Just when the Democrats thought they had the majority in the Senate, up jumped Joe Manchin. He is in a position to swing any vote. The Republicans usually march in step to their master’s drum as demonstrated by their vote on the For the People Act on voter laws. In a vote that requires a simple majority, Manchin can throw the vote to the Republicans. How convenient.

A person who sits in such a position of strategic power can’t make it too obvious. He’ll vote mostly with the democrats. String pullers aren’t interested in most bills however. He would only throw the vote on those they care about. Limiting voter rights is obviously one of those issues.

It’s also advantageous for string pullers who want to hide their true agenda. For instance he might vote for a gun control act, something the boss might not want the right wingers to know he supports.