Our two party system always gives us lesser evil choices that we can't refuse. No one expected Biden to be FDR, and he didn't disappoint. However, we did expect him to use the bully pulpit like FDR did to bring, at least, Dems together on some pretty basic policy fundamentals.

Biden can't blame Republicans for his failure to lead because he has enough votes among Dems to pass whatever he wants, if they are all true Democrats. This isn't Manchin's first rodeo and his views and corruption were well known among his peers. Why was he not treated to a primary every time he ran for re-election? If his constituents are offered a choice that isn't bat chit crazy they would likely dump Manchin like yesterday's oysters.

The truth is that Biden probably shares more in common with Manchin than they have differences on. They are both neoliberals with a long history of selling out, so they likely get along fine when the cameras aren't rolling. Dems have made a cottage industry out of losing and it is making them big bucks. Their donors always have a job ready for them if the political thing doesn't go their way and Dems can hold their feet to the fire better than the GOP which is assumed to be ideologically aligned with business.