House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy is in the fight of his political life as he seeks enough backing to become the next House speaker. He’s grinding through promises and proposals, cajoling and deal-making necessary to win over reluctant colleagues. https://t.co/ww1zJ0Hej9
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 28, 2022
Admittedly, that’s a high bar… but right now, the GOP nutballs are fighting to dig that bar into the ground:
… Every new commitment from McCarthy can be seen as a potentially strategic move, intended to quell skeptics on his right flank as he reaches for the speaker’s gavel. With a slim House majority in the midterm elections, the GOP leader must solidify his ranks in a sprint for the 218 votes he’ll need when the new Congress convenes — each coming at a cost and with no room for error.
“We’ll get there,” McCarthy said in accepting his party’s nomination to run for speaker.
The overtures McCarthy is making, some symbolic, others substantive, provide a snapshot of the speaker hopeful’s emerging leadership style. While McCarthy is expected to prevail in his quest for the speaker’s gavel, it is destined to come at a political price, setting the tone and tenor of new Congress.
To start, McCarthy has promised to restore committee assignments for far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., after she and another right-flank lawmaker were booted by Democrats over incendiary remarks.
And he has vowed to oust Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and other high-profile Democrats from their committees in a form of political payback, setting up a divisive House action early in the new Congress.
McCarthy has assured that under his leadership, the House will remove the metal detectors that were installed to prevent firearms in the House chamber; end COVID-era protocols that allowed lawmakers to vote by proxy; and fully reopen the Capitol’s limited visitor access since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection by supporters of the former president, Donald Trump.
And in a dramatic nod to the far-right, McCarthy has threatened an impeachment investigation against Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas unless he resigns over the department’s handling of the U.S.’s southern border with Mexico…
After pushing his party to victory in the midterm elections, McCarthy won the nod from a majority of his colleagues nominating him to run for speaker. But the 188-31 vote among Republicans showed the shortfall he must overcome. When the new Congress convenes in January, the whole House, Republicans and Democrats, will vote on speaker and McCarthy’s party will need to stick together with their slim majority for him to prevail. Otherwise, a different Republican could emerge as a compromise candidate…
Schiff on CNN on Kevin McCarthy threatening to kick him off the intel committee: "McCarthy's problem is not with what I said about Russia. McCarthy's problem is he can't get to 218 without Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar, and Matt Gaetz, and so he will do whatever they ask." pic.twitter.com/AR5nntoNYK
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 27, 2022
Kevin McCarthy’s odds of becoming House Speaker “seem to be dropping every day.” (via @MaddowBlog) https://t.co/vz0rvS1T3M
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 28, 2022
If Kevin McCarthy cannot denounce Trump dining with a White Supremacist then we are in for a hell of a ride if McCarthy becomes Speaker. The lunatics in his Conference will run the Congress. What will it be, Kevin?
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 26, 2022
I think there’s a real chance McCarthy comes to the House floor, hat in hand like a broken-down vaudevillian, and begs. Or he tries to walk like a man for once in his life and dares them to vote against. Either way it will be a disgrace.
— Richard M. Nixon (@dick_nixon) November 23, 2022
And just this weekend, the WSJ was so hopeful!
Nancy Pelosi knocked Republicans off committees. Now comes GOP payback.https://t.co/5d3c5GFQYC
— Wall Street Journal Opinion (@WSJopinion) November 26, 2022
GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy may or may not have the votes to be the next Speaker of the House, but he’s already playing by current Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s rules. To wit, he’s promised to kick three Democrats off committees the way the Pelosi Democrats kicked off two Republicans in the current Congress.
Democrats ousted GOP Reps. Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene from their committees in an unprecedented move after they made offensive comments. Both of those Members do more to harm the image of Republicans than they do Democrats, but they were elected in 2020. We warned Democrats that Republicans would return the disfavor when they took power, and here we are.
Mr. McCarthy says he’ll move to have the House strip Reps. Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell and Ilhan Omar of their committee assignments for various actions or statements. Mr. Schiff in particular deserves censure for turning the Intelligence Committee into a partisan operation. He also lied multiple times in public about the evidence of collusion with Russia by the Trump campaign, and his deception received media attention because of his intelligence post.
Mr. Swalwell had a relationship with a Chinese spy, while Mr. McCarthy accuses Ms. Omar of making anti-Semitic comments. All three are embarrassments as well, but then voters keep electing them too.
Republicans believe that if they don’t play tit-for-tat like this, Democrats will feel empowered to keep escalating. Maybe if Democrats get the same ill treatment, the GOP thinks, Democrats will revert to better form the next time they’re in the majority…
“He’s going to be led around on a leash,” Kinzinger said on CNN of McCarthy and the right flank
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 16, 2022
America: enough with the crazy people
Republicans: https://t.co/S96fdTbR6k
— Panda Parody Bernstein (@J4Years) November 15, 2022
Elizabelle
In first with “rooting for injuries.”
Blech.
mrmoshpotato
Two more years of The Rethuglican Shitshow.
BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️
@Elizabelle: Raise you – lock them in a room.
SiubhanDuinne
The crazy train keeps a-puffin’ along: I saw earlier today that Mike Lindell, the Pillow Huckster, is challenging Ronna Romney McRomney to chair the RNC. Train keeps on a-puffin’ and the laughs keep on a-comin’.
Anoniminous
Nevermind.
Steeplejack
Whut?
Elizabelle
@BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️: With bears. And hungry lions.
Rooting for the bears and lions. Someone: rescue them.
Tom Levenson
What’s his majority? Which is to say…how many vacancies have to occur before it all tumbles down around him?
Tom Levenson
@SiubhanDuinne: I, for one, think that Mike Lindell is the perfect choice for the post.
Chief Oshkosh
Does the WSJ ed board ever state what the Pelosi rules are? And how any of those 3 Democrats transgressed them?
Ha! I crack myself up sometimes…
C Stars
@SiubhanDuinne: I really, really, really, really want My Pillow Guy to replace Ronna. PLEASE GOD MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️
@Elizabelle: I see we are of one mind on this. Excellent.
Scout211
What’s with the Newmax host wearing a cocktail dress?* Does not scream “serious reporter” to me.
*Not a real question. We all know the answer. 🙄
dmsilev
@SiubhanDuinne: Do you think she’d have a reverse Romneyectomy if she got booted from the job and no longer had to please Trump but instead felt she needed to suck up to Mittens?
HinTN
@Steeplejack: Indeed! I had highlighted that very phrase and had the same (WTF ?) response.
It is the WSJ editorial page, though.OK, it’s the AP but on a par with the later drivel from the WSJ.Elizabelle
@BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️: They can be on a sinking ship, too.
But lifeboats for the sentient beings. For the bears and lions.
Miss Bianca
@Chief Oshkosh: I love the sanctimony of it all: “We WARNED the Democrats – but they didn’t listen to us!”
I think this is going to be an absolute shit show and while on the one hand I deplore the bad faith and worse behavior of the GOP, on the other, I kind of hope that they keep the chaos going in their leadership ranks until enough special elections occur to make their majority vanish in a puff of nasty-smelling smoke.
dmsilev
@Tom Levenson: Right now, looks like 222-213. For Speaker, he needs an absolute majority of those voting, so his margin for error is slim. Just a handful of defections drops him below 218.
West of the Rockies
@BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️:
Is “a steel cage shit show” a thing?
raven
@Tom Levenson: I had never actually seen any if his stuff un till I was in a Love’s truck stop in Albany, GA!
SiubhanDuinne
@dmsilev:
I’m sorry. I am unable to ponder such deep philosophical questions while simultaneously pouring out a glass of wine. (Narrator: She is currently pouring out a glass of wine.)
MattF
So, Republicans will end up negotiating with Democrats in order to get the House organized. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
JPL
@SiubhanDuinne: Did you vote yet?
Warnock’s ads are great, but I’d love to see one address so you think he’d vote with the repubs. How do you know, he lied about x y z. What won’t he lie about.
Anotherlurker
I am hoping that the gop reps bring back duels among themselves. (Thick Southern accent) “Sir! You are a poltroon and a disgrace to the Republican Party and God Emperor trump! Name your friends, if you can find any, Sir!!” Hilarity will ensue
MisterForkbeard
The Wall Street Journal thinks that Omar / Schiff / Swalwell are embarrassments on a level with Greene? Jesus tapdancing bothsides Christ.
This whole thing is stupid. There’s literally no evidence that the Chinese spy got anything from Swalwell, and he cut contact with her as soon as he was informed. Omar says stupid shit that she apologizes for but is vastly less awful than the daily stuff coming from Gosar and similar Republicans. And the complaint about Schiff is that he said that in his opinion he’d seen evidence of Collusion. Which he had.
This is just about revenge and establishing different norms for Dems and Republicans. And it’s working on the WSJ, because the WSJ can’t bear to consider that the Republicans are and have been out of line.
David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch
Disarray?
Almost Retired
I hope the lyrics to this song loops continuously in his over-sized head:
“Hey, you don’t know me, but you don’t like me. Say you care less how I feel. But how many of you have sit and judged me? Ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?”
Baud
@MisterForkbeard:
The WSJ are Republicans.
MisterForkbeard
@Baud: You make a fair point, sir.
cmorenc
No doubt, the slim GOP house majority is going to be a shit-show, with extremist RW members trying to take McCarthy and the GOP caucus hostage at every step, and producing very little in the way of actual substantive benefit to the public. Big question is, how will the media present this drama, and what will be the less partisan portion of the public’s take on it? Will it result in enough voter frustration and reluctance to sweep the GOP out of the majority in (or before via special elections) 2024? Keep in mind that most of the public isn’t nearly as in tune with following day-to-day political drama as we are.
brendancalling
I hope the KMart Schmuck Light Special is humiliated.
kindness
If Republicans are able to strip Democratic House members from any committee seats, the Kreskin in me says they won’t stop at only booting 3 Democratic members. Demands for more heads is guaranteed and it will spiral out of control.
Amir Khalid
@Tom Levenson:
I agree. Mike Lindell’s a CEO, he should be good for the RNC. Just like onetime CEO Rick Scott was good for the Republicans’ Senate committee.
Baud
@kindness:
Elon Musk:Twitter::GOP:House
David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch
@MisterForkbeard:
Swalwell wasn’t even in congress when he had the relationship. He was a city councilman in a suburb.
What should be investigated is why was his confidential FBI file leaked to the press by either Bill Barr or the liberal FBI.
Imagine the firestorm if a Dem administration did this.
Steve in the ATL
@Baud: I was told there would be no SAT questions on this blog
BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️
@West of the Rockies: If not, then I can only say, “Make it so.”
BruceFromOhio
Crazy people: Hold my beer, Bubba!
dmsilev
@cmorenc: If McCarthy really does fail to win the Speakership, Republicans In Disarray ™ will be the story of the day. The political press would find it endlessly entertaining and fascinating.
Baud
@Steve in the ATL:
What would you use to screen out smart people?
scav
The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat.
Layer8Problem
For Mike Lindell, leadership of the RNC means shoving both arms into the mother lode of grift. For the press, Republicans running the House means two-hundred and however many little Trumps saying whatever stupid thing comes into their heads and committing whatever antics their lack of impulse control drives them to do. You can’t buy the kind of news consumer engagement that will generate. “What will they do next? How will they top today’s depredation? If you thought today was bad, tune in tomorrow and find out!”
Elizabelle
@SiubhanDuinne: I am drinking wine too.
And not thinking of Kevin McCarthy. Or any of those GOP weird ass cretins.
It sours the wine.
Steve in the ATL
@Baud: posts about Kevin McCarthy?
David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch
@Baud:
I don’t keep score, Judge.
How do you measure yourself
with other golfers?
By height.
Steve in the ATL
@Elizabelle:
@SiubhanDuinne:
and baby makes three!
Baud
@Steve in the ATL:
That keeps out the sane, not the brains.
Layer8Problem
@Elizabelle: I’m in glass number one myself, a pleasant cabernet.
Steve in the ATL
@cmorenc:
Edited: No doubt, the GOP is a shit-show
David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch
Governor Goodhair (Kristi Noem) calls for Ronna Romeny’s scalp:
I love the smell of circular firing squads in the morning
Ken
More evidence that Idiocracy was a documentary.
Baud
@David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch:
Is she going by Romney again?
David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch
@Baud:
No, but I thought it better to call a spade a
spadeRomneyAlison Rose
“He’s going to be led around on a leash.”
I really don’t wanna know about the GOP’s kinks.
Scout211
@Ken: 🤣🤣
Yep, there is a definitely resemblance between the Newmax host and the female host in that clip. Of course her name was Velveeta. 😂
BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️
@Elizabelle: Yes, must preserve the intelligent species.
BenCisco 🇺🇸🎖️🖥️♦️
@Alison Rose: Phrasing?
Elizabelle
@Layer8Problem: salut!
Elizabelle
@Steve in the ATL: Prost!
SiubhanDuinne
@JPL:
I have stuff to do tomorrow in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and environs, so I’m doing my voting then at the old familiar polling place instead of the one in Stone Mountain.
Layer8Problem
@Elizabelle: Sláinte!
SiubhanDuinne
@Elizabelle:
Nominated.
Layer8Problem
@Alison Rose: Well then you’ll hate knowing that they’re gonna dress him up and keep him in a box like The Gimp in Pulp Fiction.
SiubhanDuinne
@Steve in the ATL:
🥂 Health and welfare!
Kirk Spencer
@kindness: Agree. For example I’m kind of expecting them to deny Nancy any committee seats.
oatler
The roll call’s been going on for two hours since I got on. “Motion to invoke cloture” has been on the screen for that long. What’s going on? (this is the Defense of Marriage Act.)
Baud
@oatler:
I thought they already invoked cloture.
ETA: Respect for marriage act. The Defense of Marriage is the evil statute.
frosty
@Steve in the ATL: My thought exactly! Decades later and I still remember the SAT format. Arrgghhh!
Spanky
@Layer8Problem: Life is a cabernet, old chum.
Spanky
@Spanky: Which is next after we knock off this syrah.
TS
@dmsilev:
I doubt it – it would only be entertaining to the press if it happened to democrats. They will blame democrats for not voting for McCarthy.
brendancalling
@Almost Retired:
I came here looking for power
I couldn’t find anywhere else, I’m not tryin’ to be nobody
I just wanna enrich my friends and self.
I’ve spent a thousand miles of Trumpin’
yes, I’ve worn blisters on my knees/
tryin’ to find me something better
here in Washington DC
Hey, you don’t know me, but you don’t like me
say you care less how I feel how many of you have sit and judged
ever dealt with Margie Taylor Greene?
Steve in the ATL
@frosty: on a related note:
Gollywogs:Creedence Clearwater Revival::Mudcrutch:Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Baud
@TS:
“Kevin McCarthy, Who Was Not Invited to White House Wedding, Loses Bid for Speakership”
Almost Retired
@brendancalling: Excellent! I’m already signing it with my best Bakerfield twang…
Jeffro
I simply cannot imagine getting up and going to work every day, knowing that MTG and Gaetz and Gosar hold my leash. And like to yank it, HARD, multiple times daily.
Truly, it’s the fate McCarthy deserves. Would still love to know more about why he thought “Putin pays trump” back in 2015 – whaddya say, snooze media?
Another Scott
@Tom Levenson: +1
There was some recent story about all the special elections, etc., in the last congress. That prompted me to look and find this:
The press will dial the Speaker drama up to 11 (they’ve already started). What matters, of course, is the number of votes and we won’t know that until they do the counting. It’s all posturing before then.
Cheers,
Scott.
Elizabelle
@SiubhanDuinne: yes indeed.
Works for me.
Elizabelle
Do you think John Boehner even cares enough to telephone the hapless Kevin McCarthy, and clue him in?
Zippity doo dah.
Chief Oshkosh
@Miss Bianca:
Yep, it would be suh-weet for it all to go that way. Including the nasty-smelling smoke. The midterms suggest it’s possible. :)
Mike in NC
Well, Pillow Man does need a new job since nobody wants to buy his shitty pillows. How many beds are there at Mar-A-Lardass?
Jeffro
@MisterForkbeard: we need some sort of automated AI writing thing (a variation on Google Translate, I guess) that takes a given GOP politician’s situation/crisis/scandal/embarrassment and instantly turns it into the equivalent for the other party. Instead of the GOP committing crimes of a 9.5-out-of-10 scale, and that being called equivalent to some Dem, somewhere, scoring a .5.
Just so the national snooze media begins to get a grip on what “both sides” really looks like.
It would be EXTREMELY revealing (well, for everyone but the DC press corpse, I guess)
#SameStandards
Danielx
To McCarthy: I know Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman, you’re no Nancy Pelosi.
At this point I have to wonder why any sane human being would want to manage the collection of freaks masquerading as republican legislators, especially given the number that have no apparent interest in legislating.
Betty
@C Stars: That’s who Mike says told him to go for it.
UncleEbeneezer
Trump has been ranting about Jack Smith, doxing his wife and coming awfully close to threatening a Federal agent. Might not be the best idea to play this game with Smith:
“In that role, Smith’s office last May obtained a guilty verdict for “obstructing official persons in performing official duties, intimidation during criminal proceedings and violating the secrecy of proceeding” against two former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders, Hysni Gucati & Nasim Haradinaj.
…
Here’s how Smith was quoted at Diplomat News:
“Today justice was served. As stated by the Trial Panel today, the protection of witnesses from intimidation and harm lies at the very foundation of any system of criminal justice – the acts and conduct of the accused challenged that very foundation. The acts and statements, in this case, took place in a climate of intimidation, as found today by the judges,” Mr. Smith continued.
“The Kosovo Specialist Chambers has a unique ability to provide justice for victims because it represents a safe place where witnesses can speak openly about the crimes they saw and suffered through over 20 years ago. Intimidating or retaliating against such victims is, in my view, a gravely serious crime which strikes at the heart of this institution’s ability to do justice and the rule of law. If you seek to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses of this Court, I will do all that is in my power to assure you will ultimately find yourself brought to justice.”
frosty
@Steve in the ATL:
I’d’ve flunked that on the SAT, had to look it up. There’s 15 minutes of wasted time I won’t get back!
I can’t believe Petty reunited his high school(ish) band! How strange.
Elizabelle
What is wrong with this headline? From the NY Post:
Grandpa-nator Katherine Schwarzenegger shares first pic of her daughter with dad Arnold
Steve in the ATL
@SiubhanDuinne: I love that one—it’s better than poutine!
@Elizabelle: skol! (I was in Minnesota recently)
PAM Dirac
@Jeffro:
Has anyone done an analysis of the R freshman? I ask because I would be shocked if all of them will blindly go along with the complete loonies like those three and if there are 4 or 5 of them, then they would hold as much power as the craziest. I would imagine someone in a Biden +5 district wouldn’t want to be associated with the craziest stuff like defaulting on the debt, but I would think it would be very dependent on the specifics on how they got elected this time.
ETA: I think the commentary on the situation kind of assumes a Nancy SMASH level of competence. When Nancy SMASH said she had the votes, she had the votes even it was just by one or two. I don’t think it is possible for anyone to know what the hell the Rs are going to do to within one or two votes.
Amir Khalid
@Elizabelle:
I found three errors: The laboured, cringeworthy “grandpa-nator” coinage. The omission of a colon after it. Reading The New York Post in the first place.
Baud
@Amir Khalid:
Ha!
Elizabelle
@Amir Khalid: Yeah, what can I say? It doesn’t have a paywall, and it’s fun to see what bothers the Murdoch set.
Patricia Kayden
It’s a disgrace that the American people have voted clowns to run the House. Nothing of substance will be done for at least two years.
Elizabelle
@Amir Khalid: I am reading up on the University of Idaho murders (top story, dateline: Moscow, Idaho) right now.
Rest in peace, but they all look like the Real Sorority Sisters/Sisterwives of Moscow, Idaho.
Ksmiami
@Elizabelle: Lol No No No No… it’s gonna be a shitshow fail parade… like Twitter under Elmo
Elizabelle
@Ksmiami: Yup. Buckle in.
Layer8Problem
@Spanky: Nice. Enjoy!
Cameron
McCarthy wants the power that comes from being Speaker.
But he won’t have any power.
What am I missing here?
raven
@frosty: You need to watch the Petty Doc by Peter Bogdanovich.
Cameron
Sling us some shit, Mr. Pillow Man/Sling us some shit tonight/’Cause we’re all in the mood for conspiracy/And you’re giving us the gaslight..
Hey, it’s Monday. This is the best I can do.
Layer8Problem
Apropos of nothing, we’ve just finished a delightful okonomiyaki and I am now much too sated to be able to finish reading a boring legal document.
Ksmiami
@BruceFromOhio: Crazy and dismally stupid. No I’m not a nice person
Eolirin
@Amir Khalid: It’s written in a way that can be read as suggesting she had her daughter with her father.
CarolPW
@Elizabelle: That “but” in there is a really bad look. Think about how it would be talking about the Club Q shooting victims and saying “but they all look gay.” Is it OK to kill people because they look like cheerleaders?
Amir Khalid
@Eolirin:
Eww…
Elizabelle
@CarolPW: Lighten up, Frances.
Elizabelle
@Eolirin: Yes. That leapt out at me.
scav
@Amir Khalid: O, I’d add ambiguous paternity into the list personally.
Elizabelle
@CarolPW: It is tragic. No question.
But I was startled at the homogeneity of the young women who lived in that house. It was striking.
Lacuna Synecdoche
@Baud:
True, but I always think of it as:
Amir Khalid
@Cameron:
McCarthy shares the common Republican belief of the TFG era: that such a job consists entirely of holding the title. It has somehow not occurred to him that he is volunteering to herd cats.
Speaking of herding cats …
West of the Rockies
There is a house in Washington
It’s filled with preening bums
And it’s been the ruin of many a poor loon
And, God, McCarthy’s one…
CarolPW
@Elizabelle:
Eastern Washington and all of Idaho is mostly white. And there are areas of the country where the homogeneity goes the other way, and the young women who lived in that house would all be black or brown. They could all be fucking big-hair cracker trash and I would still think the “but” would be inappropriate.
Elizabelle
@Amir Khalid: Herding the tide.
Good luck w that, Kevin. Not really.
zhena gogolia
@CarolPW: I agree
Elizabelle
@CarolPW: Ok. Out of here. Good night.
Roger Moore
@David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch:
I don’t think this is correct. He was first elected to Congress in 2012, and the stuff with the suspected Chinese spy was in 2014. That said, as far as I can tell there is no public evidence he had any kind of sexual relationship with her. She apparently did have sex with a couple of mayors in the Midwest, and she did some fundraising for Swalwell’s campaign, but the stuff about him having a sexual relationship with her is an insinuation based on those two things rather than anything that has been reported.
It’s worth noting that he was far from the only politician she is alleged to have tried to get close to. Somehow nobody seems to care that she was also trying to get on the good side of Tulsi Gabbard.
Steve in the ATL
@Lacuna Synecdoche: well played
Jeffro
OT but I just edited The. Shit. out of my eldest’s grad school essays and holy jeebus do I rock!
I feel like I missed my calling, almost.
lowtechcyclist
This was from the Wall Street Journal editorial board. I’d love to see them back up either statement.
Steve in the ATL
@lowtechcyclist: the next time the Wall Street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first
CarolPW
@zhena gogolia:
Apparently doesn’t do much good. I taught at Washington State University and had colleagues in Moscow. All my students were white, and the most diversity I had was from gay students. Dead kids is the shits.
zhena gogolia
@CarolPW: Yeah, I’m surprised at the doubling-down. Oh well.
lowtechcyclist
@David 🦃The Establishment🥧 Koch:
Noem: “We really all have a responsibility to message what Republican policies bring to this country.”
What – they have policies?? Coulda fooled me.
I guess “who do we want to stick it to today” could be construed as policy, but it’s quite a stretch.
West of the Rockies
@Jeffro:
You have a kid in grad school whose essays you edit? As a former CC comp instructor… I am casting a bit of side eye. Not my business I suppose.
Elizabelle
@zhena gogolia: @CarolPW:
Do either of you think I am laughing at dead young women? Honestly?
My sincere apologies to you both.
Dead kids are the shit, hmmm? You said it.
CarolPW
@Elizabelle: It’s not the kids that are the shit, it is them being dead that is the shit. I think that’s the difference. ETA trying to make it clear what I mean
Scout211
@CarolPW:
I don’t mean to jump in here, but I see some miscommunication. I think you maybe meant to say shitty. “The shit” typically means something is very positive, not something very bad. Urban dictionary: the shit
brendancalling
@Almost Retired: I love me some Buck. And Merle. And Wynn. And Dwight. And…
Steve in the ATL
@brendancalling: have you heard the Derailleurs Buck Owens style cover of “raspberry beret”? It is the shit!
karen marie
I do not EVER want to hear another media personality, so-called journalist, pundit OR ANYONE ELSE suggest or opine or complain that “Democrats aren’t reaching across the aisle.” Fuck that noise, with prejudice.
Geminid
@PAM Dirac: There are a dozen if not 20 Republicans in districts won by Biden. Many are freshmen, others like Don Bacon (NE) have barely been hanging on in their purple districts.
These Republicans are analogous to the 25 Blue Dogs in the Congress elected in 2018. The difference is that Speaker Pelosi valued those she called her “Majority Makers” and protected them as best she could.
But Kevin McCarthy can hardly protect himself, and to a lot of the radical Republican base those purple district Representatives are nothing but a bunch of stinkin’ RINOs.
In 2024 these Reps will face a Presidential year electorate that will likely be more Democratic than in the midterms. And in the meantime their crazy caucus will be covering themselves with something, but it ain’t gonna be glory.
I expect that these purple district Republicans and their staffs will keep their resumes fresh and their job networks active.
rikyrah
Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) tweeted at 10:48 AM on Mon, Nov 28, 2022:
WaPo columnist Jennifer Rubin has suggested Biden replace Chris Wray with Val Demings as head of the FBI.
RT if you want @POTUS to dump Federalist Society Wray for a real patriot who will protect America.
(https://twitter.com/duty2warn/status/1597271298811777024?s=02)
West of the Rockies
@Geminid:
I hope you are right!!
Scout211
Judge Sullivan says that Trump’s political actions around the 2020 elections are not protected by “absolute immunity.”
BlueGuitarist
@rikyrah:
Thanks! Excellent idea
Another Scott
@Another Scott: Relatedly, …
Rep. Donald McEachin (D) died today at age 61.
RIP.
Condolences to all who knew and loved him,
Scott.
Elizabelle
Damn. My wonderful Congressman, Democrat Don McEachin, just died. Sounds like complications of colorectal cancer. Allegedly successfully treated, but left longterm aftereffects.
Good man. Sad news. Had no idea he was ill. District in Richmond VA area.
Another Scott
@rikyrah: Wray’s 10 year term doesn’t end until 2027. I would be very, very surprised if Garland recommended that Biden (or Biden decided on his own to) replace him early.
Cheers,
Scott.
Elizabelle
@Another Scott: It’s a shame. He was a really good guy.
Geminid
@West of the Rockies: I hope I am too. I’m not counting on anything, but those purple district Republicans sure look like they’re in a bad situation. I don’t think Republicans will keep their majority, and they could easily be down by 20 in the next Congress.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
That’s assuming they can agree on someone in their party as Speaker of the House. They still have that bridge to cross. lol
Enhanced Voting Techniques
And may it be done with fully automatic AR-15s, because to use anything else would be Communism! And then let the Tree of Liberty be vigorously refreshed by the blood of pairs of Republican representatives who simultaneously called each other home to Jesus in a mutual bought of spraying and praying.
Geminid
@Enhanced Voting Techniques: Tom Cole (R-OK), first Chickasaw Speaker of the House!
Chris T.
Whenever I see those analogy formats (“red is to pink as blue is to _____”) I think of one I found scrawled on a bathroom stall at college, “Pro is to Con as Progress is to _______”…
trucmat
@CarolPW:
Thank you for calling that out. You were completely correct. Some people just can’t back down.
WaterGirl
@Steve in the ATL: rotating tag!
WaterGirl
@Another Scott: Unless some things come out about Wray as part of all the investigations. That would change the equation significantly, I would think.
The Lodger
@PAM Dirac: I’d love to see our new second GOP Congressbeast Lori Chavez-Whatever glued to,whatever she decides in the Speaker vote.