It seems that Senator Joe Manchin is positioning himself as a critical voice within the Democratic Party by emphasizing his strong defense of the Senate filibuster, which he views as a crucial safeguard for democracy.
His remarks, specifically in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement to do away with the filibuster to pass federal abortion protections, highlight the growing tensions within the party.
Manchin’s insistence on the filibuster’s importance coupled with his decision to rescind his endorsement of Harris for president further cements his role as a centrist figure willing to challenge key Democratic policies.
By framing the potential elimination of the filibuster as a dire threat to the Senate’s function and, by extension, democracy itself, Manchin paints Harris’s stance as extreme.
His reference to past political disagreements, such as Harris’s initial opposition to fracking, underscores his skepticism about the vice president’s positions.
His commitment to upholding the filibuster has already stymied major legislative initiatives, including voting rights reform, drawing both support and criticism.
While Manchin has registered as an independent, he remains an influential figure, and his criticisms may carry weight as the 2024 election season intensifies.