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You are here: Home / Politics / Politicans / Hillary Clinton 2016 / Open Thread: Jason Chaffetz, Junior Detective Putz

Open Thread: Jason Chaffetz, Junior Detective Putz

by Anne Laurie|  October 28, 20161:57 am| 52 Comments

This post is in: Hillary Clinton 2016, Open Threads, Republican Stupidity, Republican Venality, Assholes

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>@jasoninthehouse calls Clinton admin 'target-rich environment,' has '2 yrs worth of material already lined up.' https://t.co/44TnrqRISV

— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) October 26, 2016

Shocking, SHOCKING from the guy who held years of Benghazi witch hunts WHILE bragging about gutting embassy security https://t.co/ES4QpLwF4d

— Zeddonymous (@ZeddRebel) October 27, 2016

This ugly tidbit seemed worth noting, even amid the flood of more immediate information. Jason Chaffetz, thwarted of the Speakership by Paul Ryan, jealous of fellow Utan Mike Lee’s higher profile, and nervous about a potential Evan McMullin challenge in 2018, has decided to give up his figleaf of Trump disapproval and seek refuge in the ever-popular pursuit of Hillary Rodham Clinton for… not being a Republican, essentially. Per Dave Weigal at the Washington Post:

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Jason Chaffetz, the Utah congressman wrapping up his first term atop the powerful House Oversight Committee, unendorsed Donald Trump weeks ago. That freed him up to prepare for something else: spending years, come January, probing the record of a President Hillary Clinton.

“It’s a target-rich environment,” the Republican said in an interview in Salt Lake City’s suburbs. “Even before we get to Day One, we’ve got two years’ worth of material already lined up. She has four years of history at the State Department, and it ain’t good.”

In a tweet Wednesday night, Chaffetz reaffirmed his distaste for Clinton and his refusal to endorse Trump — but reversed his plans not to vote for the Republican nominee.

If Republicans retain control of the House, something that GOP-friendly maps make possible even in the event of a Trump loss, Clinton will become the first president since George H.W. Bush to immediately face a House Oversight Committee controlled by the opposition party. (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama lost Congress later in their presidencies.)…

“The rigorous oversight conducted by House Republicans has already brought to light troubling developments in the [Hillary] Clinton email scandal,” the office of House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said in a statement to The Washington Post. “The speaker supports [Oversight’s] investigative efforts following where the evidence leads, especially where it shows the need for changes in the law.”…

I think Evan McMullin just found the House seat he can get elected to in 2018.

— Josh Barro (@jbarro) October 27, 2016

Did Chaffetz, like Ted Cruz, miscalculate that shivving Trump was in his best interest, then shift back when he realized it wasn't?

— Josh Barro (@jbarro) October 27, 2016

My best guess: Jason Chaffetz decided he could never be speaker if he didn't support the GOP nominee.

You know, courage and such.

— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) October 27, 2016

Fortunately, Hillary Clinton has no illusions about the persistence of minor pests like Rep. Chaffetz…

Clinton campaign fires warning shot across Jason Chaffetz' bow on GOP investigations. https://t.co/V6oRPQUrzM pic.twitter.com/IFSn0V1XBp

— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) October 26, 2016


@aseitzwald @dws0704 The same guy that bragged about cutting funding for security in Benghazi!? Look up smarmy in the dictionary, he's there pic.twitter.com/cNHhv95U3D

— mary (@52Katydid) October 26, 2016

@aseitzwald Utah Rep Jason Chaffetz says Clinton is a LIAR! pic.twitter.com/SAuawKEF6F

— Pat Bagley (@Patbagley) October 26, 2016

I will not defend or endorse @realDonaldTrump, but I am voting for him. HRC is that bad. HRC is bad for the USA.

— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) October 27, 2016

So you were for Trump before you were against him and before you were for him again, Jason? Man up and pick a side #NeverTrump https://t.co/ShhqHzY2pv

— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) October 27, 2016

Gosh, how did this party end up nominating a conspiracy theorist who smears an threatens to jail anyone who gets in his way? It's a mystery. https://t.co/zAq6B36oUL

— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) October 26, 2016

Gotta go with your skill set. https://t.co/V1gueeN1RO

— Bob Schooley (@Rschooley) October 27, 2016

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Reader Interactions

52Comments

  1. 1.

    slag

    October 28, 2016 at 2:00 am

    So, why exactly do we keep hiring these people into jobs for which they have such obvious utter contempt?

  2. 2.

    redshirt

    October 28, 2016 at 2:06 am

    It’s going to be endless SCANDAL!!!

    We’re going to have to learn to get used to it,
    as it’s all sound, signifying nothing but impotent fury.

  3. 3.

    Major Major Major Major

    October 28, 2016 at 2:15 am

    @redshirt: Forget gen x vs. millenials, you know who’s the worst? This waste of semen and a perfectly good egg at #3 here.

  4. 4.

    craigie

    October 28, 2016 at 2:15 am

    If Hills could kill Vince Foster, then this Chaffetz moron should be no trouble.

  5. 5.

    TheMightyTrowel

    October 28, 2016 at 2:18 am

    OT: just taught my last class, ate two lamb chops at the dept end of semester bbq and now i’m back in my office drinking really excellent home brew. SUMMMMMMERRR!

  6. 6.

    redshirt

    October 28, 2016 at 2:22 am

    @Cracker and toast: *Sigh… your motivations are strange, friend.

  7. 7.

    redshirt

    October 28, 2016 at 2:22 am

    @Major Major Major Major: He’s confused and angry. We should all try and help him find peace.

  8. 8.

    Major Major Major Major

    October 28, 2016 at 2:23 am

    @redshirt: You know, I’ve literally met sex offenders more pleasant than that thing.

  9. 9.

    redshirt

    October 28, 2016 at 2:27 am

    @Major Major Major Major: That seems a bit harsh. For all we know he’s just a dumb ass on the Internet.

  10. 10.

    Major Major Major Major

    October 28, 2016 at 2:29 am

    @redshirt: Rehabilitated felons are capable of grace. This thing, not so much.

  11. 11.

    redshirt

    October 28, 2016 at 2:32 am

    @Major Major Major Major: He’s voting Clinton, near as I can tell. That automatically puts him in an OK category, despite the utter trollness.

  12. 12.

    Major Major Major Major

    October 28, 2016 at 2:35 am

    @redshirt: That just makes him not actively my enemy.

  13. 13.

    Mary G

    October 28, 2016 at 2:36 am

    Hillary is going to demolish this little weasel. Apparently he doesn’t watch the news and didn’t notice how well she testified for 11 hours.

  14. 14.

    redshirt

    October 28, 2016 at 2:37 am

    @Major Major Major Major: There are worse trolls out there than shomi. Channel your rage towards more worthy targets.

  15. 15.

    Major Major Major Major

    October 28, 2016 at 2:39 am

    @redshirt: I do. This one’s here now. Besides, it’s fun.

  16. 16.

    redshirt

    October 28, 2016 at 2:41 am

    @Major Major Major Major: True. Hey shomi, I saw a poll on CD2 ME that has me quite concerned. Can you allay my fears?

  17. 17.

    amk

    October 28, 2016 at 2:43 am

    Just hope the dems don’t cave in just like they did for all the rethug witch hunts from 2008 to 16.

  18. 18.

    JGabriel

    October 28, 2016 at 2:52 am

    Anne Laurie @ Top:

    Jason Chaffetz, thwarted of the Speakership by Paul Ryan, jealous of fellow Utan Mike Lee’s higher profile, and nervous about a potential Evan McMullin challenge in 2018, has decided to give up his figleaf of Trump disapproval and seek refuge in the ever-popular pursuit of Hillary Rodham Clinton for… not being a Republican, essentially.

    I hope the Clinton campaign has a nice fat file of oppo research to dump on this guy …

  19. 19.

    James E Powell

    October 28, 2016 at 2:57 am

    I will be very surprised if Paul Ryan is speaker of the next house. I’m kind of curious who might take his place. And I wonder if the new speaker will share the enthusiasm for endless investigations.

    I doubt that Clinton’s tenure at State is a “target rich environment” – Look how much material they have and how little they were able to make of it. Even the constant references to emails is running out of gas with everyone except the hard core wingers.

    One thing we can count on for the next four years: the NYT will be totally committed to publishing every rumor, leaked innuendo, and unsubstantiated anonymous allegation. There will be shadows and clouds. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! And everything, I mean everything, will raise more questions than it answers.

  20. 20.

    pseudonymous in nc

    October 28, 2016 at 2:59 am

    McMuffin is probably going to hope that Orrin Hatch finally fucks off in 2018 at the age of 84.

    And if Chaffetz wants his own elevation to the Senate in 2018 and a free ride for another 30 years, then he can compete for it on his record, or fuck off.

  21. 21.

    mikefromArlington

    October 28, 2016 at 3:03 am

    Ticks me off these jokers are paid ridiculous amounts of money to do nothing.

  22. 22.

    Joyce H

    October 28, 2016 at 3:04 am

    @James E Powell:

    I doubt that Clinton’s tenure at State is a “target rich environment”

    Hey, you’re talking about a party that during the previous Clinton administration investigated the White House Christmas card list and the president’s daughter’s cat’s fan club. These people can spin scandal out of thin air; they’ve had decades of practice.

  23. 23.

    NotMax

    October 28, 2016 at 3:06 am

    @James E Powell

    Just so long as it isn’t anyone named Trump. No requirement the Speaker be a member of the House.

  24. 24.

    Major Major Major Major

    October 28, 2016 at 3:07 am

    @pseudonymous in nc: Admiral McMuffin, I wonder if he knows Mayor McCheese. Quite an image. Night y’all!

  25. 25.

    craigie

    October 28, 2016 at 3:11 am

    One thing we can count on for the next four years: the NYT will be totally committed to publishing every rumor, leaked innuendo, and unsubstantiated anonymous allegation.

    But that can’t be true – it says right here that the media’s all liberal an’ shit.

  26. 26.

    Chris T.

    October 28, 2016 at 3:19 am

    @Joyce H: Well, you know, Hillary did matriculate with women in college! Though I don’t think she was a thespian, and I don’t know if she had a homo sapiens brother.

  27. 27.

    amk

    October 28, 2016 at 3:32 am

    Clinton’s campaign committee, its joint committees with the Democratic Party and the super PACs devoted to her finished the period with $172 million in the bank and yet they pull out of partick murphy’s campaign? Stupid, stupid decision from the dem establishment.

  28. 28.

    Sm*t Cl*de

    October 28, 2016 at 4:13 am

    “The speaker supports [Oversight’s] investigative efforts following where the evidence leads, especially where it shows the need for changes in the law.”…

    Ah, an admission that the target of investigations did nothing wrong under current law. Is that really what Ryan intended to say?

  29. 29.

    Zinsky

    October 28, 2016 at 6:17 am

    This is the number one reason that I wanted Bernie to get the Democratic nomination – I knew these c*cksuckers would do this. These degenerates in the Republican Party have no interest in responsible governance and seem to get sexually stimulated by tormenting Bill and Hillary Clinton, who represent the archetype (although they aren’t) of the American liberal to them.

  30. 30.

    dr. luba

    October 28, 2016 at 6:36 am

    @Zinsky: Obama isn’t a Clinton, yet they did all they could to destroy him.

    Face it–to the GOP, all democrats are illegitimate presidents. And they will not be tolerated.

  31. 31.

    Another Scott

    October 28, 2016 at 6:46 am

    @James E Powell:

    Even the constant references to emails is running out of gas with everyone except the hard core wingers.

    If only that were true… :-/

    Renee Montagne was very concerned about the e-mails when talking with Hillary’s press secretary (Brian Fallon) on Morning Edition a few minutes ago. “Drip, drip, drip!”

    I had to turn it off.

    (sigh)

    Supposedly she makes over $350,000 a year. I wish she, or whoever is feeding her questions, would stop with stupid threads like this.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  32. 32.

    Princess

    October 28, 2016 at 7:03 am

    NPR has been so useless this cycle. If you listened to them and heard nothing else, you’d think it was a horse race to the presidency still.

  33. 33.

    sunny raines

    October 28, 2016 at 7:05 am

    today’s republicanism is a POS factory turning out human feces like chaffetz at an alarming rate.

  34. 34.

    MJS

    October 28, 2016 at 7:25 am

    @slag: “We” don’t. @Zinsky: You’re dreaming if you think Day 1 of a Sanders’ presidency was not going to be met with some type of investigation. It’s all Republicans know how to do when there’s a Democrat in the White House.

  35. 35.

    Shalimar

    October 28, 2016 at 7:46 am

    @Zinsky: At least with Clinton we are going to see the same old shit they have been doing for the last 25 years. President Sanders would have seen a massive rise in anti-semitism similar to the re-emergence of overt racism in the last 8 years. I would rather deal with Hillary-hate.

  36. 36.

    donnah

    October 28, 2016 at 8:10 am

    When and even before Bill Clinton was elected, the Republicans had their team of bulldogs going after him. He and Hillary were attacked relentlessly through his entire presidency, and it was exhausting. If the Republicans had spent as much time and taxpayer money on actual causes, the country would have been a lot better off.

    This shit is what Chaffetz will be doing all over again. As a voter and citizen, this crap makes me feel helpless and frustrated that my elected President will be under attack AGAIN for four more years by a panel of douchecanoe idiots with nothing better to do than waste my time and money. It really infuriates me.

  37. 37.

    Russ

    October 28, 2016 at 8:14 am

    This guy is going to discover that investigating a previous SOS and Senator is very different than investigating a current President.

  38. 38.

    Emma

    October 28, 2016 at 8:25 am

    @Zinsky: You really think they wouldn’t have hammered a self-professed socialist into the ground? Really? A man who honeymooned in Russia?

  39. 39.

    Oldgold

    October 28, 2016 at 9:10 am

    I think HC is in a better positioned to fight this puerile politics than Obama.

    Political thuggery, visited upon an older woman, even if her last name is Clinton, is going to be a tough

  40. 40.

    chopper

    October 28, 2016 at 9:31 am

    this is also why we need the senate. cause if schmucks like chaffetz start out with constant investigations turtle boy is gonna use that as some shitheel excuse to keep clinton’s judicial nominees from getting a vote. “oh, we need to wait until these investigations are over…”

  41. 41.

    CaseyL

    October 28, 2016 at 9:51 am

    See, stuff like this is why I *w*i*s*h* Clinton was as ruthless and bloodthirsty as her detractors claim. I would LOVE to see her go all Corleone on the House and Senate GOP.

    If Chaffetz were to mysteriously vanish while on an overseas junket, I would laugh and laugh.

  42. 42.

    Olivia

    October 28, 2016 at 9:58 am

    @slag: Because 30 – 40% of “we” are fucking nuts.

  43. 43.

    Matt McIrvin

    October 28, 2016 at 10:50 am

    @Shalimar:

    President Sanders would have seen a massive rise in anti-semitism similar to the re-emergence of overt racism in the last 8 years.

    We got that anyway.

  44. 44.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 28, 2016 at 11:38 am

    @Zinsky: They’d do it to Bernie, too. If you have a D behind your name, you’re an usurper.

  45. 45.

    Zinsky

    October 28, 2016 at 11:39 am

    The only answer is to win back the House and then bring both of those assholes (Gowdy and Chaffetz) up on ethics and abuse of power charges!

  46. 46.

    Monala

    October 28, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    I didn’t know much about Jason Chaffetz, so I looked up his wiki page. Apparently he’s related by marriage to the Dukakis family, and was a Democrat back in the day. Even worked on Mike Dukakis’ presidential campaign. Wow…

  47. 47.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    October 28, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    After the election, we will perhaps be treated to another GOP autopsy which will be as compelling and real as the alien autopsy of ’95. It’ll cause brief chatter among the pundit class but produce no actionable way forward.

    The GOP is now an injured and delirious wolf staggering half-blind, half-mad through a residential neighborhood, eating trash and defecating pathogens. It’s dangerous, repugnant and sad.

  48. 48.

    jk

    October 28, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    Chaffetz is the scum of the Earth

  49. 49.

    Miss Bianca

    October 28, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    @Monala: what the hell happened, I wonder?

  50. 50.

    Monala

    October 28, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    @Miss Bianca: He attended Brigham Young U on a football scholarship and converted to Mormonism.

  51. 51.

    Mothra

    October 28, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed that Chaffetz and putz end the same.

    It’s no accident.

Comments are closed.

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  1. Of Boners and Weiners – FairAndUNbalanced.com says:
    October 31, 2016 at 6:23 am

    […] I’m an angry partisan, so…) at the House GOP, who just freaking ant-swarmed. (Because they would.) Their line: The case is reopened (that’s not how that wor….) because new evidence […]

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