“True greatness in the political arena comes when moral convictions are brought to bear amid conflicting interests.”
— And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham
Meacham was writing of Lincoln but thinking of Biden. Our president is a man of moral courage whose life has been tested by the fires of experience and deep personal tragedy. The new leader of the House is his opposite and his party shall be the last hurrah of a white supremacist South whose racist ideology has spread across an entire nation no longer confined to a specific location. It is an enslaving ideology that seeks minority control over America and is an engine of fear and death.
Ditto!! Speaking for myself, I have to "check" my own rush to judgment and rising angst and anger. Robert never fails to clear my head and lift my spirit. He is a true "Peaceful Warrior."
The only way to control mass (or any) shootings is to regulate gun ownership. It is a fantasy to think we can control mental illness as a means to control shootings, pure fantasy as a way to avoid what we must do. We are enabling the weaponizing of people whose mental disturbance is seemingly normal, like Trump and his supremacist, anti-people followers. Maine's latest crazy shooter is what we get under current fantasy thinking.
Of course it's the guns! 'We', the NRA and GOP, have armed the nation. Guns are easier to get than a dental appointment (mine isn't for 3 months!). Only way it changes is with a Democratic lock on the Federal government so some changes can be made. It will take a few decades.
Actually, other countries (eg, Switzerland, Israel) have widespread access to guns without mass shootings. We have one thing that they don't have: Republicans.
NO, I lived in Switzerland I wish people would stop using that example since it's false. Guns are HIGHLY regulated there. If you are in the military you can't have your service weapons at home. And most people can't, and moreover, don't, own guns in Switzerland. And if you don't think Israel's government now is MAGA, you really aren't paying attention.
I am basing Switzerland on published per capita gun ownership that I have seen. And Netanyahu’s kakistocracy is shorter than Trump’s. my statement is based on decades of data
Excellent point Pulmon, although Switzerland is the exception. Switzerland also has universal military service, hence proper training in firearm use and safety precautions.
Your making an assumption that has. It been validated about this shooter. The problem frankly is there are too many weapons in circulation with easy access and we have a very high angriest level of many people in this country fueled by misinformation and outright lies.
We are in deep doodoo with Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Trump, the mob boss, is the most exhausting president I have ever encountered, and the rest of his mob with him. I cannot believe how I did not vote for him and he did not win, and yet, it is as if my vote cannot really count because Trump will not allow the will of the people to stand. The brain deterioration of Trump as evidenced by his speech is concerning. To think of someone that lacking in functioning as determining what is going on in the House, or any branch of government is criminal. I do see that Biden is between a rock and a hard place. Israel has traditionally been the most democratic nation in the region, just as Ukraine is the more democratic nation among the former Soviet States that are not part of the EU or NATO. Under Netanyahu, is Israel like the US under Trump, a backsliding democracy? In any case, that is the basis for support of Israel, over the religious support of Jews. I don't trust illiberal leaders to do what is in the best interests of the people, so I do not trust Netanyahu, just as I do not trust Trump, or any Republican for that matter. We know that Johnson is a supporter of Right-wing Israel, which Netanyahu represents, and so let us hope that the bundle that Biden is asking for which includes aid to Israel and Ukraine together will be approved. Let us hope that there can be pressure on Tommy Tuberville, Paul Rand and Ted Cruz to allow the filling of military and diplomatic posts. We need both in the region. I am just shocked at how Republicans are able to hold this up, and it shows us the holes in our system of government that individuals can block appointments like this, but they are backed by a dysfunctional network, of totalitarian seeking Republican elected representatives, and the right wing billionaire's club that seeks to destroy our democracy. I do not think Republicans are intelligent enough to regret their choice, and after wreaking many more months of havoc on the US and world, we will see whether they even connect losing seats (if it happens) to their choice to back Trump's guy, Mike Johnson.
"they have now elevated a fervently anti-abortion House speaker who backed the former president’s effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Voters resoundingly rejected both of those positions in 2022. "
~ Heather Cox Richardson 10/25/23
I agree with you Linda in that Republicans are not smart enough to regret their choice. There are so many moving parts on this right now, it's hard to deal with the daily assaults on our psyche and our sense of the future of our liberties. For me, I can only see that it is the Republicans that are in deep doo doo right now.
A positive way to look at this is HCR's Substack from yesterday, and also her interview with Judy Woodruff last evening regarding her new book, "Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America" . We have been through tough times in the past, and democracy has prevailed. We just have a lot of work to do. Robert does a tremendous job in helping us press on with that.
Joyce Vance always ends her Substack regularly with the observance, "We are in this together", which I find very empowering. I suspect there are many others do as well.
It'll be hard to have a good day today, Linda, after another horrid mass shooting , a MAGA elected to run the House, and the ongoing wars , but I believe we can overcome this. I hope that one day, when I am a very old woman, I can reflect "Damn! Those were some tough times, but we did it!"
Hi Lynn, thanks for the link to the interview which I have not seen. I agree that HCR and JV are very empowering. I do not know how widespread Radical White Supremacy is, but I see Russia and Hungary as nations where the worse parts of it dominate. Now our House too, and then we have Radical Islam. None of these people are following the tenants of their purported religions, but use it as a subterfuge for their actions. It is exhausting and I wish the world would just settle down. Easy for me to say, because I am getting my basic needs met at least physically. Psychically I am appalled at the craziness in our nation and the world. I do see Biden generally as a calming influence. We will see where things go. Politico Europe has been very critical of the EU because it cannot get a united front around many issues because it is really many different cultures coming together around shared values. Each situation challenges just how share the values are, or the areas where the values are not shared. We have some of this going on with the Red States and Blue States. There are no easy answers, that is for sure. These are tough times and we do have to help to come through them.
Israel under Netanyahu has been radically right wing and Israelis have been protesting for the last year as he has tried to take over the Judiciary. I have a cousin-in-law who left the US to move to Israel and sent an update after Oct. 7, ending with just 2 words; Open borders. That was a smear against Pres. Biden, Democrats, who knows.
Sheesh, I can't decide whether to tell him "open borders is why he exists; our families emigrated here very late 1890's when Jews were allowed in, or just throw his e-mails in the trash.
To tell you the truth, I think Netanyahu is behind the Oct 7th terrorist attack. Now he can try to make it look like he is protecting Israelis, and deflect from his corrupt actions. It also presents a big challenge for President Biden, and is a shot for Netanyahu getting his buddy TFG into the White House again. Amoral power-hungry monsters like Netanyahu don't care a bit that their own citizens had to be sacrificed for his gains.
That's how we'll be treated here, if Inmate P01135809 is reelected.
Right Stephen. The PBS interview that I posted with HCR does a good job of explaining that.
Another interview where HCR is allowed to explain the premise of her newest book is with Meghna Chakrabarti on the podcast "On Point". When Meghna asks her what the one thing is that she looks back on in American history that helps her understand what's happening now, Heather explains that it's the 1850's.
Thank you, I watched HCR's interview. I'm with her, we've been thru bad times, and some of us got to work with hope and intention, and helped turn things around.
Republicans are acting the way they are because we the voters have let them get away with it for a long time. I agree with Robert the current Speaker should have a negative impact on the voting public as well as the government. It should impact many House members in swing states.
I suggest that you read Hakeem Jeffries’ remarks in the House yesterday, about how democracy wins out in the end. Inspiring words—and ideas. As for Johnson, I’m speculating here, but I bet something scandalous will come out about him in the next few months. He’s that kind of guy.
Hi Jon, I did read his speech, on a different Substack yesterday. The words were good, but fell on majority deaf ears in the House I am afraid. That majority has the ability to do a lot of damage for everyone in the USA. I am living outside of the US right now, but will be back at some point soon, and not eager to be there. I am excited about Jeffries leading if we can get a Democratic majority in the House. In the meantime, I will wait to see what Johnson's agenda will be, but am afraid it will look just like Donald Trump's the head that Johnson is listening to. That agenda is to destroy the country and let Trump go free.
I remind myself that for now, the Senate has not changed and the president has not changed. So their agenda will still go nowhere legislatively, just as it went nowhere under McCarthy. They can DO little. But they can OBSTRUCT a great deal by controlling what comes to the floor for a vote, such as not bringing Ukraine to the floor, despite bipartisan support. Beyond that, we focus on winning seats a year from now and having Speaker Jeffries in charge.
Sorry. I like both and use them as it feels appropriate to me. Given the childish nature of the Republican Party doodoo seemed more appropriate than shit. They have not reached that level in my opinion. In German it would be Kacke or Scheiß! In Plattdeutsch it could be Schiet, Driet, but more childish Puup, or Pupu! Glad you understood what I meant though!
We are in total agreement about the fear and loathing of this Speaker. How did the Dems ever believe that if they didn’t support McCarthy, we would end up with a better choice????? Do they know these people???? They are reprehensible, and their pent-up hate and grievance has shocked and dismayed normal Americans. “White rage”……..it’s alive and well and running the House of Representatives.
Democrats did not have the choice to support McCarthy. He made that clear. He said he wouldn't accept it. And if Democrats started to vote in favor (or present) anyway, Republicans would have deserted McCarthy en masse. So, this mess is in no way the fault of Democrats.
All it would have taken was six Republicans to stand up to the MAGA crowd. I sure want to believe there were six, only six, of the 220 that had the spine to be leaders. Whatever you call it, the Democratic playbook brought a vision of a football team that played brilliantly from their 20 yard line to mid-field then attempted a field goal. It missed again and again and again. The other team finally scored and the game was over.
I'm not blaming the Democrats for the Republican cesspool but I am saying it would have been beautiful to see all the Democrats line up behind a Constitutional Republican, Romney, George Bush, Kinzinger, or Cheney for Speaker and, who knows, that MIGHT have inspired six Republicans to grow a spine. The Democrats, like the Republicans are responsible to the American People not their parties or the dictator wannabe. Neither side served the American people these last 3 weeks.
Any Republicans who cooperated with any Democrat effort would have been committing career suicide. It wasn't going to happen. The Democrats made overtures for bipartisan solutions and were batted down and it was clear that anyone who cooperated would pay. The athletic analogy falls apart very early.
This mess is is in no way the fault of Democrats, but since the elevation of Johnson, I see and feel renewed vigor to blame them anyway. People are angry. They seem to be lashing out even more in this vein.
I don't for a minute think the Democrats thought there was a better choice. We have to be careful that we are not blaming the Democrats for the cesspool that is the Republican party and the events that brought this about.
I don't think every Republican is dumb, but I think they are afraid of a man with no substance, who is immoral or amoral and whose mental state is deteriorating by the day. I do think there are enough smart voters to bring us across the finish line next year, and that is what keeps me going.
I think they are A) Deluded that they can "do more" by staying in the cesspool, where demonstrably they do nothing when it matters most, rather than taking action that would open themselves to be primaried out next year and losing their seats to MAGAs; and B) not sure they can compete for actual jobs anymore like the rest of us.
Republicans have indeed made a grievous mistake in electing Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Unfortunately, that's not just because he "will be an albatross around the neck of every vulnerable Republican in districts won by Joe Biden in 2020."
It is a grievous mistake because he is particularly unsuited to the task of protecting the House of Representatives from the ongoing assault by MAGA extremism. Indeed, he's likely to be complicit.
All of us now need to be more vigilant than ever. We must stand ready to defend the institution at the heart of our self-governing democracy, whatever form that defense may take.
“During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Mike Johnson attacks Roe v. Wade, insisting that if only women were compelled to bring more "able-bodied workers" into the world, Republicans wouldn’t need to slash Social Security and Medicare.”
Between now and the election be sure to pray for Joe Biden's continual good health. With a novice Trumpite like Johnson 2nd in line for the Presidency and Putin needing Biden out of the way, a lot of horrible things are possible. Don't believe anyone who says Johnson is as bad as McCarthy. His inexperience in governing and adoration for the authoritarian makes him much more dangerous to American Democracy.
I personally believe that, although the facts about Rep. Johnson are far from favorable, people should not obsess. People should wait and see what happens under his speakership … and react to *that*, rather than speculation.
He is already complicit. I'm concerned that his lack of experience is going to catch up and bite him pretty fast. What does he really know about running with the big boys, and at such a perilous time for the country and the world?
Just read this from Jennifer Rubin and I believe captures what the real situation is in this country. “ When a sizable portion of one of the major political parties, aided by a right-wing propaganda machine and infused with religious fervor, rejects the basis for multiracial, multicultural democracy, we face a severe crisis. Even if Trump does not return to the White House, this radicalized segment will not disappear. How we reintegrate millions of Americans into reality-based, pro-democracy politics in a diverse country remains the great challenge of our time“
If the "activists" of the far left constitute 1% of campus Democrats I will be amazed. 50 years ago, in a situation that called people to political action even more strongly than today does, there was never more than 10% of students who were involved as antiwar activists in any meaningful way - and the "anti-imperialist" left - the equivalent of today's "anti-colonialists" was something less than 1% of those involved. They seemed like more because their monkey screeching was louder. The same is true today with the entitled twits of the far left.
In 2016, when the Supremes vacated former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell's conviction for honest services fraud and for extortion, they explained that "setting up a meeting, calling another public official, or hosting an event does not, standing alone, qualify as an official act." Now that we know so much more about the extent to which Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito and, perhaps others, have received benefits from "friends," it raises questions about the 2016 decision. Even though the decision was unanimous, some of the Justices may have been more conscious than others of the extent to which certain of their behaviors were no longer "official acts."
It will surprise me not at all if, down the road, we learn that Tom Emmer and his family received scary threats - like those inspired by loyalists to Jim Jordan recently. A reasonable RINO bows out of the Speaker's race? When he had been a long time member of leadership and very much in contention? I think he was scared off. And maybe I would have done the same thing if I thought my wife or kids were actually at risk. And that is such a totally disastrous commentary on the current state of MAGA Republican politics. And would be so typical of the thuggish Trump followers. If I'm right. Throw the bums out in 2024!!!!
I understand why you would think this. Swbv. And the fact that your suspicion is reasonable is itself a sad commentary. But in this case, I don't think that's what happened.
Mr. Emmer is the Republican Whip. That means it's his job to know how every member will vote on every issue, every time. As part of Kevin McCarthy's leadership team he, like Steve Scalise, would not have the votes of MAGA members who just removed the Speaker. Knowing that he could not win, he dropped out rather than be humiliated by a loss.
If Tom Emmers is too afraid to do what is right for the American people because of ANY REASON he should resign Congress today. And the same thing goes for any of them of any party. America is the "Land of the free" ONLY when its also the "home of the brave". Are all Republicans Trumpites or are they just cowards?
"We should expect nothing less from President Biden—or any other president." I'd make that ...other elected official. Far too many view their responsibility as getting re-elected rather than governing to the best of their ability and that needs to change.
You wrote: "He should do what he believes is in the best interests of the U.S. without regard to the effect on his personal political prospects." I want to point out that it's not just his "personal political prospects" that are at risk if whichever path he takes alienates voters. We are ALL at risk. Our democracy, and the personal freedoms it provides and protects, are at even greater risk. Most of us will be hurt if Biden's handling of this predicament alienates enough voters to award Trump a second term. Judging from the (still-growing) havoc Trump wrought during his first term, I doubt we'd survive a second. HOWEVER, since some voters will be alienated no matter what path Biden chooses, he may as well go with his own best judgement, which is what he appears to be doing. I agree ... we should appreciate and applaud him. BRAVO 👏. ... and UH-OH .... 😱.
(I have some ideas about messaging to mitigate the age issue.)
Regarding Biden's support of Israel, I agree that he, along with the rest of us, faces an impossible predicament -- it's :"damned if you do, and damned if you don't". I'm grateful that his steady hand is at the helm as the currents become dangerous, and the sea begins to rumble.
At the heart of every "ism" is the desire for it to be easy - easy solutions, easy reasons, easy explanations, easy victims, easy hate, easy messages, easy identification, easy solidarity, and the list goes on. Life is not easy. Life is a struggle for all who breathe. We have been blessed (?) with the gift of reason and choice, yet we find reasons why not to choose or use our intellect, or trust our deepest hearts and intuition, or do the hard work of questioning. We are naturally flawed, yet we want to be right all the time. We are by nature all related, yet we seek differences..We want peace, yet if inside we are in turmoil, if inside we feel blameless and wish to blame others; if inside we cannot stand the pain, we then look for what's easy.
The question I have regarding the new speaker is - what are the prospects of passing bills to fund our government and fund Ukraine and Israel? If he is beholden to MAGA, what are the prospects of that happening? The general dysfunction that will likely happen will help in elections next year, but significant damage can be done this year if the government shuts down and Ukraine loses ground because funding stops.
McCarthy was just as beholden to MAGA. The prospects of passing bills to fund the government were just as difficult for him--that's why he needed the CR that got him ousted in the first place. He promised to do Ukraine separately from the CR, so obviously he wasn't expecting to be tossed. And Israel hadn't happened. But MAGA was around his neck also and he was generally on their side about breaking the deal he made with the president (which Congress approved!) and slashing spending.
But McCarthy had broken with the extremists to get the temporary CR passed - he actually allied with Dems to get it passed. Because it was the MAGA extermists who voted to oust him, was it wise for Dems to vote with them? This seems worse. It may end up better in the long run (i.e. the 2024 election), but the short term damage could be greater than with McCarthy.
No. He didn't ally with the Dems to pass the CR. They found out when he took it to the floor with little time to actually read it. They saved him by delivering the votes to pass it when he didn't have Republican votes. Then the next morning he was on Meet the Press saying that they all voted against it. The host laughed at him. He said "Did you see the vote?" She said, "Did YOU see the vote?" It was not up to the Dems to save a speaker who lied, betrayed and stabbed them in the back at every turn. He made a deal with the president in May over the debt ceiling and a framework for the budget. Congress passed it. The president signed it. The NEXT DAY he was backing away from it to appease MAGA. At every turn he was untrustworthy. If his own party didn't want him, it was not the Dems' job to save him.
This is a comment from someone who knows more than I do. After reading this, it clearly seems like the new boss is not the same as the old boss, and is instead worse.
"As scrutiny has been focused on Johnson’s views, he turns out to be, in fact, the House member most aligned with the election deniers, Operation REDMAP gerrymanderers, Federalist Society judicial stackers, and Project 2025 government decimators. He rounds all 4 bases on the list for those who seek to end our democratic form of government and turn us into autocracy.
As a bonus, he also has extreme views on every social issue in the culture wars, and on economic policy and foreign policy.
Mike Johnson is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: intelligent, soft-spoken, humble, bespectacled, and with a certain bit of self-depreciation. He has an anti-Trump personality, with intelligence, vigor, and real “family values .” But he is far more amenable to grooming and understanding doctrinaire positions and crafting legislation, which makes him a huge potential asset for the oligarchs behind the former Republican party (FRP). He was primarily responsible for the Republican budget proposals in 2022, which aimed at dismantling the social safety net.
Make no mistake, Mike Johnson is on the fringe of the right-wing fringe. The question that arises in my mind is what was said in that last conference meeting that led to his election with NO dissent in the ranks and that would make EVERY member of the conference fall in line behind this extremist.
There is no question that Democrats will be using Johnson as the face of the Republican Party in every Congressional campaign in 2024 because of his extremist views. That would jeopardize the election prospects of many Republicans currently in the House. But if he glides so smoothly into his sheep’s clothing, as he did in the Hannity interview, that will be far far harder than it would have been with a Scalise or Jordan.
Perhaps that’s the reason why the 112 who opposed Jordan reversed their positions and collapsed so suddenly. Judge for yourself by watching the full Hannity interview. Know your opposition! Johnson scares me more than any other Republican out there. You should be scared of the wolf too."
It is beyond belief that even one Democrat would not vote for Biden because of his support for Israel? Fine if you don’t like how he is handling this issue. Or, any other issue! Or, if you think he’s too old! Or, you wouldn’t want to have dinner with him! Do these “I’m not going to vote for Biden” or “I’m not going to vote at all” realize the alternative is DONALD TRUMP!!!
When will all of this stop? Just today we have another mass shooting in Lewiston Maine, a Supreme Court Justice who received a loan forgiven of $ 247,000 from a person who has interests before the court, we have an election denier a fanatical articulate MAGNA advocate as the next Speaker of the House , a war in the Middle East and states like North Carolina creating extreme gerrymandered voting districts just to name a few things going on. I have excluded the Trump criminal clown show because frankly people have moved on and everyone knows he is guilty as charged. Here’s the thing we are all asking at a certain level “ when will the Supreme Court return back to creditably and not be totally politicized and when will Thomas being held accountable. When will the House govern instead of being held hostage by a small group of radical right wing members. When will be really return our country to the greatness we had before Newt Gingrich and the Republicans morphed into the radical party they have become. I asked a friend this question and he answered “ when average people get off their fat ass and vote and send a resounding message that this is not who we are. We can fix this, we have in the past we need to fix it now. Will we?
Thank you Robert. I rely upon your sober assessments on a daily basis. I usually feel better and calmer after reading your Newsletter.
“True greatness in the political arena comes when moral convictions are brought to bear amid conflicting interests.”
— And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham
Meacham was writing of Lincoln but thinking of Biden. Our president is a man of moral courage whose life has been tested by the fires of experience and deep personal tragedy. The new leader of the House is his opposite and his party shall be the last hurrah of a white supremacist South whose racist ideology has spread across an entire nation no longer confined to a specific location. It is an enslaving ideology that seeks minority control over America and is an engine of fear and death.
Ditto!! Speaking for myself, I have to "check" my own rush to judgment and rising angst and anger. Robert never fails to clear my head and lift my spirit. He is a true "Peaceful Warrior."
I like the title “Peaceful Warrior”.I, too feel a bit better after reading Robert’s wordsmithery.Thanks to him once again.
Dan Millman fan? I sure am.
I didn't think of him, but yes, some years ago!
The only way to control mass (or any) shootings is to regulate gun ownership. It is a fantasy to think we can control mental illness as a means to control shootings, pure fantasy as a way to avoid what we must do. We are enabling the weaponizing of people whose mental disturbance is seemingly normal, like Trump and his supremacist, anti-people followers. Maine's latest crazy shooter is what we get under current fantasy thinking.
Other countries have people with mental health challenges, what they don’t have is unlimited access to guns. It’s the guns.
Of course it's the guns! 'We', the NRA and GOP, have armed the nation. Guns are easier to get than a dental appointment (mine isn't for 3 months!). Only way it changes is with a Democratic lock on the Federal government so some changes can be made. It will take a few decades.
Let's do it in 2024.
Actually, other countries (eg, Switzerland, Israel) have widespread access to guns without mass shootings. We have one thing that they don't have: Republicans.
NO, I lived in Switzerland I wish people would stop using that example since it's false. Guns are HIGHLY regulated there. If you are in the military you can't have your service weapons at home. And most people can't, and moreover, don't, own guns in Switzerland. And if you don't think Israel's government now is MAGA, you really aren't paying attention.
I am basing Switzerland on published per capita gun ownership that I have seen. And Netanyahu’s kakistocracy is shorter than Trump’s. my statement is based on decades of data
Thanks for the edification!
Excellent point Pulmon, although Switzerland is the exception. Switzerland also has universal military service, hence proper training in firearm use and safety precautions.
"well-regulated"
Your making an assumption that has. It been validated about this shooter. The problem frankly is there are too many weapons in circulation with easy access and we have a very high angriest level of many people in this country fueled by misinformation and outright lies.
Gus don’t kill people. People kill people. They use guns.
Yes, but the easier the access the more people use them.
Pssst. I wasn't actually being serious.
Point taken, but you never know. I've had people say that to me without irony, and not just Republicans.
I’m sure. Actually, I got it from a cartoon, but I can’t recall the cartoonist’s name.
Your comment was correct! Not at all satirical.
We are in deep doodoo with Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Trump, the mob boss, is the most exhausting president I have ever encountered, and the rest of his mob with him. I cannot believe how I did not vote for him and he did not win, and yet, it is as if my vote cannot really count because Trump will not allow the will of the people to stand. The brain deterioration of Trump as evidenced by his speech is concerning. To think of someone that lacking in functioning as determining what is going on in the House, or any branch of government is criminal. I do see that Biden is between a rock and a hard place. Israel has traditionally been the most democratic nation in the region, just as Ukraine is the more democratic nation among the former Soviet States that are not part of the EU or NATO. Under Netanyahu, is Israel like the US under Trump, a backsliding democracy? In any case, that is the basis for support of Israel, over the religious support of Jews. I don't trust illiberal leaders to do what is in the best interests of the people, so I do not trust Netanyahu, just as I do not trust Trump, or any Republican for that matter. We know that Johnson is a supporter of Right-wing Israel, which Netanyahu represents, and so let us hope that the bundle that Biden is asking for which includes aid to Israel and Ukraine together will be approved. Let us hope that there can be pressure on Tommy Tuberville, Paul Rand and Ted Cruz to allow the filling of military and diplomatic posts. We need both in the region. I am just shocked at how Republicans are able to hold this up, and it shows us the holes in our system of government that individuals can block appointments like this, but they are backed by a dysfunctional network, of totalitarian seeking Republican elected representatives, and the right wing billionaire's club that seeks to destroy our democracy. I do not think Republicans are intelligent enough to regret their choice, and after wreaking many more months of havoc on the US and world, we will see whether they even connect losing seats (if it happens) to their choice to back Trump's guy, Mike Johnson.
"they have now elevated a fervently anti-abortion House speaker who backed the former president’s effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Voters resoundingly rejected both of those positions in 2022. "
~ Heather Cox Richardson 10/25/23
I agree with you Linda in that Republicans are not smart enough to regret their choice. There are so many moving parts on this right now, it's hard to deal with the daily assaults on our psyche and our sense of the future of our liberties. For me, I can only see that it is the Republicans that are in deep doo doo right now.
A positive way to look at this is HCR's Substack from yesterday, and also her interview with Judy Woodruff last evening regarding her new book, "Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America" . We have been through tough times in the past, and democracy has prevailed. We just have a lot of work to do. Robert does a tremendous job in helping us press on with that.
Joyce Vance always ends her Substack regularly with the observance, "We are in this together", which I find very empowering. I suspect there are many others do as well.
It'll be hard to have a good day today, Linda, after another horrid mass shooting , a MAGA elected to run the House, and the ongoing wars , but I believe we can overcome this. I hope that one day, when I am a very old woman, I can reflect "Damn! Those were some tough times, but we did it!"
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/historian-compares-americas-current-divisions-to-the-past-and-how-we-can-overcome-them
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/october-25-2023
Hi Lynn, thanks for the link to the interview which I have not seen. I agree that HCR and JV are very empowering. I do not know how widespread Radical White Supremacy is, but I see Russia and Hungary as nations where the worse parts of it dominate. Now our House too, and then we have Radical Islam. None of these people are following the tenants of their purported religions, but use it as a subterfuge for their actions. It is exhausting and I wish the world would just settle down. Easy for me to say, because I am getting my basic needs met at least physically. Psychically I am appalled at the craziness in our nation and the world. I do see Biden generally as a calming influence. We will see where things go. Politico Europe has been very critical of the EU because it cannot get a united front around many issues because it is really many different cultures coming together around shared values. Each situation challenges just how share the values are, or the areas where the values are not shared. We have some of this going on with the Red States and Blue States. There are no easy answers, that is for sure. These are tough times and we do have to help to come through them.
Israel under Netanyahu has been radically right wing and Israelis have been protesting for the last year as he has tried to take over the Judiciary. I have a cousin-in-law who left the US to move to Israel and sent an update after Oct. 7, ending with just 2 words; Open borders. That was a smear against Pres. Biden, Democrats, who knows.
Sheesh, I can't decide whether to tell him "open borders is why he exists; our families emigrated here very late 1890's when Jews were allowed in, or just throw his e-mails in the trash.
I'm sorry, how frustrating for you Lauren.
To tell you the truth, I think Netanyahu is behind the Oct 7th terrorist attack. Now he can try to make it look like he is protecting Israelis, and deflect from his corrupt actions. It also presents a big challenge for President Biden, and is a shot for Netanyahu getting his buddy TFG into the White House again. Amoral power-hungry monsters like Netanyahu don't care a bit that their own citizens had to be sacrificed for his gains.
That's how we'll be treated here, if Inmate P01135809 is reelected.
Read Heather Cox Richardson’s new book to get the perspective historically of the fact we have been here before.
Right Stephen. The PBS interview that I posted with HCR does a good job of explaining that.
Another interview where HCR is allowed to explain the premise of her newest book is with Meghna Chakrabarti on the podcast "On Point". When Meghna asks her what the one thing is that she looks back on in American history that helps her understand what's happening now, Heather explains that it's the 1850's.
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2023/09/29/historian-heather-cox-richardsons-notes-on-the-state-of-america
Thank you, I watched HCR's interview. I'm with her, we've been thru bad times, and some of us got to work with hope and intention, and helped turn things around.
Republicans are acting the way they are because we the voters have let them get away with it for a long time. I agree with Robert the current Speaker should have a negative impact on the voting public as well as the government. It should impact many House members in swing states.
I suggest that you read Hakeem Jeffries’ remarks in the House yesterday, about how democracy wins out in the end. Inspiring words—and ideas. As for Johnson, I’m speculating here, but I bet something scandalous will come out about him in the next few months. He’s that kind of guy.
Jeffries's speech was very inspiring, as always.
Hi Jon, I did read his speech, on a different Substack yesterday. The words were good, but fell on majority deaf ears in the House I am afraid. That majority has the ability to do a lot of damage for everyone in the USA. I am living outside of the US right now, but will be back at some point soon, and not eager to be there. I am excited about Jeffries leading if we can get a Democratic majority in the House. In the meantime, I will wait to see what Johnson's agenda will be, but am afraid it will look just like Donald Trump's the head that Johnson is listening to. That agenda is to destroy the country and let Trump go free.
I remind myself that for now, the Senate has not changed and the president has not changed. So their agenda will still go nowhere legislatively, just as it went nowhere under McCarthy. They can DO little. But they can OBSTRUCT a great deal by controlling what comes to the floor for a vote, such as not bringing Ukraine to the floor, despite bipartisan support. Beyond that, we focus on winning seats a year from now and having Speaker Jeffries in charge.
Just call it what it is-it’s shit, not doo doo, it’s shit! We can handle the word.
Sorry. I like both and use them as it feels appropriate to me. Given the childish nature of the Republican Party doodoo seemed more appropriate than shit. They have not reached that level in my opinion. In German it would be Kacke or Scheiß! In Plattdeutsch it could be Schiet, Driet, but more childish Puup, or Pupu! Glad you understood what I meant though!
We are in total agreement about the fear and loathing of this Speaker. How did the Dems ever believe that if they didn’t support McCarthy, we would end up with a better choice????? Do they know these people???? They are reprehensible, and their pent-up hate and grievance has shocked and dismayed normal Americans. “White rage”……..it’s alive and well and running the House of Representatives.
Democrats did not have the choice to support McCarthy. He made that clear. He said he wouldn't accept it. And if Democrats started to vote in favor (or present) anyway, Republicans would have deserted McCarthy en masse. So, this mess is in no way the fault of Democrats.
All it would have taken was six Republicans to stand up to the MAGA crowd. I sure want to believe there were six, only six, of the 220 that had the spine to be leaders. Whatever you call it, the Democratic playbook brought a vision of a football team that played brilliantly from their 20 yard line to mid-field then attempted a field goal. It missed again and again and again. The other team finally scored and the game was over.
I'm not blaming the Democrats for the Republican cesspool but I am saying it would have been beautiful to see all the Democrats line up behind a Constitutional Republican, Romney, George Bush, Kinzinger, or Cheney for Speaker and, who knows, that MIGHT have inspired six Republicans to grow a spine. The Democrats, like the Republicans are responsible to the American People not their parties or the dictator wannabe. Neither side served the American people these last 3 weeks.
Any Republicans who cooperated with any Democrat effort would have been committing career suicide. It wasn't going to happen. The Democrats made overtures for bipartisan solutions and were batted down and it was clear that anyone who cooperated would pay. The athletic analogy falls apart very early.
They chose career over country. They should retire before doing more damage to our democracy.
This mess is is in no way the fault of Democrats, but since the elevation of Johnson, I see and feel renewed vigor to blame them anyway. People are angry. They seem to be lashing out even more in this vein.
I don't for a minute think the Democrats thought there was a better choice. We have to be careful that we are not blaming the Democrats for the cesspool that is the Republican party and the events that brought this about.
I don't think every Republican is dumb, but I think they are afraid of a man with no substance, who is immoral or amoral and whose mental state is deteriorating by the day. I do think there are enough smart voters to bring us across the finish line next year, and that is what keeps me going.
I think they are A) Deluded that they can "do more" by staying in the cesspool, where demonstrably they do nothing when it matters most, rather than taking action that would open themselves to be primaried out next year and losing their seats to MAGAs; and B) not sure they can compete for actual jobs anymore like the rest of us.
Cowards!
Republicans have indeed made a grievous mistake in electing Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Unfortunately, that's not just because he "will be an albatross around the neck of every vulnerable Republican in districts won by Joe Biden in 2020."
It is a grievous mistake because he is particularly unsuited to the task of protecting the House of Representatives from the ongoing assault by MAGA extremism. Indeed, he's likely to be complicit.
All of us now need to be more vigilant than ever. We must stand ready to defend the institution at the heart of our self-governing democracy, whatever form that defense may take.
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“During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Mike Johnson attacks Roe v. Wade, insisting that if only women were compelled to bring more "able-bodied workers" into the world, Republicans wouldn’t need to slash Social Security and Medicare.”
https://twitter.com/HouseJudiciary/status/1717183190463336780
Thanks for this Kathy. What a wack job. Now I'm really scared.
Action is the best remedy for our anxiety, Jeanne. Keep sharing about Rep Johnson!
💙
Likely? He was (and continues to be) eyeballs deep in “save the steal.”
Between now and the election be sure to pray for Joe Biden's continual good health. With a novice Trumpite like Johnson 2nd in line for the Presidency and Putin needing Biden out of the way, a lot of horrible things are possible. Don't believe anyone who says Johnson is as bad as McCarthy. His inexperience in governing and adoration for the authoritarian makes him much more dangerous to American Democracy.
I personally believe that, although the facts about Rep. Johnson are far from favorable, people should not obsess. People should wait and see what happens under his speakership … and react to *that*, rather than speculation.
He is already complicit. I'm concerned that his lack of experience is going to catch up and bite him pretty fast. What does he really know about running with the big boys, and at such a perilous time for the country and the world?
Just read this from Jennifer Rubin and I believe captures what the real situation is in this country. “ When a sizable portion of one of the major political parties, aided by a right-wing propaganda machine and infused with religious fervor, rejects the basis for multiracial, multicultural democracy, we face a severe crisis. Even if Trump does not return to the White House, this radicalized segment will not disappear. How we reintegrate millions of Americans into reality-based, pro-democracy politics in a diverse country remains the great challenge of our time“
If the "activists" of the far left constitute 1% of campus Democrats I will be amazed. 50 years ago, in a situation that called people to political action even more strongly than today does, there was never more than 10% of students who were involved as antiwar activists in any meaningful way - and the "anti-imperialist" left - the equivalent of today's "anti-colonialists" was something less than 1% of those involved. They seemed like more because their monkey screeching was louder. The same is true today with the entitled twits of the far left.
In 2016, when the Supremes vacated former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell's conviction for honest services fraud and for extortion, they explained that "setting up a meeting, calling another public official, or hosting an event does not, standing alone, qualify as an official act." Now that we know so much more about the extent to which Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito and, perhaps others, have received benefits from "friends," it raises questions about the 2016 decision. Even though the decision was unanimous, some of the Justices may have been more conscious than others of the extent to which certain of their behaviors were no longer "official acts."
It will surprise me not at all if, down the road, we learn that Tom Emmer and his family received scary threats - like those inspired by loyalists to Jim Jordan recently. A reasonable RINO bows out of the Speaker's race? When he had been a long time member of leadership and very much in contention? I think he was scared off. And maybe I would have done the same thing if I thought my wife or kids were actually at risk. And that is such a totally disastrous commentary on the current state of MAGA Republican politics. And would be so typical of the thuggish Trump followers. If I'm right. Throw the bums out in 2024!!!!
I agree Swbv. It all happened too fast with Emmer which makes it VERY suspicious. These people will stop at nothing to get their way.
I understand why you would think this. Swbv. And the fact that your suspicion is reasonable is itself a sad commentary. But in this case, I don't think that's what happened.
Mr. Emmer is the Republican Whip. That means it's his job to know how every member will vote on every issue, every time. As part of Kevin McCarthy's leadership team he, like Steve Scalise, would not have the votes of MAGA members who just removed the Speaker. Knowing that he could not win, he dropped out rather than be humiliated by a loss.
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Hope it is as you say. Not something darker
If Tom Emmers is too afraid to do what is right for the American people because of ANY REASON he should resign Congress today. And the same thing goes for any of them of any party. America is the "Land of the free" ONLY when its also the "home of the brave". Are all Republicans Trumpites or are they just cowards?
None of them is willing to give up the power, even if it is for the greater good.
It would certainly explain it.
"We should expect nothing less from President Biden—or any other president." I'd make that ...other elected official. Far too many view their responsibility as getting re-elected rather than governing to the best of their ability and that needs to change.
You wrote: "He should do what he believes is in the best interests of the U.S. without regard to the effect on his personal political prospects." I want to point out that it's not just his "personal political prospects" that are at risk if whichever path he takes alienates voters. We are ALL at risk. Our democracy, and the personal freedoms it provides and protects, are at even greater risk. Most of us will be hurt if Biden's handling of this predicament alienates enough voters to award Trump a second term. Judging from the (still-growing) havoc Trump wrought during his first term, I doubt we'd survive a second. HOWEVER, since some voters will be alienated no matter what path Biden chooses, he may as well go with his own best judgement, which is what he appears to be doing. I agree ... we should appreciate and applaud him. BRAVO 👏. ... and UH-OH .... 😱.
(I have some ideas about messaging to mitigate the age issue.)
Regarding Biden's support of Israel, I agree that he, along with the rest of us, faces an impossible predicament -- it's :"damned if you do, and damned if you don't". I'm grateful that his steady hand is at the helm as the currents become dangerous, and the sea begins to rumble.
At the heart of every "ism" is the desire for it to be easy - easy solutions, easy reasons, easy explanations, easy victims, easy hate, easy messages, easy identification, easy solidarity, and the list goes on. Life is not easy. Life is a struggle for all who breathe. We have been blessed (?) with the gift of reason and choice, yet we find reasons why not to choose or use our intellect, or trust our deepest hearts and intuition, or do the hard work of questioning. We are naturally flawed, yet we want to be right all the time. We are by nature all related, yet we seek differences..We want peace, yet if inside we are in turmoil, if inside we feel blameless and wish to blame others; if inside we cannot stand the pain, we then look for what's easy.
Now is not, now cannot be a time for easy.
The question I have regarding the new speaker is - what are the prospects of passing bills to fund our government and fund Ukraine and Israel? If he is beholden to MAGA, what are the prospects of that happening? The general dysfunction that will likely happen will help in elections next year, but significant damage can be done this year if the government shuts down and Ukraine loses ground because funding stops.
McCarthy was just as beholden to MAGA. The prospects of passing bills to fund the government were just as difficult for him--that's why he needed the CR that got him ousted in the first place. He promised to do Ukraine separately from the CR, so obviously he wasn't expecting to be tossed. And Israel hadn't happened. But MAGA was around his neck also and he was generally on their side about breaking the deal he made with the president (which Congress approved!) and slashing spending.
But McCarthy had broken with the extremists to get the temporary CR passed - he actually allied with Dems to get it passed. Because it was the MAGA extermists who voted to oust him, was it wise for Dems to vote with them? This seems worse. It may end up better in the long run (i.e. the 2024 election), but the short term damage could be greater than with McCarthy.
No. He didn't ally with the Dems to pass the CR. They found out when he took it to the floor with little time to actually read it. They saved him by delivering the votes to pass it when he didn't have Republican votes. Then the next morning he was on Meet the Press saying that they all voted against it. The host laughed at him. He said "Did you see the vote?" She said, "Did YOU see the vote?" It was not up to the Dems to save a speaker who lied, betrayed and stabbed them in the back at every turn. He made a deal with the president in May over the debt ceiling and a framework for the budget. Congress passed it. The president signed it. The NEXT DAY he was backing away from it to appease MAGA. At every turn he was untrustworthy. If his own party didn't want him, it was not the Dems' job to save him.
This is a comment from someone who knows more than I do. After reading this, it clearly seems like the new boss is not the same as the old boss, and is instead worse.
"As scrutiny has been focused on Johnson’s views, he turns out to be, in fact, the House member most aligned with the election deniers, Operation REDMAP gerrymanderers, Federalist Society judicial stackers, and Project 2025 government decimators. He rounds all 4 bases on the list for those who seek to end our democratic form of government and turn us into autocracy.
As a bonus, he also has extreme views on every social issue in the culture wars, and on economic policy and foreign policy.
Mike Johnson is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: intelligent, soft-spoken, humble, bespectacled, and with a certain bit of self-depreciation. He has an anti-Trump personality, with intelligence, vigor, and real “family values .” But he is far more amenable to grooming and understanding doctrinaire positions and crafting legislation, which makes him a huge potential asset for the oligarchs behind the former Republican party (FRP). He was primarily responsible for the Republican budget proposals in 2022, which aimed at dismantling the social safety net.
Make no mistake, Mike Johnson is on the fringe of the right-wing fringe. The question that arises in my mind is what was said in that last conference meeting that led to his election with NO dissent in the ranks and that would make EVERY member of the conference fall in line behind this extremist.
There is no question that Democrats will be using Johnson as the face of the Republican Party in every Congressional campaign in 2024 because of his extremist views. That would jeopardize the election prospects of many Republicans currently in the House. But if he glides so smoothly into his sheep’s clothing, as he did in the Hannity interview, that will be far far harder than it would have been with a Scalise or Jordan.
Perhaps that’s the reason why the 112 who opposed Jordan reversed their positions and collapsed so suddenly. Judge for yourself by watching the full Hannity interview. Know your opposition! Johnson scares me more than any other Republican out there. You should be scared of the wolf too."
It is beyond belief that even one Democrat would not vote for Biden because of his support for Israel? Fine if you don’t like how he is handling this issue. Or, any other issue! Or, if you think he’s too old! Or, you wouldn’t want to have dinner with him! Do these “I’m not going to vote for Biden” or “I’m not going to vote at all” realize the alternative is DONALD TRUMP!!!
Exactly, Robert. Joe Biden is being a leader. And Republicans are being damn fools.
When will all of this stop? Just today we have another mass shooting in Lewiston Maine, a Supreme Court Justice who received a loan forgiven of $ 247,000 from a person who has interests before the court, we have an election denier a fanatical articulate MAGNA advocate as the next Speaker of the House , a war in the Middle East and states like North Carolina creating extreme gerrymandered voting districts just to name a few things going on. I have excluded the Trump criminal clown show because frankly people have moved on and everyone knows he is guilty as charged. Here’s the thing we are all asking at a certain level “ when will the Supreme Court return back to creditably and not be totally politicized and when will Thomas being held accountable. When will the House govern instead of being held hostage by a small group of radical right wing members. When will be really return our country to the greatness we had before Newt Gingrich and the Republicans morphed into the radical party they have become. I asked a friend this question and he answered “ when average people get off their fat ass and vote and send a resounding message that this is not who we are. We can fix this, we have in the past we need to fix it now. Will we?