The amazing thing is, the GOP saw it coming and let it happen. Remember those, like Lindsey Graham, that said the party would be destroyed if they went with Trump in 2016? Then they rolled over, and let it happen just to stay in power in the short term.
I don't like comparing the GOP to a spider, because spiders are very important ecologically. I like spiders. In the late '90s, a small spider lived in the bathroom of my house in DC all summer. She would catch other invertebrates in her web and eat them, and I quite enjoyed seeing what she was up to. At the end of the summer, she laid eggs and died, and all the baby spiders left. I was sad to see her go, and sad that none of the babies stayed.
My mother read us that book. I think I was six. I reread it about a year ago, and liked it a lot. But it was that spider in my bathroom around 26 years ago that got me loving spiders. And I'm guessing you had a very good second grade teacher!
my attitude towards spiders is "let them be." (of course, we have almost no poisonous ones in the Pacific NW). Flies are a whole lot higher than spiders on my yick list.
There are at least 3 spiders who can be toxic to humans in the Pacific NW. Most spiders, of course, are only toxic to their prey, and even the ones who can cause problems for people are not seeking them out and only bite out when threatened or confused. Your attitude of letting them be is a good one, but also add be careful when poking around in woodpiles, cellars, or outhouses. Also, avoid southern Oregon.
I'm not at all fond of flies. And I'm a native of Seattle, I lived in Denny Blaine in the mid-'50s and 1960-'61. I'm very nostalgic for it. And have a close friend on San Juan Island
I have a BROTHER on San Juan Island. And have lived in Seattle for 69 of my 79 years. (away for 10 for college and grad school.) And when a spider rappels down in front of me while I'm on the computer I blow gently and back up it goes.
I just leave the great big ones alone. Those monsters of summer are house spiders and can't live outside, so putting them out is a no go. They eventually find their way back to their holes. I may give them a boost from the sink or my chair or wherever they show up, and they scuttle away.
My family island is Lopez, though we mostly have left one way or another, mostly by dying. The rest of us are ex-pats. Islanders to the core. The closest I came to the same kind of community was when I lived at 9000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. Sky Island country.
I am a lover of spiders, too. My family (including elders at least 2 gens before me- and I have 3 gens after me) revered spiders. It is likely something that links us directly to old beliefs among our indigenous ancestors. One of our stories tells of how Spider Woman wove the universe (which can be defined any way you want). We respected the spiders who took up residence in our homes and took care not to disturb their webs. I don't think that the GOP is/was anything like a spider. Spider people are our allies, if we are but willing to recognize that.
Yes, spiders are good guys. When it was pointed out that the wasps put their larvae in an unsuspecting spider, it made a good picture to see the GOP as the spider, back 50 years ago before they became the complete personification of evil.
I love the simile but it is not hard to believe. An entire generation has passed since the party lost rationality and became a faction. Only the husk remains and that will be driven to the wind and, my prediction, a new party will emerge in two to three years.
I was going to say something almost identical to your statement here. But when are average Republicans who haven't spoken up going to realize the horrible trick he is playing on them?
Although there was an interesting poll of Iowans released yesterday, I think, showing that 51% of likely Caucus attendees would not vote for Trump. (The poll was a bit confusing, so we'll have to wait to see what actually happens in Iowa!) Could this be the start of a reckoning in an important state? I hope to God it is.
Yes, Jill, I thought the same thing. And it's so true. Incidentally just finished reading apiece on Yahoo news from the NY Times, comparing the Trump family to the Biden family. Well worth reading: Here is a n excerpt as well as the link: "Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said on MSNBC recently. ““If he (Hunter) traded on his father’s influence, he should be held accountable for that. And I’m emphasizing this because you never, ever heard a Republican say the same thing about Donald Trump or his family.”
Thanks for the endorsement, Robert! Replacing Kevin McCarthy with a Speaker who owes nothing to the extremist faction would be a stinging and enormously consequential defeat for MAGA.
It would give me great joy and some amount of comfort to see Kevin McCarthy turned out by the House and one of the 4 Republicans you discussed in your article voted in to the Speaker's Chair. McCarthy has for far too long exhibited a a callous ambition so naked it reminds me of.....Trump.
There is a difference though, between McCarthy and Trump regarding naked and callous ambition.
Kevin McCarthy is a calculating politician who routinely trades away his political capital in exchange for votes. In the end that leaves him powerless, indebted to those who have supported him.
Trump, on the other hand, never concedes power to anyone. Rather than solicit support from others, he uses his power to threaten and punish those who don't support him. In the end that leaves him still powerful, despite being indicted for criminal behavior.
Aug 23, 2023·edited Aug 23, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank-you very much, Mr. Weiss for providing us with this most informative link. Any one of the 4 Republicans that you wrote about would make a far better House Speaker than the divisive Kevin McCarthy.We need our House of Representatives to be a legislative body again and as long as McCarthy is in charge, this just ain't happening.
I read the sub stack post with interest, it's nice to know that there are some some thoughtful Republicans. However, I am very skeptical that the representatives as a whole would vote for one of them. This could end us with Matt Gaetz or someone worse, or, as you pointed out Steve Scalise. Frankly, I think that's the most likely outcome. I have no love for Kevin McCarthy and would love to see him removed speaker, but he's the devil you know… it could be way worse.
I just want to point out that votes for Speaker are cast by all 435 members, not just Republicans. A majority is 218 and there are only 222 Republicans.
It's highly unlikely that any of the more moderate, centrist R's would vote for an extremist like Gaetz. They could conceivably vote for Scalise, but if they were going to do that, there'd be no reason for them to support removing McCarthy.
Our mission at Feathers of Hope is to persuade the Republican moderates (and Democratic leadership) to remove McCarthy specifically for the purpose of replacing him with a moderate.
For a longer discussion of this, and some insight into the strains within the Republican Caucus in the House, see our post from June 29:
Thanks Jerry. I didn't know there were still five good republicans. (My former governor, Charlie Baker, is the fifth.) I'm going to broadcast your substack on this to my email list of close to 80 people.
Thank you so much for helping to spread the word, David!
Building public support for this proposal is crucial, as politicians always need to know that they'll not be punished for taking a bold step. Since the ones we hope to persuade represent districts where MAGA is not dominant, we need to convince them they'll be rewarded by voters hungry for normalcy.
It wasn't Trump who injected a parasite into the GOP. It was Nixon, when he came up with the "Southern Strategy" and invited all the unreconstructed Confederates to come join the party back in 1968. Since the country was founded, there have been three parties: the National Conservative Party (whatever its name) and the National Progressive Party (whatever its name), and the Southernist Party, a regional party. The two national parties are fairly even, so the Southernist Party would attach itself to whichever of the national parties would agree to allow the parasite its "peculiar institutions." For most of history, that party was the Democrats, which then committed "treason" in the 1950s and 60s and rid themselves of the parasite. When the Republicans offered themselves to the parasite, it decided it would not allow any "treason" and would insure this by taking over the party. We all know what happens when the parasite attempts to control the host - both die. That's what we're seeing now.
So long as we defeat the Southernist parasite in 2024, and 2026, and 2028, and 2030, and 2032 and 2034, and keep defeating it till the parasite dies.
"Southernism" was originally regional, but with migration, and then with the rise of media, it became a virus that spread across the country, affecting weak-minded losers wherever it found them.
TC, well stated. However, my concern is until the Republicans that I do have some respect for are willing to look this far back to see where everything went awry, they will rebuild on a corrupt foundation. Watergate morphed into "trickle down economics", Contras, Iran, Iraq (weapons of mass destruction), Trump, Supreme Court politics. I also think there needs some serious reflection on why no one listens to those waving the red flag (looking at our "journalism" media mode)l.But I do have hope....
Nixon maybe. Newt Gingrich for sure. He’s the one who has been the hard rights’ thought leader for 40 years. It’s completely laughable that Trump appointed his wife to be ambassador to the Vatican. He tried to scuttle Obama and his presidency. He was happy to have our country default.
“Proposing a universal tariff betrays short-term thinking…”. You give Trump too much credit, Robert. Thinking? That’s a very generous term to describe his malign, unchecked impulses.
As for telling the truth, I’ve often reminded witnesses of David Mamet’s wisdom: “It’s the easiest thing to remember.” We’re going to see a lot of people realizing that in the coming months.
I do not intend to waste any time watching the GOP debates and giving a viewer vote to whatever networks are airing it or the trump show. To be in the debate, all candidates should swear an oath to tell the truth and to stick to the rules (if there are any) of the debate or be penalized or banned from the next debate. They should have to pay for air time if they go over their alloted minutes and lose minutes from their time if they interrupt others. We have so many more important world crises to be solving and raising money for than stroking the egos of these people who act like 6 year olds. The networks are counting down the hours to the debate. I am going to throw up.
"They should have to pay for air time if they go over their alloted minutes and lose minutes from their time if they interrupt others." Good one! And, if I may, they should all pay for airtime to even participate.
Sharon, I like it! There should be clear rules and consequences for proper debates as much for their prospects of being elected as for our right to be properly informed.
I’m not watching the debates for the same reason Robert isn’t. I do not have the intestinal fortitude, enough ibuprofen, a chair comfortable enough, the time or the inclination to sift through the fantasy yarns 🧶 this group of “I wasn’t involved in the seditious acts of the Republicans involved in this coup, but....I haven’t spoken out against them either” intend to weave from lies, phony rhetoric and propaganda they have not made a single effort to distance themselves from. They think that stance will get them a seat in the Oval Office?
No offense ever intended to Monty Python, but all I can imagine is this group of flip flopping cowards running around the venue yelling “Help! Help! I’m being repressed!” I will read about it tomorrow.
Agreed. A debate between two people who respect certain rules of engagement can be interesting and helpful. Like shutting up while the other person speaks. Like discussing issues and policies. But that sort of "show" hasn't happened in decades.
Putting several people on stage and calling it a debate is silly. It's just an invitation to chaos.
I won't watch it. Other than perhaps Asa and Christie, it will be nothing more than free publicity for those who are actually there to audition for the role of VP...in my opinion. And as far as I'm concerned, Faux Noise will be giving free air time to nothing but hot air and liars.
I’ll throw up with you. I would love to hear the media broadcast a big thank you to Biden and his administration for forging ahead with good governance regardless of the Republican Noise Machine. Just say thanks once in awhile. It might help.
I want to note one part of the 10% tariff idea being put forward by trump. It seems to me that, as well as causing all the damage you already outlined, this tariff would create a money pipeline of "yuge" size that could be aimed directly into trump's pockets. Always the grifter.
Good point; I almost included that thought last night, but decided to cut the discussion short. Some American companies would love a 10% tariff because they don't export, but do compete in the US market only. They would undoubtedly pay Trump big bucks for his protectionist scheme.
"Trump injected the GOP with MAGA extremism." Well, he found extraordinarily fertile conditions – to say the least. The GOP by no means is a victim here. After a short-lived shock after Jan 6, which lasted not more than 5 to 10 days, they wholeheartedly embraced tfg as their ticket to win the next elections.
Neither tfg nor any of the other GOP candidates should occupy the Oval Office. Nor should the GOP in its current condition be in a position to dictate or hamper policies having a majority in the House and/or the Senate. Many never-trumpers will be inclined to sit out the vote for President in 2024 but will happily cast a vote for congressional Republican candidates "to balance the ticket."
"Balancing the ticket" was always a codeword for throwing a monkey wrench into the program and policies of a future administration. In 2024 it should be an absolute no-no.
Like you, I am a lawyer. And like most of your readers, I consider your newsletter an indispensable source of information and comment.
But I believe you are too gentle -- even way too gentle -- on the Bar. The profession lays claim to a high level of ethics, far beyond that expected of a lay person. I am reflexively suspicious of such claims but, at a minimum, it seems fair to hold an organization making such claims to the standards it professes.
By what stretch of the imagination can the conduct of lawyers challenging the election of 2020 (in court and elsewhere) be defended in light of those standards? Is sociopathy a valid justification?
A defense? Is the conduct even remotely consistent with the oath sworn by lawyers in every state? Why haven't a greater number of the lawyers responsible for repeatedly filing frivolous pleadings, disregarding admonitions from the bench, making blatantly false claims, and otherwise behaving in obviously unethical behavior been summarily disbarred? The process seems to be taking forever -- why? What is the defense? I am not speaking of crimes. I am speaking of statements and actions that cannot possibly be reconciled with the standard of behavior that the Bar proclaims lawyers must adhere to. I honestly don't get it.
Starting with Biden and going down through the senior Dem leadership ranks, I hope there are quiet behind the scenes efforts to talk to Republicans that are not full-on MAGA. Have coctails, have coffee, spend a little time talking about the Cubs or the upcoming US Open. Find common ground. Hidden behind the curtains there must still be some some non-MAGA Republicans who don't want to destroy NATO, due not want to vilify the LGBQ community, and don't like Putin and his war mongering kleptocracy.
I hope so, too. Joe Biden knows how to do that better than anyone.
I was hanging out with a Republican who now defines himself as an Independent. He still watches Fox. I consider him the finest of neighbors and a friend who would always have my back. But he will never vote for a Democrat. He sees them as socialists that want to take away our gas ranges and fossil fuel heating systems. ???
It's hard to find common ground with that. But I believe there are millions of "independents" and young people who don't really think about politics much. Maybe we can have an impact on them.
OMG, did you counter with, "Republicans are arming each other and killing innocent people, in denial about climate change while accepting Federal dollars for catastrophes, smashing the middle and lower classes with income disparities, increasing the national debt by trillions, and denying women autonomy over their bodies and families? Plus, Fox News tells them when to jump and how high."
Might I add they’re shameless criminals. They continue to lowered themselves into an abyss whose depth is still yet to be determined.
But there’s lots of change and excitement for our future. We prefer to live in societies that are advancing technologies and places where agriculture is moving away from chemicals and gmo’s. We are waking up that we must care for our planet. It is a living being. It is our home.
You have touched on something that is dismaying but true: “independents” who get their information from Fox, Newsmax, and other right-wing sources are soaking up misinformation that clouds their ability to see things as they really are. Fox admitted they lied about the “rigged” election and paid a huge price for it, yet have returned to propagating further mistruths.
For general purposes, I found this article helpful in understanding the depth of commitment some people have towards authoritarian figures, with some research to back it up.
This is a must read! This line puts it on the line. The horrible truth.
"Both groups long for a return to the good old days, a Christian, white-dominated America where (as Archie Bunker sang) “everybody knew their place, guys like us we had it made.”
Thank you. Great article. It made me look at my own upbringing in a new light. I think I’ve fortunately overcome the prejudices that were instilled in me as a child, but it’s taken time and lots of travel - both things that many people don’t have access to.
I hope others on this thread read what I saw in an article from The Hill today. Apparently the orange idiot made a statement about how he just might get on his plane and fly to Russia where he can hang out with Putin and enjoy life. Oh, and never be seen or heard from again! That’s the greatest part of that plan. I have thought for a long time he is a flight risk. He also mentions his airplane and that no one would recognize it/him. Funny.
We are all familiar with what happens when he says things like that in the press. I am not good with links (sadly) but it is easy to find on The Hill.
I wouldn't mind him leaving, if he could guarantee not to return. Putin will make mincemeat of him and bleed him of money and information, then suddenly be remorseful when Trump falls out of a window.
He actually put it in writing as a snarky response to the bail of $200,000. But you are correct - he telegraphs every move he plans to make and living under a "gold dome" with Putin might very well be his backup plan.
Thank you for providing this link, Jennifer. It is the most clarifying and convincing explanation for the behavior of the dedicated Trump follower that I have read...and I read every article on that subject that I find.
Now if the author will just research what might possibly work to help many/a small chunk of these Trump cultists wake up to the reality of their "leader," that would be very helpful. I know many of them "will go down with the ship." But cult deprogrammers and therapists who treat people mesmerized by malignant narcissists, in either group or individual relationships, must have something to add to this conversation.
Great article! I still don't understand why anyone would vote for him, but I don't have that kind of thinking 🤷♀️ Never have, and I have republican parents that voted for tfg!
The US is made up of people and an economy that consumes. The idea that Trump would increase costs on most things by 10% is hilarious, and will make even more people feel pain when purchasing anything. I know Trump doesn't think before he speaks, but the idea that his campaign thinks this would be a good idea is crazy. The GOP gives the Democrats so many easy wins with the dumb things their party leaders say I don't understand how they don't get hammered in messaging more often. I guess it's because their supporters don't care.
Thank you, Mr. Hubbell, for your unwavering message of "We have every reason to be hopeful, but none to be complacent!" It rings truer and truer. Nose the the grindstone everyone!
“Quiver of grievances” and the parasitic wasp analogy - wonderful! But it I think it’s important to watch the debate and to make our own judgments about lies, errors and truth-telling. So much of what passes for “news” and “reporting” is laced with opinion that we all need to do our best to rely on original sources and have in mind what we heard and read as we evaluate the content of secondary sources. Time consuming to be sure but essential nonetheless.
After reading Today’s Edition two thoughts came to mind. The first is that policy issues like tariffs, immigration, foreign policy and climate change to name a few are complicated, not easily solved and frankly many voters don’t care about and are not issues that influence whom they vote for. Secondly honesty is a character trait and it has been overwhelming abused especially by Trump and his supporters without real accountability disguised as a First Amendment right. Until there is a price to pay for outright lying it will continue. Fox paid a price for providing false voter machine misinformation but it has not changed the format of their programming. Maybe Eastman, Giuliani and Powell will pay a price and go to jail along with Trump but until we as a country through our elections make politicians accountable and vote them out of office honesty will become a rare and valuable commodity.
Your comments on the tariff proposal from the failed and indicted insurrectionist is spot on but we should also remember that the current administration has maintained those tariffs in place including some apparently cronyist exceptions. A pretty decent discussion of the tariff situation is here: https://www.cfr.org/blog/cost-trumps-trade-war-china-still-adding
I hope the chat goes well tonight, I'm not really interested in either the debate or the debaters and don't need persuasion to vote and do whatever else I can to ensure another term for Mr. Biden and his team. I respect the dedication of those who will watch in order to become informed about the coming election but I don't need to know which dog pooped on the carpet to know that it needs to be cleaned up and taken out.
You reference to parasitic wasps is equal parts brilliant and horrifying. Hard to believe that this is where we are.
The amazing thing is, the GOP saw it coming and let it happen. Remember those, like Lindsey Graham, that said the party would be destroyed if they went with Trump in 2016? Then they rolled over, and let it happen just to stay in power in the short term.
I absolutely love the analogy. It makes my referring to them as "MAGAts" even more apropos.
The GOP certainly was a big hairy spider.
I don't like comparing the GOP to a spider, because spiders are very important ecologically. I like spiders. In the late '90s, a small spider lived in the bathroom of my house in DC all summer. She would catch other invertebrates in her web and eat them, and I quite enjoyed seeing what she was up to. At the end of the summer, she laid eggs and died, and all the baby spiders left. I was sad to see her go, and sad that none of the babies stayed.
I’ve had a loving respect for spiders since the second grade when my teacher read “Charlotte’s Web” to the class.
My mother read us that book. I think I was six. I reread it about a year ago, and liked it a lot. But it was that spider in my bathroom around 26 years ago that got me loving spiders. And I'm guessing you had a very good second grade teacher!
my attitude towards spiders is "let them be." (of course, we have almost no poisonous ones in the Pacific NW). Flies are a whole lot higher than spiders on my yick list.
There are at least 3 spiders who can be toxic to humans in the Pacific NW. Most spiders, of course, are only toxic to their prey, and even the ones who can cause problems for people are not seeking them out and only bite out when threatened or confused. Your attitude of letting them be is a good one, but also add be careful when poking around in woodpiles, cellars, or outhouses. Also, avoid southern Oregon.
ah yes. I am way past poking in woodpiles, sigh. What tend to visit me are mostly tiny, almost wispy.
I'm not at all fond of flies. And I'm a native of Seattle, I lived in Denny Blaine in the mid-'50s and 1960-'61. I'm very nostalgic for it. And have a close friend on San Juan Island
I have a BROTHER on San Juan Island. And have lived in Seattle for 69 of my 79 years. (away for 10 for college and grad school.) And when a spider rappels down in front of me while I'm on the computer I blow gently and back up it goes.
I just leave the great big ones alone. Those monsters of summer are house spiders and can't live outside, so putting them out is a no go. They eventually find their way back to their holes. I may give them a boost from the sink or my chair or wherever they show up, and they scuttle away.
My family island is Lopez, though we mostly have left one way or another, mostly by dying. The rest of us are ex-pats. Islanders to the core. The closest I came to the same kind of community was when I lived at 9000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. Sky Island country.
My friend on San Juan is a park ranger. His S.O. is in healthcare there.
I never get any big spiders. Stuff doesn't grow as big in the Boston area as in Seattle. Or at least that's the impression I have.
I am a lover of spiders, too. My family (including elders at least 2 gens before me- and I have 3 gens after me) revered spiders. It is likely something that links us directly to old beliefs among our indigenous ancestors. One of our stories tells of how Spider Woman wove the universe (which can be defined any way you want). We respected the spiders who took up residence in our homes and took care not to disturb their webs. I don't think that the GOP is/was anything like a spider. Spider people are our allies, if we are but willing to recognize that.
I feel the same way.
Yes, spiders are good guys. When it was pointed out that the wasps put their larvae in an unsuspecting spider, it made a good picture to see the GOP as the spider, back 50 years ago before they became the complete personification of evil.
I love the simile but it is not hard to believe. An entire generation has passed since the party lost rationality and became a faction. Only the husk remains and that will be driven to the wind and, my prediction, a new party will emerge in two to three years.
Yes, but in the meantime... will our Democracy survive?
I think it's totally up to folks like us. We need a massive BLUE WAVE to wash away the toxic RED TIDE!
We have a lot of work to do to make sure it does, but I won't be surprised if the GOP implodes.
I was going to say something almost identical to your statement here. But when are average Republicans who haven't spoken up going to realize the horrible trick he is playing on them?
Although there was an interesting poll of Iowans released yesterday, I think, showing that 51% of likely Caucus attendees would not vote for Trump. (The poll was a bit confusing, so we'll have to wait to see what actually happens in Iowa!) Could this be the start of a reckoning in an important state? I hope to God it is.
I was thinking the same thing.
Yes, Jill, I thought the same thing. And it's so true. Incidentally just finished reading apiece on Yahoo news from the NY Times, comparing the Trump family to the Biden family. Well worth reading: Here is a n excerpt as well as the link: "Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said on MSNBC recently. ““If he (Hunter) traded on his father’s influence, he should be held accountable for that. And I’m emphasizing this because you never, ever heard a Republican say the same thing about Donald Trump or his family.”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-foreign-business-scandalous-unless-113549485.html
My sentiment exactly!
Thanks for the endorsement, Robert! Replacing Kevin McCarthy with a Speaker who owes nothing to the extremist faction would be a stinging and enormously consequential defeat for MAGA.
In answer to your question "...if McCarthy is removed, who can -- or will -- replace him?", please see this post from May 18: https://jerryweiss.substack.com/p/if-mccarthys-out-whos-in
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It would give me great joy and some amount of comfort to see Kevin McCarthy turned out by the House and one of the 4 Republicans you discussed in your article voted in to the Speaker's Chair. McCarthy has for far too long exhibited a a callous ambition so naked it reminds me of.....Trump.
Oh how fully I share that feeling, Swbv!
There is a difference though, between McCarthy and Trump regarding naked and callous ambition.
Kevin McCarthy is a calculating politician who routinely trades away his political capital in exchange for votes. In the end that leaves him powerless, indebted to those who have supported him.
Trump, on the other hand, never concedes power to anyone. Rather than solicit support from others, he uses his power to threaten and punish those who don't support him. In the end that leaves him still powerful, despite being indicted for criminal behavior.
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Thank-you very much, Mr. Weiss for providing us with this most informative link. Any one of the 4 Republicans that you wrote about would make a far better House Speaker than the divisive Kevin McCarthy.We need our House of Representatives to be a legislative body again and as long as McCarthy is in charge, this just ain't happening.
Right you are, Victoria.
Replacing Kevin McCarthy as Speaker disempowers the MAGA extremists who have no interest in being part of a normally functioning legislature.
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I read the sub stack post with interest, it's nice to know that there are some some thoughtful Republicans. However, I am very skeptical that the representatives as a whole would vote for one of them. This could end us with Matt Gaetz or someone worse, or, as you pointed out Steve Scalise. Frankly, I think that's the most likely outcome. I have no love for Kevin McCarthy and would love to see him removed speaker, but he's the devil you know… it could be way worse.
Thanks for reading the post, J Hall.
I just want to point out that votes for Speaker are cast by all 435 members, not just Republicans. A majority is 218 and there are only 222 Republicans.
It's highly unlikely that any of the more moderate, centrist R's would vote for an extremist like Gaetz. They could conceivably vote for Scalise, but if they were going to do that, there'd be no reason for them to support removing McCarthy.
Our mission at Feathers of Hope is to persuade the Republican moderates (and Democratic leadership) to remove McCarthy specifically for the purpose of replacing him with a moderate.
For a longer discussion of this, and some insight into the strains within the Republican Caucus in the House, see our post from June 29:
https:// jerryweiss.substack.com/p/is-there-a-crack-in-the-wall
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Thanks Jerry. I didn't know there were still five good republicans. (My former governor, Charlie Baker, is the fifth.) I'm going to broadcast your substack on this to my email list of close to 80 people.
Thank you so much for helping to spread the word, David!
Building public support for this proposal is crucial, as politicians always need to know that they'll not be punished for taking a bold step. Since the ones we hope to persuade represent districts where MAGA is not dominant, we need to convince them they'll be rewarded by voters hungry for normalcy.
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Jerry,
Sounds good to me! And I broadcasted your post this morning.
It wasn't Trump who injected a parasite into the GOP. It was Nixon, when he came up with the "Southern Strategy" and invited all the unreconstructed Confederates to come join the party back in 1968. Since the country was founded, there have been three parties: the National Conservative Party (whatever its name) and the National Progressive Party (whatever its name), and the Southernist Party, a regional party. The two national parties are fairly even, so the Southernist Party would attach itself to whichever of the national parties would agree to allow the parasite its "peculiar institutions." For most of history, that party was the Democrats, which then committed "treason" in the 1950s and 60s and rid themselves of the parasite. When the Republicans offered themselves to the parasite, it decided it would not allow any "treason" and would insure this by taking over the party. We all know what happens when the parasite attempts to control the host - both die. That's what we're seeing now.
So long as we defeat the Southernist parasite in 2024, and 2026, and 2028, and 2030, and 2032 and 2034, and keep defeating it till the parasite dies.
"Southernism" was originally regional, but with migration, and then with the rise of media, it became a virus that spread across the country, affecting weak-minded losers wherever it found them.
TC, well stated. However, my concern is until the Republicans that I do have some respect for are willing to look this far back to see where everything went awry, they will rebuild on a corrupt foundation. Watergate morphed into "trickle down economics", Contras, Iran, Iraq (weapons of mass destruction), Trump, Supreme Court politics. I also think there needs some serious reflection on why no one listens to those waving the red flag (looking at our "journalism" media mode)l.But I do have hope....
Yes, that's the problem.
Nixon maybe. Newt Gingrich for sure. He’s the one who has been the hard rights’ thought leader for 40 years. It’s completely laughable that Trump appointed his wife to be ambassador to the Vatican. He tried to scuttle Obama and his presidency. He was happy to have our country default.
Nixon opened the door.
“Proposing a universal tariff betrays short-term thinking…”. You give Trump too much credit, Robert. Thinking? That’s a very generous term to describe his malign, unchecked impulses.
As for telling the truth, I’ve often reminded witnesses of David Mamet’s wisdom: “It’s the easiest thing to remember.” We’re going to see a lot of people realizing that in the coming months.
Hopefully
I do not intend to waste any time watching the GOP debates and giving a viewer vote to whatever networks are airing it or the trump show. To be in the debate, all candidates should swear an oath to tell the truth and to stick to the rules (if there are any) of the debate or be penalized or banned from the next debate. They should have to pay for air time if they go over their alloted minutes and lose minutes from their time if they interrupt others. We have so many more important world crises to be solving and raising money for than stroking the egos of these people who act like 6 year olds. The networks are counting down the hours to the debate. I am going to throw up.
"They should have to pay for air time if they go over their alloted minutes and lose minutes from their time if they interrupt others." Good one! And, if I may, they should all pay for airtime to even participate.
Sharon, I like it! There should be clear rules and consequences for proper debates as much for their prospects of being elected as for our right to be properly informed.
I’m not watching the debates for the same reason Robert isn’t. I do not have the intestinal fortitude, enough ibuprofen, a chair comfortable enough, the time or the inclination to sift through the fantasy yarns 🧶 this group of “I wasn’t involved in the seditious acts of the Republicans involved in this coup, but....I haven’t spoken out against them either” intend to weave from lies, phony rhetoric and propaganda they have not made a single effort to distance themselves from. They think that stance will get them a seat in the Oval Office?
No offense ever intended to Monty Python, but all I can imagine is this group of flip flopping cowards running around the venue yelling “Help! Help! I’m being repressed!” I will read about it tomorrow.
I have a similar view of past presidental debates where the moderators allowed themselves to be run over by one or both participants.
Agreed. A debate between two people who respect certain rules of engagement can be interesting and helpful. Like shutting up while the other person speaks. Like discussing issues and policies. But that sort of "show" hasn't happened in decades.
Putting several people on stage and calling it a debate is silly. It's just an invitation to chaos.
I won't watch it. Other than perhaps Asa and Christie, it will be nothing more than free publicity for those who are actually there to audition for the role of VP...in my opinion. And as far as I'm concerned, Faux Noise will be giving free air time to nothing but hot air and liars.
I’ll throw up with you. I would love to hear the media broadcast a big thank you to Biden and his administration for forging ahead with good governance regardless of the Republican Noise Machine. Just say thanks once in awhile. It might help.
I want to note one part of the 10% tariff idea being put forward by trump. It seems to me that, as well as causing all the damage you already outlined, this tariff would create a money pipeline of "yuge" size that could be aimed directly into trump's pockets. Always the grifter.
Good point; I almost included that thought last night, but decided to cut the discussion short. Some American companies would love a 10% tariff because they don't export, but do compete in the US market only. They would undoubtedly pay Trump big bucks for his protectionist scheme.
"Trump injected the GOP with MAGA extremism." Well, he found extraordinarily fertile conditions – to say the least. The GOP by no means is a victim here. After a short-lived shock after Jan 6, which lasted not more than 5 to 10 days, they wholeheartedly embraced tfg as their ticket to win the next elections.
Neither tfg nor any of the other GOP candidates should occupy the Oval Office. Nor should the GOP in its current condition be in a position to dictate or hamper policies having a majority in the House and/or the Senate. Many never-trumpers will be inclined to sit out the vote for President in 2024 but will happily cast a vote for congressional Republican candidates "to balance the ticket."
"Balancing the ticket" was always a codeword for throwing a monkey wrench into the program and policies of a future administration. In 2024 it should be an absolute no-no.
Like you, I am a lawyer. And like most of your readers, I consider your newsletter an indispensable source of information and comment.
But I believe you are too gentle -- even way too gentle -- on the Bar. The profession lays claim to a high level of ethics, far beyond that expected of a lay person. I am reflexively suspicious of such claims but, at a minimum, it seems fair to hold an organization making such claims to the standards it professes.
By what stretch of the imagination can the conduct of lawyers challenging the election of 2020 (in court and elsewhere) be defended in light of those standards? Is sociopathy a valid justification?
A defense? Is the conduct even remotely consistent with the oath sworn by lawyers in every state? Why haven't a greater number of the lawyers responsible for repeatedly filing frivolous pleadings, disregarding admonitions from the bench, making blatantly false claims, and otherwise behaving in obviously unethical behavior been summarily disbarred? The process seems to be taking forever -- why? What is the defense? I am not speaking of crimes. I am speaking of statements and actions that cannot possibly be reconciled with the standard of behavior that the Bar proclaims lawyers must adhere to. I honestly don't get it.
Starting with Biden and going down through the senior Dem leadership ranks, I hope there are quiet behind the scenes efforts to talk to Republicans that are not full-on MAGA. Have coctails, have coffee, spend a little time talking about the Cubs or the upcoming US Open. Find common ground. Hidden behind the curtains there must still be some some non-MAGA Republicans who don't want to destroy NATO, due not want to vilify the LGBQ community, and don't like Putin and his war mongering kleptocracy.
I hope so, too. Joe Biden knows how to do that better than anyone.
I was hanging out with a Republican who now defines himself as an Independent. He still watches Fox. I consider him the finest of neighbors and a friend who would always have my back. But he will never vote for a Democrat. He sees them as socialists that want to take away our gas ranges and fossil fuel heating systems. ???
It's hard to find common ground with that. But I believe there are millions of "independents" and young people who don't really think about politics much. Maybe we can have an impact on them.
OMG, did you counter with, "Republicans are arming each other and killing innocent people, in denial about climate change while accepting Federal dollars for catastrophes, smashing the middle and lower classes with income disparities, increasing the national debt by trillions, and denying women autonomy over their bodies and families? Plus, Fox News tells them when to jump and how high."
No. But that is a terrific list!
Might I add they’re shameless criminals. They continue to lowered themselves into an abyss whose depth is still yet to be determined.
But there’s lots of change and excitement for our future. We prefer to live in societies that are advancing technologies and places where agriculture is moving away from chemicals and gmo’s. We are waking up that we must care for our planet. It is a living being. It is our home.
Yes and yes!
You have touched on something that is dismaying but true: “independents” who get their information from Fox, Newsmax, and other right-wing sources are soaking up misinformation that clouds their ability to see things as they really are. Fox admitted they lied about the “rigged” election and paid a huge price for it, yet have returned to propagating further mistruths.
For general purposes, I found this article helpful in understanding the depth of commitment some people have towards authoritarian figures, with some research to back it up.
https://theauthoritarians.org/why-do-so-many-people-still-support-donald-trump/
This is a must read! This line puts it on the line. The horrible truth.
"Both groups long for a return to the good old days, a Christian, white-dominated America where (as Archie Bunker sang) “everybody knew their place, guys like us we had it made.”
With emphasis on "GUYS" I would add.
Thank you. Great article. It made me look at my own upbringing in a new light. I think I’ve fortunately overcome the prejudices that were instilled in me as a child, but it’s taken time and lots of travel - both things that many people don’t have access to.
I hope others on this thread read what I saw in an article from The Hill today. Apparently the orange idiot made a statement about how he just might get on his plane and fly to Russia where he can hang out with Putin and enjoy life. Oh, and never be seen or heard from again! That’s the greatest part of that plan. I have thought for a long time he is a flight risk. He also mentions his airplane and that no one would recognize it/him. Funny.
We are all familiar with what happens when he says things like that in the press. I am not good with links (sadly) but it is easy to find on The Hill.
I wouldn't mind him leaving, if he could guarantee not to return. Putin will make mincemeat of him and bleed him of money and information, then suddenly be remorseful when Trump falls out of a window.
He actually put it in writing as a snarky response to the bail of $200,000. But you are correct - he telegraphs every move he plans to make and living under a "gold dome" with Putin might very well be his backup plan.
Thank you for providing this link, Jennifer. It is the most clarifying and convincing explanation for the behavior of the dedicated Trump follower that I have read...and I read every article on that subject that I find.
Now if the author will just research what might possibly work to help many/a small chunk of these Trump cultists wake up to the reality of their "leader," that would be very helpful. I know many of them "will go down with the ship." But cult deprogrammers and therapists who treat people mesmerized by malignant narcissists, in either group or individual relationships, must have something to add to this conversation.
Thanks for the link! Emotional ethnocentrism jumps out to me.
Great article! I still don't understand why anyone would vote for him, but I don't have that kind of thinking 🤷♀️ Never have, and I have republican parents that voted for tfg!
The US is made up of people and an economy that consumes. The idea that Trump would increase costs on most things by 10% is hilarious, and will make even more people feel pain when purchasing anything. I know Trump doesn't think before he speaks, but the idea that his campaign thinks this would be a good idea is crazy. The GOP gives the Democrats so many easy wins with the dumb things their party leaders say I don't understand how they don't get hammered in messaging more often. I guess it's because their supporters don't care.
Thank you, Mr. Hubbell, for your unwavering message of "We have every reason to be hopeful, but none to be complacent!" It rings truer and truer. Nose the the grindstone everyone!
I remember that the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 contributed hugely to the Great Depression. It should come as no surprise that Smoot and Hawley were both Republicans. Here is a link for those who are interested. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot%E2%80%93Hawley_Tariff_Act#:~:text=The%20Act%20and%20tariffs%20imposed,effects%20of%20the%20Great%20Depression.
“Quiver of grievances” and the parasitic wasp analogy - wonderful! But it I think it’s important to watch the debate and to make our own judgments about lies, errors and truth-telling. So much of what passes for “news” and “reporting” is laced with opinion that we all need to do our best to rely on original sources and have in mind what we heard and read as we evaluate the content of secondary sources. Time consuming to be sure but essential nonetheless.
After reading Today’s Edition two thoughts came to mind. The first is that policy issues like tariffs, immigration, foreign policy and climate change to name a few are complicated, not easily solved and frankly many voters don’t care about and are not issues that influence whom they vote for. Secondly honesty is a character trait and it has been overwhelming abused especially by Trump and his supporters without real accountability disguised as a First Amendment right. Until there is a price to pay for outright lying it will continue. Fox paid a price for providing false voter machine misinformation but it has not changed the format of their programming. Maybe Eastman, Giuliani and Powell will pay a price and go to jail along with Trump but until we as a country through our elections make politicians accountable and vote them out of office honesty will become a rare and valuable commodity.
Your comments on the tariff proposal from the failed and indicted insurrectionist is spot on but we should also remember that the current administration has maintained those tariffs in place including some apparently cronyist exceptions. A pretty decent discussion of the tariff situation is here: https://www.cfr.org/blog/cost-trumps-trade-war-china-still-adding
I hope the chat goes well tonight, I'm not really interested in either the debate or the debaters and don't need persuasion to vote and do whatever else I can to ensure another term for Mr. Biden and his team. I respect the dedication of those who will watch in order to become informed about the coming election but I don't need to know which dog pooped on the carpet to know that it needs to be cleaned up and taken out.