Joe See! And The Pussycat: Average Joe's Or Joe Blow?

Well, well, well. In a statement from the White House Briefing Room, President Joe Biden has praised the politically dangerous and unstable Joe Manchin, Senator from West Virginia. Yesterday, Joe Manchin announced that he would not seek reelection of his senate seat in West Virginia. In his announcement, Manchin states "I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for re-election to the United States Senate, but what I will be doing is traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together." 

What Ho-Man-Chin (not to be confused with Ho Chi Minh) is saying is that he is initiating an exploratory political agenda to primary and challenge the other Joe...the one that is president of the United States. Now, as far as I am concerned, especially being a non-partisan, both Joe's are Republicans in drag. My interest in U.S. politics is akin to the same interest one has in a train wreck; it's terrible, but you can't help but watch with a fascinating, albeit morbid, curiosity. Should Joe Manchin run for the presidency, he will, undoubtedly, siphon votes from Joe Biden (all things assumptively being equal). If I know this, the Biden campaign surely is aware of it; this is where things get interesting.

Within hours of Manchin's announcement, the White House proffered its own announcement regarding Manchin's announcement. The full text is as follows:

Statement from President Joe Biden on Senator Joe Manchin

For more than forty years – as a state legislator, a Secretary of State, a Governor, and a Senator – Joe Manchin has dedicated himself to serving the people of his beloved West Virginia. During my time as Vice President and now as President, Joe and I have worked together to get things done for hardworking families. From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – which is upgrading America’s aging infrastructure, to the PACT Act – which is making sure our veterans get the care they deserve, to the Inflation Reduction Act – which is strengthening our energy security and lowering prescription drug costs for our seniors, to the most meaningful gun safety legislation in three decades, we’ve made real progress. I was also proud when Joe voted to make history and confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
 
Joe, Gayle, and the entire Manchin family should feel proud of the Senator’s service to West Virginia and to our country. I look forward to continuing our work together to get things done for the American people.

I have always been aware that the two Joe’s are two peas in a pod, so a cup of Joe does not surprise me. Their kindredship is a matter of record. One of my favorite images of this mutual admiration society is Joe Biden holding hands with the now enshrouded former Exalted Cyclops of the KKK, Senator James Byrd, while Joe ‘da hoe’ Manchin grins like a Cheshire Cat in the background. G.O.B. in full effect (Good Ole Boys).

Breathtaking, ain’t it?

Okay, enough of my insolence, let us get back to what is really intriguing here and connect the proverbial political dots, shall we? Now, as mentioned, Biden must know what Manchin is suggesting and up to in terms of a potential run for the presidency. My dog, “Wilson” can figure that out (and she is quite the pundit). This fact would, necessarily, mean that Biden, who is in a weak position at the moment for reelection, knows that Manchin could be the linchpin between winning and losing (again, all things being assumptively equal). Given these irrefutable facts, why is the Biden campaign and Biden himself, from a political strategy standpoint, applauding Manchin and going as far as being “proud” of him? Let alone the fact that Manchin has been a legislative thorn in Biden’s “side?”

That dog don’t hunt and I smell a rat; several in fact.

Democrats are, slowly but surely, and whether they admit it or not, starting to morph into Republicans. No scoffing! Here is an example which proves my point: the same Democrats and “Progressives” that railed against things like police abuse, stop and frisk and mass incarceration are, now, talking about being “tough on crime” a variation of “law and order.” If you are a Black Man in the United States, like me, and have a modicum of intelligence, you know what this rhetoric portends. I called it over a year ago. I knew it was coming; it always does. The sexiest thing in U.S. politics which amalgamates the electorate is Anti-Blackism. Always has been, always will be. Their positions on “the border” are becoming more in line with that of Republicans. Their zeal supporting Ukraine is waning.

I am non-partisan because, and it is no surprise to anyone, I don’t see a dime’s worth of difference between the two parties. Oh, the rhetoric is different, but the end result is the same from where I sit. However, now even the rhetoric is becoming homogenized. Partisan politics are white privilege and that is a privilege I do not have, nor will I delude myself into thinking I do. Don’t catch you fooling you.

Ergo, when we observe this gradual homogenization in rhetoric, one must assume that a homogenization in policy will follow. Republican frontrunner Agent Orange Trump “applauded” Manchin in 2021 for defending the filibuster. Three years before that, Manchin “applauded” Trump for the Right To Try Act. A year before that, Manchin “applauded” Trump for his Executive Order On Critical Minerals ( an executive order that had a direct connection to Manchin’s wallet).

The political slight of hand that proffers that Joe Biden is the polar opposite of Agent Orange Trump, is just that, Nonetheless let us, for the sake of argument, accept the folly. When the U.S. populace sees legislative and governmental gridlock and dysfunction along partisan lines, what could be sexier than that which is, allegedly, “the middle”? Biden is proud of Manchin, Trump applauds Manchin, Manchin applauds Trump and Trump has Democrats scared shitless which is why they are willing to grab their political ankles. If Manchin runs, its a wrap for Democrats and you can prepare yourself for Trump Part Deux, Electric Boogaloo (as in Boogaloo Boys). And even if it isn’t Trump playing himself, it will be his clone. Either way, you are getting Trump.

Lastly, there lies one more ominous note to Biden’s announcement of yesterday, and I think the most significant. Biden may have very well been signaling that he, somehow and for whatever reasons prevail, will not be running at the end of the day (no pun intended). Otherwise, why would he be, in effect, saying such kind words about a potential, and potent, adversary that would likely be the catalyst for his defeat? I mean, he could have simply remained silent or given a more muted statement. Yep, I smell a rat.

I must not end this column without, on this Veteran’s Day, acknowledging the man of my life. The NLC (non-lethal combat)/ Weaponless Defense Instructor of the United States Marine Corp that is my father. His name was Joe.

Rest in peace, pop.