Apologies for the delay. After I finish writing the newsletter, I record the audio version. When that is done, I wait for 5 minutes as the recording is downloaded from the cloud-based recording service, and then wait 5 minutes while it is uploaded onto Substack's platform. I started making travel arrangements during that ten minutes of waiting and never hit "send."
I think I speak for many in that we were concerned about you and your family. 'Glad all is well and thank you for your immense daily contributions to our knowledge and motivation.
Exactly! I was asking myself, “After celebrating 50,000 did he become a target of trolls or hackers? Did something (an accident or ?) render Robert unable to post?”
Thank you so much, Robert, for linking to the story about Progressive Democrats considering a vote for vacating the chair. As you know, our network of citizens at www.FeathersOfHope.net has been advocating for a bipartisan coalition to remove and replace Kevin McCarthy since January.
The difference, of course, is that we've been urging moderates in both parties to unite in this effort. In our view, the point here is not to make things worse, but to end the chaos, by electing a strong, independent moderate Republican Speaker who owes nothing to MAGA extremists. (Rep. Khanna was publicly promoting such a compromise during the marathon voting for Speaker.)
Someone like Don Bacon (R-NE) or Brian Fitzpatrick R-PA) could provide effective leadership if supported by the same bipartisan majority that passed the debt ceiling increase (Fiscal Responsibility Act) a few months ago.
You ask, "How, then, will we escape from the corner into which McCarthy has painted himself? Like all things, it will come down to pressure from the American people. Even the most rabid political extremists know how to determine which way the wind is blowing."
You are absolutely right! That's why we're inviting everyone who values an orderly functioning House of Representatives to pitch in and help end the chaos, hand MAGA forces in the House a stinging defeat, and restore nomal order to the chamber.
Given the order of succession to POTUS, it is imperative that whoever follows Chaos Kevin must have the mental as well as political capacity for such a role, if God forbid, that should ever happen. It's not enough to just be able to corral the extremists and pass meaningful legislation, it's got to be someone with the gravitas to be considered a serious leader of this country. I can't think of a single person on the R side who has that ability or integrity.
We have all seen more than enough of a handful of radical right-wing Republicans thwarting both the ability of the House to perform its basic functions and, more importantly, the clearly-expressed will of the majority. If five or so MAGA Republicans can do this, there surely must be the possibility that 5-10 reasonable, rational moderate Republicans can form a small coalition that threatens to vote with the Dems when and if the tiny radical right clique takes extreme and unreasonable positions. We must replace the extremist tyranny of the MINORITY with the reasonable rule of the Democrats when their position is just sensible enough for a few Republican House members joining to effect legislation that has the clear support of a broad MAJORITY of the American people. And if bareknuckle politics threaten these brave people with a MAGA primary opponent, the Democrats can promise to not run a well-funded opponent in the general election or perhaps ANY opomnent. The voters need to KNOW just who is responsible for the disfunction of Congress.
Yes, I was worried as others were. This just shows how much the well being of you and your managing editor means to us Robert. I was trying to cool my jets by telling myself "people have things come up that need immediate attention" and "perhaps he forgot to hit 'send'". Lol
I can't tell you how much I appreciate you reading your letter. I don't have a lot of "sitting time" in my life, so I listen to my Substack subscriptions. The AI text to speech can be annoying at times. As an example- in Joyce Vance's "Civil Discourse" I was listening to "Chesebro " pronounced as "Kezbro". I was in a tizz for a bit, thinking "who is this defendant that I have not yet heard of at all?"
Kamala Harris cannot change the facts that she is a black/Indian woman but you can change your attitude that that disqualifies her from potentially becoming the President of the United States
Yep! Just like with Obama--white voters uncomfortable with a Black leader in the White House make excuses for not supporting an obviously qualified choice.
And don’t forget, everyone, if you want to help us win in Virginia you can also write postcards, send Vote Forward letters, or join me in calling voters! We need more volunteers badly! I’ve got a doc with lots of ways you can help here: https://tinyurl.com/SOSinVA
Remember, Glenn Youngkin is pouring money into the GOP races--if they succeed in flipping the VA Senate and holding the House of Delegrates not only will they immediately pass an abortion ban and some really awful anti-LGBTQ bills, but Youngkin will very likely announce a Presidential bid. We can’t have that! Please, please help us win! These elections in VA are existential!
LOoove the “Stop Whining and buck up” to David Ignatius and the Biden-Harris whiners.
Pick up your pens and Sharpies, write postcards and Vote Forward letters. Text and call, don sneakers and walking shoes -- write, call, march, canvas and get to work to support Biden-Harris so Democrats WIN in 2024.
WTF with Pres Biden's age?!?!? He's got 3 years on tfg and yeeeeaaarrrs of experience, wisdom, and history with which he's leading. Seriously, we don't need the media-induced chaos. That's all.
P.S. Covid is still out there, people. 🥴 Mask up! Even in warm sunny Southern CA.
President Biden is 3-1/2 years older than Defendant Trump. The difference is that President Biden acts his age while the other guy acts like a 3-1/2 year old (apologies to 3-1/2 year olds).
The "surgeon general" in Florida has told Floridians under 65 not to get vaccinated. Now after everything else, looks like we are in peril from our own governor.
To counter the charge that Biden is “losing it” mentally, try this split screen: Trump speaking in his 30s or 40s sounding more or less coherent vs. Trump speaking now. (Need not be the Howard Stern interview where he praises his daughter’s body, something mundane.) Biden in younger days fights his stutter, same thing now, little difference except for gained wisdom.
Sep 14, 2023·edited Sep 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
>>There are many disturbing details in the excerpt, but the most disturbing is the fact that Republicans in the House and Senate said they would not vote to impeach or convict Trump because they feared violent retribution from Trump's followers.>>
The second most was that Romney is rich enough to pay $5K/day or $1.83 million/year out of pocket to fund his own security detail. (That was more surprising than disturning, but still...)
Alan, I highlighted that $5K/ day in security costs in response to all the negative comments to Steve Schmidt's piece this morning. This thing that has been unleashed (I keep seeing the climatic scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark as the spirits were unfurled) by Grover Norquist, Mitch McConnell, Steve Bannon, Rupert Murdoch for personal profit was recognized by Putin as a chink in the armor of democracy and exploited. While I cringed at the time to Clinton's comment about the "deplorables", that describes the aforementioned to a T. Despicable people and situation; glad Romney is exposing.
Like Liz Cheney, Hillary Clinton nailed it.She also talked about there being a right-wing conspiracy at the time of Clinton’s impeachment and that’s the one conspiracy I believe was true.
Amen, the democrats are their own worst enemy. Age has nothing to do with competency and that’s what we need now more than ever. Breaking up the ticket...really...why....???? Even if something happened to Biden Kamala Harris would be exponentially better than anyone the GOP would produce. Everyone wake up! Thanks Robert, our modern day Paul Revere!
Robert, your description of McCarthy, "Kevin McCarthy is an inveterate liar and spineless coward," reminded me of my own reference to today's Republicans as, "Inveterate Invertebrates."
Thank you for posting the entire article! It’s rich that Romney now sees the hypocrisy of his party. I wonder if he he ever questions the same with his religion.
Thank you for that link. I never cared for Romney after that crack about 47% of Americans paying no income tax--very misleading without context! But this article is very revealing, insightful and.................frightening. Again, thanks!
" It could be that Wisconsin Republicans are looking for political cover for the plan to impeach Justice Janet Protasiewicz. Or it could be that they hear the footsteps of angry constituents upset that the GOP plans to nullify an election in which the people of Wisconsin made their voices heard. Stay tuned." Or it could be that Wisconsin's politicians need political cover from the violent and angry right as they acquiesce to the majority view of Wisconsin voters.
Alright everyone. Stop the Biden noise. Look at his appointments = young, alert, active, varied, intelligent. This is a man smart enough to choose the best. Could anyone stand up to his grueling travel schedule this month? Not I.
I marvel at his dexterity. I am touched by his kindness. I am in awe of his accomplishment.
And his intrepid FLOTUS who not only teaches, recovers from Covid, but is at this side and doing her part to help this country. God forbid we have to ever again endure another of the "other" kind.
And a good president. (Oh, but he tripped and fell! He doesn’t talk as loud and fast as Trump! He doesn’t have the fat reserves of Trump, he doesn’t look as “solid.”)
"The obvious way out of this mess is for McCarthy and a handful of GOP representatives to find the courage to stand up to Gaetz, Boebert, and the rest of the Freedom Caucus." Or to forget about McCarthy and the "Freedom" Caucus, think outside the political box a bit and vacate the current Speakership in favor of a notionally moderate Republican like Don Bacon or Dave Joyce. There were 317 votes in favor of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (72% of the House) and there should be just as many if not more in favor of a Political Responsibility Act and the concomitant return to effective governance.
If You Always Do What You've Always Done, You'll Always Get What You've Always Gotten! It's well past time we took the path less traveled and got a performing instead of performative Congress.
Apologies for the delay. After I finish writing the newsletter, I record the audio version. When that is done, I wait for 5 minutes as the recording is downloaded from the cloud-based recording service, and then wait 5 minutes while it is uploaded onto Substack's platform. I started making travel arrangements during that ten minutes of waiting and never hit "send."
I think I speak for many in that we were concerned about you and your family. 'Glad all is well and thank you for your immense daily contributions to our knowledge and motivation.
Exactly! I was asking myself, “After celebrating 50,000 did he become a target of trolls or hackers? Did something (an accident or ?) render Robert unable to post?”
Geez! Robert! You scared some of us. 🤓
I thought perhaps he was celebrating with a much deserved break!
No worries! You sent it. That's the important thing!
Thank you so much, Robert, for linking to the story about Progressive Democrats considering a vote for vacating the chair. As you know, our network of citizens at www.FeathersOfHope.net has been advocating for a bipartisan coalition to remove and replace Kevin McCarthy since January.
The difference, of course, is that we've been urging moderates in both parties to unite in this effort. In our view, the point here is not to make things worse, but to end the chaos, by electing a strong, independent moderate Republican Speaker who owes nothing to MAGA extremists. (Rep. Khanna was publicly promoting such a compromise during the marathon voting for Speaker.)
Someone like Don Bacon (R-NE) or Brian Fitzpatrick R-PA) could provide effective leadership if supported by the same bipartisan majority that passed the debt ceiling increase (Fiscal Responsibility Act) a few months ago.
You ask, "How, then, will we escape from the corner into which McCarthy has painted himself? Like all things, it will come down to pressure from the American people. Even the most rabid political extremists know how to determine which way the wind is blowing."
You are absolutely right! That's why we're inviting everyone who values an orderly functioning House of Representatives to pitch in and help end the chaos, hand MAGA forces in the House a stinging defeat, and restore nomal order to the chamber.
Learn more here: https://www.FeathersOfHope.net or jerryweiss.substack.com
.
Given the order of succession to POTUS, it is imperative that whoever follows Chaos Kevin must have the mental as well as political capacity for such a role, if God forbid, that should ever happen. It's not enough to just be able to corral the extremists and pass meaningful legislation, it's got to be someone with the gravitas to be considered a serious leader of this country. I can't think of a single person on the R side who has that ability or integrity.
Ellen, here's a few suggestions:
https://jerryweiss.substack.com/p/if-mccarthys-out-whos-in
.
Thanks!
We have all seen more than enough of a handful of radical right-wing Republicans thwarting both the ability of the House to perform its basic functions and, more importantly, the clearly-expressed will of the majority. If five or so MAGA Republicans can do this, there surely must be the possibility that 5-10 reasonable, rational moderate Republicans can form a small coalition that threatens to vote with the Dems when and if the tiny radical right clique takes extreme and unreasonable positions. We must replace the extremist tyranny of the MINORITY with the reasonable rule of the Democrats when their position is just sensible enough for a few Republican House members joining to effect legislation that has the clear support of a broad MAJORITY of the American people. And if bareknuckle politics threaten these brave people with a MAGA primary opponent, the Democrats can promise to not run a well-funded opponent in the general election or perhaps ANY opomnent. The voters need to KNOW just who is responsible for the disfunction of Congress.
That’s a good one. We’ve all been there 😊
Welcome to the club, Robert.
Yes, I was worried as others were. This just shows how much the well being of you and your managing editor means to us Robert. I was trying to cool my jets by telling myself "people have things come up that need immediate attention" and "perhaps he forgot to hit 'send'". Lol
I can't tell you how much I appreciate you reading your letter. I don't have a lot of "sitting time" in my life, so I listen to my Substack subscriptions. The AI text to speech can be annoying at times. As an example- in Joyce Vance's "Civil Discourse" I was listening to "Chesebro " pronounced as "Kezbro". I was in a tizz for a bit, thinking "who is this defendant that I have not yet heard of at all?"
Kamala Harris cannot change the facts that she is a black/Indian woman but you can change your attitude that that disqualifies her from potentially becoming the President of the United States
Yep! Just like with Obama--white voters uncomfortable with a Black leader in the White House make excuses for not supporting an obviously qualified choice.
And not just republicans either. 🙄
She is a tough and highly intelligent woman. There are a great many men and some women who don’t like that.
I agree. So much unconscious bias out there! Oy!!
Excellent comment, Ilene. So true!
And don’t forget, everyone, if you want to help us win in Virginia you can also write postcards, send Vote Forward letters, or join me in calling voters! We need more volunteers badly! I’ve got a doc with lots of ways you can help here: https://tinyurl.com/SOSinVA
Remember, Glenn Youngkin is pouring money into the GOP races--if they succeed in flipping the VA Senate and holding the House of Delegrates not only will they immediately pass an abortion ban and some really awful anti-LGBTQ bills, but Youngkin will very likely announce a Presidential bid. We can’t have that! Please, please help us win! These elections in VA are existential!
Thank you, Jessica Craven!
Seconded.
LOoove the “Stop Whining and buck up” to David Ignatius and the Biden-Harris whiners.
Pick up your pens and Sharpies, write postcards and Vote Forward letters. Text and call, don sneakers and walking shoes -- write, call, march, canvas and get to work to support Biden-Harris so Democrats WIN in 2024.
See my comment below. STA is hard at work
Funny story, my dad works with Chris Chapin. 😁 Thanks for all that you do.
As in Christina?
Chris (he's a real estate broker in the Hamptons) - he and Harry had the same dad. My dad also knew Jim (their dad).
Ah yes, the Hamptons Chapins! Jim Chapin was my step-grandfather! Amazing drummer.
WTF with Pres Biden's age?!?!? He's got 3 years on tfg and yeeeeaaarrrs of experience, wisdom, and history with which he's leading. Seriously, we don't need the media-induced chaos. That's all.
P.S. Covid is still out there, people. 🥴 Mask up! Even in warm sunny Southern CA.
President Biden is 3-1/2 years older than Defendant Trump. The difference is that President Biden acts his age while the other guy acts like a 3-1/2 year old (apologies to 3-1/2 year olds).
At least 3-1/2 years old are acting age appropriately.
Ha ha!
What does that say about Trump’s admirers?
:-)
The "surgeon general" in Florida has told Floridians under 65 not to get vaccinated. Now after everything else, looks like we are in peril from our own governor.
Methinks you've been in peril for a while now. What's he going to do? Check everyone's medical records for vaccination? Seriously, though, stay safe.
To counter the charge that Biden is “losing it” mentally, try this split screen: Trump speaking in his 30s or 40s sounding more or less coherent vs. Trump speaking now. (Need not be the Howard Stern interview where he praises his daughter’s body, something mundane.) Biden in younger days fights his stutter, same thing now, little difference except for gained wisdom.
>>There are many disturbing details in the excerpt, but the most disturbing is the fact that Republicans in the House and Senate said they would not vote to impeach or convict Trump because they feared violent retribution from Trump's followers.>>
The second most was that Romney is rich enough to pay $5K/day or $1.83 million/year out of pocket to fund his own security detail. (That was more surprising than disturning, but still...)
Alan, I highlighted that $5K/ day in security costs in response to all the negative comments to Steve Schmidt's piece this morning. This thing that has been unleashed (I keep seeing the climatic scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark as the spirits were unfurled) by Grover Norquist, Mitch McConnell, Steve Bannon, Rupert Murdoch for personal profit was recognized by Putin as a chink in the armor of democracy and exploited. While I cringed at the time to Clinton's comment about the "deplorables", that describes the aforementioned to a T. Despicable people and situation; glad Romney is exposing.
Like Liz Cheney, Hillary Clinton nailed it.She also talked about there being a right-wing conspiracy at the time of Clinton’s impeachment and that’s the one conspiracy I believe was true.
But will the message be heard? I would have liked to see him lead a rebellion against his own party like Chaney did.
I’d like to be able to deliver a Liz Cheney direct gaze and delivery. Impressive.
Yeah I found that to be crazy, too. All in all it was a terribly unsettling article.
And he chose to vote party line anyway, coward
Amen, the democrats are their own worst enemy. Age has nothing to do with competency and that’s what we need now more than ever. Breaking up the ticket...really...why....???? Even if something happened to Biden Kamala Harris would be exponentially better than anyone the GOP would produce. Everyone wake up! Thanks Robert, our modern day Paul Revere!
Correct! Kamala Harris would be exponentially better than say Dan Quayle would have been, had something happened to George HW Bush.
Yes, but you are thinking rationally. Is that allowed in cults? I didn’t think so.
Robert, your description of McCarthy, "Kevin McCarthy is an inveterate liar and spineless coward," reminded me of my own reference to today's Republicans as, "Inveterate Invertebrates."
Ha!
As they say, "Great minds think alike." The rest of us just get lucky once in a while!
I, too, was relieved when you finally popped up on my screen, Robert. I searched everywhere I could for you. So happy everything is okay. We need you.
See my pathetic explanation, above. Thanks for worrying!
I was just about to text you to make sure you were ok.
AMEN!!
What happens if the MAGA Caucus throws out McCarthy? Certainly, no GOP member in the House will be elected Speaker.
It will be up to whatever semi-sane number of Republicans find their spines and join with the Democrats to elect Hakim Jefferies Speaker.
Wishful thinking.
The “semi-sane” Republicans may know what Senator Romney said.
FYI - The full article about Romney and his thoughts is here: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/11/mitt-romney-retiring-senate-trump-mcconnell/675306/
It's a very insightful read, and honestly just goes to show how far gone some people in the GOP are.
Thank you for posting the entire article! It’s rich that Romney now sees the hypocrisy of his party. I wonder if he he ever questions the same with his religion.
Thank you for that link. I never cared for Romney after that crack about 47% of Americans paying no income tax--very misleading without context! But this article is very revealing, insightful and.................frightening. Again, thanks!
" It could be that Wisconsin Republicans are looking for political cover for the plan to impeach Justice Janet Protasiewicz. Or it could be that they hear the footsteps of angry constituents upset that the GOP plans to nullify an election in which the people of Wisconsin made their voices heard. Stay tuned." Or it could be that Wisconsin's politicians need political cover from the violent and angry right as they acquiesce to the majority view of Wisconsin voters.
Kevin McCarthy, Please go home to Bakersfield.
Alright everyone. Stop the Biden noise. Look at his appointments = young, alert, active, varied, intelligent. This is a man smart enough to choose the best. Could anyone stand up to his grueling travel schedule this month? Not I.
I marvel at his dexterity. I am touched by his kindness. I am in awe of his accomplishment.
STOP LOOK LISTEN. This is a fine man.
And his intrepid FLOTUS who not only teaches, recovers from Covid, but is at this side and doing her part to help this country. God forbid we have to ever again endure another of the "other" kind.
And a good president. (Oh, but he tripped and fell! He doesn’t talk as loud and fast as Trump! He doesn’t have the fat reserves of Trump, he doesn’t look as “solid.”)
I'd make only one small change to Marshall's advice: "Stop whining and buckle up!"
"The obvious way out of this mess is for McCarthy and a handful of GOP representatives to find the courage to stand up to Gaetz, Boebert, and the rest of the Freedom Caucus." Or to forget about McCarthy and the "Freedom" Caucus, think outside the political box a bit and vacate the current Speakership in favor of a notionally moderate Republican like Don Bacon or Dave Joyce. There were 317 votes in favor of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (72% of the House) and there should be just as many if not more in favor of a Political Responsibility Act and the concomitant return to effective governance.
If You Always Do What You've Always Done, You'll Always Get What You've Always Gotten! It's well past time we took the path less traveled and got a performing instead of performative Congress.
We all know what’s happened to Bud Light