WHERE THE HELL WAS MANCHIN?

I guess one of the most startling thing about the Senate's Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal vote was the way a vote was cast from the West Virginia contingency. Or rather the way it was not cast. At this moment, Robert Byrd is rolling over in his grave, shouting in disgust - where the hell was Manchin?

Joe Manchin, the junior Senator from West Virginia, missed two votes on Saturday - the above mentioned Don't Ask Don't Tell and the DREAM act. I can't imagine the great Senator Byrd missing any votes and certainly not on two issues that will shape America for years to come. Where the hell was Manchin?

Apparently, one of the newest members of the Senate decided that it was time for a day off. Unlike most Americans that get a new job, taking a day off after six weeks is seem to him to be totally acceptable behavior. Could you imagine what your boss - and most boss' in America - would say in that type of situation? That's right, they'd say, "Where the hell is Manchin?"

Manchin left Washington, DC, to attend a Christmas party. A Christmas Party? He had to leave in the middle of the day, on his most important voting day since taking office just a few short weeks ago, to attend a Christmas Party? You're kidding, right? He couldn't have stayed for the vote and then left? Big name West Virginia lawyer Joe Manchin doesn't have enough money to fly later (United Airlines Flight 7795 departed Washington Dulles on Saturday evening at 5:40 PM and went direct to Charleston, W.V.)? So I ask, where the hell was Manchin?

Why did Manchin act this way? I'll tell you why. Because West Virginia's newest Senator is nothing but a spoiled punk who doesn't think the rules apply to him. He wouldn't have dared to pull this type of stunt as Governor, but now that he's perched up in Washington, DC, he's out to do whatever he wants. I read an article a few weeks ago that said that Manchin was mulling a party switch. By his actions yesterday, it looks to me that he has already made the move in his heart. Joe Machin - do your job and stop making me - and many others in America - ask: Where the hell was Manchin?