Democrat U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is an astute politician. He sometimes even leaves me shaking my head at his decision-making but eventually I often see his rationale.
Anyone who suggests that Manchin has finished off his political career by one move or another does not understand the inherent ability of the senator to gather Mountain State votes.
One of the latest Manchin upheavals did not even concern policy or legislation. It appeared the senator simply displayed a bruised ego because Vice President Kamala Harris had the audacity to do an interview on West Virginia television without first clearing it with Manchin.
That’s incredible in the first degree because nobody familiar with politics figured Harris owed Manchin any notice whatsoever. More alarming is that the senator would choose to convey his hurt feelings to the world by ranting to the media.
As I mentioned in an earlier column — and has now been proven just three weeks into the Biden administration — Manchin is now West Virginia’s top political dog. Think of it, Manchin is the state’s only surviving Democrat statewide. In a five-member federal legislative delegation, he’s the lone D. And the entire Board of Public Works is Republican
Nationally, Manchin can be the swing vote in a Senate deadlocked at 50-50.
President Biden needs Manchin a lot more than the senator needs the President. If Manchin says a $15 minimum wage is out of the question, it’s out of the question. If he supports Biden’s Covid plans, the President gets a win.
So Manchin is actually more in control than Biden. Power is a big element in politics. Manchin has it.
Which brings us back to the logic of Manchin’s childish-looking temper tantrum concerning Harris. Maybe the senator just wanted to remind the administration who is really in charge here. If so, he definitely got it done.
And ranting about Harris doesn’t hurt politically in a state where the Biden ticket barely eclipsed 30%.
* * * * * *
Conclusion: there’s a reason Manchin is the last Democrat left standing.
* * * * * *
On the other hand, I am doing the head scratching I mentioned earlier at his vote to move the Covid 19 legislation forward with its ban on fracking and shutting down the Keystone pipeline.
Should I mention that those two issues are tantamount to why Biden only got 30% of the state’s votes?
It will be fascinating to hear Manchin’s explanation of the fracking vote.
* * * * * *
Sane members of the State Republican Executive Committee (don’t ask me the size of the room needed to hold that minuscule group) will try to return selection of national convention delegates to the voters when they meet in March, some have told me.
What a novel idea: actually empowering the average voters. It’s doubtful the party hierarchy will ever stand for that.
Their characteristic hiding of all their party activities is not going to spur growth. Their days of secrecy will not endure.
* * * * * *
At least one county clerk says I’m wrong (what?!) in blaming them for joining with state GOP officials to eliminate the direct vote of national convention delegates.
The county commissions, he said, were more active in taking it away to reduce the costs of printing ballots. Fewer names on the ballot costs less to print, he said.
All I heard in unison with state Republican officials urging elimination of the direct vote were county clerks, however.
* * * * * *
Folks at East Bank were raving after new State Treasurer Riley Moore made an appearance there last week.
Moore attended a city activity regarding the sale of their water system.
“He’s got the same charm and charisma his grandfather had,” one attendee said on meeting the Treasurer for the first time. Moore is the grandson of iconic West Virginia three-time Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.
* * * * * *
Our eyes will be on the Supreme Court Tuesday when the disputed appointment of a replacement delegate in the 19th district is on the agenda.
I wouldn’t venture a guess as to what might happen. If the law is followed (talk about novel ideas), the Wayne County committee will prevail.
* * * * * *
Curious to watch are the other 54 county Republican committees with their collective heads in the sand while the state party tries to run roughshod over Wayne County.
If the state party can supersede state law and usurp the legitimate power of the Wayne committee, they can do it to the others.
Harrison County, at least, is scheduled to discuss the issue at their Monday county committee meeting.
* * * * * *
My usually reliable sources say that former Cabell Democrat Delegate Doug Reynolds is mulling whether to become the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District.
The busy Huntington businessman is involved in numerous industries, including his H-D Media ownership of both the Charleston and Huntington newspapers. It’s that heavy schedule that makes him reluctant to accept the appointment, the sources say.
President Joe Biden will appoint someone to replace current Republican Mike Stuart.
Both Stuart and Reynolds are potential governor candidates for 2024 and beyond.
* * * * * *
I’ve given up on any hope that Cabell Republican Delegate John Mandt Jr. will ever learn his lesson. His latest social media disaster is an explanation of why he opposes the Fairness Act.
In his rant, he seems to apologize for earlier anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ
remarks not because they were wrong but because they gave “progressives something to complain about.”
Oh my. At least I know when to shut up.
* * * * * *
Sometimes.
* * * * * *
Any form of discrimination or insensitive remarks is indefensible. Mandt keeps trying to portray himself as a victim but his commentary doesn’t support that.
He says some words attributed to him were the result of “hacking” but writing a 10-paragraph social media post defending the offensive posts does nothing to add to his fairness defense.
I said it before, it’s still true. If Mandt wants to gain any ground with fair-minded people, he should be co-sponsoring the Fairness Act with fellow Republican Joshua Higginbotham.
* * * * * *
Regardless of one’s opinion of the Fairness Act, you have to hand the Courage Award to Higginbotham for standing up and boldly proclaiming his support.
I suspect 70% of the voters in his district oppose the Fairness Act although they really don’t know what it says or does.
No reasonable Christian supports or practices discrimination. All people deserve respect and to be treated fairly. Few disagree with that.
Ron Gregory is a regular columnist who covers government and politics for lootpress.com. Contact him at 304-533-5185 or ronjgregory@gmail.com.
