Manchin: Not Negotiating Over Debt Ceiling a ‘Mistake’

    Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

    The Facts

    • Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said during an interview on Sunday that it would be a “mistake” if Democrats continue to refuse to negotiate with Republicans over raising the debt ceiling and making cuts to the US budget.

    • In disagreement with both his party's No. 2 in the House Rep. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and the White House’s position, Manchin said both sides should talk to see where they differ and “if they are irreconcilable... let the people make their decisions.”


    The Spin

    Republican narrative

    The US cannot just spend into oblivion and recklessly raise its credit limit. The country wastes exorbitant amounts of money in ways most Americans couldn't imagine, and the GOP was elected to its majority on a mandate to bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington. The party of the people needs to take advantage of the leverage it has.

    Democratic narrative

    Republicans are using the US economy as a pawn in an extortion scheme to get whatever they want. The US is risking its international reputation because the GOP don't care if they crash the economy. If they want to cut public spending, they can do so through legislation, not by forcing the US to default on its debt.

    Nerd narrative

    There’s a 6% chance the US will default on sovereign debt before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


    Political split

    LEFT

    RIGHT

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