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Sen. Manchin Skips Votes on DREAM Act and Don't Ask, Don't Tell

by: Wabi-Sabi

Sat Dec 18, 2010 at 12:51:22 PM EST


The U.S. Senate is taking significant votes today, but Senator Joe Manchin is absent and not voting.

Earlier today, the Senate voted 63-33 to invoke cloture to overcome a filibuster on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The bill is now expected to pass and allow gays to serve openly in the military.  Sen. Rockefeller voted in favor of Repeal, but Sen. Manchin was conspicuously absent from the vote.

Sen. Manchin was also absent from this morning's vote on the DREAM Act, which would help young immigrants have a path to citizenship.  The vote on cloture was defeated by GOP Senators, on a 55-41 vote. (Because we live in bizarro world, 41 no votes is more powerful than 55 yes votes.)

Does anyone know where Senator Manchin is today?  Apparently, he supports the GOP position on both of these issues, which is in itself a huge disappointment. But, failing to even vote makes the situation worse.

Something tells me that Sen. Byrd would have found a way to cast votes on these important issues.

UPDATE:
The Charleston Gazette's Alison Knezevich reports that Sen. Manchin missed today's votes due to a "family obligation".

Sen. Manchin's spokeswoman Sara Payne Scarbro said in an e-mail to Knezevich that Manchin and his wife Gayle:

"planned a holiday gathering over a year ago with all their children and grandchildren as they will not all be together on Christmas Day."

"While he regrets missing the votes, it was a family obligation that he just could not break," Payne Scarbro said. "However, he has been clear on where he stands on the issues."
Wabi-Sabi :: Sen. Manchin Skips Votes on DREAM Act and Don't Ask, Don't Tell
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Sen. Manchin Skips Votes on DREAM Act and Don't Ask, Don't Tell | 30 comments
Missing Votes (0.00 / 0)
He's kidding right?
Manchin's DADT position (0.00 / 0)
press release

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR MANCHIN REGARDING THE REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL"

Sen. Joe Manchin today released the following statement regarding his decision to not support the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy:

"Over the past several days, I have spoken with many passionate West Virginians who hold different views on this policy. I greatly appreciate all of the feedback that my office has received.

"As I have said before, my primary concern with repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) stems from the Armed Services Committee testimony by two Service Chiefs, Army Chief of Staff General George Casey and Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos. Their issues are with the timing and the impact of the repeal's implementation on our front line combat troops during a time of war.

"While it may be little solace to those who disagreed with my earlier vote, over the last nine days, I've had sincere discussions with my fellow senators and other officials as to whether it would be possible to change the legislation to address my concerns over timing and implementation. With the legislative process nearing an end, it was simply not possible to alter the proposed  DADT legislation.

"As such, while I believe the DADT policy will be repealed, and probably should be repealed in the near future, I cannot support a repeal of the policy at this time."

Additional background regarding the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy:

According to the Department of Defense's report, between 40 percent to 60 percent in the Marine Corps and various combat arms specialties predicted, in some form and to some degree, negative concerns or views about the impact of repeal.


Translation (4.00 / 2)
"As such, while I believe the DADT policy will be repealed, and probably should be repealed in the near future, I cannot support a repeal of the policy at this time."

really means:

"It's clear that most of the country realizes that this is a stupid policy, and it's quickly becoming a non-issue nationally, and by saying they're probably right I want all you progressive types who voted for me to know I'm not a terrible bigot.  However, I cannot come out of the closet in favor of DADT repeal because at present I think there are still a lot of bigoted West Virginians who will think I'm gay and call me names and not vote for me if I vote in favor of this bill.  So, someday in the future when the homophobic generations die off, I will openly support the DADT repeal, or, now that it already happened, I will say I was for repealing it all along.  Of course, at by the time all the homophobes die off, all the rest of the young people in West Virginia will have left because they are frustrated with the kind of backward thinking that leads me to take ridiculous non-positions like this and I'll be a senator representing like five people."

[ Parent ]
Manchin's DREAM position (0.00 / 0)
press release

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR MANCHIN REGARDING THE DREAM ACT

Sen. Joe Manchin today released the following statement regarding the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act:

"While sympathetic to those who passionately support it, I cannot support the DREAM Act, as is, at this time.

"I strongly believe the DREAM Act should require the completion of a degree. As currently written, the legislation does not. Requiring the completion of a degree is exactly what the DREAM Act should be about, as it will help ensure that the young people who qualify have a real chance to fulfill the American Dream and become the productive citizens they aspire to be.

"In fact, I've had sincere discussions with my fellow senators and committee staff as to whether it would be possible to change the legislation to address my concerns. At this time, it is not.

"All that being said, I do believe, as most Americans do, that our immigration system is broken and must be fixed. During the next session of Congress, I sincerely hope to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to achieve true comprehensive immigration reform."


No one (4.00 / 1)
should be surprised by this behavior. You knew what you were getting when you held your collective noses and elected this bigoted dullard. How many times will he embarrass West Virginia before the Democratic party finally gets the courage to oust him? I'm betting the list will be quite long.  
You're right and it's going to be a long two years. (4.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]
After all that campaigning he doesn't even (4.00 / 2)
want to be there?? But with those positions he might as well stay home the rest of the session.
Anybody but Manchin 2012 (4.00 / 1)
And that shall be my motto.
GOP on attack (4.00 / 1)
By Alexander Bolton at The Hill

GOP slams new Dem senator who skipped votes to attend Christmas party

Joe Manchin, the newly elected Democratic senator from West Virginia, is taking heat from Republicans for skipping several crucial votes on Saturday to spend time with his family.

...

"For a senator who has only been on the job a few weeks, Manchin's absence today, and the apparent lack of seriousness with which he takes the job he was elected to do, speaks volumes," said Brian Walsh, communications director of the National Senatorial Campaign Committee.

...

Senate Republicans have set their sights on Manchin, who will have to face re-election in 2012 because he is filling the remainder of the late Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-W.Va.) term. President Obama's approval rating in West Virginia has sunk to around 30 percent.

"I'm sure that most senators, as well as the hundreds of staffers who had to come to work today, would have rather been at a Christmas party like Joe Manchin," Walsh said. "But perhaps in Joe Manchin's world today was a win-win - not only was he able to skip work and party but he was also able to avoid voting on two very sensitive political issues."

Senate GOP aides noted that Manchin could have booked a seat on a United flight leaving Dulles airport at 5:40 p.m. that would have landed in Charleston at 7:16 p.m., possibly in time to make an evening party.

For that matter, the millionaire Manchin family could have afforded to move the event to DC.

Joe has a pilot's license . . . (4.00 / 1)
Regardless, this shot across the bow from the GOP should wake up the WV Democratic Party to nominate an actual Democrat for the 2012 election. No more of this "he'll vote with the Democrats on all the important votes" and no more holding our noses to vote for such a pompous ass. He cost this state over $6,000,000 to get him a job he doesn't even take seriously.
He really thinks we're all as stupid as he is and if we send him back to Washington in 2012, we are.
[ Parent ]
obligation (4.00 / 1)
I recall a oblgation to be a govenor which wasn't finished
I also thought it was God. Country, and Family. but in this day and time I guess whatever makes one feel good
What is more despicable? (4.00 / 1)
Supporting bigoted policies or not having the tenacity to vote for it?  
I meant the tenacity to vote against it like he did earlier (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Darn- correct myself again (0.00 / 0)
Have the tenacity to vote for them ( not it)
[ Parent ]
Primary Him in 2012 (4.00 / 1)
There has to be a viable true Democrat in West Virginia that has the name recognition that we can support. Unfortunately I cannot think of one. This past election was the first time I voted for this DINO for any office including Governor; I truly wished that I had another choice.  
Christy Hardin Smith (4.00 / 1)
Great progressive. Smart. Attorney. Lives in the district.

In a good conversation everyone speaks.  In a great conversation some even listen.

[ Parent ]
She would be great (0.00 / 0)
but doesn't she have health problems that prevent her from running.
[ Parent ]
when she retired from FDL (4.00 / 1)
she cited lupus, an autoimmune disease. i cited this to Wabi when he suggested her for Mollohan's old seat.

NFTT: Support My Team or I Will Dance
[ Parent ]
I'd still vote for her (0.00 / 0)
I bet the illness wouldn't have kept her from voting yesterday.

In a good conversation everyone speaks.  In a great conversation some even listen.

[ Parent ]
listen (0.00 / 0)
district has nothing to do swith senate seats. and as i mentioned before, she retired from FDL citing lupus. i don't know how our favorite wv redhead's health is now...

NFTT: Support My Team or I Will Dance
[ Parent ]
The District is the State of WV (0.00 / 0)
I was just pointing out that she lives here.  She seemed to be doing very well when she was at our Public Policy Forum and Children's Day at the Legislature last February.

I don't think she wants to run, but she would be a good candidate.  I'm sure there are other good candidates too.

Tennant vs. Manchin would be a battle too. Although I think her sights are on the Governor's Mansion.

In a good conversation everyone speaks.  In a great conversation some even listen.

[ Parent ]
my understanding (4.00 / 1)
Is her health situation is fine and that it would not keep her from running for office.

Depending on how the new congressional districts are drawn she'd be a great candidate for WV-01 or WV-02 with a real shot at winning. She'd also make a great progressive primary challenger for Manchin, but those are much longer odds for primary and general election victory.

[ Parent ]
Byrd's legacy (4.00 / 4)
Senator Byrd spent the later years of his life trying to apologize for his vote on the Civil Rights Act and other bigoted acts that took place many decades ago. I known he would be as ashamed of Manchin as many of us are!
Sen Manchin Skips Votes (4.00 / 4)
I call Sen.Manchin a DINO. But since he neglected to perform his sworn duties by not showing up to vote on DADT and the DREAM Act, I think I agree with the commentor on HuffPost who called him a SINO (Senator In Name Only).  
ouch (4.00 / 3)
Steve Clemon's whole post is spot on and it ends with a sting:

This is a bad punctuation point to his new Senate career - and while there will no doubt be many votes he takes with which I agree with the Senator, this tilt towards perpetuating bigotry rather than service with honor will stain his reputation and his electoral donations for a long time.

Manchin is looking like a total amateur in DC. I keep thinking he's bottomed out and yet he somehow finds something even politically stupider to do next.

Judge Dan O'Hanlon for US Senate 2012 (4.00 / 2)
This would be good for WV
bio (0.00 / 0)
He does have an interesting bio. I'd like to know a lot more about his political views.
[ Parent ]
Mike Myer is pathetic... defends Manchin's absence (4.00 / 3)
Manchin Resists Party Leaders:

No doubt Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and perhaps even President Barack Obama worked hard to convince members of the U.S. Senate to reverse a stance taken several days ago against repeal of the armed forces' "don't ask, don't tell" rule. But one senator - Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. - refused to bow to his party's leaders.

::snip::

We suspect Manchin knew in advance the vote would be a lopsided one - but that did not change his mind on the matter.

::snip::

But Manchin chose to stick to his principles on the measure - and to deal with it as he believed his constituents would wish. For that, the junior senator from West Virginia deserves praise.


And the Wheeling paranoia continues (0.00 / 0)
LOL... I haven't posted on the Wheeling newspapers website in well over a year, but the paranoid right-wingers still think I am:

Woodsy wv26003 oops FAKE Elliis FAKE Graysongs you lying sack of CRAP, you said you were LEAVING and NEVER COMING BACK!!!

What is this? A gift from BAD SANTA?? BBWWAHAHAHAAAAH!

What a f-n nutcase.

[ Parent ]
Yeah, that last line is HILARIOUS (0.00 / 0)
Yes, all of No-Show Dino Joe's constituents just hope he'll skip every vote.  That's why we sent him to Washington, because we just want to be represented by one senator from now on.

What kind of Kool-aid is the NR editorial board all drinking?

[ Parent ]
Sen. Manchin Skips Votes on DREAM Act and Don't Ask, Don't Tell | 30 comments
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