Today's Power Play: GOP Sweetens its Offer to Manchin

[brooklynite]

Source: Fox News

Republicans are making some big promises to try to lure West Virginia Senator-elect Joe Manchin to cross the aisle.

Aside from his pick of committee assignments (likely the Energy and Natural Resources Committee), Manchin might get support for one of his pet projects - a plant to convert coal to diesel fuel that has stalled under Democratic leadership in Washington.

...snip...

Manchin's switch could mean Republican support for not just $1 billion in seed money for the project but also a deal, much sought in coal country, to require the armed forces to use converted coal for fuel.

Republicans believe Manchin is particularly susceptible to the overture because he is up for reelection in 2012 and will have to be on the ticket with President Obama, who is direly unpopular in West Virginia. Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Independent Joe Lieberman are the other two prime targets of Republican advances.

Read more: http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/11/08/todays-power-play-gop-sweetens-its-offer-manchin

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Usually, you wait a year or so, then claim that you became disenchanted with your party Leadership, or "I didn't leave the Party, the Party left me". Jumping ship a week after defeating a member of the prospective new party would be as transparently opportunistic as you could get, and I suspect the voters wouldn't be impressed at you wasting their time.

[Dawson Leery]

1. Manchin's only problem with the healthcare bill was the mandate.

He supported the other regulations in the bill.
I do not see him making the change, especially this fast.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

2. Imagine if we could secure Lieberman's vote for democrat issue but some guys just won't stay bought

:sarcasm:

[brooklynite]

12. LIeberman may not be honorable, but he's not stupid...

The Dems just took the Governorship and held the Senate seat in CT. Becoming a Republican in this environment isn't in his interest.

[pattmarty]

16. I agree with your assessment, but I think he will lose in 2012 unless there's a big change.

[opihimoimoi]

3. INSIDIOUS MEism....whats best for the Party that thinks acts "Whats best for the Nation"

is the best Party....Loyalty should be mandatory...to join the enemy is Traitorish and anti Reason/Sanity


Red Bait should they be series....hope he don't suck for it and reveal selfishness over honor

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. There had to be a lot of Democrats

whom had to hold their noses to vote for him who'd he lose for 2012 if he switced sides now. Lieberman- assuming he decides to run again in 2012-is going to lose the Democrats he critically needs for re-election if he crosses the aisle. I don't know much about Ben Nelson but I can't imagine him going anywhere unless there's a real possibility that enough other Dems like Lieberman would cross the aisle with him to give the Republicans majority status.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

5. aint happening

Manchin isn't going to join a minority and give up the massive party infrastructure that turned a dead heat into double digit win last week. the GOP in WV is practically nonexistent. WV is one of if not the only state, where Dems gained in both legislative houses last week.

if anyone watched Manchin's victory party, they'd know he made it quite clear that, as frustratingly conservative as he is, he's a proud Democrat.

[davidinalameda]

18. too many people on here

think that anyone to the right of Dennis Kucinich is a republican

[Arkana]

22. Manchin also has enormous respect for the late Robert Byrd.

In fact, I think that's one of the main reasons he's still a Democrat.

[Bombero1956]

6. Senator-elect Joe Manchin needs to remember one thing

The Democrats are the ones who got him elected. Republicans are trying to circumvent the will of the people by trying to get him to switch parties.

[Unvanguard]

7. Even if they all switch, it's 50-50 and the Senate remains ours.

:shrug:

Lieberman won't, Manchin probably won't (he's a Democrat at heart however much he ran to the right), Nelson... well, I wouldn't put anything past that wretch.

[The Hitman]

11. ehh...

Nelson will get derailed, too many Rs in Nebraska. He won't switch, no way.

[rpannier]

20. Nelson won't jump

He has an approval rating among Republicans of about 30%. He'd lose the primary and be finished.
He'd be the Senate version of former Congressman Griffin in Alabama who jumped parties and lost the Republican primary

[countrydad58]

8. So again

tell me the benefits of working ,voting for these Blue Dog cretins?

[Ikonoklast]

9. Would rather have a senator that voted with you 80% of the time,

or against you 100% of the time?

I'll take the 80%, every time.

[countrydad58]

14. This thread

was about switching parties! So if he switches you still think he will vote 80% of that time? Worked out well when Richard Shelby pulled this Shit in 94!

[rpannier]

21. Since he hasn't done anything yet

Complaining about what he might, maybe, could possibly do, achieves what?

[countrydad58]

24. Just shows

How much at home a Blue Dog scum is with the policies of the enemy. Bye the way did I start the thread! No! It was about the Pukes trying to woo the new senator elect, Do you think they would even put out a feeler if he was liberal, so in your view then why dont we just shut this whole forum down,since what we all discuss here can acheive what? Your Blue colors are running!

[Ozymanithrax]

10. They want to claim the Senate.

Ballsy.

[DFW]

13. Even Ben Nighthorse Campbell waited 2 years to switch

Switching even before being sworn in would put Manchin in history's doghouse.

Besides, look how quickly things changed between election night 2008 and now. It could happen again.
Where would that leave a turncoat Manchin? I think he stays put with the Democrats for at least two
years, and permanently if things sway back Obama's way.

As for Lieberman, he knows his time in the Senate is done after 2012. Even if he and Nelson switch,
they stay in the minority, if only just barely. I doubt that either ego wants to go out with that
much of a whimper.

[Nancy Waterman]

15. If Manchin switched, wouldn't he get primaried?

That would be the end of him. The GOP can't control the Tea Party and promise no primary opponent.

[armodem08]

19. Yup. No way he would survive a primary...

He would get teabagged, no doubt. Same with Lieberman, Nelson, and ANYONE ELSE. Simply having a D next to your name loses the Republican primary automatically, nowadays. Bet it!

[Hawkeye-X]

23. Nightmare's forever cursed due to the switch

And any R's that tries to get the seat will never get it during my lifetime.

[pattmarty]

17. I just noticed the "source", Fox news. Grain of salt?

[wisteria]

25. This is Fox News BS. n/t

[MikeMc]

27. Thanks. nt.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

26. Manchin camp response: "Joe Manchin is a life-long Democrat and he is not switching parties"

Joe Manchin is a life-long Democrat and he is not switching parties . This is exactly what is wrong with Washington - individuals try to put politics before our nation.
Joe Manchin wants to go to Washington to encourage members of Congress to stop partisan bickering and start putting our nation's needs at the forefront.

He wants to work with all sides - Democrats and Republicans - to move our state and nation forward. He is looking forward to going to Washington to do his part to help rebuild America.

Thanks!

Sara Payne Scarbro
Communications Director
Gov. Joe Manchin

Given to wvablue in response to the story:
http://wvablue.com/diary/6481/manchin-is-and-will-remain-a-democrat

The FOX reporter was full of crap.

[Kingofalldems]

28. Fox News at it again.

[John Kerry VonErich]

29. Two words

Zell Miller