In today’s polarized political landscape, itâs 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 heâs not afraid to break with the leftâs radical agenda. This time, heâs taking aim at Vice President Kamala Harrisâs call to eliminate the filibuster to pass abortion laws.
While I may not often agree with Manchin, one thing is clear: heâs not afraid to use common sense, even if it means bucking his former party. For conservatives, whoâve long warned against the dangers of one-party rule, Manchinâs stand serves as a rare breath of fresh air in a Congress increasingly dominated by far-left ideologies.
Manchinâs 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, âI think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe.â Itâs 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, âIâve been very, very, very clear on how strongly I believe that when you go down that slippery path, you donât just do it for one issue.â 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 âflip flopâ 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 arenât 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 isnât 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, âThis threshold stabilizes our democracy, promotes bipartisan cooperation, and protects our nation from partisan whiplash and dysfunction.â Heâs right. Removing the filibuster would allow whichever party holds the majority to ram through its agenda without any need for negotiation or compromise. Thatâs a recipe for disaster.
Why Harrisâs Plan is Dangerous
So why is Harris pushing so hard to eliminate the filibuster? Simple: itâs 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, weâd be left with a government in constant turmoil, where laws are enacted and then repealed every election cycle. Thatâs not what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they designed our system of government.
Harrisâs plan is nothing short of a dangerous power grab. By advocating for the removal of the filibuster, sheâs showing her willingness to upend the traditions of the Senate in order to pass her radical agenda. And make no mistakeâthis isnât just about abortion. Once the filibuster is gone, thereâs no telling what other parts of the leftâs agenda will be pushed through.
Manchinâs 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 canâand willâbe used by both sides to push their agenda without any checks or balances.
Manchin sees this as a fundamental threat to the way the Senateâand by extension, our democracyâoperates. 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 weâd 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, Manchinâs stance is a reminder that not all Democrats are willing to go along with the radical leftâs plans to remake America in their image. While he may not be perfect, Manchinâs defense of the filibuster shows that he understands the importance of bipartisan compromise and the dangers of one-party rule.
Final Thoughts
Itâs 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 heâs 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: Americaâs democracy is worth protecting, even if it means going against your own party.
Manchinâs 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.