Banks thinks he is being pragmatic by rooting for the bad guys.
Larry I am pragmatic, but I won't sell my soul.
But there is a reason for the old saying, "politics makes strange bedfellows".
And Larry I've listened to your perspective, and I understand it, and in many cases I agree with you and your goals.
However I found the environment hostile to its immediate fruition.
Biden is President because black and brown people put him through the primary and then took two seats in Georgia...
And all moderates do is tell the BASE of this fucking party to be quiet, white folks talking.
And then when shit goes south electorally the first thing you will say is well, the black turnout was low.
In this era you are either going to split or lose the white vote no matter what so why do you keep spitting on the folks who have been giving you 90 plus? instead of watching the GOP make it harder for them to vote why are you not protecting their rights and access?
Joe Biden promised to reach across the aisle and work in a bipartisan fashion and the Republicans tried to overturn the election and failing that tried to overthrow the government.
YMMV
Larry I'm sorry you feel so put upon.
What I suggested is that the Dems position themselves with popular political wins to win in '22 and build upon a narrow majority into more of a political mandate that does not hang on the whims of Manchin, Sinema or far left progressives.
They are now in a better position to market what Biden promised in his campaign. He reached across the aisle and delivered.
It is unlikely a package much larger than the Infrastructure bill would be deliverable.
Take this win and move on to the next fight.
But if he lost this fight and looked impotent caught between the demands of Manchin and AOC he and the Dems would be fucked.
But Manchin would have his safe seat as would AOC.
But they'll never get the shit done you want with Repubs in power.
Smart works most of the time.