Joe Manchin's narcissism obstructs Biden's agenda once again

It's not about the nation or his state, it's all about him

A hot topic in Washington this week has been the angst and frustration over Joe Manchin's disingenuous negotiations related to President Biden's Build Back Better agenda. Over the last 15 months, the senior senator from West Virginia has exasperated his Democratic colleagues by suggesting that his vote could be won by downsizing the scale of the effort and the associated costs, only to torpedo any potential deal at the eleventh hour. In other words, he wasted everyone's time.

I should offer a disclaimer at this point. I'm a West Virginia native, born and raised in Bluefield home of Bluefield State College, a once vibrant HBCU. I graduated from Marshall University and like many other state residents, particularly those from southern West Virginia I left for other regions where career and economic opportunities were more abundant and the social and political environments were more inviting. Given that the last of my relatives departed the state in 1978, there was really no reason for me to return, except maybe for a couple of special occasions.

However, it was in West Virginia where I developed an interest in politics. During the 60s, Lyndon Johnson established Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), an anti-poverty program that attracted many young, middle, and upper-class activists. Among them were the state's future governor and senator, Jay Rockefeller. My interaction with many of these individuals propelled my desire to volunteer for Hubert Humphrey's campaign as a high schooler and cast my first vote for George McGovern in 1972 while in college. Throughout my developmental years, West Virginia was a decidedly Democratic state with populist ideals, strong unions, and a diverse coalition.

I provide this context because since my physical disconnection from the state I have no recognition of what it's become and why its citizens continue to vote against their interests. I wasn't there when Joe Manchin began his political career. While I have observed from afar, my initial impressions were that he was cut from the same cloth as his Democratic predecessors. After all, Manchin had served as a state representative and state senator, secretary of state, and governor before coming to Washington in 2010. I've met him several times at West Virginia events here in DC. He seems affable enough and was a friend of one of my high school classmates who played football for West Virginia University, Manchin's alma mater.

But cloaked in that geniality is a politician of self-interest. Manchin has proven time and time again since taking his seat in the Senate that despite his protestations that his decisions are based on what is best for the residents of his state, his actions prove otherwise. A December 2021 article in The Washington Post by Michael Kranish and Anna Phillips examined Manchin's Blind Trust and his ties to his family coal company. What they found was that the senator's so-called blind trust is worth between $500,00 and $1 million. In comparison, the energy company, Enersystem which he founded and is now run by his son, paid him almost $500,000 in 2020.

To make matters worse, since his coal investments are not part of his blind trust how can he impartially vote on the President's climate legislation that could have a negative financial impact on Enersystem profit margin? It's inexcusable that he refuses to recognize this conflict of interest and take action to mitigate any consequences. Add to this the hefty amount of campaign contributions that Manchin has and continues to receive from the energy sector and other corporate interests and a daughter, Heather Bresch who is an ethical hot mess in her own right and you have a family who could rival the Trumps in terms of dishonesty.

But there may be hope for West Virginia in the future. A group of young Democrats led by Delegates Mike Pushkin and Danielle Walker, who will now become the West Virginia State Democratic Party Chair and Co-Chair after ousting the group's executive committee effectively ending Manchin's long-standing and ineffective hold of the party's framework. Currently, Manchin is the only statewide elected Democrat and Republicans dominate both legislative chambers. The new party leadership is taking a long game approach, not unlike the efforts that national Republicans executed in recent years. Their plan is to focus on down-ballot races this year and municipal races in 2023.

Although it's been many years since I left West Virginia, I have many fond memories and made many great friends. It pains me to see the conditions that plague the state under its current political leadership. West Virginia ranks 47th in states best for business, 47th for healthcare, 45th in education, and 50th when it comes to infrastructure, which is probably the only reason Manchin supported that bill.

Yet given that grim reality, it's a naturally beautiful state, with an array of resources at its disposal. It is also in relative proximity to a number of urban areas. Instead of serving as an impediment to Build Back Better, Manchin should be embracing it. Sure, the GOP would undoubtedly raise objections and some constituents may take exception, but in the end, West Virginia would be all the better for it. As far as re-election in 2024 is concerned, he really should call it a day and ride off into the sunset and spend his time spending some of that Enersystem money.