In an interview on CBS' podcast “The Takeout” published Friday, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) questioned why the Biden administration can't admit its mistakes in Afghanistan. He said: If you don't admit it, does that mean you did it on purpose because you don't think it's wrong?
In discussing Vice President Kamala Harris' candidacy, Manchin said: [relevant remarks begin around 10:25] “[W]And they said, “Do you support everything that has been done?” I'm part of the team. I'm second. This is not my strategy. I didn't announce a game plan. I didn't call the play, okay? What should I do differently? absolutely. I would do things differently. But while I'm there, I'm trying to make that president, my president and my partner, as successful as possible. So if you blame me for being part of the team, I'm guilty as charged. But if she doesn't say that, hey, can you change something? Let's not leave Afghanistan like this, let's not give up Bagram Air Base our way, let's not cross the border. Shall we say? Have we never granted asylum at our borders? There [are] There are some things you should do differently. Even if you have that opinion and get rejected, you're still a team. But if you were alone now, couldn't you say, yes, I would have done things differently, and here's how? ”
He then said: [relevant remarks begin around 31:40] “In this great free country of ours, as humans, we cannot right our mistakes. We've all tried. … Why do they say, 'You made a mistake, I'm sorry, it can be fixed. ” I guess you can't say that. If you make a mistake and can't admit it, does that mean you made it intentionally because you didn't think it was a mistake? that [sows] I doubt it. ”
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