West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin just announced that he intends to vote against Neera Tanden, Biden’s pick to be Budget Director.
In the statement released today (see below), Manchin said that Tanden’s “overtly partisan statements would have a toxic and detrimental impact on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director” of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Neera Tanden said she regrets past comments she made while running a leftist think tank. She has pledged to be “nonpartisan” if confirmed by the Senate.
Glenn Greenwald tweeted out examples of Tanden’s nastiness toward Republicans. Greenwald says the Democrats are pulling the ‘sexist’ card:
The liberal talking point is now officially consecrated, and it's sooo surprising and unpredictable. You'll never guess what it is: you can't possibly oppose Neera Tanden's confirmation unless you're sexist.
Judge for yourself: https://t.co/WUFc9FdnkC pic.twitter.com/USuFACSt6v
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 19, 2021
And the predictable ‘women of color’ card too:
If Manchin votes against Neera Tanden, he's essentially saying that when white male nominees say and do highly partisan things, that's the nature of politics, but when women of color do it, that somehow disqualifies them from service.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) February 19, 2021
Although a final Senate vote on Tanden’s nomination has yet been scheduled, Senator Manchin’s statement jeopardizes Tanden’s nomination due to the party divide of 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans in the US Senate.
