Senator Joe Manchin
Manchin eschewing politics?
Yesterday, I found the Wheeling Intelligencer’s front page headline laughable:
We are talking about Joe Manchin who, once he gets beyond protecting his own financial interests, is always focused on politics. (In fairness to Manchin, isn't that why we call them "politicians"?) And yet, Ogden’s political reporter, Steven Allen Adams, who obviously knows better, tells us how focused Manchin is on energy despite the rumors that he may run as a third-party candidate.
Speculation is Manchin is considering a third-party presidential run through No Labels, but Manchin said announcing his political plans before the end of 2023 would just put a target on his back and make him a distraction.
Certainly, running for president would jeopardize Biden’s or the Democratic candidate’s chances by siphoning moderate voters away. Manchin clearly wants more concessions from the Democrats.
(By the way, I see that other Ogden newspapers used this same headline. It's the least they can do for an Ogden favorite.)
Manchin on Trump’s indictment
Democrat Manchin plays both sides:
'SAD TIME FOR AMERICA': The West Virginia senator argued Trump's indictment risked dividing Americans. https://t.co/BBIqyPRwqA pic.twitter.com/wjQ9CE7JJ9
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 3, 2023
I don't think the Senator wants to unnecessarily offend members of West Virginia's Trump Party.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is not the only recipient of Harlan Crow’s gifts
Yesterday, Pro Publica documented how real estate magnate Harlan Crow has lavished expensive trips and gifts on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas:
For decades, Justice Clarence Thomas has secretly accepted luxury trips from a major Republican donor, newly obtained documents and interviews show.
— ProPublica (@propublica) April 6, 2023
The extent and frequency of these apparent gifts to Thomas has no known precedent in modern SCOTUS history... 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/ROuGuyD6r6
(Click on the thread symbol for more elaboration and Pro Publica links.)
But Justice Thomas is not the only Crow recipient:
Ummmmm.
— Jason Christian (@JasonAChristian) April 6, 2023
“GOP megadonor Harlan Crow has been secretly funding lavish vacations for Justice Clarence Thomas. But he's also given thousands to Democrats who've stymied the party's agenda at various times.They include Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.” https://t.co/JR94LFGx0w
Is it any surprise that Manchin would be one of Crow’s favorite senators?
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Capito on Trump’s indictment
A week ago the Intelligencer reported that Capito had not released any statement. Since then, I have not found any comments about the former president by our senator. Midweek, the Washington Post reported the same thing.
Capito making/not making news
I decided to check on what Senator Capito has been doing lately. Here are the first ten results from this evening's Google news search engine:
It would appear that Capito is not looking for any controversy. Yes, Happy Easter, Senator.
(By the way, I think we are due for another Capito puff piece by Adams.)
4/6 Update
The Washingtonian has an interesting article on Thomas and Manchin benefactor, Harlan Crow:
Clarence Thomas's Billionaire Benefactor Collects Hitler Artifacts
From that article by Sylvie McNamara:
When Republican megadonor Harlan Crow isn’t lavishing Justice Clarence Thomas with free trips on his private plane and yacht (in possible violation of Supreme Court ethics rules), he lives a quiet life in Dallas among his historical collections. These collections include Hitler artifacts—two of his paintings of European cityscapes, a signed copy of Mein Kampf, and assorted Nazi memorabilia—plus a garden full of statues of the 20th century’s worst despots.
The description of Crow's property reminded me of Charles Foster Kane's Xanaudu in Orson Welles' classic film, Citizen Kane.
