Staff Reports
In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden faced an embarrassing setback as the Senate failed to advance the nomination of Jose Javier Rodriguez to assistant secretary of labor. Despite the Democratic Party’s control of the chamber, the vote ended in a 44-51 defeat, with two Democratic senators, Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), crossing party lines to join Republicans in rejecting the nominee.
Adding insult to injury, four Democratic senators were absent during the critical vote, further contributing to the failure. Even Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) flipped his vote to a “no,” but he left the door open to reconsider the nominee down the road, leaving a glimmer of hope for the administration.
Democratic nightmare: How Manchin and Menendez caused their party a major embarrassment https://t.co/PmgfQ4GJoE
— Julia Johnson (@juliaajohnson_) November 29, 2023
The failure was a stark reminder of the discord within the Democratic Party, with Menendez and Manchin once again proving to be thorns in the side of their colleagues. Menendez, in particular, has been embroiled in controversy, facing charges by the Department of Justice for alleged corrupt dealings with New Jersey businessmen and the government of Egypt. Despite the serious allegations, Menendez has repeatedly asserted his innocence, drawing ire from both sides of the aisle and prompting calls for his resignation.
Meanwhile, Manchin has solidified his reputation as a renegade within the party, throwing wrenches into key legislative efforts and remaining tight-lipped about his political future. With his seat up for reelection in 2024, speculation has swirled around Manchin’s intentions, with rumors suggesting a potential bid for the presidency as a third-party candidate.
The possibility of a presidential run aligns with rumblings that a centrist group, No Labels, may nominate a candidate in 2024, potentially capitalizing on widespread dissatisfaction with both major parties’ offerings. The group’s roster of potential candidates includes other moderate figures like Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH), former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
As the dust settles from the failed nomination and the intrigue surrounding Menendez and Manchin continues to unfold, it’s clear that the turmoil within the Democratic Party may have far-reaching implications, not only for the Biden administration but also for the landscape of the upcoming election cycle.
