GOP Makes Play to Entice New WV Senator to Switch Parties
- Posted on November 8, 2010 at 4:48pm by
Meredith Jessup
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The Democratic Party may have secured victory over the GOP in the West Virginia Senate race on election night, but the Republicans are still vying for influence over the seat and its vote.
According to news reports out of Washington, Republicans on Capitol Hill think the new Senator-elect may have more in common with their side and are making some lofty promises to try to lure Joe Manchin to cross the aisle.
Negotiations so far have reportedly guaranteed Gov. Manchin his pick of committee assignments — likely the Energy and Natural Resources Committee — and possible GOP support for one of Manchin’s “pet projects” — the $1 billion construction of a plant to convert coal to diesel fuel. Fox News reports:
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.
If Manchin, Nelson and Lieberman switched, it would leave the Senate in a 50-50 deadlock.
But Team Manchin, so far, is sticking with the campaign line that the two-term conservative governor is heading to Washington to change the way his party operates and to look for chances to work on bipartisan projects.
“He was elected as a Democrat and he has to go to Washington as a Democrat to try, in good faith, to make the changes in the party he campaigned on,” said one Manchin advisor. “Now, if that doesn‘t work and Democrats aren’t receptive, I don’t know what possibilities that leaves open.”
A planned lame-duck vote on the so-called Paycheck Fairness Act next week willy likely shed some light on where Manchin’s loyalties lie.
Labor groups who backed Manchin over Republican John Raese are pushing hard for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act. The bill, already passed by the House, would require employers who have facilities in multiple states to pay all their employees the same wage.
It would be a coup for unions, because it would reduce the appeal of right-to-work states to companies looking to add or relocate plants. One union contract anywhere would set pay rates nationwide.
Manchin, though, was also backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which vehemently opposes the bill.
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Comments (71)
stinkybisquit
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:07pmWhy in hell would they want to invite someone so lacking in conviction, that they would switch?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 10:08pmPower……….
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:05pmIt doesn’t matter which party he is what matters how he votes. As a Democrat he can vote with republicans. If he is not a progressive then maybe he will vote for the real good of the country.
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »mamawalker
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:03pmRINOs think they are owed something and refuse to give up power just like Pelosi is refusing to let go. It is sad but those new Tea Party Members have a tough road ahead of them as the back door deals, pork, wasteful spending, and passing bills on everyone except our leaders will likely continue until we vote them all out in 2012! We must remain vigilant! We must demand our government pass a balanced budget bill, pass term limits, and never pass a bill that doesn’t apply to those passing the bills!
Report Post »GoingBeck
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 8:02pmManchin talks like a moderate Republican. Let’s if he can walk like one.
Report Post »conservativeme
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:58pmI’ve heard Joe Manchin speak in person on two occasions, and if I’d have not known he was a Democrat, I’ve have swarn he was a Republican. I say go get Joe!
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:49pmTime to move to the GOP.
Report Post »LuvThisCntry
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:45pmThe American People are watching you….
Report Post »dirtypolitics
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:05pmThe Republican leadership doesn’t need to do this. The weight of voting in line with his promises is on his shoulder.
Let the people observe how he votes on crucial issues and make their decisions after two years whether to re-elect him or not.
Report Post »GloWormy
Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:44amAMEN…… I agree.
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:02pmGood grief this is one of the reasons why the GOP lost in 2006 don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. We don’t need those people to become Republicans what we need done is to come to an agreement on certain issues that they would vote with the Republicans.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:29pm1. Joe Manchin is filling the seat of the late Robert Byrd so he will get to be sworn in early, probably in Dec. This deal is being offered by the current republicans in the Senate, not the newly elected group that will be sworn-in in January. But, absolutely NO deals should be made.
2. We absolutely do not want a 50 – 50 vote in the Senate, because then Joe Biden gets to cast the tie breaking vote.
Report Post »BigDog2372
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:55pmAgree with your first point, I don’t want another RINO. I do take issue with your second point though, at least politically. On principle I don’t want Biden putting his hands on anything that has to do with legislation, on the other hand, the garbage in the senate is going to pass anyway, whether the Numbers are 49-51 or 50-50. Being that we know anything the senate passes will hurt our economy and fail miserably, why not have Biden and thus the Obama administration have their fingerprints all over legislation so they can take the blame in 2012? Again, I hate the political game, but that’s realistically what we are dealing with to win a countrywide general election.
Report Post »PITMASTER
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:23pmManchin is being offered pork to switch parties. Screw this guy; he campaigned like a conservative, now let him vote like one. And what looney RINO in the Senate cooked up this scheme? Didn’t these career politicians get the damned message? More deficit spending just for one vote?
Let Manchin swing in the wind and let him vote with Harry Ried, then the Tea Party can cook Manchin’s bacon in 2012.
Report Post »5
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:16pmManchin, Could vote with the GOP and show He want Dems to change. The two-term conservative governor is heading to Washington to change the way his party operates
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:12pmNot on the subject, but a real eye opener.
Report Post »http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?blog=Market-Ticker
fdonnino
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:09pmAllen West….kick their ass in line. Really!
Report Post »janddjohnson
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:07pmI have a question…if they were to have to pay employees all the same wage in any given state…I would think that states like California and New York would pay a bigger wage due to the costs of living in those states..so what if the other company was in Arkansas were the cost of living is no where near as high? Is that fair? Am I misunderstanding this? I wish government would get the hell out of everyones business.
Report Post »Slobaphobe
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:30pmThis is about screwing over right to work states. These afre states where people are not FORCED to join a union just to work. This is the nose of the union camel under the tent.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:37pmI live in a right to work state and feel like I have been treated fairly by employers. The only people who seem to have problems are the union people.
Report Post »teahugger
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:57pmIs it just me? I am sick about the state of our economy, the direction our country is going. I should feel encouraged about the majority of republicans in the house…but there are so many progressives in both parties. I feel my country slipping away (falling off a cliff?). Both parties are only looking out for themselves. Can a only few conservatives turn this around?
Report Post »uncleherbert
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:50pmThe Taxed Enough Party is just getting started. We are still growing, a true grass root movement.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:52pmIsn’t the idea to have LESS government? How can you play that line while offering earmark approval to someone to switch sides? 1 BILLION dollars of an earmark?!
Report Post »p-squared
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:50pmMuch of the coal from WV ends up in China – just a fact to consider. As for the back-room dealing ALREADY from the Republitards, well, that’s why I left the GOP years ago. There is no reason for the GOP to court anyone. Any Dem facing re-election in 2012 (Manchin included) will be feeling the vulnerability if they continue to go along with the progressive express train to hell.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:41pmIt’s up to him to decide what to do. I don’t like underhanded tactics, but I do sometimes yearn for the old adage of “turn about is fair play”.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:32pmThe Blaze was a bit late in reporting this, but it’s an important story nonetheless, especially since we lost Dino Rossi, Sharron Angle, et al. It’s certainly a fact that WVA will be the hardest hit state should they pass cap & tax, and because he will be sworn in immediately to replace Byrd, he can help to stop it. Besides, he certainly sounded like he was GOP material in his ads during the campaign!
Report Post »HouseNegro
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:24pmJoe Spector No Thank You!
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:24pmWell here comes the same old BS…
We don’t need or want another effin RINO
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:10pmAgree……… if he does a switch vote him out in the primary in 2012
Report Post »Parkeralan
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:58pmNo but I’ll settle for a D I N O.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:23pmkill the bill
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:39pmPaycheck fairness is BS, the cost of living in some states is alot higher than the cost of living in others.
Report Post »chattycathy
Posted on November 9, 2010 at 8:45amYes, and this legislation (HR12 – Paycheck Fairness Act) will also have a devastating effect on many southern states as well as the ‘fly-over-states’. It will give much more power to unions and will drive up prices everywhere. I‘m in Tennessee and we’re a ‘right to work’ state. However, the 5 U.S. Rep Dems from our state voted FOR this legislation rather than looking out for their state. (How did your Reps vote? http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-8) Luckily, the recent election changed our delegation numbers from 5 Dems/4 Repubs to 7 Repubs/2 Dems!
Report Post »cubber
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:20pmLet him determine his own fate. We need rugged INDIVIDUALS to represent us.
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:20pmGod, I hate politics. This stuff, from either side, just makes me sick. Scratch my back………. I would love to tie up the Senate but this just stinks of rotten eggs.
Report Post »cubber
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:25pmLet him determine his own fate. We need rugged INDIVIDUALS to represent us. There is only one vote that counts right now. They CANNOT raise the debt ceiling. Anyone who votes to raise it will be someone I work to oust.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:34pmIf you believe that the tyrants act in the best interest of the individual, consider the following quote:
“If the government is to tell big business men how to run their business, then don’t you see that big business men have to get closer to the government even than they are now? Don’t you see that they must capture the government, in order not to be restrained too much by it? Must capture the government? They have already captured it.”
The quote is from an early wannabe tyrant, Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Since then each encroachment on our individual liberty has caused problems that have been used to justify more tyranny.
My book “21st Century Common Sense” has the proof and the recipe to regain our freedom.
Report Post »Visit my website for more proof. You can even read chapters 1 & 2 on the website.
http://commonsense21c.com
snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:42pmQuestion to the Blazers…
Coud these Unions be broken up as the old monopolies of the phone companies and railroads were back in the early 20th century or thereabouts? It seems to me they have become monopolies of the workers, just like the crafts guilds of the countries of Europe in the renassance and dark age times.
JamesWest
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 5:48pmCubber, I have been a debt hawk for many years, but it has taken many years to get to where we are and it won’t get reversed in a single term. Point being, in the short term, we may need to vote for a MODEST increase in the debt ceiling while we figure out what we can cut. When an individual reaches his or her debt limit, they either cut back drastically on their spending or they declare bankruptcy. If we can’t cut govt by 30-40 percent immediately (which we can’t) we still don’t want to cause the US to default (sending us literally back to the stone age) because of political grandstanding.
Report Post »5
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:13pmNancy ‘STRETCH’ Pelosi is planning “A BIG AZZ PARTY” for accomplishments.
WTF? – - – - – - -> HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST US?
Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the United States House of Representatives requests the pleasure of your company at a reception honoring the Accomplishments of the 111th Congress on Wednesday, the tenth day of November, two thousand ten at three thirty in the afternoon Cannon Caucus Room 345 Cannon House Office Building.
WE NEED TO KILL ALL LAME DUCKS. DON’T LET LAMES VOTE ANYMORE.
NOT TODAY, BUT MAKE IT A NEW LAW. . . . . . . . THIS PEOPLE ARE PIGS!
HKS
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:13pmWell, I kinda like the guy, the only problem I see with him is the D after his name. He might be salvageable with some guidance.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 6:50pmThis is no different than what the democrates pulled to get Obamacare passed. This is politics at its worst.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 7:07pmSnow, I hope someone can find a way to kill the unions. Once upon a time they were needed but that time is long past and they are now just a bunch of job killing crooks. It would be nice if American companies could compete with world markets
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:13pmsnowleopard3200.. Here in IL every time they broke up a monopoly our prices necessarily sky rocketed .. service was downgraded as it did with our utility companies..I have no idea what to do about the unions but to make like the phone companies might be worse on us..they would multiply like rabbits and poop on us faster spread out..
Report Post »jmb847
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 9:56pmCould not agree more. If rotten backroom deals like this are not OK for the Democrats what makes the GOP think it is OK for them.
Apparently both parties are slow learners.
Remeber GOP us Tea Party Types are watching and we are looking for something good to support, not just the lesser of two evils.
Report Post »SSBN_VET
Posted on November 9, 2010 at 12:14amI think that Manchin could be the first Tea partier in the Dem. Party. Rather than allowing the Washington insiders to co-opt him we need to do the co-opting. He has the ability to be the man that kills the communist/socialist arm of the Dem party. It is up to him to decide if he represtents the American people or the commie/socialist special interest groups. If he doesn’t represnt the real Americans then he needs to be run out on a rail. The debate between the unions and the people will ultimately be fought out in the same place that it started… with slightly different parameters and the hindsight of 20/20 to best clarify whom is on which side. Perhaps we all should review our American history concerning the Hatfields and McCoys in order to remove the vanity from the bloodshed. The failure to understand this set of events could impair our vision as to what the future is to bring, with West Virginia hanging in the balance. These unfortunate people need not be left out in the cold to fend for themselves. They should all come to the knowledge that the American Tea Party is interested in what they have to say and what their needs may be. If we are truely the party “Of the People” then West Virginia’s needs most certainly need to be of our concern. The failure to acknowledge the needs of the people of West Virginia has twice been the faux pas of the American people and if we miss it again then the nation as we once knew it is doomed to socialism. Wake up America! It is time to look after west Virginia and put an end to the unions manipulating these people to the detriment of their State and our Nation. I do not deny that the old coal mine owner/operators were taking advantage of the American coal miners in WV but it is time that the people of WV be included into the Tea Party with loving embraces so they can trust that there is someone that cares about them. They know that the Gov, the coal mine owners/operators and the unions are abusing them. If we don’t recognize the troubles of WV then the unions will prevail and socialism will take over the US. If the Tea Party is truely the “Party of the People” then the people of WV will join us, not on our terms, but due to our flexibility and willingness to incorporate all of America’s working class and not just our own definition of who the “Real Americans” are. These wonderful people have been getting screwed from both sides from their humble begining. It is time that WE THE PEOPLE include them based on their needs and not just ours. THESE PEOPLE NEED US AND WE NEED THEM. Now is the time for the Tea Party to deliver an “Alexander the Great Left Hook” if we don’t then we can expect the commies/socialists to attack us with said tactic. With WV we have the advantage, without it, they do. Either way, I’m expecting a left hook from the commies and you should too. I will remind you that “pride comes before a fall”. We have not won. We have only won one round of a 15 round heavyweight chapionship fight. Remember the only difference between Ali and Frasier was that Ali came out to fight the 15th round, Frasier did not. The commies will not quit. We must get the KO. WV is of the utmost importance to obtain a KO. You all can put influence on Nevada or Connecticut but those 2 States mean nothing. West Virginia is the key to the fututre of the USA. It’s time to either put up or shut up. Get the boots on the ground in WV or everything that we have done up to this point is in vain.
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