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Will Manchin and Sinema turn Republican? Net furious after failed filibuster vote

Internet fumes saying, the two 'might as well be Republicans' after they join GOP to block changes in Senate rules, leaving Biden red-faced

Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema continued their campaign to oppose the change in the Senate despite widespread public backlash. On January 19, the two Democrats voted with all the Republicans to block the Dems efforts to change filibuster rules. That came hours after the GOP shot down the voting rights legislation, effectively ending any hopes the Democrats had of reforming the right to vote. 

Sinema has long been a vocal proponent of the filibuster, earning the fury of the internet as far back as June 2021 for doing so. It's left Biden's agenda all but dead, leading to a massive effort to find a primary challenger to her in 2024. Likewise, Manchin has also been vocal in his support for the filibuster at the cost of the Dems' agenda, leading many to accuse him of "supporting Jim Crow".

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But the accusations took a drastic turn on January 19, after the two voted with the GOP. Many users online began accusing them of being secret Republicans, which was made all the more popular after some eagle-eyed users noticed Sinema decided to wear red for the vote. 

Net says duo 'just voted against democracy'

Reacting to their vote, users said things like, "Senate Republicans and Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema (who might as well be Republicans) just voted against democracy," and "Manchin votes with Republicans and officially scuttles the Dem effort to change filibuster rules. Sinema breaks with her party as well and sides with GOP." One user said, "Manchin and Sinema join Republicans…. That will be epithet whether their inflated egos realize it or not." Another trolled, "Dear Republicans (including Manchin and Sinema) New rule. You CANNOT tweet how much you love/respect/follow Martin Luther King Jr. while you block the #VotingRightsAct."

Will Manchin and Sinema turn Republican?

This question does not pose an easy answer. From the vote, it appears that the two are indeed siding with the GOP, but whether they will switch parties remains to be seen. Their decision, however, did prompt a slew of responses with one person noting, "I think Manchin and Sinema are doing everything they can to make the Dems fail, and then turn Republican. If they don't, and run as Democrats, of course they will face vigorous and popular primary challengers. They two are warts on the pickle of progress." 

It's unclear what the two are planning, but it's clear the Democrats have set their plans in motion. In Arizona, grassroots workers are currently in the process of finding a candidate to primary Sinema, even though she's not on the ballot for another two years. It's unclear if a similar process is underway in West Virginia, where Manchin too will be up for reelection in 2024. Nonetheless, it appears he's not too worried about his prospects. "I've been primaried my entire life. That would not be anything new for me," he told reporters in early January 2022 about the treat. Sinema is yet to comment on a possible primary challenge.

If they do get primaried, one Senator indicated he's willing to get behind their challengers. On January 18, Bernie Sanders told reporters he'd consider supporting any challengers to the duo. Switching parties may help them retain their seats, but that depends on what the mood is like in 2024. For now, they are here to stay as Democrats, even if they don't side with their party.