Lesser Evils

If you know a little about me, you know I’m very willing to overlook prior bad acts by candidates in order to ensure Democratic control of our bodies of government. The electability of a moderate Democrat with a less-than-perfect record was one of the primary motivators behind my support for Hillary Clinton. And if you’re one of my friends on the farther left, I’m sure you’re thinking “Bella really will just shill for any empty suit that calls themselves a Democrat. Is there a floor on this thing, or will we have to re-educate her when the revolution comes?”

I’m proud to report to you, my left friends and all other readers of the blog, that we found the floor. The floor named Joe Manchin.

A lot of concerned Democrats are taking to the internet to remind people that Joe “Voted for Kavanuagh” Manchin isn’t perfect, but is our best option for a Democrat in West Virginia, and we could get someone “so much worse” if a Republican wins.

It’s a powerful argument. The “lesser of two evils” is an argument Democrats have used for as long as I can remember to motivate voters to turn out unenthusiastically at the polls. And it’s not working on me in this case.

Because heaven forbid we get someone worse than Joe Manchin. Someone who, I don’t know, votes for someone accused of sexual assault for the highest court in the land.

Oh wait, Joe Manchin did that.

Well, someone worse than Joe Manchin would vote with Trump more than half the time, so we need to keep Joe Manchin who—oh, I’m being told votes with Trump and the Republicans 60% of the time.

I’m sure someone worse than Joe Manchin would vocally support Trump, or seek out his endorsement in an election. Or vote for a 20-week abortion ban. Or ease regulations on financial institutions. Or support a border wall. Or be a member of the NRA.

We’re not benefitting at all from having Joe Manchin in the Senate. And by “we” I mean people who want to see more government assistance to low-income people, healthcare that everyone can afford and access, a judiciary that supports our basic rights, a right to aboriton, sensible immigration laws and gun control. The only people Joe Manchin helps are the people who want a Democratic Senate Majority Leader.

I know, who would have thought I’d advocate for something Chuck Schumer doesn’t want! It’s been a season of growth people, and I want to see Chuck Schumer wield the gavel as much as the next 60-year-old white woman, but I don’t want to have to bend over backwards to elect Joe Manchin to do that.

And now before you start thinking I’m out here opposing every moderate Democrat, please know that I’m still a passionate shill for Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). What’s the difference between Manchin and Heitkamp, you ask? As moderate as Heitkamp is, she’s been with the Democrats on some tough votes, and is willing to vote for her conscious in a way that Joe Manchin seems to be unable to do. Heidi Heitkamp is a Democrat trying to best represent a conservative state. Joe Manchin is a conservative in the Democratic party. Sure, they may be a worse candidate out there, but it’s hard to imagine how someone could be worse for marginalized groups than Joe Manchin already is.