General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo 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.
AZProgressive
(29,322 posts)Ive 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 hasnt 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)total pain in the ass but is somewhat predictable. Sinema is totally crazy and much more dangerous. IMHO
Response to Alhena (Original post)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
budkin
(6,701 posts)But at least with Manchin you know what you're getting.
hatrack
(59,584 posts)hlthe2b
(102,236 posts)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)Synema? Damned if I know what her problem is, though I suspect it might start with "narc" and end with "issism".
Celerity
(43,333 posts)NewHendoLib
(60,014 posts)BlueTsunami2018
(3,491 posts)Theyre destructive forces willing to turn the country into a fascist oligarchy. Thats the truth.
Beastly Boy
(9,323 posts)That would make both of them irrelevant.
Celerity
(43,333 posts)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)He at least seems san, reasonable and intelligent
Polybius
(15,390 posts)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)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 groups 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 doesnt 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 dont 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.
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Delusional Group Declares Donald Trump a Problem Solver
The only problem Trump could solve is that we dont 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 OMalley and Republicans Ben Carson, Chris Christie, John Kasich, Rand Paul and Trump signed the organizations 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, hes come out in favor of direct head-to-head collisions in the NFL and elephant torture.
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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 shes a Holocaust denier.
Newman accused Lipinski of playing politics with a tragedy in human history that cost the lives of millionsand 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.
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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."
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mvd
(65,173 posts)Hes witty, progressive, and always gives it to the Repukes. Hes a little weak on fracking, but I dont think he would oppose climate change legislation the way Manchin is. I live in Montgomery County, PA and Commissioner Val Arkoosh is also running. Shes 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. Theres some difference.
Septua
(2,255 posts)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...
LonePirate
(13,417 posts)Elessar Zappa
(13,975 posts)In the meantime we need them for judges (assuming they dont block Bidens picks).
Voltaire2
(13,023 posts)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)48656c6c6f20
(7,638 posts)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)...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)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)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.
RainCaster
(10,869 posts)That is the question, right?
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)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)Its corporate money in politics.
Whenever the Dems gain control of the government this happens. Its the same script.
Lieberman, Baucus, or whoever. The media calls them moderates.
But they arent moderates. Theyre owned.
FBaggins
(26,731 posts)He is absolutely 100% the best that we could get out of WV.
Going after Sinema could cost us the seat, but its far from a certainty.