S-C-H-A-D-E-N-F-R-E-U-D-E! A moment of snickers for our departed Quevin, the airheaded, insurrection-supporting, sex-offender-placating reverse-Machiavelli with the spine of a single strand of overcooked linguini. The first flip-flop to kick itself into the pool, and the first Weeble to actually fall down, he will be missed by over 200 c…
S-C-H-A-D-E-N-F-R-E-U-D-E! A moment of snickers for our departed Quevin, the airheaded, insurrection-supporting, sex-offender-placating reverse-Machiavelli with the spine of a single strand of overcooked linguini. The first flip-flop to kick itself into the pool, and the first Weeble to actually fall down, he will be missed by over 200 colleagues who somehow can't find anyone better. His demise holds a lesson for the children: give up every last principle to the first bidder in order to get your dream job, and you will find yourself with nothing much to offer once you get it. History-makers with such hamartia are oft described as Shakespearian, but Quevin's story has been shorter and simpler than those on Aesop's reject pile. Can you imagine being Quevin, trying to lie down to sleep tonight, unable to tell if those whooshing sounds are the wind outside, or just the cosmic roar of your own hollowness? Yikes!
The political message to whoever is a big enough Nutter Butter to actually want this job next is clear: the only unforgivable sin is working with Democrats. This is a bit of an impossible commandment to uphold, considering the Democrats hold the Senate and White House (and came 7,000 votes or a redistricting case away from holding the House too). It is clear that Quevin viewed acknowledging this reality as the last resort, yet reality eventually came calling, and the punishment for recognizing it was predictably swift. The rabble-rousers who had it in for the now-former Speaker seem to think that they can force their way to victory through sheer intransigence and posturing, but the Democrats of 2023 will not let themselves be bullied, and why should they? What a gift of bright, shiny ammo they have now been given! See how it will soon gleam in the light of this weekend's news interviews!
Repubs: No Speaker, no platform, no mandate, no morals, no clue. And, if I have anything to say about it, no chance next year.
I hope that the House Democrats and a few sensible Republicans will elect a Speaker with some sense. It may help if the Dems quietly offer to pay for security for the families of the Republican representatives who would be targeted by the MAGA terrorists for voting to restore some functionality to our Congress.
I think what we are not acknowledging here is that it is not just the cowardice of the Repub "moderates" that is preventing such an arrangement, but also that the cold political calculus for Democrats also points strongly against helping out in any way. Their main goal is to net gains for the party next year, and nothing makes that case more strongly than the horrible publicity heading the Repubs' way by this fiasco being as prolonged as possible. Actual consequences setting in will only *intensify* the salience of the Dems' main messaging points, which are that 1) the federal government is necessary to meet the public need, and 2) Dems being back in charge of *everything* is necessary to make the federal government run properly.
I know we here think of the Dems as the ones willing to cut deals in pursiut of quiet good governance (which is a positive and fair characterization!), but this sort of disciplined long game is looking to be more the style of Jeffries & co.'s leadership, and I for one think it is high time.
I was getting a little tired of Democrats taking the high road while being pummeled by the other side. Jeffries fights back while avoiding nastiness and and herding his flock to vote in step. He's following in Pelosi's shoes showing himself to be a real leader. My choice for 2028 president is between Jeffries and Dan Goldman....
Very true. But also true is that Kev made it clear he had no ability/desire to work against the crazies. Hence there's nothing to lose with dumping him - at worst he'll be replaced by one of the crazies and functionally that's no difference.
Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky stressed the complacency of the "moderate: Republicans and their silence these last five years for the current situation in America. Their new book The Tyranny of the Minority is a good read I am looking forward to studying.
I'm an avid reader too, but, why read about a lot of weak-wiled traitors who are simply abject failures at all they swore they stood for? Job ONE is to get rid of them, rather than studying the pathologies of the pathetic. Support and fund Gen Z voters.
I am in the middle of Heather's book and although I know the general story of death star, it's even worse than I thought. Yes, get rid of all the R extremists and insurrectionists. I notice that our R in Oregon's 5th district that she barely won, is talking very carefully about this.
Will, we must have an educated populous that cannot have their heads and hearts turned by our enemies: the enemies of freedom. We do not want a dictator in the White House or as a leader anywhere in our government.
We have become too influenced by the loudest, not the most informed or most prepared.....and NOT the ones with the most guns!!!!
It’s about time democrats started to fight dirty. Give rethugliCONs some of their own medicine but I will be surprised if the media even reports a sliver. Media is complicit in driving the wedge and MAGATs sure as hell are not smart enough to figure it out.
My American history teacher husband told me this morning that if enough republicans voted (the number is 6, I think) with the Democrats they could actually put Hakeem Jeffries in that chair...now wouldn't THAT just fry them!
It would actually be the smart play if they did vote Jeffries as Speaker because they would 1) block everything he tried to get passed, 2) blame him for the upcoming govt. shutdown. I think he should pass unless they change the rules of 1 vote to oust him and publicly agree to pass the bi-partisan spending bills passed by the Senate.
I'm not a fan of my Senator Collins after putting Kavanaugh on the SC but she did a good job of rallying the Republican Senators to vote for the bills.
Yes. For 39 years he taught high school history, economics, a special class on the Israeli/Arab conflicts and in the beginning Michigan History. In college he minored in Political Science but now, like me, he is just disgusted with the chaos there are days he just doesn't want to hear or talk about it.
NOTE: The Speaker of the House does not need to be an elected member of that legislative body. This lead to some interesting speculation that first arose when McCarthy barely squeaked in as Speaker originally. It might require all Dems and a few (so-called) "moderate" Republicans to pick a respected GOP figure, eg, former Representative or statesman (err,... statesperson).
Ladies and Gentlemen, the next speaker of the House, Stormy Daniels. But of course, I know you thought I would say Liz Cheney, who btw, would make an excellent speaker. ( I would think one only capitalizes “speaker” when referring to a particular speaker as with president. So many make this error. But somehow in this case, the lower case doesn’t seem to work.)
Ok so let’s face it and hold on to your britches, the stock market is about to take a nose dive and the Kaptains of Kapitalism will soon regret those radicals they financed. Yesterday was only a taste of what is about to come. And of that European war, which we should never have lit the embers but which indeed we did because we never learn the mistakes of history, I wouldn’t wager on the outcome. If I were Commander Putin, I would be lighting victory cigars and sipping vodka. Da.
In what way did we light the embers of the war in Ukraine? For Russian audiences, Putin has stopped talking about NATO threats, instead about wanting to rebuild the former Russian Empire. His ministers have said Poland, Moldova, etc., are next. Putin does not want functioning democracies on his borders, as it might give his people ideas.
Maybe we “lit embers” by not responding strongly in 2014 when Putin took Crimea? It is true that mostly ethnic Russians live there now, also true that native populations like the Crimean Tatars were ethnically cleansed under Stalin. Russian speakers in Ukraine have become loyal Ukrainians because of what Putin has done, is still doing to their country.
Let's hope the next Speaker is the extremists choice who then finds a way to throw them under the bus and route them out of the House. May irony prevail.
I’m begin I g to think the democrats withheld support so the extreme it’s would do such disaster that voters will remember. Which means we will need to enter the devil’s den before we rise. It will be costly. The financial markets will likely collapse.
1st choice = Adam Kinzinger? or maybe even Jeff Flake? If all Democrats in the House and a handful of Republicans would support one of them it is at least imaginable. -- Liz Cheney is so universally despised by the GOP that there would not be a chance for her. -- Hey, in the news earlier today, MTG did float the idea of TFG as Speaker... not a chance he would agree and not a chance that any Dems would vote for him.
That's sadly an excellent observation. The Odious Beast holds his power for exactly the same reason as a mob boss. He wields the power of fear of retribution.
Dirk, it is my opinion that it is the MAGA terrorists who should be exposed and forced to memorize our Constitution, the responsibilities of those elected to
Congress as well as the responsibilities of Governors and each and all representatives OF THE PEOPLE.....even teachers, tax collectors, those in our armed services etc, etc.
Then they should be required to teach it CORRECTLY in our classrooms until they believe it and respect it themselves....until they each realize what a great country we have been given through the blood, sweat and tears of those who have gone before us!!!!
NO ONE IN THE USA SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SECURITY FROM ANYONE. We have laws and a process of governance by which we are to live.....all and each of us.
Those who claim to be Christians should examine the 10 Commandments as well as the grace and forgiveness provided through the death and resurrection of Christ, the Lamb of God whose blood was shed for our sins....our disobediences....our pride.....our lack of love and respect for one another. There is always hope for each of us to leave the bad and strive for good....we always have a choice!!!!
The Maga terrorists are the ones who should wake up!!!!
Share from commenter on Robert’ Hubbell’s Substack regarding Trump as Speaker.⬇️
Rule 26 may save us:
“Rule 26—Temporary Step Aside of a Member of Leadership who is Indicted
(a) A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed.
(b) If a member of the Republican Elected Leadership is indicted, the Republican Conference shall meet and elect a Member to temporarily serve in that position.
(c) If a member of the Republican Leadership resigns pursuant to this rule, and subsequently during that Congress is acquitted or the charges are dismissed or reduced to less than a felony as described in paragraph (a), such Member shall resume the position from which they resigned, unless the Republican Conference decides otherwise within 10 legislative days.
The wait was short. He is being nominated by Niels. I think the week long recess was because McHenry got the word to provide time for the Republican wranglers to see if they can bringing the whole caucus in line behind Trump as Speaker.
This will now be a litmus test for party loyalty and whether the 109 who dared put a toe in the water to keep the government funded with the CR will face enormous pressure to profess fealty to Trump. It is going to be a make or break moment for the Republican Party and for the country.
I would not be surprised to see Gaetz put up Trump's name for speaker--after all Trump wanted his impeachments to be expunged by the House. That would be Gaetz' perfect suck up.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) announced late Tuesday he will file paperwork to nominate former President Trump to be the next Speaker of the House.
“This week, when the U.S. House of Representatives reconvenes, my first order of business will be to nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,” Nehls said in a statement. “President Trump, the greatest President of my lifetime, has a proven record of putting America First and will make the House great again.”
"Right-wing pundits and lawmakers are already rallying around the idea of former President Donald Trump as the next Speaker of the House following Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s shock ouster Tuesday.
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, and even the far-right cable network Newsmax all floated the idea of Trump taking over the role Tuesday evening, just minutes after McCarthy’s ejection from House leadership.
“Donald Trump should be nominated as a litmus test to all these Republicans,” Jones said emphatically on InfoWars. “With all the fake charges and all the fake trials, how awesome would it be to make Donald Trump Speaker of the House?”
The phrase “Nominate Trump” was also trending Tuesday on Elon Musk’s social media site X, formerly known as Twitter—inspired at least in part by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) unofficially nominating the former president via a viral tweet. Rep. Greg Steube quickly followed with his own suggesting that Trump could fill the role.
Shortly after, Fox News host Sean Hannity—who remains incredibly close with the former president and was likened to a “shadow chief of staff” by White House staffers during Trump’s tenure—said he had been in touch with several Republican members of Congress who planned to formally pursue the idea. Hannity even went so far as to suggest that Trump may be open to the idea.
“I have been told that Trump might be open to helping the Republican party, at least in the short term, if necessary,” Hannity said.
Later in his program, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), a Trump ally and potential candidate for the speakership himself, shrugged off the idea but didn’t rule it out, saying: “I want him to be the next President of the United States, but if he wants to be speaker, that’s fine too.”
I discussed that with my husband yesterday. I'd love to see Jeffries get the speakership--but two considerations: it would be political suicide for a GOP rep, but might there be any choosing to not run in 2024 who would do so. And also--if they try to elect someone, it will likely take a very long time. NOthing gets done, as ultimately then, who is (are) the losers? Methinks the people of Ukraine and the people of the USA.
It's not our job, it's our opportunity. For all the hyperbole, at least a sizable percentage of Republicans Congresspeople are just sensible, hardworking people who've fallen in with a bad crowd. I don't think Adam Kinzinger is that much of an outlier, for instance. Anything we can do to enable them to safely make responsible public decisions, the better for us all.
No blue wave because we also don’t know how to fix things like the border. At this point, we may as well declare all of Central America new extensions of the Disunited States.
We can do better at our borders. We also can treat migrant workers better. People treat their animals better. Let's try getting out of our self-satisfied comfort zone and put ourselves in their position which might include learning about why they had to flee from their countries.
I have no idea the overwhelming work of those kind, hardworking professionals at the border. I am sure it is frustrating and maddening on many levels. Unfortunately many of our persons in government or wanting to be in government, know nothing of the suffering of migrants and use "The Border" for political gain. Instead of educating ourselves we fall back on prejudices and hatred and dehumanization.
The facts are clear: we need to put more and as much more as we truly need to process persons who come to our border. It is a forever challenge and we need to just do the right thing and make decisions for the long term. We also need to educate our citizens about what the conditions are that are forcing migrants to our border and also report the many migrants moving from their homelands to other hopefully, safer countries. Human migration is a fact of life. We must make long term decisions to positively address this need. It is not just our problem, it is a worldwide problem.
Our world is being challenged with horrible natural disasters and with government conflicts constantly appearing worldwide....thus migration!
We need to make a decision: are we going to point our finger at conflicts are we actually going to just roll up our sleeves and work to make things better for people...even immigrants....afterall....our families came here from other countries.
We are in this forever....not just a few months, years or weeks. This is an eternal human problem.
Let me cut to the chase. I understand humane interest of migration. Migration is the destine of much of all living creatures. My desire is to win elections. So if the optics don’t jive with reality, then it should change for the sake of the nation. In my opinion, it’s a shame how certain cities are being overwhelmed with these folks. I want it done legally. And if illegal, they must return to country of origin. I want to win elections and forgive me if my bleeding heart stops bleeding. Had I been a mayor overwhelmed with bus loads, I would have confiscated the buses and made it a court case. The bus companies would have stopped this massive bussing. Back to my lack of a bleeding heart. Let’s just open the borders to millions everyday. And let’s elect Donald J Trump as our next president. That Is what you are really saying because if you are that naive to think people won’t vote emotionally, you are mistaken.
We are mostly on the same side, you know. We just see things a little differently. I want democrats to win big. Like with super majorities. But we often get bogged down in stuf.
The Republicans have refused to adjust immigration laws for 40 years because they get so much mileage out of complaining about immigration problems. This is definitely an issue where the Dems need to get ahead of the messaging. The extremists plan to reduce immigration by making this country a place people will flee from is an unacceptable solution, in my book. What do you think is a good plan?
In 1923, Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1923. It was in direct response to wave after wave of European immigrants coming to America. I know this well since both sides of my family were in these waves; my Sicilian side and my Lithuanian/Ukrainian sides. When I lived for a time in Italy and hitchhiked through Sicily, I met people who told me of towns almost emptying and coming to America. This was in 1978.
I believe that 1923 Act was a natural reaction to uncontrolled migration. We have immigration laws for many reasons and laws should be enforced. I’m not a nativist. One other point is that contrary to economists speaking to the importance of economic growth, I am one who understands human over-population. We once discussed this concept in the 1960s when we were leveled at around 3 billion. Now we are 8 billion. And for those who think we can recycle our way to sustainability and end fossil fuel consumption, I have a Brooklyn Bridge to sell you.
So you believe what I fear. We humans cannot adopt starving orphans, but must reduce population by war and plague because we cannot submit our vanity to UN sanity and have an orderly reduction of population. “Be fruitful and multiply” is stuck in our genes and our brains.
Fixing the border requires fixing the reasons that refugees flee their native lands in search of safety from ruthless dictators. This requires money to fund fair governments, which is acknowledged by Democrats in office. But hey, foreign aid is evil, right? Elect Trump, get a ruthless dictator and your border problem is solved as millions of Americans flee America
The problem is, we can’t fix a government in Mexico that is riddled with crime, and there in lies the problem with all the southern hemisphere of the Americas
Christy, Mexico as all countries and governments have problems. I wish more could be reportrd about the many good and decent people in Mexico.
My son met his Mexican wife helping with flood relief from a huge hurricane near Monterrey , Mexico. She was a doctor...everyone in her family is a professional. She also graduated from Edinburg Theoiogical Seminary in Texas in order to serve to serve in missions. She attended with friends , a couple of friends were sent by their father who served as a pastor in Mexico City. Her brother and his wife are engineers in Mexico City. Her sister is a dentist married to a doctor who also works with the Mexican government.
We were just in Mexico to celebrate the birthdays of our grandchildren who have wonderful friends from their school, who attended.....you know regular humanbeings.....no drugs not even alchohol was present at anytime, or anywhere during our visit.
We should examine why people want to point out or make up lies about others to create an attitude of prejudice. Our citizens, our children are buying and using the drugs. There are persons in all countries producing, buying and selling drugs. It is a world-wide problem. It is the problem we need to attack not people or a country because that seems easier.
There are criminals serving in places in our own government....our citizens are using and selling drugs....these are the problems we need to address.
Christy, Mexico is not the problem you have been told. The migrants are fleeing Central American countries that are corrupt and killing their own people. They are coming through Mexico because it is the first part of North America they come to.
By the way, it was our CIA that destroyed the democratically elected governments in Central America that were replaced by those corrupt governments.
California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are more dependent on Mexico than they will admit. All along the borderlands there are businesses and people who cross the border daily to work and do business. During the winter the majority of fruits and vegetables in your local market came across the border hours ago.
If it weren't for racism and politicians needing a boogeyman our borderlands north and south would be fine.
Many have tried to pass an immigration bill from both parties and all have failed because if it actually passed, then the Republicans can no longer bitch about it.
The one thing the media NEVER talks about is our open border with Canada and the fact that so many undocumented people came in on legal visas like H-2Bs and stayed.
One of the papers and/or the networks need to do a photo documentary on some of the 4,000 plus breaches in Trump's $15 billion wall. It is a piece of junk and there was untold grifting to build it. Also, in many places it's an ecological disaster.
Trump promised to hire thousands of additional border patrol agents and ended up with fewer agents when he left office than when he started.
Of course they never talk about our open border with Canada. It's the southern border that concerns the GOP because, frankly, they are racists. They're not at all bothered by people from England or Sweden coming to the U.S. and overstaying their visas.
Gary, I agree with everything you said about the border wall. A total waste of money. I visited a couple of the National Wildlife Refuges along the Texas-Mexico border years ago, and it makes me sick to think of the wall's impact on the wildlife there.
I've crossed the US/Canadian border from ME, ND, MN, NY, VT and MI. If some wants to illegally cross from Canada into the US it would be very easy. In fact, it's probably easier than crossing from Mexico into the US in many places. That's probably why over 3 times as many people illegally cross into the US along our northern border than the southern border.
The last legislation to be considered failed because the democrats, yes our trusty democrats, attached the Dreamer’s Act to pending legislation. So let’s cut the crap. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
Fund the border patrol, hire folks. Use the laws already in place. Do anything other than bitch and moan about it. The GOP complains loudly, but has done nada, zip, zero to become part of the solution because it would require working with the evil democrats.
That’s a very dense thing to say. I’m more concerned getting rid of the most pernicious political development ever to develop in the history of this nation and your only interest is opening the floodgates. Shame on you for being so naive. Yesterday The Biden administration stated that barriers must expand to control this unending flow of humanity. Tell you what, how many have you bunked in your house and if the answer is none, I think you might want to button it up. I never said I was afraid of immigration. You on the other hand, want to continue an out of control situation that will inspire the wrong political element to take power. Get an education before making such comments.
And a word I ad to look up... to get a chuckle that the second search item returned was an Amazon ad for a romance novel. Jeff Bezos has entirely too much power.
The Rs showcased by kicking out their speaker that they value extremism. They know that by identifying with the Ds, they are likely to lose their strategic position of battling the D with radicalism that they desire so much. In a good move, and though expected, the Ds did well by abstaining from solving the Rs muddy politics despite pleas from the embattled speaker.
With the kaleidoscopic nature of Mccarthy, the Ds scored highly by maintaining their politics of honesty, service to the people, commitment to the Constitution, and adherance to the rare truth in politics. These virtues are alien in the Rs circle. Let them not be surprised that the Ds chose to be themselves- because that is their natural place of selfless service to the people. I welcome you to join me in serving my underserved community
And predictably enough, McCarthy immediately blamed the Dems for his own vomitous mess. This, despite the Dems saving McCarthy's arse from the R's shutdown maneuver on a Saturday night and McCarthy going on the Sunday talk shows less than 20 hours later to stab the Dems in their back.
Will, you hit the mail on the head by asking which nutcase would want to be speaker of the chaos seekers. After seeing what the rabble rousers did to Boehner and Ryan in addition to McCarthy, one would have to look on the job similarly to the work of herding rabid cats—without a rabies vaccination.
Wow Will, the first comment i read this am and I am smiling at your language in describing what happened. I especially love Aesop's reject pile. An excellent post to start things off.
S-C-H-A-D-E-N-F-R-E-U-D-E! A moment of snickers for our departed Quevin, the airheaded, insurrection-supporting, sex-offender-placating reverse-Machiavelli with the spine of a single strand of overcooked linguini. The first flip-flop to kick itself into the pool, and the first Weeble to actually fall down, he will be missed by over 200 colleagues who somehow can't find anyone better. His demise holds a lesson for the children: give up every last principle to the first bidder in order to get your dream job, and you will find yourself with nothing much to offer once you get it. History-makers with such hamartia are oft described as Shakespearian, but Quevin's story has been shorter and simpler than those on Aesop's reject pile. Can you imagine being Quevin, trying to lie down to sleep tonight, unable to tell if those whooshing sounds are the wind outside, or just the cosmic roar of your own hollowness? Yikes!
The political message to whoever is a big enough Nutter Butter to actually want this job next is clear: the only unforgivable sin is working with Democrats. This is a bit of an impossible commandment to uphold, considering the Democrats hold the Senate and White House (and came 7,000 votes or a redistricting case away from holding the House too). It is clear that Quevin viewed acknowledging this reality as the last resort, yet reality eventually came calling, and the punishment for recognizing it was predictably swift. The rabble-rousers who had it in for the now-former Speaker seem to think that they can force their way to victory through sheer intransigence and posturing, but the Democrats of 2023 will not let themselves be bullied, and why should they? What a gift of bright, shiny ammo they have now been given! See how it will soon gleam in the light of this weekend's news interviews!
Repubs: No Speaker, no platform, no mandate, no morals, no clue. And, if I have anything to say about it, no chance next year.
WOW! Tell us how you really feel! Love it! Now let's hope that Hakeem Jeffries and the other democrats can turn all this chaos into a HUGE Blue Wave!
I hope that the House Democrats and a few sensible Republicans will elect a Speaker with some sense. It may help if the Dems quietly offer to pay for security for the families of the Republican representatives who would be targeted by the MAGA terrorists for voting to restore some functionality to our Congress.
I think what we are not acknowledging here is that it is not just the cowardice of the Repub "moderates" that is preventing such an arrangement, but also that the cold political calculus for Democrats also points strongly against helping out in any way. Their main goal is to net gains for the party next year, and nothing makes that case more strongly than the horrible publicity heading the Repubs' way by this fiasco being as prolonged as possible. Actual consequences setting in will only *intensify* the salience of the Dems' main messaging points, which are that 1) the federal government is necessary to meet the public need, and 2) Dems being back in charge of *everything* is necessary to make the federal government run properly.
I know we here think of the Dems as the ones willing to cut deals in pursiut of quiet good governance (which is a positive and fair characterization!), but this sort of disciplined long game is looking to be more the style of Jeffries & co.'s leadership, and I for one think it is high time.
https://news.yahoo.com/cbs-anchor-cant-keep-straight-070516877.html
On Face the Nation McCarthy blamed the near shutdown on the Democrats. Ouch! What a moron!
Jeffries played the video yesterday before the vote and surprise, surprise all of the Dems voted to oust him.
Poor Donald and poor Kevin. A couple of old white misogynists having a really bad day.
Good for Jeffries! Brilliant move.
I was getting a little tired of Democrats taking the high road while being pummeled by the other side. Jeffries fights back while avoiding nastiness and and herding his flock to vote in step. He's following in Pelosi's shoes showing himself to be a real leader. My choice for 2028 president is between Jeffries and Dan Goldman....
Yes the democrats do seem to take the high road. Has anyone heard Biden call anyone names especially TFG?
good choices. I would add Sheldon Whitehouse.
Too bad people who watch Face the Nation will hear that it was the fault of Democrats and some of them will probably even believe it!
Let’s hope it isn’t “poor US” too. Did anyone else hear Chris Krebs on MSNBC Morning Joe this morning?
No. Do tell.
Very true. But also true is that Kev made it clear he had no ability/desire to work against the crazies. Hence there's nothing to lose with dumping him - at worst he'll be replaced by one of the crazies and functionally that's no difference.
Mr. Quiver made a deal with the Devil, and paid the consequences. Not one tear has fallen.
I think he made a deal with The Odious Beast, not the Devil. The Orange Beast isn't the Devil, merely one of the soon to be damned. ;-)
Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky stressed the complacency of the "moderate: Republicans and their silence these last five years for the current situation in America. Their new book The Tyranny of the Minority is a good read I am looking forward to studying.
I'm an avid reader too, but, why read about a lot of weak-wiled traitors who are simply abject failures at all they swore they stood for? Job ONE is to get rid of them, rather than studying the pathologies of the pathetic. Support and fund Gen Z voters.
Good point, and fund and support Gen Z that want to run for office. It’s their future.
I am in the middle of Heather's book and although I know the general story of death star, it's even worse than I thought. Yes, get rid of all the R extremists and insurrectionists. I notice that our R in Oregon's 5th district that she barely won, is talking very carefully about this.
Let's all go for VOTERSOFTOMORROW.ORG .
Admire Jeffries enormously! A fine standard bearer.
Will, we must have an educated populous that cannot have their heads and hearts turned by our enemies: the enemies of freedom. We do not want a dictator in the White House or as a leader anywhere in our government.
We have become too influenced by the loudest, not the most informed or most prepared.....and NOT the ones with the most guns!!!!
To remain a free nation, we must stay on alert!!!
It’s about time democrats started to fight dirty. Give rethugliCONs some of their own medicine but I will be surprised if the media even reports a sliver. Media is complicit in driving the wedge and MAGATs sure as hell are not smart enough to figure it out.
Will I agree!
Yep.
My American history teacher husband told me this morning that if enough republicans voted (the number is 6, I think) with the Democrats they could actually put Hakeem Jeffries in that chair...now wouldn't THAT just fry them!
Wow! Phew! What a thought! Putting an adult in the former speaker's highchair.
It would actually be the smart play if they did vote Jeffries as Speaker because they would 1) block everything he tried to get passed, 2) blame him for the upcoming govt. shutdown. I think he should pass unless they change the rules of 1 vote to oust him and publicly agree to pass the bi-partisan spending bills passed by the Senate.
I'm not a fan of my Senator Collins after putting Kavanaugh on the SC but she did a good job of rallying the Republican Senators to vote for the bills.
That would be bad too!
How nice to be married to an American history teacher just now!😀
Yes. For 39 years he taught high school history, economics, a special class on the Israeli/Arab conflicts and in the beginning Michigan History. In college he minored in Political Science but now, like me, he is just disgusted with the chaos there are days he just doesn't want to hear or talk about it.
NOTE: The Speaker of the House does not need to be an elected member of that legislative body. This lead to some interesting speculation that first arose when McCarthy barely squeaked in as Speaker originally. It might require all Dems and a few (so-called) "moderate" Republicans to pick a respected GOP figure, eg, former Representative or statesman (err,... statesperson).
Ladies and Gentlemen, the next speaker of the House, Stormy Daniels. But of course, I know you thought I would say Liz Cheney, who btw, would make an excellent speaker. ( I would think one only capitalizes “speaker” when referring to a particular speaker as with president. So many make this error. But somehow in this case, the lower case doesn’t seem to work.)
Ok so let’s face it and hold on to your britches, the stock market is about to take a nose dive and the Kaptains of Kapitalism will soon regret those radicals they financed. Yesterday was only a taste of what is about to come. And of that European war, which we should never have lit the embers but which indeed we did because we never learn the mistakes of history, I wouldn’t wager on the outcome. If I were Commander Putin, I would be lighting victory cigars and sipping vodka. Da.
In what way did we light the embers of the war in Ukraine? For Russian audiences, Putin has stopped talking about NATO threats, instead about wanting to rebuild the former Russian Empire. His ministers have said Poland, Moldova, etc., are next. Putin does not want functioning democracies on his borders, as it might give his people ideas.
Maybe we “lit embers” by not responding strongly in 2014 when Putin took Crimea? It is true that mostly ethnic Russians live there now, also true that native populations like the Crimean Tatars were ethnically cleansed under Stalin. Russian speakers in Ukraine have become loyal Ukrainians because of what Putin has done, is still doing to their country.
Let's hope the next Speaker is the extremists choice who then finds a way to throw them under the bus and route them out of the House. May irony prevail.
I’m begin I g to think the democrats withheld support so the extreme it’s would do such disaster that voters will remember. Which means we will need to enter the devil’s den before we rise. It will be costly. The financial markets will likely collapse.
According to John Oliver - Dolly Parton is the perfect candidate!!
We have to stop Russia from wrecking the EU. our best hope to protect us from Russia following Hitler's plan to attack us via Mexico. Read.
But I think that’s giving them credit for too much common sense.
Liz Cheney
Such as…?
1st choice = Adam Kinzinger? or maybe even Jeff Flake? If all Democrats in the House and a handful of Republicans would support one of them it is at least imaginable. -- Liz Cheney is so universally despised by the GOP that there would not be a chance for her. -- Hey, in the news earlier today, MTG did float the idea of TFG as Speaker... not a chance he would agree and not a chance that any Dems would vote for him.
That's sadly an excellent observation. The Odious Beast holds his power for exactly the same reason as a mob boss. He wields the power of fear of retribution.
Are you speaking of Putin or the fat man from Maralago. Well I guess it doesn’t matter as they are of the same mold. May they both burn in hell. SOON!
Dirk, it is my opinion that it is the MAGA terrorists who should be exposed and forced to memorize our Constitution, the responsibilities of those elected to
Congress as well as the responsibilities of Governors and each and all representatives OF THE PEOPLE.....even teachers, tax collectors, those in our armed services etc, etc.
Then they should be required to teach it CORRECTLY in our classrooms until they believe it and respect it themselves....until they each realize what a great country we have been given through the blood, sweat and tears of those who have gone before us!!!!
NO ONE IN THE USA SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SECURITY FROM ANYONE. We have laws and a process of governance by which we are to live.....all and each of us.
Those who claim to be Christians should examine the 10 Commandments as well as the grace and forgiveness provided through the death and resurrection of Christ, the Lamb of God whose blood was shed for our sins....our disobediences....our pride.....our lack of love and respect for one another. There is always hope for each of us to leave the bad and strive for good....we always have a choice!!!!
The Maga terrorists are the ones who should wake up!!!!
Waiting for the MAGAS to nominate TFG.
Share from commenter on Robert’ Hubbell’s Substack regarding Trump as Speaker.⬇️
Rule 26 may save us:
“Rule 26—Temporary Step Aside of a Member of Leadership who is Indicted
(a) A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed.
(b) If a member of the Republican Elected Leadership is indicted, the Republican Conference shall meet and elect a Member to temporarily serve in that position.
(c) If a member of the Republican Leadership resigns pursuant to this rule, and subsequently during that Congress is acquitted or the charges are dismissed or reduced to less than a felony as described in paragraph (a), such Member shall resume the position from which they resigned, unless the Republican Conference decides otherwise within 10 legislative days.
https://www.gop.gov/conference-rules-of-the-118th-congress/
they would brazenly ignore the rules
The wait was short. He is being nominated by Niels. I think the week long recess was because McHenry got the word to provide time for the Republican wranglers to see if they can bringing the whole caucus in line behind Trump as Speaker.
This will now be a litmus test for party loyalty and whether the 109 who dared put a toe in the water to keep the government funded with the CR will face enormous pressure to profess fealty to Trump. It is going to be a make or break moment for the Republican Party and for the country.
I would not be surprised to see Gaetz put up Trump's name for speaker--after all Trump wanted his impeachments to be expunged by the House. That would be Gaetz' perfect suck up.
Trump is busy.
Trump is too lazy and ignoran to serve as speaker.
He doesn't have to be present at the NY fraud trial...
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) announced late Tuesday he will file paperwork to nominate former President Trump to be the next Speaker of the House.
“This week, when the U.S. House of Representatives reconvenes, my first order of business will be to nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,” Nehls said in a statement. “President Trump, the greatest President of my lifetime, has a proven record of putting America First and will make the House great again.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4237172-texas-republican-will-nominate-trump-for-speaker-of-the-house/
"Right-wing pundits and lawmakers are already rallying around the idea of former President Donald Trump as the next Speaker of the House following Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s shock ouster Tuesday.
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, and even the far-right cable network Newsmax all floated the idea of Trump taking over the role Tuesday evening, just minutes after McCarthy’s ejection from House leadership.
“Donald Trump should be nominated as a litmus test to all these Republicans,” Jones said emphatically on InfoWars. “With all the fake charges and all the fake trials, how awesome would it be to make Donald Trump Speaker of the House?”
The phrase “Nominate Trump” was also trending Tuesday on Elon Musk’s social media site X, formerly known as Twitter—inspired at least in part by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) unofficially nominating the former president via a viral tweet. Rep. Greg Steube quickly followed with his own suggesting that Trump could fill the role.
Shortly after, Fox News host Sean Hannity—who remains incredibly close with the former president and was likened to a “shadow chief of staff” by White House staffers during Trump’s tenure—said he had been in touch with several Republican members of Congress who planned to formally pursue the idea. Hannity even went so far as to suggest that Trump may be open to the idea.
“I have been told that Trump might be open to helping the Republican party, at least in the short term, if necessary,” Hannity said.
Later in his program, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), a Trump ally and potential candidate for the speakership himself, shrugged off the idea but didn’t rule it out, saying: “I want him to be the next President of the United States, but if he wants to be speaker, that’s fine too.”
https://www.thedailybeast.com/far-right-agrees-trump-should-replace-mccarthy-as-next-house-speaker
Please tell Rep Nehls that the word “president “ should not be capitalized unless referring to a particular president.
What a nightmare
He did it in the first round of House nominations.
Seems like an outlier, and yet I'm concerned, given the current political climate.
Gaetz nominated Trump back in January on I think rounds 8 and 9 on the voting that finally got McCarthy the speakership.
https://newrepublic.com/post/169848/matt-gaetz-votes-donald-trump-house-speaker
Didn't know that, thanks.
Hope the idea doesn't gain traction.
😳!!!
it is coming. Troy Neihls already came out.
I discussed that with my husband yesterday. I'd love to see Jeffries get the speakership--but two considerations: it would be political suicide for a GOP rep, but might there be any choosing to not run in 2024 who would do so. And also--if they try to elect someone, it will likely take a very long time. NOthing gets done, as ultimately then, who is (are) the losers? Methinks the people of Ukraine and the people of the USA.
they are not afraid of the base, they are afraid of losing power. Power=money.
Perhaps they are afraid of both -- Paul Pelosi was a valuable lesson on how to keep a politician in line.
The only acceptable choice is Jeffries...in my humble opinion.
I would gladly pay for their security rather than continue to pay the salaries of the MAGA beasts.
Why should it be the job of Dems to protect Republicans from their fellow thugs?
It's not our job, it's our opportunity. For all the hyperbole, at least a sizable percentage of Republicans Congresspeople are just sensible, hardworking people who've fallen in with a bad crowd. I don't think Adam Kinzinger is that much of an outlier, for instance. Anything we can do to enable them to safely make responsible public decisions, the better for us all.
I nominate Tommy Smothers for Speaker of the House. Do I hear a Second?
We do know that Romney paid out of his pocket for security.
Did Fox tell the MAGAts
No blue wave because we also don’t know how to fix things like the border. At this point, we may as well declare all of Central America new extensions of the Disunited States.
Bill,
We can do better at our borders. We also can treat migrant workers better. People treat their animals better. Let's try getting out of our self-satisfied comfort zone and put ourselves in their position which might include learning about why they had to flee from their countries.
I have no idea the overwhelming work of those kind, hardworking professionals at the border. I am sure it is frustrating and maddening on many levels. Unfortunately many of our persons in government or wanting to be in government, know nothing of the suffering of migrants and use "The Border" for political gain. Instead of educating ourselves we fall back on prejudices and hatred and dehumanization.
The facts are clear: we need to put more and as much more as we truly need to process persons who come to our border. It is a forever challenge and we need to just do the right thing and make decisions for the long term. We also need to educate our citizens about what the conditions are that are forcing migrants to our border and also report the many migrants moving from their homelands to other hopefully, safer countries. Human migration is a fact of life. We must make long term decisions to positively address this need. It is not just our problem, it is a worldwide problem.
Our world is being challenged with horrible natural disasters and with government conflicts constantly appearing worldwide....thus migration!
We need to make a decision: are we going to point our finger at conflicts are we actually going to just roll up our sleeves and work to make things better for people...even immigrants....afterall....our families came here from other countries.
We are in this forever....not just a few months, years or weeks. This is an eternal human problem.
LET'S STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH MIGRATION!
The way we treat each other is fundamental and critical in maintaining a democracy.
Beautiful, Emily. Thank you.
Let me cut to the chase. I understand humane interest of migration. Migration is the destine of much of all living creatures. My desire is to win elections. So if the optics don’t jive with reality, then it should change for the sake of the nation. In my opinion, it’s a shame how certain cities are being overwhelmed with these folks. I want it done legally. And if illegal, they must return to country of origin. I want to win elections and forgive me if my bleeding heart stops bleeding. Had I been a mayor overwhelmed with bus loads, I would have confiscated the buses and made it a court case. The bus companies would have stopped this massive bussing. Back to my lack of a bleeding heart. Let’s just open the borders to millions everyday. And let’s elect Donald J Trump as our next president. That Is what you are really saying because if you are that naive to think people won’t vote emotionally, you are mistaken.
We are mostly on the same side, you know. We just see things a little differently. I want democrats to win big. Like with super majorities. But we often get bogged down in stuf.
The Republicans have refused to adjust immigration laws for 40 years because they get so much mileage out of complaining about immigration problems. This is definitely an issue where the Dems need to get ahead of the messaging. The extremists plan to reduce immigration by making this country a place people will flee from is an unacceptable solution, in my book. What do you think is a good plan?
In 1923, Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1923. It was in direct response to wave after wave of European immigrants coming to America. I know this well since both sides of my family were in these waves; my Sicilian side and my Lithuanian/Ukrainian sides. When I lived for a time in Italy and hitchhiked through Sicily, I met people who told me of towns almost emptying and coming to America. This was in 1978.
I believe that 1923 Act was a natural reaction to uncontrolled migration. We have immigration laws for many reasons and laws should be enforced. I’m not a nativist. One other point is that contrary to economists speaking to the importance of economic growth, I am one who understands human over-population. We once discussed this concept in the 1960s when we were leveled at around 3 billion. Now we are 8 billion. And for those who think we can recycle our way to sustainability and end fossil fuel consumption, I have a Brooklyn Bridge to sell you.
So you believe what I fear. We humans cannot adopt starving orphans, but must reduce population by war and plague because we cannot submit our vanity to UN sanity and have an orderly reduction of population. “Be fruitful and multiply” is stuck in our genes and our brains.
Tea at 4.
☑️💯❗
Fixing the border requires fixing the reasons that refugees flee their native lands in search of safety from ruthless dictators. This requires money to fund fair governments, which is acknowledged by Democrats in office. But hey, foreign aid is evil, right? Elect Trump, get a ruthless dictator and your border problem is solved as millions of Americans flee America
The problem is, we can’t fix a government in Mexico that is riddled with crime, and there in lies the problem with all the southern hemisphere of the Americas
Christy, Mexico as all countries and governments have problems. I wish more could be reportrd about the many good and decent people in Mexico.
My son met his Mexican wife helping with flood relief from a huge hurricane near Monterrey , Mexico. She was a doctor...everyone in her family is a professional. She also graduated from Edinburg Theoiogical Seminary in Texas in order to serve to serve in missions. She attended with friends , a couple of friends were sent by their father who served as a pastor in Mexico City. Her brother and his wife are engineers in Mexico City. Her sister is a dentist married to a doctor who also works with the Mexican government.
We were just in Mexico to celebrate the birthdays of our grandchildren who have wonderful friends from their school, who attended.....you know regular humanbeings.....no drugs not even alchohol was present at anytime, or anywhere during our visit.
We should examine why people want to point out or make up lies about others to create an attitude of prejudice. Our citizens, our children are buying and using the drugs. There are persons in all countries producing, buying and selling drugs. It is a world-wide problem. It is the problem we need to attack not people or a country because that seems easier.
There are criminals serving in places in our own government....our citizens are using and selling drugs....these are the problems we need to address.
Christy, Mexico is not the problem you have been told. The migrants are fleeing Central American countries that are corrupt and killing their own people. They are coming through Mexico because it is the first part of North America they come to.
By the way, it was our CIA that destroyed the democratically elected governments in Central America that were replaced by those corrupt governments.
California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are more dependent on Mexico than they will admit. All along the borderlands there are businesses and people who cross the border daily to work and do business. During the winter the majority of fruits and vegetables in your local market came across the border hours ago.
If it weren't for racism and politicians needing a boogeyman our borderlands north and south would be fine.
Actually, we can take actions that keep people in their home lands. And when Congress has the will, we do
It doesn’t stop ALL migration, but it mitigates it
Besides, we need immigrant workers. Letting them cross the border legally would resolve this GOP mess
Ew.
Many have tried to pass an immigration bill from both parties and all have failed because if it actually passed, then the Republicans can no longer bitch about it.
The one thing the media NEVER talks about is our open border with Canada and the fact that so many undocumented people came in on legal visas like H-2Bs and stayed.
One of the papers and/or the networks need to do a photo documentary on some of the 4,000 plus breaches in Trump's $15 billion wall. It is a piece of junk and there was untold grifting to build it. Also, in many places it's an ecological disaster.
Trump promised to hire thousands of additional border patrol agents and ended up with fewer agents when he left office than when he started.
Of course they never talk about our open border with Canada. It's the southern border that concerns the GOP because, frankly, they are racists. They're not at all bothered by people from England or Sweden coming to the U.S. and overstaying their visas.
Gary, I agree with everything you said about the border wall. A total waste of money. I visited a couple of the National Wildlife Refuges along the Texas-Mexico border years ago, and it makes me sick to think of the wall's impact on the wildlife there.
Open border with Canada would result in more chaos.
I've crossed the US/Canadian border from ME, ND, MN, NY, VT and MI. If some wants to illegally cross from Canada into the US it would be very easy. In fact, it's probably easier than crossing from Mexico into the US in many places. That's probably why over 3 times as many people illegally cross into the US along our northern border than the southern border.
How often does the media mention that?
You missed my point.
The last legislation to be considered failed because the democrats, yes our trusty democrats, attached the Dreamer’s Act to pending legislation. So let’s cut the crap. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
Fund the border patrol, hire folks. Use the laws already in place. Do anything other than bitch and moan about it. The GOP complains loudly, but has done nada, zip, zero to become part of the solution because it would require working with the evil democrats.
The border is not the democrats problem alone. It is as much the GOP going back to Nixon
That’s a very dense thing to say. I’m more concerned getting rid of the most pernicious political development ever to develop in the history of this nation and your only interest is opening the floodgates. Shame on you for being so naive. Yesterday The Biden administration stated that barriers must expand to control this unending flow of humanity. Tell you what, how many have you bunked in your house and if the answer is none, I think you might want to button it up. I never said I was afraid of immigration. You on the other hand, want to continue an out of control situation that will inspire the wrong political element to take power. Get an education before making such comments.
My favorite turn of phrase here was “the first Weeble to actually fall down”.
And now I have to be a bit pedantic: it’s Schadenfreude.
Pedantry is always welcome, and correction has been made!
Mine too! Loved it. Perfect analogy…a child’s toy.
Hemartia, a fatal flaw and a word I've never heard of. Thanks!
It’s hamartia.
And a word I ad to look up... to get a chuckle that the second search item returned was an Amazon ad for a romance novel. Jeff Bezos has entirely too much power.
Same here! Thank you for your erudition, Will.
a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine.
how do you pronounce hamartia?
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
ha·mar·ti·a
/həˈmärdēə/
noun
a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine.
"there's supposed to be an action that reveals the protagonist's hamartia"
The Rs showcased by kicking out their speaker that they value extremism. They know that by identifying with the Ds, they are likely to lose their strategic position of battling the D with radicalism that they desire so much. In a good move, and though expected, the Ds did well by abstaining from solving the Rs muddy politics despite pleas from the embattled speaker.
With the kaleidoscopic nature of Mccarthy, the Ds scored highly by maintaining their politics of honesty, service to the people, commitment to the Constitution, and adherance to the rare truth in politics. These virtues are alien in the Rs circle. Let them not be surprised that the Ds chose to be themselves- because that is their natural place of selfless service to the people. I welcome you to join me in serving my underserved community
Epic post, Will! One for the ages. Thank you!
Agree. That's why I decided not to mention the sp. error. Anyway I don't usually take Freude in other people's Schade.
And you wrote all of this brilliant letter after time zone change and a great book talk last night Our heo Heather 👏
"...reverse-Machiavelli with the spine of a single strand of overcooked linguini... Indeed!
House Republicans are blaming Democrats for McCarthy’s ouster as Speaker. Come on America, we can do better
Temporary House Speaker’s first official act is to oust Nancy Pelosi from her office. Come on America , we can do better
Trump attack trial judge’s clerk. Judge gags Trump. See America? This how you do better
And predictably enough, McCarthy immediately blamed the Dems for his own vomitous mess. This, despite the Dems saving McCarthy's arse from the R's shutdown maneuver on a Saturday night and McCarthy going on the Sunday talk shows less than 20 hours later to stab the Dems in their back.
Yes imagining Quevin’s state of mind is almost enough to make me feel sorry for him but the man is so shallow that the exercise is over.
Will, you hit the mail on the head by asking which nutcase would want to be speaker of the chaos seekers. After seeing what the rabble rousers did to Boehner and Ryan in addition to McCarthy, one would have to look on the job similarly to the work of herding rabid cats—without a rabies vaccination.
Looks to me like the Republicans are playing checkers and the Democrats are playing 3D Chess. Fully agree with the Schadenfreude remark!
Thanks, Will. Good to see you here.
Pretty awesome comment!
This is pure poetry. 🥂
Wow Will, the first comment i read this am and I am smiling at your language in describing what happened. I especially love Aesop's reject pile. An excellent post to start things off.
What else would you expect from a party that respects Putin and a faded reality tv “star”?