In today’s polarized political landscape, it’s rare to see a politician stand up to the extremes of their own party. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia senator who famously left the Democratic Party to become an independent, has once again demonstrated that he’s not afraid to break with the left’s radical agenda. This time, he’s taking aim at Vice President Kamala Harris’s call to eliminate the filibuster to pass abortion laws.
While I may not often agree with Manchin, one thing is clear: he’s not afraid to use common sense, even if it means bucking his former party. For conservatives, who’ve long warned against the dangers of one-party rule, Manchin’s stand serves as a rare breath of fresh air in a Congress increasingly dominated by far-left ideologies.
Manchin’s Refusal to Endorse Harris
Kamala Harris recently made waves by declaring that she supports eliminating the Senate filibuster to push through legislation that would protect abortion rights. In a conversation with Wisconsin Public Radio, Harris openly stated, “I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe.” It’s clear she sees this as a way to pass abortion protections without the need for bipartisan support.
But not everyone is on board with this plan. Enter Joe Manchin.
Manchin, who has made preserving the filibuster a central tenet of his Senate career, told Fox News that he would not be endorsing Harris in the upcoming election. He explained, “I’ve been very, very, very clear on how strongly I believe that when you go down that slippery path, you don’t just do it for one issue.” Manchin rightly points out that once the filibuster is eliminated for one cause, it opens the door for its removal on countless other issues, leading to what he calls a dangerous “flip flop” in the legislative process.
The Importance of the Filibuster
For those unfamiliar, the filibuster is a Senate rule requiring a 60-vote majority to bring most legislation to the floor for a vote. Its purpose is to ensure that major bills have bipartisan support and aren’t simply steamrolled through by the majority party. By forcing compromise, the filibuster protects the minority and helps ensure that laws reflect the interests of all Americans, not just those in power.
Manchin isn’t the only one standing up for the filibuster. In 2021, both he and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema were credited with saving the filibuster when Democrats had a slim majority and were attempting to do away with it. Their refusal to go along with this plan earned them criticism from the left, but praise from those who value the principles of democracy.
As Manchin points out, “This threshold stabilizes our democracy, promotes bipartisan cooperation, and protects our nation from partisan whiplash and dysfunction.” He’s right. Removing the filibuster would allow whichever party holds the majority to ram through its agenda without any need for negotiation or compromise. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Why Harris’s Plan is Dangerous
So why is Harris pushing so hard to eliminate the filibuster? Simple: it’s the only way she can ensure abortion protections get passed without needing to win over Republicans or moderate Democrats. Without the filibuster, the Senate would essentially become a majority-rule body, where a slim majority could impose its will on the entire country.
Imagine a future where every time the Senate flips from one party to the other, we see a complete reversal of the previous four years of legislation. Without the filibuster to slow things down and force compromise, we’d be left with a government in constant turmoil, where laws are enacted and then repealed every election cycle. That’s not what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they designed our system of government.
Harris’s plan is nothing short of a dangerous power grab. By advocating for the removal of the filibuster, she’s showing her willingness to upend the traditions of the Senate in order to pass her radical agenda. And make no mistake—this isn’t just about abortion. Once the filibuster is gone, there’s no telling what other parts of the left’s agenda will be pushed through.
Manchin’s Warning
Manchin has warned against this slippery slope before. He recalls when Harry Reid, the former Democratic Senate Majority Leader, eliminated the filibuster for district and circuit court judges back in 2013. Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, later took advantage of this change to push through conservative Supreme Court justices without needing to meet the 60-vote threshold. The lesson here is clear: once the filibuster is gone, it can—and will—be used by both sides to push their agenda without any checks or balances.
Manchin sees this as a fundamental threat to the way the Senate—and by extension, our democracy—operates. Without the filibuster, he argues, there would be no continuity or stability in government. Legislation would become a matter of partisan control rather than consensus-building, and we’d see the Senate degenerate into little more than a rubber stamp for whichever party holds power.
Harris vs. Manchin: Two Visions for America
At its core, this battle between Harris and Manchin represents two competing visions for America. On one side, we have Harris, who is willing to do away with long-standing Senate traditions in order to pass her progressive agenda. On the other, we have Manchin, who believes in the importance of preserving the rules and traditions that have helped keep our democracy stable for over two centuries.
For conservatives, Manchin’s stance is a reminder that not all Democrats are willing to go along with the radical left’s plans to remake America in their image. While he may not be perfect, Manchin’s defense of the filibuster shows that he understands the importance of bipartisan compromise and the dangers of one-party rule.
Final Thoughts
It’s not often that we see a politician willing to stand up to the extremes of their own party, but Joe Manchin has proven time and again that he’s not afraid to do what he believes is right, even if it costs him politically. By refusing to endorse Harris and standing firm on the importance of the filibuster, Manchin is sending a clear message: America’s democracy is worth protecting, even if it means going against your own party.
Manchin’s stand is a rare example of common sense in a time when so many in Washington are willing to sacrifice principle for political gain. While we may not always agree with him, conservatives should take note of his willingness to defend the rules and traditions that have helped keep our country strong.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
In a pinch you could probably vote for Manchin as he is a moderate Democrat & not one of the wild & crazy far Leftists who dominate that party. In a pinch. Maybe. Maybe not.