Has Manchin just put a shot across the bow of the progressive caucus?

WEST VIRGINIA SENATOR NOW MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN WASHINGTON

HE COULD WIN RE-ELECTION AS AN INDEPENDENT OR REPUBLICAN

Recent rumors have surfaced about Joe Manchin considering registering as an independent and caucusing with the Republicans. While he vehemently denies those rumors, it is likely that he used this avenue to send a strong message to his Democrat friends. While he may not be planning at this time on switching parties, the positiblity has always been there. He is very popular in West Virginia, at least for now, but if he caves to the left wing of his party he will be a whole lot less popular. If he stands up for West Virginia on energy he may be more popular. He does not have to fear a credible primary opponent from the left.

He may feel at his time he is more useful in moderating his party from going down a path of self destruction. He also may actually believe this reconciliation bill is bad for the country. Either way he has the hammer, he can make it or break it, he is the most powerful man in the senate.

He was visibly angered by Chuck Schumer's partisan attack on the Republicans concerning the debt extension. Then Bernie Sanders takes out adds in his home state attempting to pressure him into submission. Making it all the more difficult for Manchin to endorse the plan. I think you will see a real quick cooling of the rhetoric from the left, unless they are real stupid.

Manchin could win unopposed as a Republican or Independent in his state. If he would caucus with the Republicans he could demand and get any chairmanship of any committee he desires. He is the most powerful senator or maybe any politician in Washington. I am sure he knows that now. He may have other Democrat senators rooting for him, but fear voicing their support if they are in those real blue states.

The next few weeks will tell, can the progressive caucus wilt in their expectations and accept Manchin's demands or do they rebel and push him either out of the party or end up with no reconciliation bill at all.

It seems like "free college" is out, most green new deal items also dead. Maybe children tax credits in, raising taxes out, child care credits maybe in, college debt forgiveness out. Who knows, this bill has 2500 pages of left wing activist dreams, no matter how much it is trimmed, it will probably not be a positive for the country in the long run.