This is huge news. It’s being reported now that Joe Manchin from West Virginia is strongly leaning to vote YES for Kavanaugh.
Here’s the reporting:
Interesting: A source close to Senator Manchin tells me now, "Short of claims that definitively prove Dr. Ford's allegations or a realization that Kavanaugh will gut the healthcare law, Manchin will side with the overwhelming number of people in WV who want Kavanaugh confirmed."
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) September 28, 2018
"Manchin likes Kavanaugh and has always wanted to find a way to support him."
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) September 28, 2018
Manchin, of course, left his meeting with Collins, Murkowski, and Flake saying he was unsure. But thought source's use of "definitively prove" was interesting.
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) September 28, 2018
I'm not convinced Manchin would vote yes, FWIW, if Collins and Murkowski decide to vote no.
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) September 28, 2018
It’s like this Atlantic writer says, the use of ‘definitely prove’ has to mean Manchin is a yes vote. Because there is nothing that definitely proves anything about her story and he should know that by now, as we all do.
It’s worth nothing that there is a poll that suggests Manchin is tied with his Republican opponent, but it’s the first poll to show that among several, which could mean it’s an outlier. Or it’s proof that his race is getting tighter.
So we have Flake wanting to think about it and Murkowski in the same boat as Flakey:
"I'm going to go home, have some dinner, and have a chance to think about all that's gone on today," Murkowski said. Would she like more time? "I will have more time if I have less need to answer questions that I'm not going to answer right now."
— Erica Werner (@ericawerner) September 28, 2018
Don’t know about Collins, but I’m guessing probably the same.
(h/t: Sooper’s lackey Jess)