There are still enough "traditional Republicans" to make his proposal a reality, if their courage can be bolstered enough to break with MAGA extremism. And at least a few have the training, experience and skills to lead in taking that bold step.
For those who'd like to help rather than just opine, let me suggest calling one or all of these representatives and urge them to run as a consensus candidate when the House meets to elect a new Speaker next week:
Don Bacon (R-NE): (202) 225-4155 D.C. or (402) 938-0300 District
Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): (202) 225-4276 D.C. or (215) 579-8102 District
Mike Gallagher (R-WI): (202) 225-5665 D.C. or (920) 301-4500 District
David Joyce (R- OH): (202) 225-5731 D.C. or (440) 352-3939 District
You can learn a little more about each of these here:
Jerry, one of my favorite features of this thoughtful comment space is concrete suggestions such as yours. With these names and numbers at my fingertips, I will make these calls today. Thank you.
Kathy, Having worked with Jerry, I would note that a “consensus” candidate is a cross-party, mutually agreeable Republican alternative who owes nothing to the MAGA faction and whose regard for governance and a normally functioning, problem-solving legislature would raise public awareness that a cross-party coalition is possible. In my view, the candidates Jerry has listed (I believe 3 are from Biden-won districts) would plausibly enlist substantial support from a host of establishment colleagues from both sides of the aisle.
Janet, While I started working with Jerry in December, 2022, in the next few days, given the urgency of this moment, I plan to work as intensely as I can withstand to reach out to members of the House’s bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.
Janet, I am so sorry to learn you are struggling with chronic pain and hope you have a healing plan that quickly gets you to the other side. In the interim, I would note, like you, my principal priority Monday morning is to contact the 4 names from Jerry’s list. Be well.
After reading about these 4…I just called their offices and left messages. We need what I’m calling “rational Republicans” willing to put partisanship aside and work for the good of the country. Fingers crossed this idea gets traction.
A possible difficulty with this suggestion is that if you contact a member of Congress and if you're not a constituent, they may not take your phone call. That was the case with Brian Fitzpatrick whose phone tree is set up to have you indicate whether you're a constituent. If not, the call is disconnected. I was able to leave a message for Don Bacon, FWIW. So far, I haven't contacted others.
Maybe another way is to contact your own member of Congress and ask if they can buttonhole one of these members, if there already isn't such a dialog happening.
Definitely a good idea to contact your own representative, Gary (unless they're far-right which would be a waste of time).
I always choose the constituent option, then explain to the aide who answers that I'm not one but am calling about an issue that affects residents of every district. I've never had anyone refuse to talk to me after that explanation, and I don't have to be dishonest. If I get a recording, I leave a voice message about the issue, along with my phone number and email address.
Democrats in the House need to select a moderate Republican to support. Surely under Jeffries’ leadership, House Dems can unify around a moderate who also would be supported by other R moderates. It wouldn’t require a large number, just enough who together with Democrats can reach greater than 50%. Votes from the extremists wouldn’t be required, and their influence is diluted.
Oct. 16 is the deadline for Virginians to register to vote for their upcoming election on Nov. 7. Rally anyone you know connected to Virginia to get folks to register and vote:
A Republican trifecta is on the line but very flippable. The States Project has researched where our precious donor dollars are most effective, and the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle funds go directly 100% to the progressive state legislature candidates' campaigns:
Ellie, Thank you for both your Virginia and Ohio postings. Regarding Virginia, as important as it is for Democrats to control both chambers, it is equally important that the November election results in a repudiation of Governor Youngkin, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, so to speak, whom party bosses are eying as plausibly the most viable VP candidate who would add purported legitimacy to the Trump ticket.
The Virginia elections are critically important. Every seat in both the Senate and the House of Delegates is up for grabs. Today there is a 4 seat majority for Democrats in the Senate and a 3 vote deficit in the House. We need to keep the Senate and flip the house. Why? We need to stop Glen Youngkin in his tracks. If he prevails with Republicans in both houses, he will first implement an abortion ban. Virginia is the only state in the south where women have reproductive rights. If we lose them in VA, women in the South will have to travel to a Northern state to get reproductive care. Next, Youngkin will run for President. With Trump in trouble and DeSantis stumbling badly, Youngkin wants to emerge as the choice for voters to rally around. We cannot let that happen!
Thank you, Annette. The bigger picture dangers posed by Youngkin are critical for us to understand across the whole country. Like you say, we need to stop Glen Youngkin in his tracks! Support Virginia’s legislative candidates!
The voter registration deadline is this Tuesday, Oct. 10, for the election on Nov. 7.
On Nov. 7, Ohioans will decide whether to amend the state's constitution to restore reproductive freedom and protect abortion rights. Important local races are also on the ballot, and we have learned the importance of local political representation.
The Civics Center research is that fewer than 25% of 18 year olds in Ohio are registered to vote. Rally anyone you know with connections to folks in Ohio to talk it up and get people to register to vote! Here is the link for Ohio voter registration:
Ellie, I write to amplify the importance of you posting the data from the Civics Center relative to the low percentage of registered Ohioan 18 year olds. Though I don’t recall the source, I understand that, once registered, the percentage that vote is impressively high.
There are are the 18 split-ticket districts -- https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-new-crossover-members-of-the-house/ -- that elected a Republican to the House and Joe Biden to the White House. We can hope that not only will enough of them stand up and be counted, but also they will find their "disloyalty" to be an unexpected asset when they are certainly likely to be primaried.
And taking the liberty of adding another strand to this weekend's conversation, I thought y'all might find this thought from a savvy friend to be of interest. He sent it to folks who should have access to the Biden administration:
"As the 2024 election gets closer, I am concerned that autocratic nations like Russia and Saudi Arabia might cut oil supply to raise gas prices and tip the election against President Biden and the Democrats.
"In my opinion, it’s vital that President Biden gets out in front of this, preparing Americans to anticipate such a move and defining the narrative by framing it in advance as election interference."
Happy weekend to all and always with the deepest appreciation for Robert's great reporting, insightful commentating, and generous show casing of organizations and efforts that are making a difference in elections this year, next and beyond.
John and Margo, a wonderful comment and very useful, important information. We all must keep up our courage and energy in the days ahead, as you say. Not just for now. It is the long haul of life on the planet....I’m 74, so I am eager to see a better world for our children and their children and their children......
In San Diego, per Gas Buddy, which has historically had higher gasoline prices than other parts of California, many stations are now at $5.999 (essentially $6/gal) but oil prices are dropping and I expect gasoline prices will continue to drop.
Remember: 1) the dead drop in Helsinki; 2) passing US secrets to Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office caught on film; 3) boxes upon boxes upon boxes of stolen US Intel; and 4) passing US secrets of our submarine nuclear arsenal to an Australian.
Remember: it’s not espionage unless it comes from the Espionage Region of France. If it happens in Helsinki, the Oval Office, Bedminster and Mar-a-Lago, it’s just sparkling treason.
I was naive to think that Republicans would wake up and learn from the chaos and infighting and make some major changes. The fact that Jordon and Scalise are candidates for the Speakers position and are being endorsed confirms that Republicans still don’t get it. My hope is that the disgust and mistrust levels of voters increases proportionally to the outrageous behaviors and rhetoric they are witness too
Hi, Stephen. As Jerry Weiss notes, it is one thing to be a candidate, it is another to get 217 votes. It is possible that neither candidate will get to 217, and a third candidate will appear.
We simply cannot have Jim Big Mouth Jordan as third in line for the Presidency! I refuse to be put in the catatonic state that occurred when Fake 45 got into our sacred White House. Like Jessica Craven has been telling us, call or write to your representatives and let them know how you feel, especially if you have a Republican rep. Scalise would be catastrophic also as he has hung out with neo-Nazis. He is fighting cancer so I do not feel he would be at his “best” anyway. (Jamie Raskin surprised me with his tenacity while getting treatments.) Must fight back and fight hard!
I just keep replaying in my mind Fani Willis’s suggestion to Jordan (her letter of September 7, 2023) that as a non-bar member, he can purchase a copy of state by state RICO information. He is not a serious person.
Hello Everyone and excellent topics to discuss, Robert. Thank you! I’m confused as to why our media outlets never find and interview the people who are taking all the added jobs and are pleased that they have work. We always hear about folks who don’t have work or are upset with the economy but not from those who are now employed with a Biden- generated job. That would be an awesome CNN special, in my opinion.
And the Democrats “messaging” would be simple and derived from actual other citizens and not manufactured in a think tank, back room.
Jim Jordan cannot be our Speaker. Not ok. But I’m still proud that our Dem caucus didn’t enable the Republicans and McCarthy in that rules vote. That was a step towards breaking this dysfunctional family system we are in.
Thank you Robert, as always. Your newsletters and the readers’ comments are, for me, like Thanksgiving dinner, every day.
I don't think Jim Jordan will get 217 votes. We'll see. If he does, the half-life of his tenure as speaker is 60 days. He won't be able to keep the government open.
It’s no secret that main stream media only reports the nasty stuff that gets them clicks and makes them money. Such a shame! You are so right- imagine great shows high-lighting the outstanding good that Biden is facilitating; that very real and positive news would restore our American spirit! Compare that to broken republicans who spew vile nonsense in order to hang on to power that is not ‘rightly’ theirs.
Speaking of restoring American spirit, Robert Hubbell’s photographs as presented on the M.E.’s blog gave me that old feeling of American pride. Haven’t felt that in a while.
Trying to see Jim Jordan as an "opportunity" and not a crisis made worse is really a challenge. I am trying. But the man in Congress who knew the most, was aware of the planning of the Insurrection and probably contributed to it should not lead anyone or have any power. Argh.
“I thought in 2020 that was not going to matter and could I have been more wrong? I think not. That really mattered and continues to matter in that one of the reasons Republicans are backing off of Ukraine right now is that they recognise, for all that it’s not hitting the United States newspapers, Ukraine is actually making important gains. A win from the Ukrainians would really boost Biden’s re-election and the Republicans recognise that and are willing to scuttle that so long as it means they can regain power here. His foreign affairs understanding has been been key.
“The other thing about Biden is his extraordinary skill at dealmaking has made this domestic administration the most effective since at least the Great Society and probably the New Deal. You think about the fact that Trump could never get infrastructure through Congress, even though everybody wanted it." Heather Cox Richardson
I’m not so convinced that the New York civil fraud case would be as devastating to Trump’s cash flow as everyone seems to believe - and here’s my speculation and it is tied to his son-in-law Jared and curious if anyone has additional information.
My question has its basis in the fact that Trump always demands the lion’s share of ownership/equity and/or profits (without any cash investment by him or the Trump Organization) from every entity created that bears his name or exploits his brand, similar to Trump University or the 85-90% ownership he acquired of the Trump Media and Technology Group (that owns Truth Social) that is poised to go public with the SPAC now traded as DWAC. I find it highly improbable that he does not either own any equity in Jared’s Affinity Partners and/or rights to any distributions from the payments and profits derived from their investments!
As I recall, the $2 Billion given to the fund by the Saudis includes a $100 million dollar annual fee plus a percentage of profits.
Does any one in their right mind believe for a New Jersey nanosecond that Donald Trump allowed Jared (or for that matter Steve Mnuchin, Trump’s former Treasury Secretary, to found a one billion dollar fund, also gifted from the Saudis) at the tail end (or during?) Trump’s presidency without him demanding the lion’s share of equity and distributions?
Is there any way to find out who actually owns these entities and/or rights to distributions?
Hatred follows those who feel spurned, denied or otherwise diminished. They fear losing their place, posture and positions in society and the attending influence and finally money which then naturally follows and accrues. The hate we are hearing in the form of anti-semitism, anti-"otherism" and the simply general forms of racism, anti-women misogyny are the political equivalencies of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. They are convenient ways of distracting one from the corruption of the system and the advantage that some believe is their right.
So, the solution to this problem is, as has been proven in other aspects of the economy, how to satisfy the insatiable cravings for more money of those who feel entitled. How does one so steeped in the fear of losing what advantages they have been bestowed with, as a mere matter of course over our nation's history, into believing that they can shift their ingrained fear they are about to lose it all to realizing that a different course may make it possible for participation. How can one be assisted in envisioning themselves as participants in this new world that is coming. Personally, I fear that subconsciously their greatest fear is that they, as the majority of Americans already do, will have to work for their living.
At this juncture, I see term limits as the solution. What is most deep-seated in our politics are the members of Congress and the Senate. These are the oldest bodies of legislators in our nation's history. They are entrenched to the degree they have become congenital. They are an infirmed, bilious, sickly and literally dying body. What we need is youthful energy whose commitment to the greater good does not outlive itself.
'a different course may make it possible for particpation', that is brilliant. The child left alone gets angry. Your comment 'having to work for a living' is also so true. Those people who are hiding behind other people's work have a pattern to hide.
Though this statement is slightly off your point, I would like to point out that the "gerontocracy" in the Democratic Party (I'm not referring to the congresspersons now, but to the citizens) VOTE, and have time to write postcards, give donations as they can, etc. Many of us older people are very smart.So, directly to your point, not all congressmen & women who are older, are incompetent. Nevertheless, we do need the youngsters like Hakeem Jeffries to take up the banner, and it seems that he is.
I wish to point out that as a 78 year old my reflection was a generalization I feel appropriate. However, I take your point and agree with you. Cheers.
I’m intrigued by the plan of Hakeem Jeffries to potentially engineer a more bi-partisan House. At this stage though, I’m not overly optimistic because his plan amounts to asking House Republicans to give up power, which I just can’t see happening. I ask myself if House Democrats would surrender such power if the roles were reversed and find myself coming away feeling that would be unlikely. Personally, I’d like to see the Dems make the bipartisan rule changes part of their 2024 election platform, committing to support said changes whether they win or lose the House. In a stroke that would inarguably place the Dems on the moral high ground, counter the narrative of Jeffries being opportunistic and potentially hypocritical, and put even more clear blue water between the party trying to save the Union, and the party that seems hell bent on setting the country on fire and watching the whole thing burn.
Hi. Good points, but a few observations. There was a power sharing agreement in the Senate in 2020, and I believe that there is a form of an agreement regarding committee assignments now. (48 Dems, 3 independents, and 49 Republicans).
Second, I don't see Jeffries as saying that House Republicans have to give up power. They don't have it. They can't legislate. The question is what will they agree to in order to regain the ability to legislate, albeit in a compromised way.
It’s not as though the Republicans have such a great majority. They’re just a few shorts votes over the line. It only takes five or six level headed Republicans (there have got to be some) who either aren’t running again, or are in very borderline districts. They must be getting some blowback for their behavior. They look like a bunch of clowns (albeit clowns with knives and guns)
My Republican Rep, Molinaro CD 19, NY, ignores our constant barrage of calls to his office and votes MAGA, mostly. Then we receive a sickeningly slick letter thanking us that is crafted to sound like we agree. It’s depressing but we keep at it.
A reasonable voter would appreciate Jeffries’s words, acknowledge, indeed celebrate, that we have goals in common, and demand something similar from a credible speaker candidate: “to make life more affordable for American taxpayers, to keep communities safe and to strengthen democracy.”
Jeffries is so smart to focus clearly on RULES that enable Congress to WORK.
This seems a smart message to increase...much of this is about the mundane task of having and enforcing a work process that can deliver. Currently, only one party is interested in this.
I don’t know if it is scientifically accurate that it is darkest before dawn, but I do know that situations sometimes have to “hit bottom” or appear to be so dismal that participants in the situation realize that previously unthinkable action is now both “thinkable” and actually pragmatically possible. I’m proud of the House Democrats for being publicly on record for their willingness and obvious ability to negotiate with any sensible Republicans who are willing to publicly identify themselves and negotiate in good faith to find common ground.
Not to change the subject, but what about Trump telling nuclear sub secrets to Australia at MAL, who then told many others! Meanwhile Judge Cannon delays that trial. In any other world, Trump would be behind bars.
Mr. Jeffries' plea is elegant and gracious.
There are still enough "traditional Republicans" to make his proposal a reality, if their courage can be bolstered enough to break with MAGA extremism. And at least a few have the training, experience and skills to lead in taking that bold step.
For those who'd like to help rather than just opine, let me suggest calling one or all of these representatives and urge them to run as a consensus candidate when the House meets to elect a new Speaker next week:
Don Bacon (R-NE): (202) 225-4155 D.C. or (402) 938-0300 District
Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): (202) 225-4276 D.C. or (215) 579-8102 District
Mike Gallagher (R-WI): (202) 225-5665 D.C. or (920) 301-4500 District
David Joyce (R- OH): (202) 225-5731 D.C. or (440) 352-3939 District
You can learn a little more about each of these here:
https://jerryweiss.substack.com/p/if-mccarthys-out-whos-in
.
Pinning to the top!
Jerry, one of my favorite features of this thoughtful comment space is concrete suggestions such as yours. With these names and numbers at my fingertips, I will make these calls today. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jerry. Thank you, Robert. This is wonderful information. I have no desire to “opine”. Action is the 🔑 key!
Thanks, Jerry. Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is a “ consensus” candidate.
Here, I think a consensus candidate is someone who doesn't need to run in a contested election and has bipartisan support.
Kathy, Having worked with Jerry, I would note that a “consensus” candidate is a cross-party, mutually agreeable Republican alternative who owes nothing to the MAGA faction and whose regard for governance and a normally functioning, problem-solving legislature would raise public awareness that a cross-party coalition is possible. In my view, the candidates Jerry has listed (I believe 3 are from Biden-won districts) would plausibly enlist substantial support from a host of establishment colleagues from both sides of the aisle.
Janet, While I started working with Jerry in December, 2022, in the next few days, given the urgency of this moment, I plan to work as intensely as I can withstand to reach out to members of the House’s bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.
Janet, I am so sorry to learn you are struggling with chronic pain and hope you have a healing plan that quickly gets you to the other side. In the interim, I would note, like you, my principal priority Monday morning is to contact the 4 names from Jerry’s list. Be well.
After reading about these 4…I just called their offices and left messages. We need what I’m calling “rational Republicans” willing to put partisanship aside and work for the good of the country. Fingers crossed this idea gets traction.
Will do!
A possible difficulty with this suggestion is that if you contact a member of Congress and if you're not a constituent, they may not take your phone call. That was the case with Brian Fitzpatrick whose phone tree is set up to have you indicate whether you're a constituent. If not, the call is disconnected. I was able to leave a message for Don Bacon, FWIW. So far, I haven't contacted others.
Maybe another way is to contact your own member of Congress and ask if they can buttonhole one of these members, if there already isn't such a dialog happening.
Definitely a good idea to contact your own representative, Gary (unless they're far-right which would be a waste of time).
I always choose the constituent option, then explain to the aide who answers that I'm not one but am calling about an issue that affects residents of every district. I've never had anyone refuse to talk to me after that explanation, and I don't have to be dishonest. If I get a recording, I leave a voice message about the issue, along with my phone number and email address.
Democrats in the House need to select a moderate Republican to support. Surely under Jeffries’ leadership, House Dems can unify around a moderate who also would be supported by other R moderates. It wouldn’t require a large number, just enough who together with Democrats can reach greater than 50%. Votes from the extremists wouldn’t be required, and their influence is diluted.
I've just shared this on our Indivisible Facebook page, in our Indivisible Group and to our local Indivisible readers. Fabulous!
VIRGINIA !!!
Oct. 16 is the deadline for Virginians to register to vote for their upcoming election on Nov. 7. Rally anyone you know connected to Virginia to get folks to register and vote:
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register/
A Republican trifecta is on the line but very flippable. The States Project has researched where our precious donor dollars are most effective, and the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle funds go directly 100% to the progressive state legislature candidates' campaigns:
https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-To-Democracy
Thank you for your support!
Pinning to the top!
Ellie, Thank you for both your Virginia and Ohio postings. Regarding Virginia, as important as it is for Democrats to control both chambers, it is equally important that the November election results in a repudiation of Governor Youngkin, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, so to speak, whom party bosses are eying as plausibly the most viable VP candidate who would add purported legitimacy to the Trump ticket.
The Virginia elections are critically important. Every seat in both the Senate and the House of Delegates is up for grabs. Today there is a 4 seat majority for Democrats in the Senate and a 3 vote deficit in the House. We need to keep the Senate and flip the house. Why? We need to stop Glen Youngkin in his tracks. If he prevails with Republicans in both houses, he will first implement an abortion ban. Virginia is the only state in the south where women have reproductive rights. If we lose them in VA, women in the South will have to travel to a Northern state to get reproductive care. Next, Youngkin will run for President. With Trump in trouble and DeSantis stumbling badly, Youngkin wants to emerge as the choice for voters to rally around. We cannot let that happen!
Thank you, Annette. The bigger picture dangers posed by Youngkin are critical for us to understand across the whole country. Like you say, we need to stop Glen Youngkin in his tracks! Support Virginia’s legislative candidates!
And encourage voters to verify they have not been purged!
https://www.threads.net/@jesse_elin/post/CyFbiDptgHb/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
OHIO !!!
The voter registration deadline is this Tuesday, Oct. 10, for the election on Nov. 7.
On Nov. 7, Ohioans will decide whether to amend the state's constitution to restore reproductive freedom and protect abortion rights. Important local races are also on the ballot, and we have learned the importance of local political representation.
The Civics Center research is that fewer than 25% of 18 year olds in Ohio are registered to vote. Rally anyone you know with connections to folks in Ohio to talk it up and get people to register to vote! Here is the link for Ohio voter registration:
https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/register/
https://www.thecivicscenter.org/
Pinning to the top!
Ellie, I write to amplify the importance of you posting the data from the Civics Center relative to the low percentage of registered Ohioan 18 year olds. Though I don’t recall the source, I understand that, once registered, the percentage that vote is impressively high.
John Steiner
There are are the 18 split-ticket districts -- https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-new-crossover-members-of-the-house/ -- that elected a Republican to the House and Joe Biden to the White House. We can hope that not only will enough of them stand up and be counted, but also they will find their "disloyalty" to be an unexpected asset when they are certainly likely to be primaried.
And taking the liberty of adding another strand to this weekend's conversation, I thought y'all might find this thought from a savvy friend to be of interest. He sent it to folks who should have access to the Biden administration:
"As the 2024 election gets closer, I am concerned that autocratic nations like Russia and Saudi Arabia might cut oil supply to raise gas prices and tip the election against President Biden and the Democrats.
"In my opinion, it’s vital that President Biden gets out in front of this, preparing Americans to anticipate such a move and defining the narrative by framing it in advance as election interference."
Happy weekend to all and always with the deepest appreciation for Robert's great reporting, insightful commentating, and generous show casing of organizations and efforts that are making a difference in elections this year, next and beyond.
Cheers,
John
the best defensemen know where the puck is going to be
I thought US was energy independent. Why therefore must the actions of these two suppliers affect us?
John and Margo, a wonderful comment and very useful, important information. We all must keep up our courage and energy in the days ahead, as you say. Not just for now. It is the long haul of life on the planet....I’m 74, so I am eager to see a better world for our children and their children and their children......
We are spreading enduring $6.00+ a gallon gas prices here in California. That is a very scary thought!
I meant "we are CURRENTLY" enduring $6.00+ a gallon gas prices!??!
In San Diego, per Gas Buddy, which has historically had higher gasoline prices than other parts of California, many stations are now at $5.999 (essentially $6/gal) but oil prices are dropping and I expect gasoline prices will continue to drop.
I hope you're right!
Remember: 1) the dead drop in Helsinki; 2) passing US secrets to Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office caught on film; 3) boxes upon boxes upon boxes of stolen US Intel; and 4) passing US secrets of our submarine nuclear arsenal to an Australian.
Remember: it’s not espionage unless it comes from the Espionage Region of France. If it happens in Helsinki, the Oval Office, Bedminster and Mar-a-Lago, it’s just sparkling treason.
Loose lips sink submarines (irreversibly)
Very clever and right on. Here’s a toast of my best sauvignon blanc.
Cheers!
I was naive to think that Republicans would wake up and learn from the chaos and infighting and make some major changes. The fact that Jordon and Scalise are candidates for the Speakers position and are being endorsed confirms that Republicans still don’t get it. My hope is that the disgust and mistrust levels of voters increases proportionally to the outrageous behaviors and rhetoric they are witness too
Hi, Stephen. As Jerry Weiss notes, it is one thing to be a candidate, it is another to get 217 votes. It is possible that neither candidate will get to 217, and a third candidate will appear.
Sure hope your right.
Here is a recent recap of the allegations towards Jordan. He says he knew nothing. We can read this and draw our own conclusions.
https://www.cleveland.com/open/2023/10/jim-jordan-has-denied-he-knew-about-sex-abuse-on-ohio-state-wrestling-team-heres-who-says-he-knew-and-who-says-he-didnt.html
Wow, what a list of "protectors of Gym" they all read like just maybe Gym helped out....PUKE. No way on this earth that man knew nothing.
Republicans don’t and won’t get it until they are looking in from the outside. Vote everyone who participates in this chaos out.
We simply cannot have Jim Big Mouth Jordan as third in line for the Presidency! I refuse to be put in the catatonic state that occurred when Fake 45 got into our sacred White House. Like Jessica Craven has been telling us, call or write to your representatives and let them know how you feel, especially if you have a Republican rep. Scalise would be catastrophic also as he has hung out with neo-Nazis. He is fighting cancer so I do not feel he would be at his “best” anyway. (Jamie Raskin surprised me with his tenacity while getting treatments.) Must fight back and fight hard!
I just keep replaying in my mind Fani Willis’s suggestion to Jordan (her letter of September 7, 2023) that as a non-bar member, he can purchase a copy of state by state RICO information. He is not a serious person.
Unfortunately, he is serious about being the Speaker. Either he or Scalise would be terrible, and just the continuation of the current chaos.
You nailed it.
Loving the description of Jim Jordan
Hello Everyone and excellent topics to discuss, Robert. Thank you! I’m confused as to why our media outlets never find and interview the people who are taking all the added jobs and are pleased that they have work. We always hear about folks who don’t have work or are upset with the economy but not from those who are now employed with a Biden- generated job. That would be an awesome CNN special, in my opinion.
And the Democrats “messaging” would be simple and derived from actual other citizens and not manufactured in a think tank, back room.
Jim Jordan cannot be our Speaker. Not ok. But I’m still proud that our Dem caucus didn’t enable the Republicans and McCarthy in that rules vote. That was a step towards breaking this dysfunctional family system we are in.
Thank you Robert, as always. Your newsletters and the readers’ comments are, for me, like Thanksgiving dinner, every day.
I don't think Jim Jordan will get 217 votes. We'll see. If he does, the half-life of his tenure as speaker is 60 days. He won't be able to keep the government open.
It’s no secret that main stream media only reports the nasty stuff that gets them clicks and makes them money. Such a shame! You are so right- imagine great shows high-lighting the outstanding good that Biden is facilitating; that very real and positive news would restore our American spirit! Compare that to broken republicans who spew vile nonsense in order to hang on to power that is not ‘rightly’ theirs.
Speaking of restoring American spirit, Robert Hubbell’s photographs as presented on the M.E.’s blog gave me that old feeling of American pride. Haven’t felt that in a while.
Trying to see Jim Jordan as an "opportunity" and not a crisis made worse is really a challenge. I am trying. But the man in Congress who knew the most, was aware of the planning of the Insurrection and probably contributed to it should not lead anyone or have any power. Argh.
It is unlikely that Jim Jordan is going to be speaker. If he is, it will last 60 days and end his career.
In the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/oct/07/american-democracy-heather-cox-richardson-trump-biden
“I thought in 2020 that was not going to matter and could I have been more wrong? I think not. That really mattered and continues to matter in that one of the reasons Republicans are backing off of Ukraine right now is that they recognise, for all that it’s not hitting the United States newspapers, Ukraine is actually making important gains. A win from the Ukrainians would really boost Biden’s re-election and the Republicans recognise that and are willing to scuttle that so long as it means they can regain power here. His foreign affairs understanding has been been key.
“The other thing about Biden is his extraordinary skill at dealmaking has made this domestic administration the most effective since at least the Great Society and probably the New Deal. You think about the fact that Trump could never get infrastructure through Congress, even though everybody wanted it." Heather Cox Richardson
Thank you for the Guardian link!!
Here’s a change of topic…
I’m not so convinced that the New York civil fraud case would be as devastating to Trump’s cash flow as everyone seems to believe - and here’s my speculation and it is tied to his son-in-law Jared and curious if anyone has additional information.
My question has its basis in the fact that Trump always demands the lion’s share of ownership/equity and/or profits (without any cash investment by him or the Trump Organization) from every entity created that bears his name or exploits his brand, similar to Trump University or the 85-90% ownership he acquired of the Trump Media and Technology Group (that owns Truth Social) that is poised to go public with the SPAC now traded as DWAC. I find it highly improbable that he does not either own any equity in Jared’s Affinity Partners and/or rights to any distributions from the payments and profits derived from their investments!
As I recall, the $2 Billion given to the fund by the Saudis includes a $100 million dollar annual fee plus a percentage of profits.
Does any one in their right mind believe for a New Jersey nanosecond that Donald Trump allowed Jared (or for that matter Steve Mnuchin, Trump’s former Treasury Secretary, to found a one billion dollar fund, also gifted from the Saudis) at the tail end (or during?) Trump’s presidency without him demanding the lion’s share of equity and distributions?
Is there any way to find out who actually owns these entities and/or rights to distributions?
All good points, but what is Trump's monthly nut? My guess is that it is $25 million, just to stay solvent.
Hatred follows those who feel spurned, denied or otherwise diminished. They fear losing their place, posture and positions in society and the attending influence and finally money which then naturally follows and accrues. The hate we are hearing in the form of anti-semitism, anti-"otherism" and the simply general forms of racism, anti-women misogyny are the political equivalencies of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. They are convenient ways of distracting one from the corruption of the system and the advantage that some believe is their right.
So, the solution to this problem is, as has been proven in other aspects of the economy, how to satisfy the insatiable cravings for more money of those who feel entitled. How does one so steeped in the fear of losing what advantages they have been bestowed with, as a mere matter of course over our nation's history, into believing that they can shift their ingrained fear they are about to lose it all to realizing that a different course may make it possible for participation. How can one be assisted in envisioning themselves as participants in this new world that is coming. Personally, I fear that subconsciously their greatest fear is that they, as the majority of Americans already do, will have to work for their living.
At this juncture, I see term limits as the solution. What is most deep-seated in our politics are the members of Congress and the Senate. These are the oldest bodies of legislators in our nation's history. They are entrenched to the degree they have become congenital. They are an infirmed, bilious, sickly and literally dying body. What we need is youthful energy whose commitment to the greater good does not outlive itself.
'a different course may make it possible for particpation', that is brilliant. The child left alone gets angry. Your comment 'having to work for a living' is also so true. Those people who are hiding behind other people's work have a pattern to hide.
Though this statement is slightly off your point, I would like to point out that the "gerontocracy" in the Democratic Party (I'm not referring to the congresspersons now, but to the citizens) VOTE, and have time to write postcards, give donations as they can, etc. Many of us older people are very smart.So, directly to your point, not all congressmen & women who are older, are incompetent. Nevertheless, we do need the youngsters like Hakeem Jeffries to take up the banner, and it seems that he is.
Hi Kathleen--
I wish to point out that as a 78 year old my reflection was a generalization I feel appropriate. However, I take your point and agree with you. Cheers.
Hi David! I feel that I was a little harsh in my comment! Thanks for your response! Cheers to you!
I’m intrigued by the plan of Hakeem Jeffries to potentially engineer a more bi-partisan House. At this stage though, I’m not overly optimistic because his plan amounts to asking House Republicans to give up power, which I just can’t see happening. I ask myself if House Democrats would surrender such power if the roles were reversed and find myself coming away feeling that would be unlikely. Personally, I’d like to see the Dems make the bipartisan rule changes part of their 2024 election platform, committing to support said changes whether they win or lose the House. In a stroke that would inarguably place the Dems on the moral high ground, counter the narrative of Jeffries being opportunistic and potentially hypocritical, and put even more clear blue water between the party trying to save the Union, and the party that seems hell bent on setting the country on fire and watching the whole thing burn.
Hi. Good points, but a few observations. There was a power sharing agreement in the Senate in 2020, and I believe that there is a form of an agreement regarding committee assignments now. (48 Dems, 3 independents, and 49 Republicans).
Second, I don't see Jeffries as saying that House Republicans have to give up power. They don't have it. They can't legislate. The question is what will they agree to in order to regain the ability to legislate, albeit in a compromised way.
It’s not as though the Republicans have such a great majority. They’re just a few shorts votes over the line. It only takes five or six level headed Republicans (there have got to be some) who either aren’t running again, or are in very borderline districts. They must be getting some blowback for their behavior. They look like a bunch of clowns (albeit clowns with knives and guns)
My Republican Rep, Molinaro CD 19, NY, ignores our constant barrage of calls to his office and votes MAGA, mostly. Then we receive a sickeningly slick letter thanking us that is crafted to sound like we agree. It’s depressing but we keep at it.
Ugh.
A reasonable voter would appreciate Jeffries’s words, acknowledge, indeed celebrate, that we have goals in common, and demand something similar from a credible speaker candidate: “to make life more affordable for American taxpayers, to keep communities safe and to strengthen democracy.”
Jeffries is so smart to focus clearly on RULES that enable Congress to WORK.
This seems a smart message to increase...much of this is about the mundane task of having and enforcing a work process that can deliver. Currently, only one party is interested in this.
I don’t know if it is scientifically accurate that it is darkest before dawn, but I do know that situations sometimes have to “hit bottom” or appear to be so dismal that participants in the situation realize that previously unthinkable action is now both “thinkable” and actually pragmatically possible. I’m proud of the House Democrats for being publicly on record for their willingness and obvious ability to negotiate with any sensible Republicans who are willing to publicly identify themselves and negotiate in good faith to find common ground.
Not to change the subject, but what about Trump telling nuclear sub secrets to Australia at MAL, who then told many others! Meanwhile Judge Cannon delays that trial. In any other world, Trump would be behind bars.