Manchin arrived in Washington as a former governor, taking the seat of the legendary Robert C. Byrd. He had little interest in talking to employees – even if they worked in the West Wing.
“(Biden) was the only one who called that mattered,” said a person familiar with the dynamic between Manchin and Biden, recalling the early days of the relationship between the senator and the former vice president. “Biden is the only person in the administration that Manchin would listen to.”
Senate rules have always allowed any senator to delay an appointment, but the dynamics of a 50-50 split in the chamber gave Manchin – along with a handful of other moderates willing to break with his party – even more power to determine the fate of an appointment or legislation.
Manchin’s role
Now, Manchin will be decisive again in the arms control debate. He said on Tuesday that he does not support the background check legislation recently passed in the House, putting him directly at odds with Biden’s wishes and highlighting a major divide among Democrats over how to deal with gun control – a priority fundamental to its voters – even when the party now controls Congress and the White House.
Manchin also resisted breaking the 60-vote limit on obstruction to pass most pieces of legislation, further complicating efforts to enact new gun laws as well as measures to protect voting rights. He is the only Democratic senator who has not signed a bill to vote.
“We need to work together here,” said Manchin, 73. “Why don’t you ask people when it was the last time they talked to some of the people on this side, try to convince them or work with them, just try to do it. Have you ever had dinner with them? Did you have lunch with them? Did you have a cup?” of coffee with them? Try something. “
The Biden-Manchin relationship grew stronger during the 2013 debate on gun reform, which has become a central priority for the Obama administration. When negotiations began to break off, Manchin and Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania joined with bipartisan legislation – with Biden’s help.
During many conversations – Biden’s calls always happened during business hours, never at night – the two talked a lot about the way forward. Biden would nudge Manchin about the legislation, but in a more paternal way, said a person familiar with the dynamics, as Biden told him that he regrets some of the measures he took in the 1994 crime bill.
During these calls, Biden urged Manchin to stick to provisions for weapon displays and not to give in to arms sales over the Internet. And when some within the Obama administration wanted to endorse the Manchin-Toomey clause, Manchin was alarmed and called on Biden to cancel any sign of support, fearing it would make it radioactive for Republicans.
Very different moment
Today, it is a very different time, with Biden in the Oval Office and Manchin a centrist power center in the Senate. He still represents voters in West Virginia, where the gap with the national Democratic Party is even greater than it was a decade ago.
For admirers, he is seen as confident. For critics, it is seen as important. However, Manchin has already shown a willingness to exercise his enormous power in ways that force the White House to react.
His statement on Friday afternoon in February that he could not support the candidate for Biden’s budget chief sparked confusion in the west wing as advisers worked to identify a potential Republican vote. After more than a week, the nomination was withdrawn.
Later, when Biden’s first major legislative initiative – the $ 1.9 trillion Covid-19 aid package – approached a final Senate vote, Manchin was overshadowed by an agreement that Democrats reached to make some tax-free unemployment benefits. He hesitated, preventing the bill from running for hours.
After being pressured by several of his colleagues in the Senate, Manchin ended up receiving a call from Biden, who his aides said was deliberately careful not to add pressure to the situation.
Instead, the president chose to make space for Manchin, listening to his concerns while stressing the importance of approving the project, said a source with knowledge of the discussion. Manchin, two sources said, was urged by the president to do what he felt was right – in essence, to vote for his conscience.
It was a reflection of a relationship that several sources said has been in a solid place since Biden took office – Manchin of the mind that Biden is an honest broker, and Biden aware of the fact that Manchin is his own senator and does not gently assume being stuck.
Officials said the White House is in almost constant communication with Manchin or his office. And a close adviser told CNN that Manchin is well aware of what Biden’s red lines are.
The two men never served in the Senate together. And their relationship dates back only a decade. But Manchin’s respect for Biden burns deeply, said a person familiar with his relationship, who credits much of his current vibe to the first phone calls after Manchin was elected in 2010.
It was a devastating year for Democrats, with the party facing huge losses during the first half-term election for Obama’s presidency. But Manchin was an exception, winning re-election and coming to the Senate eager to make deals – and to be seen doing so.
On the rare occasions when Obama called, Manchin saw the conversation as more of a lecture, said two people familiar with the matter. When Biden called, it was a much kinder conversation with a purpose, with the vice president always asking, “Joe, what are you thinking? Joe, what do you need?”
In November 2013, Manchin invited Biden to give a speech at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner in West Virginia.
It was an evening dedicated to celebrating the career of senior state senator Jay Rockefeller, but Manchin controlled the Democratic Party’s levers and told associates at the time that Biden was one of the few national Democratic figures who wanted to visit the state.
“Joe and I have become good friends,” said Biden, praising Manchin, who first stood out in the state as a football star. “Joe can take a hit and Joe can take a hit too.”