Democrat Manchin "Explains" Why He Voted Against DADT Cloture

Democrats aren't surprised when Republicans like Scott Brown (MA) say they'll support something like the end of DADT and then reverse themselves when the time comes to stand up and be counted. They have years of practice saying one thing and doing another, putting their deep pockets and party politics before the welfare of their constituents or just doing what is fair and just.

The only differences between Brown and Senator Joe Manchin (WVA) is that the former is a Republican and the latter is a Democrat - and Manchin has consistently expressed reservations about repealing DADT at this time. It's just that his explanation doesn't bear up under even a cursory examination.

On Monday, he told reporters he was concerned that repealing the ban now could impact soldiers on the battlefield in Afghanistan as well as add to the military budget at a time the nation needs to cut costs. He said testimony from the chiefs of the Army and Marines opposing repeal of the ban during hearings last week swayed him toward waiting longer before taking action on DADT.

"They don't believe that it should be invoked at a point of time when they're engaged in combat, because it would be a hard transition for them," Manchin told reporters, according to the AP.

Obvious questions that come to mind are: 1) How does repealing DADT impact on the military budget? 2) When is the United States not engaged in combat?

In a comment chillingly reminiscent of Republican strategy - and cowardliness - he helped set the stage for President Obama to become the scapegoat by passing the buck.

Besides, Manchin added -- if supporters of repeal are upset with the Senate vote, they can always go talk to President Obama about ending DADT discharges with a stroke of his pen.

"While I may disagree with a repeal of DADT at this time, some believe that President Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, if he so chooses, has the authority to suspend discharges under DADT, if he deems it a matter of national security," Manchin said. "If this is correct, and the President was to make such an order, while I may disagree with it, I would respect his authority as President to do so."

Manchin is a Democrat in name only. He is pro-life, anti-gun control, opposes equal rights in the LGBT community through same sex marriage and obviously opposes open service in the military. No wonder the Republicans like him. He's one of them.