Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

Eh, that’s media spin. biden’s health is fine and he’s doing a good job.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

Bark louder, little dog.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

“But what about the lurkers?”

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

A Senator Walker would also be an insult to reason, rationality, and decency.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

You are here: Home / Elections / 2022 Elections / The Speaker Speaks

The Speaker Speaks

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Speaker Pelosi is scheduled to address the House at noon. Here’s WaPo’s livestream on YouTube:

For what it’s worth, Tara Palmeri of Puck News provided a preview:

On the House floor at noon, Pelosi will say in a speech crafted in part by Jon Meacham that she intends to pass the torch to the next generation of leadership but will stay on as a backbencher to help guide future leader Hakeem Jeffries.

I had to look up the last Democratic speaker before Nancy Pelosi (Thomas Foley). No disrespect toward Foley intended, but I don’t think anyone will forget Pelosi — she made an indelible mark.

Speaker Pelosi was among the first to recognize how grave a threat Trump and his movement posed to democracy, and she used her power to protect her institution and the country with great personal courage. I’ll always be grateful to her for that.

Open thread.

Reader Interactions

256Comments

  4. 4.

    FelonyGovt

    What a remarkable person she is. She has steered us through some dangerous times.

    And she is entitled to step down on her timetable. I’m maybe 12 years younger than she is, and no way I would have the energy she must have.

  8. 8.

    Feckless

    She passed every one of tRumps budgets.

    She criticized Democratic Muslim Congress women at AIPAC.

    She cut deals with the devil instead of stopping him.

    She sat insurrectionist repugs in the new congress in violation of the Constitution.

    Let a counter narrative to 1/6 take root by delaying hearings for a year.

    Allowed Bush Cheney to get away with war crimes.

    And last

    “Vote harder”

    Mkay, G’bye!

  11. 11.

    RR_Mikey

    The Fox News machine demonized her and disrespected her to the point where her husband was attacked and damn near killed him.  No responsibility or remorse was evident.  There is no way that the gavel can be passed to the next speaker after McCarthy’s mocking speech where he said he would hit her with the gavel.It shows just how low we can go and how damaged our politics have become.  Thanks Newt. Rupert and TFG.

  13. 13.

    oldster

    Pelosi also played a huge role in passing the ObamaCare, which was, as our current president noted at the time, a BFD.

    People forget that ObamaCare looked dead. But Nancy would not take dead for an answer, and Obama would not either. They fought together to make it happen.

    Nancy is a national treasure. Not perfect, but nothing mortal is.

  23. 23.

    Rebelsdad (fka texasboyshaun)

    I’ve stanned Nancy Pelosi since 2006. IDGAF that she’s 1000 years old, I believe that we should have leaders with wisdom and deep institutional knowledge in times of crisis.  Yes, we always need fresh blood in politics. Yes, the olds should make room for the youngs. No, people who like Feinstein should not be in power. But I don’t like the intergenerational warfare going on in America right now. Generational theory is bunk anyways, and it’s also unfair to blame the Boomers for things that started with the generations before them.

    I will miss Pelosi dearly. I am deeply grateful for her service, class, and tenacity in getting us closer to being a more perfect union.

     

    /end rant

  26. 26.

    Geminid

    I’ve never heard any Democrat, elected or otherwise, utter the words “vote harder.” This is a strawman that left wing critics of the party set up, and and they set it up in bad faith.

  29. 29.

    Major Major Major Major

    @Feckless:

    She passed every one of tRumps budgets.

    What in particular did you dislike about whichever budgets she voted for, and would you have preferred a government shutdown?

    She criticized Democratic Muslim Congress women at AIPAC.

    If Omar would like to stop… misspeaking… about how Glenn Greenwald is right that Americans only support Israel because of money… she’s welcome to.

    She cut deals with the devil instead of stopping him.

    This is called being in Congress

    She sat insurrectionist repugs in the new congress in violation of the Constitution.

    Wouldn’t not seating them have been a much more flagrant violation?

    Let a counter narrative to 1/6 take root by delaying hearings for a year.

    You mean the hearings that happened during the election year and drove a lot of Democratic votes?

    Allowed Bush Cheney to get away with war crimes.

    How would you have had her stop this?

    And last

    “Vote harder”

    I’m sorry a politician would like you to vote.

    There’s plenty to actually criticize about Pelosi, I’m amazed you didn’t manage to find any.

  32. 32.

    RaflW

    Pre-2016 I was not a huge fan of Ms. Pelosi. And even in 2018 or 19, Biden wasn’t my first choice of Dem nominees. But on reflection, I think these two people have the depth of experience and steel nerve to be leading in these turbulent times. Wisdom and trial-by-fire matter.

    And, I’m good with this orderly transition in Dem leadership. With genuine gratitude.

  36. 36.

    RaflW

    @Baud: Well, yes.
    But Nancy is planning an orderly transition, and I think the general sentiment here is that what Nancy wants, Nancy gets. The press will paint whatever picture gets clicks.

  42. 42.

    A Man for All Seaonings (formerly Geeno)

    She’s doing exactly what she should do. Handing the wheel over to Jeffries – who’s clearly ready for it, and hanging around – in case Jeffries needs some mentoring on some issue or other. Class, dignity and service to the end.

  43. 43.

    trollhattan

    Nancy Pelosi is the most important woman politician in American history. We were and are lucky-lucky-lucky to have her.

  47. 47.

    M31

    lol Jeffries will always have backup, I’m just imagining him talking to a wavering member and saying “am I going to have to call Nancy?”

  49. 49.

    CaseyL

    That was a terrific speech.  I’m sad to see Nancy leave the Leadership position, but she needs – and lordy, has earned –  some respite.  Very, very glad she’ll be staying on as a member and mentor.

  51. 51.

    Mike in NC

    Speaker Pelosi protected our democracy and Constituion from the Fat Orange Clown who was and remains on the Kremlin payroll. Give her a medal for that.

  54. 54.

    RaflW

    Ms. Pelosi: “When I came to the Congress in 1987, there were 12 Democratic women. Now, there are over 90. And we want more.” Amen.

    The clip from the ’87 March on Washington was great, too (was that in the earlier thread?). Glad to have seen it, never knew about it!

  55. 55.

    zhena gogolia

    I don’t have time to watch it, but I’m glad she’s not going home, so that asshole Youngkin doesn’t have the satisfaction.

  62. 62.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Baud: It looks like the generational transfer is happening.  Let’s see how it goes.  My guess is that Pelosi, et al., wouldn’t be stepping down if the next crew weren’t up to the job.

  63. 63.

    Kathleen

    Been working so I missed her announcement.  I’m crying. But I thought old out of touch Democratic women were hogging.power and not making room for the youngs? Did I miss something?

  66. 66.

    Geminid

    Well, I checked out comments by and responses to one of Twitter’s “Do Something” Democrats. All I can say is that a lot of people underrate Hakeem Jeffries. I wonder why that is?

  68. 68.

    Kathleen

    @Geminid
    They probably hate him too. Like they hate Jaimie Harrison. Can’t imagine what the connection is…

  73. 73.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Geminid: We had people on this site on a thread below picking over one comment about the election that he made.  He isn’t going to be Pelosi.  He will be his own style of leader and, if we have any sense, we will give him some room to maneuver before we start slamming him.*

    *This probably will not happen.

  74. 74.

    Alison Rose

    @dr. bloor: Their comment reminded me of one of Austin Archer’s songs:

    Congratulations

    That was one of the stupidest things

    That I’ve ever seen

    Anybody post on the internet before

    Congratulations

    The bar is high ’cause people post

    Lots and lots of stupid things

    But your stupid thing was somehow

    The leader of the pack

  75. 75.

    Geminid

    @Major Major Major Major: So far Jeffries has put his talents to work as Caucus Chairman, helping  manage a diverse caucus and maintain cohesion. He is a very talented and intelligent man, though, and a hard working one too. I think he’ll do fine as “Parliamentary leader.”

  77. 77.

    MisterForkbeard

    @WaterGirl: Clyburn has said he’s not going to run for the senior leadership positions but is going to remain in a position of influence, basically.

  79. 79.

    Geminid

    @Omnes Omnibus: I actually think people here will be fairly pleased with Jeffries’ work as Minority Leader. There are some people both inside and outside the party, though, who will not be pleased because they cannot be pleased.

  82. 82.

    RaflW

    Of course Nancy would have arranged this, but good to see a reporter note Steny Hoyer issued an endorsement of  Jeffries for Democratic leader. “I look forward to serving as a resource to him, to the rest of our Democratic leadership team, and to our entire caucus in whatever capacity I can best be of assistance as we move forward together to address the nation’s challenges.”

  84. 84.

    Elizabelle

    Nancy “Smash” Pelosi:  GOAT

    Andrea Mitchell Greenspan:  JSU.P*

    * Just Shut Up.  Please!

  89. 89.

    tam1MI

    @topclimber: I wanted to be the first to share the good news. It looks like the squad got two new members in 2022, even as the Dem contingent grew smaller.

    I heard it was 4 new members. Also that the Progressive Caucus is now the largest Dem caucus in the House. Jefferies definitely has his work cut out for him.

  90. 90.

    FastEdD

    She kept the lights on when many were trying to turn them off for the whole country.

    She showed unparalleled courage in the face of wanna-be dictators and terrorists on J6.

    She passed meaningful legislation with zero margin for error.

    She will go down in history as the most effective Speaker of the House that ever lived.

  91. 91.

    trollhattan

    @Sure Lurkalot: Yet to emerge is video of her patting Pence on the head and cooing, “There, there, it’s going to be okay, we’ll get you away from those Nazis.”

  92. 92.

    Geminid

    @Omnes Omnibus: I know. But I was reminded of when the Working Families Party chief said last year that Democrats would be better off with a smaller but more ideologically homogeneous caucus.

    I wanted to push back on this pernicious narrative. It’s a strategy for failure.

  94. 94.

    Baud

    @tam1MI: I thought Jeffries was a member of the Progressive Caucus.

    First order of business for them now that the election is over: Explain that dumb Ukraine letter fiasco.

  95. 95.

    Josie

    @HumboldtBlue: ​
     I admit that he went a little heavy on the God stuff, but he seemed to be encouraging Republicans to stand up to Trump and the divisive politics he stands for. He thinks that, if they do that, they can lead us back into national unity. I’m betting his message will fall on deaf ears.

  97. 97.

    JPL

    The local news cut away to air part of Nancy’s speech, which was good.    History will be kind.   Her first time as speaker, her grandchildren were present.    That was fifteen plus years ago.

    wow

  98. 98.

    Geminid

    @tam1MI: Jeffries is a member of the Progressive Caucus. So is his likely number two, Katherine Rice of Massachusetts.

    And while the Progressive Caucus will be the largest single “ideological” caucus, the New Democrat and the Blue Dog Caucuses will still out number them. And there is a lot more agreement on basic policy questions between these groups than their more ardent proponents want others to believe.

  100. 100.

    Betty Cracker

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    We had people on this site on a thread below picking over one comment about the election that he made.

    The nerve of some people, criticizing a politician’s comments about an election on Balloon Juice!

  101. 101.

    Roger Moore

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    My guess is that Pelosi, et al., wouldn’t be stepping down if the next crew weren’t up to the job.

    I’m slightly less sanguine about this.  I think the next generation is probably up to the job, but Nancy stepping down is no guarantee of it.  She’s would have to leave the job at some point.  Rather than leaving feet first and letting the next generation learn with no backup, she’s bowing out while the next generation can A) still ask her questions and B) learn in the slightly less demanding job of minority leadership.  Basically, it’s the best time to pass the torch, and only time will tell if it’s being passed to capable hands.

    Again, I’m not saying the new leadership is incompetent or anything.  It’s just that the only way to find out for sure is to let them try.  Now is probably the best time to do that.

  103. 103.

    WaterGirl

    Nancy SMASH said there are 18 people on the leadership team.  I only found 10 on their website.  Does anyone know what the other positions are?

    Leadership

    House Leadership is elected every two years at the beginning of a new Congress. The Speaker of the House is elected by the entire membership of the House, and other majority party and minority party leaders are selected by Members of each party’s delegation. The Democratic Caucus is the formal organization of Democratic Members; the Republican Conference is the formal organization of Republican Members in the House.

    Photo of Rep. Nancy Pelosi

    Rep. Nancy Pelosi

    Elected by the entire membership of the House of Representatives, the Speaker presides over the House as its administrative head and serves as the leader of the majority party in the chamber.

    View Profile Visit Website

    Democratic Leadership

    • Photo of Rep. Steny H. Hoyer

      Rep. Steny H. Hoyer

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Majority Leader helps plan the legislative agenda for the House and schedules legislative business.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. James E. Clyburn

      Rep. James E. Clyburn

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Whip maintains communication between party leadership and members, builds Member support for the leadership’s priorities, and informs and mobilizes Members on voting on key legislation.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. Katherine M. Clark

      Rep. Katherine M. Clark

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Assistant Speaker supports congressional caucuses and promotes Member outreach.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. Hakeem S. Jeffries

      Rep. Hakeem S. Jeffries

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Chair presides over caucus meetings.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. Pete Aguilar

      Rep. Pete Aguilar

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Vice Chair assists the Caucus Chairman.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. Matt Cartwright

      Rep. Matt Cartwright

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Co-Chairs lead the policy-making arm of the House Democrats.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. Debbie Dingell

      Rep. Debbie Dingell

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Co-Chairs lead the policy-making arm of the House Democrats.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. Ted Lieu

      Rep. Ted Lieu

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Co-Chairs lead the policy-making arm of the House Democrats.

      View Profile Visit Website

    • Photo of Rep. Joe Neguse

      Rep. Joe Neguse

      Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Co-Chairs lead the policy-making arm of the House Democrats.

       

  104. 104.

    Kay

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    We had people on this site on a thread below picking over one comment about the election that he made.

    Guffaw.”People”. It was me.
    I promise to never again hold him responsible for what he says in interviews. It wasn’t “one comment”. His entire explanation for why Democrats lost in NY is …. the Democratic governor sucks.

  105. 105.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Betty Cracker: “I know he is likely to the new Minority Leader and I know little about him, but he seems like he might be a little sexist to me based on this one interview.”  People can say things.  I can respond.

  108. 108.

    Kay

    I’ll miss Pelosi. Really talented person and grossly underrated (female).

    When my daughter started to pay attention enough to vote  Pelosi was in charge and it when it switched to R she was “what is going ON? Who ARE these freaks?” She was a young normie and had assumed the D House was “the House”, always :)

  109. 109.

    Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony

    @schrodingers_cat: One thing that I am not sad about in Twitter’s demise is how much Twitter amplified the influence of the loud, obnoxious, and chronically wrong.

  110. 110.

    Roger Moore

    @tam1MI:

    Also that the Progressive Caucus is now the largest Dem caucus in the House. Jefferies definitely has his work cut out for him.

    The Progressive Caucus is a pretty big umbrella at this point.  Yes, it contains some firebrands, but Jeffries himself is a member. I predict the Blue Dogs will be a bigger hassle than the CPC.

  112. 112.

    MazeDancer

    @FastEdD:

    She will go down in history as the most effective Speaker of the House that ever lived.

    Yes. She will.

    Spent the whole speech whimpering “I don’t want Nancy to go”. Alternating with screaming “assholes” at the GOP who wouldn’t stand up and applaud.

    What a remarkable woman. Feel lucky to have been able to watch her serve.

  113. 113.

    Baud

    @Anyway:

    As the largest Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives, the New Democrat Coalition is made up of 99 forward-thinking Democrats who are committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies. New Democrats are a solutions oriented coalition seeking to bridge the gap between left and right by challenging outmoded partisan approaches to governing. New Democrats believe the challenges ahead are too great for Members of Congress to refuse to cooperate purely out of partisanship.

    About Us | About | New Democrat Coalition (house.gov)

    I guess they’re no longer the largest

     

    Blue Dogs sound similar.

    The Blue Dog Coalition is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives comprised of 19 fiscally-responsible Democrats, who are leading the way to find commonsense solutions. They are pragmatic Democrats, appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense for our country, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people.

    Blue Dog Coalition | Bold Leadership. Common Sense Solutions (house.gov)

  116. 116.

    Geminid

    @topclimber: I was not sure what you meant. I’ve seen plenty of people elsewhere sneering at the moderates who lost purple districts and I could not be sure you were not one of them.

    As for the “Squad,” I’m still uncertain as to whether they are a progressive force or an impediment to progress. None of them fipped red seats and I’m not sure any of them could flip red seats. That’s why I value Mary Peltola (AK), Gabe Vasquez (NM) and Marie Glusenkamp Perez (WA) more than I do new “Squad” members like Summer Lee (PA). But other people can value who they will.

  119. 119.

    Baud

    The Progressive Caucus, for comparison

    The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is made up of nearly 100 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and advance civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, fair trade, universal health care, debt-free college, climate action, and a just foreign policy. The caucus, which consists of 95 House members and one Senator, has been the leading voice calling for bold and sweeping solutions to the urgent crises facing this nation, including ending America’s broken for-profit health care system, raising the minimum wage, eliminating political corruption, bolstering labor protections for working families, and taking swift action to stop the warming of our planet.

    About The CPC | Congressional Progressive Caucus (house.gov)

  125. 125.

    Geminid

    @Kay: I read the the remarks in the interview with Jeffries you posted and I think you are mischaracterizing them. Is there more that you did not put up that supports your assertion?

  127. 127.

    Immanentize

    @Geminid:

    So is his likely number two, Katherine Rice of Massachusetts.

    Who is this Rice woman of whom you speak? Perhaps you mean my fabulous representative Katherine Clarke? She was my State Senator, then she took Markey’s seat when he went to the Senate. She is tres progressive. Plus has amazing silver hair.

  128. 128.

    Kay

    Matthew Gertz
    @MattGertz
    Let’s have some fun.
    Here’s a thread of Tucker Carlson interviewing 18 Republican politicians who were defeated in the midterms.
    I give you… TUCKER’S LOSERS.

    I didn’t know Tucker, Glenn Greenwald and Tulsi had endorsed all the way down to the LA county sheriff. He lost. Also.

  129. 129.

    tam1MI

    @Geminid: Jeffries is a member of the Progressive Caucus. So is his likely number two, Katherine Rice of Massachusetts.

    I was unaware of that. I guess you really do learn something new every day!

  131. 131.

    Falling Diphthong

    I shall treasure her 1/6 line about punching Trump if he appeared. That she’d go to jail but it would be worth it.

  132. 132.

    gwangung

    @Geminid: Flipping seats is EXTREMELY useful.

    But being on the bleeding is also useful, for engagement and representation purposes. And it’s also  true that a great many ideas on the bleeding edge eventually become accepted wisdom.

    If nothing else, they prevent complacency.

  134. 134.

    Roger Moore

    @Geminid:

    I think you need both kinds.  As the saying goes, we need more and better Democrats.  More by getting the kind of people who can appeal to voters in purple districts, better by not letting safe Democratic districts be held by wishy-washy centrists.

  135. 135.

    Wanderer

    I think a Presidential Medal of Freedom for Speaker Pelosi would be a wonderful thank you from a grateful country.

  137. 137.

    Kay

    @Geminid:

    I think it supports my assertion. Did he hold anyone else acountable for the loss in that interview other than the governor? That’s what you have to show me.

    Christ almighty it’s a political gimee, that question. He could have said “billionaire Lauder threw stacks of cash at us” or “shitty, low quality NY media promoted a crime panic” or any one of a number of factors that people from NY have posted on this site. He did none of that. Instead he blamed the governor. A statewide incumbent that NY Democrats will need to shore up going forward.

    He would have been better off with “mistakes were made, let’s wait for the post mortem report”.

  138. 138.

    TriassicSands

    Nancy is doing the right thing by stepping down. The challenge now is to elect a leader with even half her skill.

    If I had a wish concerning the House (apart from an eternal Democratic majority) it would be to have Pelosi be 50 years old again. She will be missed.

    I dread January 2023 when the House clown show will begin in earnest.

  139. 139.

    Llelldorin

    I just hope that people don’t unfavorably compare Jeffries to Pelosi — or if they do, that they realize that “less effective than the greatest Speaker in the history of the republic” isn’t exactly a slam.

  140. 140.

    cain

    @Omnes Omnibus: This is great – we are basically showing everyone that they are ready to hand over the reins to a younger generation – I think in part to show our younger generation that they will see leadership to people they can relate to.

  142. 142.

    Kay

    @TriassicSands:

    I dread January 2023 when the House clown show will begin in earnest.

    It’s probably good for Democrats though. There really isn’t much public interest in Hunter Biden’s laptop despite absolute flogging for two years by Republicans and social media influencers.

  143. 143.

    Geminid

    @Baud: The difference between the Blue Dogs and the New Democrats is largely a matter of branding.

    And if you compared the actual policy stances of the right-most half of the Progressive Caucus to those of the left-most members of the New Democrats you not find much difference besides branding.

    The most significant differences between these Democrats is the nature of their districts. The Progressives tend to come from fairly safe blue districts, and the others tend to come from more purple districts.

  145. 145.

    randy khan

    I’m glad she’s getting to go out on her own terms, and very thankful for years of incredibly skillful leadership.  Someone commented last week about how hard it had to be to keep the Democratic caucus together over the last 2 years, but she made it look easy (and, unlike with the Republican caucus, basically kept all of the back room stuff in the back room).

    I’m glad she’s staying in the House, too – I’m confident she will have a role working with the new leadership and, one hopes, sticking a few pins in McCarthy and the rest of the Republicans.

  146. 146.

    cain

    @schrodingers_cat: What else is new? I mean they were howling about Pelosi as well. What a bunch of sore heads. Who did they think they want as Speaker? Also  Jefferies would be the first BiPOC minority leader, yes?

    ETA changed from speaker to minority leader

  147. 147.

    Kay

    @TriassicSands:

    Republicans vow to investigate the pretrial detention conditions of the January 6th defendants is also not, in my  view, a mainstream interest or passion.

    The good thing about clown shows is they are clown shows.

  148. 148.

    MazeDancer

    Whoever was going to come after Nancy Pelosi was going to have some gigantic stilettos to fill.

    Probably better to be Minority Leader than Speaker, to start.

    Hakeem Jeffries can speak his mind plainly, holding back nothing, when he feels like it. So, that will help.

  151. 151.

    Geminid

    @Immanentize: Thank you for the correction!

    I think I got Ms. Clarke mixed up with a very different Democrat, Katheline Rice of New York. Rice just retired.

    When I researched Clarke I fpund that she is a member of the Cranberry Cause. That sounded kind of cool.

  152. 152.

    TriassicSands

    @Kay:

    Of course, the real problems with the clown show are that first, nothing substantive or productive will get done and second, the American people gave the Republicans the majority in the House because they either aren’t really paying attention (and are woefully ignorant) or they enjoy clowns — they elect enough of them.

  154. 154.

    Marleedog

    @Stacib: schiff has said that he would not seek a leadership role,  causing speculation that he will be the one to step in upon DiFi’s retirement.

  159. 159.

    Kay

    @TriassicSands:

    Do you really want House Republicans to get anything done though? We’re better off with another round of “racy photos from Hunter Biden’s laptop” or where they call Dr. Fauci in and yell at him for 3 days.

  161. 161.

    Geminid

    @Roger Moore: I agree that we need both kinds, and I think almost all the members of the House Democrats recognize this too.

    But I think this problem of “wishy washy centrists” is exaggerated. Just to pick a few Blue Dogs, I do not believe Lou Correa of California is wishy washy, and neither are Mikey Sherrill (NJ), Ed Case (HI) or Abigail Spanberger (VA).

    But these arguments tend to be made in the abstract and do not neccesarily hold up when applied to actual Democratic politicians.

  162. 162.

    cain

    One fun part of being on Mastodon is that I can actually enjoy an announcement about Speaker stepping down from leadership and get some feel good responses instead of trolling, mean spirited comments, and just shit behavior.

  165. 165.

    TriassicSands

    @Kay:

    No, I don’t want Republicans to get anything done that they would ever consider doing. Wait…there might be something — give me a few hundred years and maybe I’ll think of something plausible.

    What I’d prefer is a Democratic majority (super-majority would be better) in both Houses.

    I just wish the clown show would be seen by voters as what it is — the very nature of the people they are electing.

  168. 168.

    Spanky

    I laughed out loud at the title of the latest George Will turd in the WaPo:

    Now the GOP can repent for the Trump era by denying him the nomination

  170. 170.

    TriassicSands

    @Kay:

    Also, Fauci should be “unavailable.” He ought to go on a long trip, leaving no forwarding address or phone number where he can be reached.  Then, the clowns can get Clint Eastwood to lend them an empty chair, so they can pretend Dr. Fauci is sitting in it, while Jim Jordan yells at it.

  171. 171.

    eddie blake

    the crime wave in nyc is like the red wave: built-up media bullshit, helped along by mayor cop. will probably disappear from the headlines like ebola.

    i said this the other night:

    sooo just for the record, you know how we know that crime in nyc isn’t really a problem and has just been totally blown out of proportion by the media, the fascist gop and mayor cop?

    bc people walk around with their five hundred dollar smartphones out, earbuds in, oblivious to their surroundings and without a care in the world.

    back in the day? when shit was actually dangerous, you hadda walk around with your head on a swivel. these days people have their heads up their asses.

    it’s kind of amazing (and a bit infuriating when you’re trying to catch a train). but yeah, no one’s scared of a crimewave in nyc. some may have said they were, but their behavior gives away the game.

    there’s no crime WAVE. there’s crime.

    now- redistricting REALLY fucked up the dems in ny. the guy designing the new map just wrecked things. nadler used to be my rep. i was a big fan of his. then they turned the 10th into a free-for-all. mondaire jones’ commercials were ever-present and all-encompassing and fucking ANNOYING…dude gave off a serious carpet-bagging vibe.

    those judges came from cuomo seeking to curry favor with the gop senate back in the day. SPM definitely ran a weak campaign, kay, but so did hochul!

    anyway.  i’m looking forward to the hearings where fauci tells the fascists to go fuck themselves. good times. i think they forget who the AG is and who the president is.

    and the knicks won again! beat denver!

  174. 174.

    Sure Lurkalot

    My RWNJ bro, who isn’t as far gone as many, but still steeps himself in crazy talk all day, will be absolutely giddy over investigations of Hunter Biden and Dr. Fauci. A 73 year old self described libertarian who claims all he cares about is the “free market”. Weird trajectory from attending Woodstock in his youth to hanging on every word uttered by Tucker.

    So, I’m not sure the clown car hearings won’t get some traction.

  175. 175.

    Brachiator

    @Baud:

    the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and advance civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, fair trade, universal health care, debt-free college, climate action, and a just foreign policy.

    This could also be described as center left. The devil is in the details, I suppose.

    I guess I am mostly center on economic issues and very left on many social issues. I have always resisted the notion that something must be good simply because it is labeled “progressive” and I think the dumbest policy shit is when Bernie Sanders prattles that we must do something because it supposedly is done in Europe.

    Some of the actual proposals of the squad leave me cold because they are poorly thought out or would be ridiculously expensive.

  177. 177.

    Geminid

    @Kay: That was a wide ranging interview, and if the statement in the excerpt you posted is all you’ve got I don’t have to show you anything because you have shown me nothing.

    But now I’m interested in the fallout from the New York election. So far I have heard about the party Chairman blaming “progressives,” the “progressives” blaming Maloney, Democrats blaming the the party Chairman, people blaming Cuomo, and people blaming Albany Democrats’ redistricting strategy. You’ve said that “they” are putting “all the blame” on Hochul. I had not heard this before and I am not certain it is accurate.

    You can make my research easier if you tell me where you found these stories. I hope it wasn’t just something Will Stancil said!

  178. 178.

    cintibud

    Speaking of clown shows, would it be possible for Hunter Biden or Dr. Fauci or some other target of GQP to come to a hearing wearing clown makeup? Clown makeup for the clown show. That would be so cool and fitting.

  179. 179.

    la caterina

    @Geminid: I agree that Jeffries will do fine as leader.  I’ve watched him develop since he was my NYS Assemblyperson.  And I trust Nancy’s judgment.  She has mentored him to this point.

  180. 180.

    Sister Golden Bear

    @Baud: Transgender Awareness Week is actually a little bittersweet. It developed as a complement (or perhaps counterbalance) to Sunday’s annual annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance, where we commemorate all the trans/non-binary people killed in hate crimes during this he past year. (Almost all of those killed are trans women of color, the majority being Blacl trans women.)

    While it’s necessary and good that we remember of dead, TDOR is obviously a huge downer, and for years it was only annual trans/NB event. (It was like if the only Jewish annual event was marking the Holocaust.)

    So both Trans Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Visibility in March were created in response to provide more positive annual events.

  181. 181.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    Speaker Pelosi was among the first to recognize how grave a threat Trump and his movement posed to democracy, and she used her power to protect her institution and the country with great personal courage. I’ll always be grateful to her for that.

    It was also impressive how she was able to Dumb Ass Donny to go along with her after 2018.  I can’t imagine how annoying it must be dealing with Trump on something serious, but she got it done.

  188. 188.

    TriassicSands

    @eddie blake:

    If Jordan questions people, they should bring a portable “spittle screen” to put in front of them and make a show of putting in ear plugs before Jordan opens his mouth.

  189. 189.

    eddie blake

    @Geminid: really not enough information. i just don’t know enough about him. i know he worked for preet bharara, i know he was a tv talking head for a bit and did admirable work during impeachment #1. but as to how he’s gonna be as a congressman? i dunno. i’ll get back to you after he’s sworn in and i need to call his office.

  196. 196.

    Layer8Problem

    @BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️:   OT, but in case you didn’t see it I answered your question from the morning thread.  A couple of months ago I responded to you late in a dying thread and wasn’t going to let that happen again.  And I liked my answer enough that I used it for my overdue Mastodon intro.  So there.

  202. 202.

    StringOnAStick

    @Sister Golden Bear: I wanted to tell you about a local trans activist I saw speak here at a snow sports workshop, advocating for climate change awareness and especially for outdoor access for everyone who isn’t white male (the main group you see outdoors).  He has some ski videos out under his drag queen name of Patti Gonia that are great.  He has a distinctive voice so I know I skied near him last season.   They did a live interview about intersectionality at this workshop, and he is such a positive voice for change; no guilt, lots of pure thought and positive emotion.  Such a wonderful contrast from the train wreck the local angry feminist group turned the Support Roe march into last spring, and a whole lot more effective.

  203. 203.

    Kay

    @Geminid:

    This is what he said

    Beyond that, I think (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair) Sean Patrick Maloney has best captured the reality of that night

    Then we got the proclamation of how great Maloney is, then two “lets blame the governor” quotes.
    It buys into GOP framing. If Hochul had “addressed” crime in whatever way he imagines it could have been addressed would that have made one bit of difference in what Republicans chose as an issue? Really? So by that analysis the incumbent Democratic governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Wisconsin ALSO did not address crime – because Republicans ran on a crime panic in those states too.

  204. 204.

    Paul in KY

    @Kay: Poor Dr. Fauci. I guess one good thing about him being retired is that he can let em have it in his rebuttals. He has a keen wit, as they will find out.

  206. 206.

    Paul in KY

    @Spanky: They could repent by testifying against him and coming clean with all the criminal things he did…or they could feed him into a wood chipper.

  207. 207.

    Another Scott

    She did the country proud, in so many ways. She has huge shoes to fill, but we have talented people to do it.

    Thank you Madam Speaker.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  208. 208.

    Kay

    @Paul in KY:

    It’s one of the areas where I feel like Republicans live on a different planet than me. Whatever else you think about Fauci it is clear he is a devoted public servant who is not self interested – he had no devious designs with covid. They look at him and see an authoritarian political actor? It’s discrediting. They’re poor judges of people.

  211. 211.

    Kay

    @Paul in KY:

    Also- at some point don’t they have to prove the “lab leak theory”? Is anyone stopping them from looking into this? They’re always flush with wingnut billionaire cash. Go forth and prove it. Send the crack election fraud team on another spy mission.

  212. 212.

    trollhattan

    Worshipers turn on the paymasters.

    November 17, 2022 at 3:02 pm EST By Taegan Goddard

    “Republican lawmakers, who will be in the House majority come January, are pressing party leaders to send a message to big financial firms: Stop appeasing the left with ‘woke’ business practices, keep financing fossil fuels and cut ties with China. Republicans will have committee gavels and subpoena powers to back that up,” Politico reports.

    “GOP lawmakers are singling out major asset managers and their Washington trade groups as targets because of climate investing practices they see as hostile to oil, gas and coal. Some Republicans want to continue hauling in big bank CEOs to publicly testify — a tradition established by liberal Democrats. GOP senators are already demanding that law firms preserve documents related to how they advise clients on environmental and social initiatives, signaling a potential investigation. Wall Street firms and Washington lobbyists are preparing for subpoenas.”

    Doubt this will cut into the Koch and Thiel bucks, but going after “woke” investment banks seems…dumb as rocks?

  213. 213.

    Jeffro

    @Kay: If they can blame Fauci, then trumpov didn’t fuck up the nation’s Covid (non) response

    the orange god-king cannot fail, he can only be (and was) failed.  By Fauci

  214. 214.

    Alison Rose

    I like the title on this NYT op-ed: (gift link)

    Nancy Pelosi, Badass

    Yep! Great photo, too.

    History, being reductive, will remember Ms. Pelosi as the first woman to rise to the exalted post of speaker, just two steps away from the presidency. Those who have watched her work in the House for so many years will remember her as something arguably just as notable: a total badass.
    By that term, I don’t mean that Ms. Pelosi is some swaggering, performative tough guy. Quite the opposite. In her two decades atop the House Democratic caucus, whether in the majority or the minority, she has been a strikingly effective leader in part because she doesn’t much give a flip about her public image. What matters to her is getting stuff done — be it passing legislation, thwarting the opposition’s agenda or protecting her members come election time. She is brutally pragmatic (too much so for some in her caucus) and has a shrewd sense of the political pressure points of allies and opponents alike. She doesn’t hog the credit for her clever ideas, nor does she waste time publicly rationalizing or blaming others for her bad ones. No one outworks her, and aides and allies have happily cultivated the legend of her endless energy. (Key points: Doesn’t need sleep. Runs on chocolate.)

  216. 216.

    Paul in KY

    @Kay: I think they’re just callous assholes who think they can demagogue the ‘unelected scientist smartypants’ for their mouthbreathing base. That’s all it is (to me). They don’t give a shit about any actual human person and feel that if they can score cheap political points for their side, then sucks to be you, Fauci.

  217. 217.

    Jeffro

    @trollhattan: if Big Business continues to shift to green energy, progressive & inclusive hiring practices, etc, then where will the GOP go for its campaign donations?  What will they have to rail against?  It’s not like they’re offering anything that a majority of this country wants.  They might have to moderate their positions(!)  They might have to compete for the best solutions to climate change, as opposed to just standing there with their eyes closed and their fingers in their ears.

    (it ain’t gonna work anyway – the Millennials and Gen Z won’t stand for this shit)

  218. 218.

    Jay C

    @Stacib:

    @WaterGirl: Shouldn’t Adam Schiff be on this list, too?

     

    Fom what I understand, Schiff (though IMO one of the best Democrats in the House) has consistently shied away from formal “leadership” positions. I read somewhere that his main ambition is to move to the other side of the Capitol in the not-too-distant future: i.e. plant his own behind in Dianne Feinstein’s seat: which (again, just IMO) can’t happen soon enough….

  219. 219.

    Paul in KY

    @Kay: But, but China is helping Putin and and we can’t hurt China (now), as our main fundraiser and oppo researcher desperately needs their help, dontachknow.

    If only TFG had wanted to put a hotel in Kyiv…

  221. 221.

    Brachiator

    @Alison Rose:

    What matters to her is getting stuff done — be it passing legislation, thwarting the opposition’s agenda or protecting her members come election time. She is brutally pragmatic (too much so for some in her caucus) and has a shrewd sense of the political pressure points of allies and opponents alike.

    She performed all the duties of a Speaker with skill and intelligence. We have been lucky to have such a great political leader during these turbulent times.

  222. 222.

    catclub

    @Jeffro: If they can blame Fauci, then trumpov didn’t fuck up the nation’s Covid (non) response

     

    That is amusing, since I just read today’s WSJ.  There is an oped from a complete loon that Trump’s Covid lockdown was what caused him to lose in November.  Not his complete incompetence during the first half of 2020 ignoring the epidemic. Downplaying it, blaming the chinese, all that.

  223. 223.

    Geminid

    @Kay: How is defending Maloney an attack on Hochul? These are two different things.

    I will go back and look at what you linked to and also excerpted in the earlier thread. I do not remember two attacks on Hochul. I just remember one statement that someone could call an implicit attack. But I did not think it was, and I explained why.

  226. 226.

    Glidwrith

    @TriassicSands: Minor point of order: extreme gerrymandering in FL, TX and AL coupled with Dems not being allowed to gerrymander in turn gave the Thugs the House. I believe Adam Silverman foresaw this sometime ago.

  227. 227.

    Jeffro

    @catclub: you know who didn’t lock down, right?  the same guy who’s the new darling of the fascists er excuse me GOP?  Yup…if only trumpov had the wisdom and foresight of say a DeSantis…our country sure could have used a DeSantis then…oh well, at least we can have one now (eyeroll)

    they’ll never, ever admit that trumpov moronically babbled his way through the pandemic and got tens if not hundreds of Americans killed unnecessarily.  it was a direct cost of their enabling him all along, and they’ll never own a tenth of a percent of it.

  229. 229.

    Geminid

    @Anyway: One irony in that New York Mayoral race was that it might have had a different result under the the old system. Adams won 33% of 1st place votes, and formerly would have faced Garcia, the second place finisher, in a runoff because he did not exceed 40%.

    Under the ranked choice system he narrowly edged out Garcia after all the rankings were distributed. In a runoff, Garcia might have consolidated the anti-Adams voters and beaten him.

  231. 231.

    eddie blake

    @Kay: no. yeesh. no, not remotely. dude is a scapegoat. they wanna make a public showing of skewering him to deflect and distract from the fact that JFKFC is [personally responsible for the deaths of millions of americans.

    can’t possibly be tang the conqueror’s fault, it’s GOTTA be someone else… fauci is the head science guy. science told the science guy that there were things to prevent the spread of a virus. the science guy told THEM they hadda do things to prevent the spread of the virus. they hate being told to do things. they hate science, so OBVIOUSLY, they’re gonna blame the head science guy.

    fauci’s gonna fuck them up in the hearings though. dude is not gonna take any shit.

  236. 236.

    Anyway

    @Jeffro:

    if Big Business continues to shift to green energy, progressive & inclusive hiring practices, etc, then where will the GOP go for its campaign donations?  What will they have to rail against?

    Big business will ALWAYS contribute to the GQP for the all-important tax cuts, asset inflation practices, lax regulatory atmosphere, not tough on ethics …all favored by the 1%

  237. 237.

    mrmoshpotato

    Speaker Pelosi just said on the House floor, “I have enjoyed working with 3 presidents.” She served as Speaker under 4 presidents.Perfect.— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) November 17, 2022

    Burn!

  239. 239.

    topclimber

    @Kay: ​Well, as I mentioned earlier, the focus now goes to Gov. Hochul’s future actions. I hope one of the first will be to tell Gotham’s mayor to stop being such a tool on the crime issue.

  245. 245.

    Kay

    Fox News significantly decreased its volume of violent crime coverage in the week of the midterms, down 63% from the week prior.
    The network averaged 141 weekday violent crime segments per week from Labor Day through the Friday before the election; in the week of the midterms, Fox aired 71 weekday violent crime segments — a decrease of 50% compared to the prior average.

  247. 247.

    cain

    @cintibud: They’ll do the hunter biden one just be cruel. They know it hurts Biden’s family and so they’ll go on about that just to hurt the president hoping to throw him off balance.

    Personally, I hope butter emails come back – seeing them beat that dusty carpet again and again.. maybe after they blow up the debt ceiling.

  249. 249.

    Jackie

    I worry about Nancy’s security. Once she’s no longer Speaker will she lose her security detail? She will always be a target, I’m afraid.

  250. 250.

    Frankensteinbeck

    @Sure Lurkalot: ​

    Weird trajectory from attending Woodstock in his youth to hanging on every word uttered by Tucker.

    I was not there to know, but my parents said that most of the second wave of Hippies were there for drugs and sex and generally the men thought the role of women in the movement was on their backs. If those people were common, it’s no surprise they turned into mean-spirited, conspiracy-minded bigots eventually.

  251. 251.

    sab

    @Jackie: They can afford better security now that they know how much they need it. They shouldn’t have to pay, but they very much can afford it, unlike most people in office

    ETA Such as pollworkers

  252. 252.

    sab

    @Feckless: What I love about the BJ toggle switch is you can pie somebody for one comment, and then toggle to see if they are always that awful. Unpie them if not. Keep them pied if relentlessly awful. That is you.

  254. 254.

    Rebelsdad (fka texasboyshaun)

    @Sister Golden Bear: I remember attending my first Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial. I was with a trans friend and also representing the council member I worked for at the time. I am glad the lights were dim as they showed the people who’d been murdered, because I was crying and didn’t want anyone to see. The trans community gets a lot of grief from gay guys especially the ones who want LGB without the T. I enjoy smacking them down on Reddit. I will keep fighting for my trans siblings until my dying breath, because all of you are incredibly valuable and deserve every right that the rest of us are fighting for.

  255. 255.

    TriassicSands

    @Glidwrith:

    You’re referring to thousands of people in a handful of states.

    I’m referring to tens of millions across the country who either ignorantly vote for Republicans or don’t vote at all.

Comments are closed.