“We’re sick and tired of Senator Manchin’s position as a constant stumbling block to the Democratic agenda in this 50-50 Senate,” wrote Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a letter to the Democratic caucus. “There’s only one way to make sure he doesn’t cast any more deciding votes, and that’s to put Senator Manchin in the minority party, where he belongs.”

Schumer outlined a detailed strategy for taking a beating in the 2022 midterm elections, including action plans for promoting infighting, producing garbled messaging, and continuing to give Krysten Sinema airtime.

“We’ll do anything it takes to strip Senator Manchin of his legislative power,” wrote Schumer. “Even if it means stripping ourselves of all legislative power. Being in the minority party wasn’t actually all that bad — I had more time to cook. It was nice.”

At press time, House Democrats and Democratic state legislatures all across the country were contemplating a similar strategy.