“…Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances…”
Tristan Snell @TristanSnell
BREAKING – Man with Maserati and yacht against child tax credit, maternity leave, child care, and $35 insulin. 9:44 AM · Dec 19, 2021
Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances. Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced. Senator Manchin pledged repeatedly to negotiate on finalizing that framework “in good faith.”
On Tuesday of this week, Senator Manchin came to the White House and submitted—to the President, in person, directly—a written outline for a Build Back Better bill that was the same size and scope as the President’s framework, and covered many of the same priorities. While that framework was missing key priorities, we believed it could lead to a compromise acceptable to all. Senator Manchin promised to continue conversations in the days ahead, and to work with us to reach that common ground. If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate.
Senator Manchin claims that this change of position is related to inflation, but the think tank he often cites on Build Back Better—the Penn Wharton Budget Institute—issued a report less than 48 hours ago that noted the Build Back Better Act will have virtually no impact on inflation in the short term, and, in the long run, the policies it includes will ease inflationary pressures. Many leading economists with whom Senator Manchin frequently consults also support Build Back Better.
Build Back Better lowers costs that families pay. It will reduce what families pay for child care. It will reduce what they pay for prescription drugs. It will lower health care premiums. And it puts a tax cut in the pockets of families with kids. If someone is concerned about the impact that higher prices are having on families, this bill gives them a break.
Senator Manchin cited deficit concerns in his statement. But the plan is fully paid for, is the most fiscally responsible major bill that Congress has considered in years, and reduces the deficit in the long run. The Congressional Budget Office report that the Senator cites analyzed an unfunded extension of Build Back Better. That’s not what the President has proposed, not the bill the Senate would vote on, and not what the President would support. Senator Manchin knows that: The President has told him that repeatedly, including this week, face to face.
Likewise, Senator Manchin’s statement about the climate provisions in Build Back Better are wrong. Build Back Better will produce a job-creating clean energy future for this country—including West Virginia.
Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on Build Back Better this morning, we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again, to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word.
In the meantime, Senator Manchin will have to explain to those families paying $1,000 a month for insulin why they need to keep paying that, instead of $35 for that vital medicine. He will have to explain to the nearly two million women who would get the affordable day care they need to return to work why he opposes a plan to get them the help they need. Maybe Senator Manchin can explain to the millions of children who have been lifted out of poverty, in part due to the Child Tax Credit, why he wants to end a program that is helping achieve this milestone—we cannot.
We are proud of what we have gotten done in 2021: the American Rescue Plan, the fastest decrease in unemployment in U.S. history, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, over 200 million Americans vaccinated, schools reopened, the fastest rollout of vaccines to children anywhere in the world, and historic appointments to the Federal judiciary.
But we will not relent in the fight to help Americans with their child care, health care, prescription drug costs, and elder care—and to combat climate change. The fight for Build Back Better is too important to give up. We will find a way to move forward next year.
###
“…Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions…”
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
As Wednesday’s events were unfolding, I was asked to share what was happening and wrote this summary on my cell phone after being evacuated and taken to a secure location by Capitol Police:
[….] 12:52 PM · Jan 8, 2021
You think The Faux News Channel stylebook requires “…protesters…” in place of “White Racist Fascists involved in Insurrection and Riot?” Just asking.
Some of the comments on Twitter:
And during that time did you do any self reflection? Have any thoughts on how your lies contributed to their anger and confusion?
Did you think that by objecting to a STATE not YOUR OWN, caused any of these? Your grandchildren will read YOUR name in the history books as an insurrectionist, who, was coddled by Capitol Police saving her life. You do not deserve your seat any longer, and you know it.
History will remember Seditionists. #SeditionCaucus….
hartzler agitated this into being. she should resign
“The fire that I have been slowly pouring gas on all of a sudden got out of control and burned me! HOW DARE IT!”
How dare those face-eating leopards eat MY face.
I’m a constituent & I’m ashamed of you. I don’t think you feel any remorse or even acknowledge your part in this coup.
But if you truly, truly want to start working together with Democrats for the future of our republic, VOTE ‘AYE’ TO IMPEACH.
If police officers allow you in, what kind of an assault is it???
Sorry but entering the capital to kidnap and kill the speaker of the house and the VP is not something you can put back in a bottle.
YOU helped create this insurrection. There is blood on YOUR hands, ViQy–the blood of Americans and the blood of our democracy.
14th AMENDMENT SECTION 3
“No Person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress who shall have engaged in Insurrection or Rebellion against the same or given and or comfort to the enemies thereof”
Have you taken steps to force his resignation today?! He sent a private army to invade our Capitol and what are the consequences?!
They took your lies so seriously that they murdered a police officer in the name of them. And you chose to still continue on with those lies after?
Vicky voted to overturn a legitimate election and push the Big Lie that the election was “stolen” but she doesn’t want to be held responsible for the violence the Big Lie was meant to elicit.
Vick. You did this to yourself.
Columbia constituent here. We are ashamed of you.
Perhaps you should think twice before tweeting any more of these kinds of tweets. Things are pretty raw for us right now, so maybe wait until 2022 when you run for reelection. Unless you decide to resign of course.
Fact check: it was an invasion of the Capitol by Trump “Patriots” that he incited to action earlier in the day and cheered as he watched them on TV enter the building.
United States Constitution says that “no Person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress” who “shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” the Constitution, “or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
Every member of the house and senate who perpetuated the lie of voter fraud is responsible for the violent act of domestic terrorism at the capitol and must be held responsible by being removed for insurrection.
I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
Psalms 26:5
It is unequivocally the spasm of the 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 to immediately create a thousand false narratives to virtualize reality beyond navigability. They will say and do anything to maintain the illusion they are civil, humane beings. This is the 𝑅𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 gaslighting you.
Speaking of phones, why is nobody answering any of the phones in Vicky’s offices? Does she think that she can just hide out until her attempt at insurrection blows over? Does she plan on meeting with the family of the Capitol police officer that she got killed?
This account has been awful quiet since then. I wonder why. Winking face
You created the monkies, deal with the circus. #ResignVicky
You cannot praise and follow Trump for 3 years and 11 and 1/2 months and now try to distance yourself when his words and actions have been consistent all the way up to and including January 6th!
You built this.
Indeed she did.
Stirred shit for 4 years. Gfy.
Yep well Kevin McCarthy you and the Republicans were complicit in all of it. You let this happen. Shame on you.
Resign immediately.
@GOPLeader was out there liking photos of the insurrectionist mob attacking you all. Isn’t that right, Kevin?
Resign NOW!
The only words, as your constituent, that I want to hear from you is, “I deeply regret my involvement in an attempted coup of our government and I resign.”
Resign!
As a Missouri constituent, please resign . Whoever is running against you has a head start.
You are party to sedition against the United States. The 14th Amendment prevents you from serving in Congress. Resign or be expelled.
COMPLICIT
Insurrectionist.
A gop lead failed coup attempt will forever chained around republican leadership.
#SeditiousGOP
Ypu should be ashamed of yourself. We will never forget your role in this, and your love for trump.
It’s your POTUS who blew his dog whistle for this to happen. Don’t try to distance yourself from your own culpability.
Vicky you are seriously delusional to believe you have no part in fueling this. Again, read the room and own up to your own misjudgments before trying to take a spotlight for getting caught up in this terrorists attack by your own party supporters.
No way do you get to gloss over the fact that you are the one who incited this insurrection by continually lying to the people of Missouri and America about a free and fair election just because you made the choice to be subservient to an autocrat. We won’t forget.
Some of the pro-Trump rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol defecated inside the building and smeared feces in hallways.
#GOPSeditiousTraitors
This is your Party. Your legacy.
Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
I have been interviewed on tv a gajillion times. I have never been given the questions, much less allowed to approve their scripts! This is bizarre. Fox and Friends is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump administration.
ProPublica @ProPublica
In multiple interviews on “Fox & Friends,” former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt was essentially allowed to dictate the terms for the interview and avoid any difficult questions.
It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it.
Wingularity, the – the point at which the insanity from the far right and those controlling the Republican Party [continues] to grow exponentially until it reaches an unsustainable weight and collapses upon itself. This is also known as the Purity Spiral, wherein the density of wingnut increases compared to mainstream conservatives to the point of pure wingnut. As the ratio rises, this creates a phenomenon wherein no logic or sanity can penetrate or escape. When rightwing argument has become completely inaccessible to the uninitiated, it has reached the Wingularity….
Today, via Twitter:
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
Going to be on Fox News to tonight at 8:00 p.m. w/ fellow freshmen as part of a Frank Luntz special. Tune in or record! 8:04 AM – 4 Jul 12
Wednesday, April 23, 1997 — The Executive Council of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) announced Wednesday that a 14 month investigation found pollster Frank Luntz violated the Association’s Code of Professional Ethics and Practices.
AAPOR found Luntz, who heads the Luntz Research Companies in Arlington,Virginia, repeatedly refused to make public essential facts about his research on public attitudes about the Republicans’ “Contract with America.” In particular, the AAPOR inquiry focused on Luntz’s reporting, prior to the November elections in 1994, that his research showed at least 60 percent of the public favored each of the elements in the GOP “Contract.” When later asked to provide some basic facts about this research, Luntz refused.
[….]
Wingnut Event Horizon – An event that is always happening, yet never ever happens. Occasionally, a wingnut will say/write/blog/publish/fart something so ridiculous, so closed-minded, so full of hate and scorn, yet free from thought and consideration, that anyone hearing it will be forced to conclude that said wingnut will never again be taken seriously/linked to/have a Time article written about him. However, in a sick twisted perversion of the actual event horizon, no matter how far you walk from the Wingnut Event Horizon, they’re never any further away.
[emphasis added]
It’s not gonna happen.
There is no minimum safe distance from the right wingnut crazy train.
Karma is a bitch (via Political Carnival and TPM) when others are relentlessly on message:
“Reporter”: Well, you know, you say they’re in hiding. They’re not really in hiding. We kind of know where they are.
[voices: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
They’re in Illinois for most, the most part. They are just, at this point, wanting to make sure that this bill does not come to the floor in the Senate. However, in the House we have learned that in five minutes.
[voices: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
This is Fox business network. Just FYI.
In five, at five o’clock the bill will come to the floor in the House.
[voices: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
[sign: “Fox go report on sports/That’s the only thing you can’t twist”]
That means that they potentially could consider the bill, uh, but, what we believe the Democratic legislators in the House to do, is to, when it comes to the floor, amend the bill on multiple occasions such that they would head off a, a vote.
[voices: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
I want to show you, they got, uh, balloons headed up here in to the beautiful capitol rotunda as this protest shows no signs of abating.
[voices: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
Everyone making their viewpoints known. It’s always a fun time as democracy plays it’s way out.
[sign: “Fox Fascist/good for sports ONLY”]
“Anchor”: Well I tell you Jeff, those, uh, folks protesting Fox, uh, I’m wondering if they would prefer a state run television network providing all the coverage.
[voice: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
“Reporter”: You know, I will say this, to be very honest with you, most of the protesters despite this gentleman here.
[voice: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
Most of the people have been fairly reasoned, calm, and willing to talk because, as you know, we have done our best to get everybody a voice here. Despite this guy. [voice: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]. Do you have an opinion other than that? [voice: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”] Any [garble] answer? [voice: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”] No, that’s the only words you know. Very good. That’s the only two words he apparently knows.
“Anchor”: Jeff, one more thing, Jeff…
[voice: “Fox Lies. Fox Lies.”]
“Reporter”: Despite the rare person most of these people are here to make their viewpoint known about this bill, which of course, is the story that everyone here is about. [crosstalk]
[voice: “Fox Lies. You’re lying. You lied again. You lied again.”]
“Anchor”: Jeff.
“Reporter”: So, there you go.
“Anchor”: Thank you, sir, I appreciate it. [crosstalk]
“Reporter”: Despite, as I said, guys like this are few and far between [voice: “You work for Fox.”], fortunately, in the crowd.
“…This is Fox business network. Just FYI…”
Then why are you there and not covering the stock market? Just asking.
“…Well I tell you Jeff, those, uh, folks protesting Fox, uh, I’m wondering if they would prefer a state run television network providing all the coverage…”
Or, how about a publicly supported public broadcasting corporation that would have, you know, a well deserved reputation for doing actual accurate independent journalism? As opposed to the house organ for the right wingnut republican party…
Randy Turner at The Turner Report has a post up about focus group results released as part of the discovery in the Faux News Channel lawsuit against Robin Carnahan’s (D) 2010 senate campaign. There’s an interesting refrain about ACORN, showing that the rightwing’s assault based on fake charges and Congress’ capitulation with a bill of attainder did more damage than just shutting down the group which legitimately registered voters and provided other legitimate services.
Documents turned over to Fox News attorneys by a consulting firm provide evidence why Roy Blunt defeated Robin Carnahan in last year’s U. S. Senate race….
….Among the comments from people asked about their greatest concerns about Robin Carnahan:
-Why was she quiet about ACORN?….
-May have ignored problems with ACORN, whatever that is….
-She is too close to ACORN.
-I would want to know if there is any truth to those ACORN accusations….
-She supports ACORN.
-Too cheesy or fake with the farming. Too tied in with ACORN….
-She is too much a yes man for the president. She also caused too much money to given to the ACORN people.
-How closely is she tied to special interests like ACORN?….
-What is ACORN?….
Never mind that the rightwing and their Mighty Wurlitzer stooges beat their truthiness drum. As we can see, all they have to do is repeat the lie.
….Get that – the videos were “edited to meet their agenda.” In other words, these full-of-themselves rightwing echo chamber trainees, O’Keefe and Giles, were running a scam.
The Brooklyn investigation is the third such to cast doubt on O’Keefe’s and Giles’ veracity. Investigations by the former Massachusetts Attorney, Scott Harshbarger, and the Congressional Research Service have found ACORN innocent of wrong doing….
On Monday, June 14, a preliminary probe by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)of ACORN has found no evidence the association or related organizations mishandled the $40 million in federal money they received in recent years.
A review of grants by nine federal agencies found no problems with ACORN’s grants. In my book Seeds of Change I document how ACORN, the largest most successful national anti poverty organization in America, was forced to close its door….
….In fact the staff in most of ACORN’s offices turned the pair away, reported the couple to the police, refused to provide them any aid, and in one case tried to convince the phony prostitute to get counseling. In no ACORN office did employees file any paperwork or do anything illegal on the duo’s behalf.
But Fox News broadcasted the deceptive tapes nearly around the clock for several days defaming ACORN….