West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (D-Crosshairs) wrote an op-ed in the West Virginia Gazette to reiterate all we have already heard: He does not support H.R. 1, the so-called “For the People” Act, he does not support the elimination of the filibuster, and he and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-In Trouble) support a bipartisan effort to rework the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

It went over as expected, with the legacy media like MesSNBC, left-leaning journalists, and Democrats of all stripes melting down.

Sens. @Sen_JoeManchin and @kyrstensinema both cosponsored the For the People Act just two years ago.

The bill is bipartisan—supported by more than 75% of their constituents.

So why flip flop now? When democracy needs them most? Democratic leaders must turn up the pressure.

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) June 9, 2021

Manchin’s op-ed was all over the place, and he needs to brush up on the difference between a Constitutional republic and “democracy”, but he made some cogent points, and one was a rim shot.

“Unfortunately, we now are witnessing that the fundamental right to vote has itself become overtly politicized. Today’s debate about how to best protect our right to vote and to hold elections, however, is not about finding common ground, but seeking partisan advantage.”

Could not have said it better myself.

But despite this consistent, and mostly reasoned laying out of evidence to support his case, it didn’t stop detractors from dumping on Manchin, as well as Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-No Effs).

The Nation‘s latest headline: “How Kyrsten Sinema Sold Out: The origin story of the Senate’s newest super villain” lets us know that somebody clearly needs to take a Valium.

Sinema, along with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, is poised to be a deciding vote on all legislation the Biden administration asks Congress to enact, giving her and her right-leaning colleagues the ability to obstruct the entire Democratic agenda. Unless Senate Democrats do away with the filibuster, a long-standing Senate rule requiring a 60-vote supermajority to advance most legislation, it’s hard to see a path forward for many Democratic priorities, including major investment in infrastructure, aggressive climate action, and expansions to voting rights. The failure to pass sweeping action could then jeopardize Democrats’ razor-thin majorities in the 2022 midterm elections, which don’t historically go in favor of the sitting president’s party—potentially giving up control for a generation.

Despite these stakes, Sinema has doubled down on her long-standing opposition to scrapping the filibuster. A spokesperson for Sinema recently told The Washington Post that she’s “against eliminating the filibuster, and she is not open to changing her mind about eliminating the filibuster.”

Both Manchin and Sinema are being called everything but a child or God for their insistence on not parroting the Democrat talking points, and choosing not to be in lockstep with the rest of their party. I find it fascinating that when Utah Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Squish), Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Cheap Suit), and Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Disaster) buck McConnell’s or McCarthy’s leadership, the Left praises them for their independence and “decency”.

No such grace is given for their own who don’t tow the line, and the game plan is to ramp up the pressure, and the name calling.

Arizona House Democrats wrote a strongly worded letter, practically begging Sinema to “stand up”. I thought that is what she was doing?

“We are calling upon you with respect and urgency to stand up in this crucial moment for our state and for our country and make the promise of our democracy real for us all.” — House & Senate Dem members urge @SenatorSinema to reform the filibuster & pass the #ForthePeopleAct. pic.twitter.com/QFcat3zM7L

— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) June 9, 2021

And because they lack a certain melanin count, there are the inevitable cries of Racist!!!! David Love of The Grio played that card:

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) stand in the way of justice, freedom and democracy, and pose a threat to the lives of Black people.

Oooh, he Big Mad. Now they’re threatening Black people’s lives! Trust me, if H.R. 1 fails to pass (if God is merciful) my Black life will continue to be just fine. I cannot say the same if it does.

Manchin and Sinema have made it clear they refuse to join fellow Democrats in removing the filibuster, a Senate rule that is found nowhere in the Constitution and requires 60 votes to pass a bill. White supremacist lawmakers once used the tool to uphold slavery, kill anti-lynching legislation and block civil rights. The filibuster cements white minority rule for Republicans and is a procedural roadblock to passing crucial legislation to protect Black Americans.

Interesting how Love bypassed this part of Manchin’s op-ed:

Fascinating how the need for something changes dependent upon whether you are in the minority or the majority. So, essentially what Love is saying is that the filibuster only cements “white minority rule for Republicans” when the Democrats are in the majority, but fail to get their way.

Got it.

Manchin and Sinema view themselves as moderates who uphold bipartisan civility. In reality, they seek compromise with Republicans who have shown themselves consistently as bad faith actors 100% committed to blocking progress and stopping the Biden agenda.

This writer is proving Manchin’s point for him.

Jemele Hill was already having fits on Sunday, calling Manchin a “White Supremacist“.

This is so on brand for this country. Record number of black voters show up to save this democracy, only for white supremacy to be upheld by a cowardly, power-hungry white dude. @Sen_JoeManchin is a clown. https://t.co/fCMuyoLer3

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 6, 2021

So, riddle me this, Jemele: if Black voters showed up to save “this democracy” why the heck do we need the federal government to overhaul voting laws? Black voters did that saving under the current system; wouldn’t an overhaul of that system be an act of voter suppression?

Apparently not getting enough attention on Sunday, Hill blasts Manchin about the Paycheck Fairness Act, and “bipartisanship”:

Not a single Republican voted to rectify the gender pay gap. But bipartisanship, right @Sen_JoeManchin?

This honestly might as well be a Republican-controlled Senate. https://t.co/BF5wVzNPDb

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 9, 2021

Another person who obviously needs a Valium.

If racism and white supremacy fail, there’s always the old dark money canard. The evil Koch Brothers have made a resurrection in politics once again, and Manchin and Sinema are their puppets.

Koch fingerprints are all over Manchin’s and Sinema’s bank accounts. I believe they are both bought and paid for.

— PixelPi (No Lists)(No DMs) (@pixelpi) June 8, 2021

Amazing how when it comes to Unions, Planned Parenthood, and the Brookings Institute, being bought and paid for is never a problem.