Joe Manchin has given a remarkable new account of the infamous “American Rescue Plan” to the WSJ, casting himself in the role of hero:
Sen. Joe Manchin, the most conservative Democrat in the chamber, was stunned when colleagues told him the $1.9 trillion price tag and warned them it was a massive overreach, he said in a recent interview.
Lawmakers were seeking to extend temporary unemployment benefits of an extra $400 a week. “A lot of hardworking people aren’t making that kind of money in my state,” Manchin told his colleagues.
Within hours of speaking up, he found himself face-to-face in the Oval Office with Biden. Manchin begged the president to pump the brakes. The country hadn’t even digested the stimulus approved weeks earlier. It didn’t make sense to throw another $2 trillion on top.
Biden was unmoved. “I’ve got to do it, Joe,” he said.
Manchin ultimately swallowed his reservations and gave his support. The package passed in March 2021…
White House advisers kept telling Manchin not to worry. One pointed to how 17 Nobel laureates said inflation would be transitory. Manchin shot back: “You’ve got 17 educated idiots telling you what you want to hear.”
We appreciate the “17 educated idiots” turn of phrase for the disgraced group of Nobel winners. But If Manchin knew better then why in the world did he vote for monstrosity???
