Manchin Skipped Senate Votes For Christmas Party
Talking Points Memo reports:
After the Senate broke a GOP filibuster on Don't Ask, Don't Tell earlier today, Sen. Joe Manchinreleased a statement saying he had concerns about the "timing" and "implementation" of a repeal.
But it seems he took even more issue with the timing of the vote itself, seeing as he skipped the vote altogether to attend a Christmas party.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) told reporters at a press conference that Manchin said he had an out-of-town "family thing" and wouldn't make the votes, according to the em>Washington Post<.
Manchin spokesman Sara Payne Scarbro elaborated to theem> Charleston Gazette< in an email, saying that he and his wife "planned a holiday gathering over a year ago with all their children and grandchildren as they will not all be together on Christmas Day."
"While he regrets missing the votes, it was a family obligation that he just could not break," Scarbro said. "However, he has been clear on where he stands on the issues."
