster Oct 2021 #23
Manchin is respected by his liberal colleagues for his willingness Hortensis Oct 2021 #24
The problem isn't one or the other. BluesRunTheGame Oct 2021 #25
Manchin is far preferable in one key way FBaggins Oct 2021 #26
Fuck 'em both. Iggo Oct 2021 #28
They are both horrible. lagomorph777 Oct 2021 #29
Much like genital warts are preferable to syphilis. 11 Bravo Oct 2021 #32

AZProgressive

(29,322 posts)
1. Sinema bothers me more because she is local
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 06:33 PM
Oct 2021

I’ve known her awhile as she used to be my rep and she had bad votes on Wall Street or foreign policy soon after she got in. She hasn’t changed much since being elected Senator except she is receiving more attention but she also had bad votes in the Trump era.

Manchin is further away but I voted for Kelly & Biden in 2020 not for Manchin to be the most powerful man in Washington. I could understand if he opposed things but every once in awhile he should agree to something plus the BBB bill polls well in his home state.

nevergiveup

(4,759 posts)
2. Manchin is a publicity hound and
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 06:36 PM
Oct 2021

total pain in the ass but is somewhat predictable. Sinema is totally crazy and much more dangerous. IMHO

Response to Alhena (Original post)

hlthe2b

(102,236 posts)
6. Melanoma (even advanced stage IV has a 22% five year survival rate); only 25% of glioblastoma
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 06:45 PM
Oct 2021

patients survive a year.

But yeah, both of them are hair-splittingly dangerous and thoroughly disgusting.

She bugs me more because she comes across as so unbelievably immature. But that aside, a'holes are a'holes

hatrack

(59,584 posts)
7. Yeah, Manchin strikes me as garden-variety venal and self-important
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 06:48 PM
Oct 2021

Synema? Damned if I know what her problem is, though I suspect it might start with "narc" and end with "issism".

BlueTsunami2018

(3,491 posts)
9. I think they're both awful.
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:02 PM
Oct 2021

They’re destructive forces willing to turn the country into a fascist oligarchy. That’s the truth.

Beastly Boy

(9,323 posts)
10. My opinion is that 52 Democratic Senators are preferable to 50.
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:05 PM
Oct 2021

That would make both of them irrelevant.

Celerity

(43,333 posts)
17. unless one of the newly elected ones decides to make it 'The 3 Musketeers'
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:30 PM
Oct 2021

I think this chart might provide one such potential name in terms of a House member who is running for Senate in 2022. It also shows Sinema's Trump Score when she was in the House with them. (Sinema's score was a warning sign for me back in 2018, and even then, her Trump score was still lower that the potential 2022 3rd Musketeer's was)





the best way to avoid any part of that potential '3rd Musketeer' outcome is simple:

Walleye

(31,017 posts)
22. I like Fetterman. I live in a neighboring state but we get PA TV
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:46 PM
Oct 2021

He at least seems san, reasonable and intelligent

Polybius

(15,390 posts)
27. How accurate is that?
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 11:29 PM
Oct 2021

Can you say for certain it's 100%? Lamb's positions seem liberal to me, even filibuster reform.

https://conorlamb.com/issues/

Celerity

(43,333 posts)
30. Lamb was one of the leaders in the attempts to dump Pelosi as Speaker.
Sun Oct 17, 2021, 01:55 AM
Oct 2021
That alone shows very poor judgement.


Conor Lamb upholds promise not to vote Nancy Pelosi as speaker

https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/rep-conor-lamb-doesnt-vote-pelosi-for-speaker/



Here is a sampling of some of the votes he took Trump's position on:













Lamb is also in the extremely problematic and obstructionist bi-partisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/members




https://www.nolabels.org/the-problem-solvers/




Almost all the House Dems trying to block or slash apart Biden's BBB Act are from it, and many of the 'dump Pelosi' crew were Problem Solvers too). It is the Congressional manifestation of Joe Liberman's No Labels organisation, who have a super sleazy history, including outrageous attacks on other Dems, such labelling Marie Newman a holocaust denier. No Labels was founded and backed to a large extent by RW billionaires. I have no idea why any Dem would want to be associated with them. I find it so disheartening.

Sinema was one of their stars in the House. The last thing we need is more Senators from them.



Bipartisan ‘No Labels’ group’s super PAC network revealed: mega Chicago donors

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/12/18316470/bipartisan-no-labels-group-s-super-pac-network-revealed-mega-chicago-donors

With a boost from Chicago-area mega donors, including White Sox and Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, No Labels, a group advocating bipartisanship in Congress, has created a network of super PACs to influence the 2018 elections — but doesn’t want its fingerprints on the money.

One of the super PACs, United for Progress Inc., has spent $740,334 as of Sunday to bolster Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., in his March 20 Illinois Democratic primary battle with Marie Newman in the 3rd Congressional District. The names of the super PACS don’t link them to No Labels. A Sun-Times investigation determined super PACS related to No Labels include: United for Progress Inc.; Citizens for a Strong America Inc.; United Together; Govern or Go Home; and Forward, Not Back.

The Sun-Times inquiry included interviews with donors or their representatives and an examination of documents filed with the Federal Election Commission. United for Progress, Inc., is playing political hardball, attacking Newman in the commercials and direct mail pieces it paid for. Lipinski is part of a No Labels offshoot, the congressional “Problem Solvers Caucus.”

snip

THE ILLINOIS CONNECTIONS: Last year, a No Labels leader, former Sen. Joe Lieberman, was a draw at a meeting at the Chicago Club, 81 E. Van Buren. Lieberman was the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee who became an Independent senator from Connecticut.

snip




Delusional Group Declares Donald Trump a ‘Problem Solver’

The only problem Trump could solve is that we don’t have a dumb enough president

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/delusional-group-declares-donald-trump-a-problem-solver-58107/

Here are some labels that apply to Donald Trump:

–Racist
–Egomaniac
–Bloviator
–Delusional
–Liar
–Asshole

On Monday, the nonpartisan group No Labels gave him a new, and hilarious, one: problem solver.

Six presidential candidates – Democrat Martin O’Malley and Republicans Ben Carson, Chris Christie, John Kasich, Rand Paul and Trump – signed the organization’s Problem Solver Promise, officially making them No Labels Problem Solvers. The group says it will bestow the label on any candidate who signs its meaningless pledge.

No Labels declined to make an exception for Trump – the candidate who has proposed, among many other things, building a giant border wall, deporting 11 million people, banning Muslims from entering the country and shutting down mosques. In just the last two days, he’s come out in favor of direct head-to-head collisions in the NFL and elephant torture.

snip



‘Holocaust Denier’ Smear Hits Tight Chicago Area Congressional Primary

https://forward.com/fast-forward/396658/holocaust-denier-smear-hits-tight-chicago-area-congressional-primary/

A heated Democratic congressional primary race in suburban Chicago has reached a new low, as accusations of Holocaust denial are falsely hurled at progressive challenger Marie Newman.

Newman, who is seeking to unseat the incumbent Dan Lipinski as the Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 3rd congressional district, has staked a liberal position, hoping it would convince Democrats to chose her way over that of Lipinski, a “blue dog” Democrat known for his more conservative views.

In recent days, Newman claimed, voters have been receiving text messages from activists with the Washington-based No Labels group, trying to convince voters not to support her. In one instance, a voter receiving the text message informed the sender that he has already decided to vote for Newman, not Lipinski. “His opponent is a Holocaust denier among other things,” the Lipinski supporter texted back. In a second exchange, the voter was told again about Newman: “Did you know she’s a Holocaust denier.”

Newman accused Lipinski of “playing politics with a tragedy in human history that cost the lives of millions—and which deeply affects those of Jewish heritage, including my husband and his family.” Lipinski is considered one of the few endangered Democratic incumbents in the nation due to the tight primary. The winner should easily beat a Republican challenger in the district that voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by a healthy 16% margin.

snip


Group Tied To Lipinski Says Marie Newman Is 'A Holocaust Denier'

IL-3 Democratic challenger Marie Newman claims group tied to Congressman Dan Lipinski is texting voters saying she's a 'Holocaust denier.'

https://patch.com/illinois/oaklawn/group-tied-lipinski-claims-she-s-holocaust-denier


LA GRANGE, IL -- Challenger Marie Newman is calling out Congressman Dan Lipinski for running a "dishonest machine-style campaign" after some of her supporters complained of receiving text messages stating that Newman is a "Holocaust denier." Newman and Lipinski are said to be in a statistical dead heat in the contentious Democratic primary in Illinois's 3rd Congressional District. Supporters said they began receiving the text messages this past weekend.

A woman who identifies herself as "Leslie Benjamini" from the Washington, D.C.-based No Labels group -- a political centrist organization comprised of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who aim to combat partisan dysfunction in politics by focusing on bipartisan problem solving -- texted a voter asking him if he planned to vote for Dan Lipinski in the March 20 Democratic primary. When the the receiver stated he is voting for Newman, Benjamini states that Lipinski's opponent is a Holocaust denier. Benjamini tells the receiver to look up "No Labels, a new group that is trying to get government working again." The message goes on to state that Lipinski is a "believer in this group."

"His opponent is a Holocaust denier among other things," the text goes on to say. "Please educate yourself before you vote. All I ask."

Lipinski does have an opponent who is a Holocaust denier who is running as the lone candidate in the Republican primary in Illinois' 3rd District, avowed neo-Nazi Art Jones of Lyons. In the second message sent to the Newman supporter, Benjamini mistakes the receiver's phone number for his mother's.

"For the second time I am NOT [NAME] … she is my mother and she hosted a fundraiser for Marie Newman. And for the record, I voted for her early Saturday [March 10]." "Thanks for voting," Benjamini texts back. "Did you know she's a Holocaust denier."

The No Labels group based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 2010. The group strives to "create a vibrant New Center that supports leaders who put country before party." No Labels inspired the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of congressional members that includes Lipinski. A Chicago Sun-Times investigation has also tied No Labels to such Super PACS as United for Progress Inc. As of late, United for Progress Inc. has been sent out a flurry of political hit pieces attacking Newman's progressive agenda, as well as TV and radio commercials

An angry Newman demanded an apology from Lipinski, accusing the congressman of running "dishonest machine campaign."


snip

mvd

(65,173 posts)
31. Yes, have always liked Fetterman
Sun Oct 17, 2021, 03:07 AM
Oct 2021

He’s witty, progressive, and always gives it to the Repukes. He’s a little weak on fracking, but I don’t think he would oppose climate change legislation the way Manchin is. I live in Montgomery County, PA and Commissioner Val Arkoosh is also running. She’s been good but I favor Fetterman as of now, even though Arkoosh is local.

As for Manchin and Sinema, both bother me a lot - but Manchin I disagree with and Sinema seems to relish being a thorn in our side. There’s some difference.

Septua

(2,255 posts)
20. Or 53, 54, 55...etc and 40-50 more centrist Dems in the House
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:39 PM
Oct 2021

A 50-50 Senate, 8 member majority in the House, along with it's 100 member progressive caucus and a quintessential optimist, fair-playing President ain't getting us where we need to go...

In my opinion...

Elessar Zappa

(13,975 posts)
13. That's the solution for the Manchin/Sinema problem.
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:10 PM
Oct 2021

In the meantime we need them for judges (assuming they don’t block Biden’s picks).

Voltaire2

(13,023 posts)
14. two knobs one fuck.
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:10 PM
Oct 2021

They are both rat-fuckers. Sinema is rat-fucking drug price reform. Manchin is rat-fucking clean energy. The goal is to make sure that BBB does nothing much, and they can add the 'Biden hasn't done shit' attack to the 2022 campaign. Same pincer attack they used in 2010.

Celerity

(43,333 posts)
21. added bonus points for using a favourite expression of mine when it comes to political manoeuvring
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:43 PM
Oct 2021
pincer attack




 

48656c6c6f20

(7,638 posts)
15. Well.
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:20 PM
Oct 2021

I don't know. I often ask myself which do I enjoy more, flailing of my flesh or 9 inch spikes driven into my skull. I can't answer that really because well, the police. They're everywhere..

Septua

(2,255 posts)
16. If the two of them...
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:22 PM
Oct 2021

...will come together, with the other 48, on the Voting Rights bill, I'll forget the asinine personal agenda. The Trump party is coming for us...we need ALL hands on deck.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
18. Who cares? Nothing much any of the rest of us can do about them...
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:31 PM
Oct 2021

Even if we managed to organize primary challenges, that could backfire.

Manchin I get-- he grew up in coal country. Not much to do there without getting something worse in snd losing the Senate for real.

Sinema I don't get at all. She has a more interesting history than most Senators. Who else spent childhood in an abandoned gas station, got a BA in two years, and an MBA plus a law degree while running Iron Man? And that while in Congress?

I personally believe that like a lot of people with her talents, she really doesn't get everyone else. She has some contempt for people who don't see what she sees and constantly tries to find a better place. But, somewhere in all that a screw is a little loose so she has a problem getting it together at critical moments.

Whatever's missing, I hope she finds it soon. She should be seen as greatness, not as a cartoon.

JI7

(89,248 posts)
19. One is more likely to be replaced with another Democrat
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 07:36 PM
Oct 2021

We have a chance of keeping Sinema's seat democratic.

Without Manchin that seat goes Republican .

Even the Arizona seat is not gauranteed but Sinema herself wouldn't have gauranteed it and I believe there are other democrats that will be a stronger candidate than her.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
24. Manchin is respected by his liberal colleagues for his willingness
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 09:21 PM
Oct 2021

to work with them as much as a senator representing a red state can. He's considered an intelligent and competent moderate progressive conservative; reliable when he commits, a man of his word, but a lone wolf.

"If I can go home and explain it, I'll vote for it. If I can't explain it, I can't vote for it." Manchin's mantra, well known to his Democratic colleagues.

Biden worked with him for years when he was in the senate. According to Woodward/Costa's book, very early on he met with Manchin to discuss the giant Rescue package and the need to fast-track it due to the national emergeny. Manchin told him he'd want some changes but he would help get something done, that he wanted him to succeed and wouldn't let him fail. And he didn't.

Sinema... We're learning what she is, but it's no Manchin.

BluesRunTheGame

(1,614 posts)
25. The problem isn't one or the other.
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 10:25 PM
Oct 2021

It’s corporate money in politics.

Whenever the Dems gain control of the government this happens. It’s the same script.

Lieberman, Baucus, or whoever. The media calls them moderates.

But they aren’t moderates. They’re owned.

FBaggins

(26,731 posts)
26. Manchin is far preferable in one key way
Sat Oct 16, 2021, 11:22 PM
Oct 2021

He is absolutely 100% the best that we could get out of WV.

Going after Sinema could cost us the seat, but it’s far from a certainty.

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