Online Public Relations Thoughts

Senator Joe Manchin, Democrat of West Virginia, has sunk President Biden's Build Back Better bill. Republicans are praising him and Democrats are grinding their teeth in rage and frustration.  Manchin says he would have a hard time explaining it to his constituents.  Democrats say he is "gutless."  An issue now is communications.  How will the White House position this defeat, especially with the upcoming election year when Democrats usually lose a majority?  It's a tough message for them unless the public was counting on the bill becoming law.  Republicans can play to their base, but their base is a minority of voters.  The real question is what independents think and whether they will vote in the off-year ballot.  The White House should be reaching out to them starting now.  Still, it is a hard call when one has to campaign for a bill that one's own party won't support. It will be a test of Biden's leadership and legislative skill.