Among a lot of Democrats, Senator Manchin is persona non grata. And while I am not exactly a fan of his either, there is something profoundly wrong about how Democrats are approaching crises with massive bills. I was asked to publicly support the Build Back Better Act because of its climate provisions and there is no way I would do that given that it is a bloated monstrosity.
Going back to the American Recovery and Re-investment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the Democrats’ approach has been to throw everything and the kitchen sink into these massive rescue bills. So much in these bills is pork of the worst kind. It also makes it easy for Republicans to vote against the bills because every one can point to something that their constituents will find offensive (especially the ones who vote in the all important primaries). Martin Gurri has a great section in Revolt of the Public about how the ARRA helped foment the rise of the Tea Party movement.
Instead, I would pursue a laser focused strategy. For example: a bill to cut fossil fuel subsidies. This would put real pressure on Republicans. Yes many of them come from coal, oil and gas states but others don’t and in general they will be on the record then as voting to keep up subsidies which makes them look bad on climate, competition, and fiscal responsibility. Enough so that it will help swing moderate voters in the next election.
Then do a separate bill for a national high speed rail system modeled after the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921 sponsored by a Republican and signed into law by Warren G. Harding. Again, it may not pass but get Republicans on the record about holding back a specific initiative aimed at affordable mass transport that would modernize the country’s infrastructure.
I believe that this focused strategy has the potential to re-open the door for bipartisanship. For sure that won’t happen overnight and the first few attempts may well be duds. But there is no way ever to even swing a single Republican with the current monster bill approach. So there is nothing to lose from trying the exact opposite.
