Good letter from "Republican Leaders and Former Officials", but way too many "formers" and "retired" and not nearly enough "current", which is very disturbing. Also very disturbing: someone invited Stephanie Grisham and the MOOCH, and they came!
Here's how you know people "concerned about 1/6" aren't really concerned:
They refuse to do everything they can to get Dems elected on 2022, 2024, 2026, and maybe 2028.
The only way the GOP saves itself or a third party becomes viable is for all the people who left the GOP to vote straight ticket Dem in every local, state, and Federal election until The GOP sees the error of its ways or dies.
This reminds me of my aunt who's husband left her and her kids would not speak to her because she was basically prone to destructive behavior, but when visiting the aunt would rant about her neighbor being a terrible person.
This dodging the question act by a lot of the Republican pols is ultimately a losing battle. Why?
It is a choice that gets these people (in the end) the worst of both worlds.
It is obvious cowardice on their part (this scores against them in both camps--MAGA and non-MAGA). We kind of expect politicians to be spineless worms, but we don't like to see this level of spinelessness.
You failed to affirm the legitimacy of the system (this goes against them in the minds of all reasonably sane, informed, and intelligent people).
You failed to affirm the legitimacy of Trump's claims or to show sufficient support. Trump has been likely to forgive this sin in some cases, but not always... and his followers will not forgive it.
Any campaign ad that hits on this is likely to be doubly effective as it tarnishes the candidate with both sides.
These people are still trying to do politics as normal--but that doesn't really work any more.
Mtch will say what he says. This is Mitch signaling that he is sane and not entirely subservient. This is something that works in his context because he isn't really worried about re-election and he is trying to keep big money donors in line and donating by reassuring them that he isn't into all this MAGA crap, but will play along to a degree in order to 1) get back into power and 2) give the big money donors the things they want once he is back.
A lot of people will use this as an excuse to vote GoP, because SEE there is a sane person.
I read the open letter and saw all the signatures. A good start. Hopefully the number of ACTUAL members of Congress signing this letter will start to equal the number of FORMER members of Congress.
Just to be clear, in his statement regarding January 6th Mitch McConnell didn't say that the election was legitimate (i.e., no significant fraud), he said that it was "legitimately certified," which seems to me to be a different thing.
I understand the compulsion to want to "give credit where credit is due" but praising Trump for Operation Warp Speed... I dunno.
1) BioNTech (of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine fame) started their own Project Lightspeed in January of 2020, back before Trump even promised zero cases in the US. That was the first vaccine to cross the finish line, and they did not participate in OWS. Yes it was literally called Project Lightspeed: https://biontech.de/covid-19-portal/project-lightspeed
3) Developing the vaccine was half the battle - but there was NO PLAN for rollouts. As you're probably aware, the entire focus of the Trump admin around that time was re-election and then overturning the election - not a lot of attention paid to anything else. And so the Trump admin just dumped doses in the laps of states, without notice - and one week a county might get 5k does and then only a few hundred the next. Recall that the Trump admin struggled to get doses into the arms of medical workers who were already at the hospitals. It was mind-boggling incompetence. Discussion about vaccine rollout starts at the 24 min mark: https://fivethirtyeight.com/videos/how-bidens-response-to-the-pandemic-is-different-from-trumps/
As we watch some of these politicians slither out from under their rocks and utter somewhat differing (from their recent past) views of the Jan. 6, attack on our Democracy, and the RNC's take on same; could it be just a coincidence that there was a recent discovery in Peru of some 192 human SPINES on posts? After all, other than merely putting such artifacts on display in some faraway museum, why not put them to use where they will do the most good? Just think about what 192 spines, complete with posts, distributed amongst the politicians in Congress would do for this country.
It is at least entertaining to watch these worms (GoP politicians) writhe. One of their major problems is that Trump is somewhat inconstant--what is good and works one day is potentially deadly to your political ambitions the next day.
This is because Trump has no larger or more driving goals than self-enrichment and self-defense... and his pathway to defense is changeable at a whim (depending upon what his media buddies tell him and his read of the current situation).
He possesses no quality of skill in leadership. He has no real understanding of it. Trump has been a follower his entire life. He thinks that being a bully to his employees in his privayely held companies is somehow exercising leadership--so that is what he does in his political life. He has no other tactic.
Perhaps Cori Bush is in a gerrymandered district but from where I sit in New Hampshire , at the least it's a net loser to use the Defund the Police" slogan. > It's been ill thought out from the inception. Focusing on community based policing while training would serve everyone better.
As to McConnell, his job is entirely clear. He has to encourage candidates who have to run statewide, not in gerrymandered red meat locations. He has gotten his judges but can't get the party to see actual issues that might win some voters over. The RNC needs better balance in its leadership and more willingness to step away from Trump. Don't forget that the 2020 platform for the GOP was nonexistent. Screaming crazies in charge of the republican house is what McCarthy has to look forward to and he's simply not bright enough to do it.
I'm going to put this here because I'm hoping it will be seen by some of the (former?) political operatives who call The Bulwark home.
I'm considering a congressional run against a powerful well-funded incumbent. I have questions and could use a brief consult to help me decide and to educate me on what to expect. Then I thought, "I can't be the only Bulwark+ person who is thinking about running for Congress or other elected office." Would you consider doing a livestream to educate us about what to expect when running for Congress where you answer our questions? If not, if Amanda, Tim, or Sarah is willing to do a brief individual consult, I would pay your going rate (ok, maybe you could give me a small discount for being a Bulwark+ member) for some help.
PS - Brave Sir Kevin and the other GOP are not navigating the Trump minefield well. What do you expect from a bunch of cowards who had multiple opportunities to bring Trump to heel. Those who are silent in the face of the GOP drift towards fascism will undoubtedly have to contend with more fascists in their chamber come the midterms.
I continue to be amazed that anyone thinks Trump cares about thie Republican party or movement he and Bannon created. He only cares about money, hurting his "enemies", and staying out of prison. If someone offers him a billion $ to go away, he'd go away (although now with criminal charges having over his head, I don't think that's enough). I can't understand why people don't realize the title of Rick Wilson's book, Everything Trump Touches Dies, is completely true. This is who he always has been and will be.
Ms. Hageman said she didn’t know who the legitimate winner of the 2020 election was (“I don’t know the answer”) and couldn’t say if former Vice President Mike Pence had the authority to block congressional certification of President Biden’s election (“I’m not an elections attorney”).
Boy, will TFG like to know that his annointed savior of Wyoming does not know that HE won the election and that Mike Pence DID have the authority (just not the cajones) to carry through with blocking the popular will. I wonder how fast Ms. Hageman will back-track and whether it is before or after the WOG (Wannabe Orange God) sends a lightning bolt her way.
I don't want to get carried away here, but could it possibly be that the RNC debacle is the addict's "bottom" that must be reached for a few of the power-at-all-costs-never-mind-my-mortal-soul types to reconsider? I mean obviously there are a lot of lost causes (Hawley, Johnson, Cruz, Rubio spring to mind in the Senate) Could we actually see some truth to Alexander Vindman's great words, "Here, truth matters"?
Good letter from "Republican Leaders and Former Officials", but way too many "formers" and "retired" and not nearly enough "current", which is very disturbing. Also very disturbing: someone invited Stephanie Grisham and the MOOCH, and they came!
The pix for this issue brings to the fore the question: Is there a GOP pledge that the bros are not allowed to smile or look human-like.
Here's how you know people "concerned about 1/6" aren't really concerned:
They refuse to do everything they can to get Dems elected on 2022, 2024, 2026, and maybe 2028.
The only way the GOP saves itself or a third party becomes viable is for all the people who left the GOP to vote straight ticket Dem in every local, state, and Federal election until The GOP sees the error of its ways or dies.
This tweet should have won the internet yesterday. Lmao!
https://twitter.com/caslernoel/status/1491161393886011392?s=20&t=gpm7hkK-Ffocn8bYkjS3MQ
This reminds me of my aunt who's husband left her and her kids would not speak to her because she was basically prone to destructive behavior, but when visiting the aunt would rant about her neighbor being a terrible person.
This dodging the question act by a lot of the Republican pols is ultimately a losing battle. Why?
It is a choice that gets these people (in the end) the worst of both worlds.
It is obvious cowardice on their part (this scores against them in both camps--MAGA and non-MAGA). We kind of expect politicians to be spineless worms, but we don't like to see this level of spinelessness.
You failed to affirm the legitimacy of the system (this goes against them in the minds of all reasonably sane, informed, and intelligent people).
You failed to affirm the legitimacy of Trump's claims or to show sufficient support. Trump has been likely to forgive this sin in some cases, but not always... and his followers will not forgive it.
Any campaign ad that hits on this is likely to be doubly effective as it tarnishes the candidate with both sides.
These people are still trying to do politics as normal--but that doesn't really work any more.
Mtch will say what he says. This is Mitch signaling that he is sane and not entirely subservient. This is something that works in his context because he isn't really worried about re-election and he is trying to keep big money donors in line and donating by reassuring them that he isn't into all this MAGA crap, but will play along to a degree in order to 1) get back into power and 2) give the big money donors the things they want once he is back.
A lot of people will use this as an excuse to vote GoP, because SEE there is a sane person.
I read the open letter and saw all the signatures. A good start. Hopefully the number of ACTUAL members of Congress signing this letter will start to equal the number of FORMER members of Congress.
Just to be clear, in his statement regarding January 6th Mitch McConnell didn't say that the election was legitimate (i.e., no significant fraud), he said that it was "legitimately certified," which seems to me to be a different thing.
I understand the compulsion to want to "give credit where credit is due" but praising Trump for Operation Warp Speed... I dunno.
1) BioNTech (of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine fame) started their own Project Lightspeed in January of 2020, back before Trump even promised zero cases in the US. That was the first vaccine to cross the finish line, and they did not participate in OWS. Yes it was literally called Project Lightspeed: https://biontech.de/covid-19-portal/project-lightspeed
2) People were investing like maniacs during the pandemic. An NFT of a single pixel sold for $1.36 million. https://artreview.com/crypto-artist-pak-single-grey-pixel-nft-sold-for-1-36-million-dollars/ I think money would have found its way to pharmaceutical cos without government prodding.
3) Developing the vaccine was half the battle - but there was NO PLAN for rollouts. As you're probably aware, the entire focus of the Trump admin around that time was re-election and then overturning the election - not a lot of attention paid to anything else. And so the Trump admin just dumped doses in the laps of states, without notice - and one week a county might get 5k does and then only a few hundred the next. Recall that the Trump admin struggled to get doses into the arms of medical workers who were already at the hospitals. It was mind-boggling incompetence. Discussion about vaccine rollout starts at the 24 min mark: https://fivethirtyeight.com/videos/how-bidens-response-to-the-pandemic-is-different-from-trumps/
As we watch some of these politicians slither out from under their rocks and utter somewhat differing (from their recent past) views of the Jan. 6, attack on our Democracy, and the RNC's take on same; could it be just a coincidence that there was a recent discovery in Peru of some 192 human SPINES on posts? After all, other than merely putting such artifacts on display in some faraway museum, why not put them to use where they will do the most good? Just think about what 192 spines, complete with posts, distributed amongst the politicians in Congress would do for this country.
It is at least entertaining to watch these worms (GoP politicians) writhe. One of their major problems is that Trump is somewhat inconstant--what is good and works one day is potentially deadly to your political ambitions the next day.
This is because Trump has no larger or more driving goals than self-enrichment and self-defense... and his pathway to defense is changeable at a whim (depending upon what his media buddies tell him and his read of the current situation).
He possesses no quality of skill in leadership. He has no real understanding of it. Trump has been a follower his entire life. He thinks that being a bully to his employees in his privayely held companies is somehow exercising leadership--so that is what he does in his political life. He has no other tactic.
Perhaps Cori Bush is in a gerrymandered district but from where I sit in New Hampshire , at the least it's a net loser to use the Defund the Police" slogan. > It's been ill thought out from the inception. Focusing on community based policing while training would serve everyone better.
As to McConnell, his job is entirely clear. He has to encourage candidates who have to run statewide, not in gerrymandered red meat locations. He has gotten his judges but can't get the party to see actual issues that might win some voters over. The RNC needs better balance in its leadership and more willingness to step away from Trump. Don't forget that the 2020 platform for the GOP was nonexistent. Screaming crazies in charge of the republican house is what McCarthy has to look forward to and he's simply not bright enough to do it.
I'm going to put this here because I'm hoping it will be seen by some of the (former?) political operatives who call The Bulwark home.
I'm considering a congressional run against a powerful well-funded incumbent. I have questions and could use a brief consult to help me decide and to educate me on what to expect. Then I thought, "I can't be the only Bulwark+ person who is thinking about running for Congress or other elected office." Would you consider doing a livestream to educate us about what to expect when running for Congress where you answer our questions? If not, if Amanda, Tim, or Sarah is willing to do a brief individual consult, I would pay your going rate (ok, maybe you could give me a small discount for being a Bulwark+ member) for some help.
PS - Brave Sir Kevin and the other GOP are not navigating the Trump minefield well. What do you expect from a bunch of cowards who had multiple opportunities to bring Trump to heel. Those who are silent in the face of the GOP drift towards fascism will undoubtedly have to contend with more fascists in their chamber come the midterms.
I continue to be amazed that anyone thinks Trump cares about thie Republican party or movement he and Bannon created. He only cares about money, hurting his "enemies", and staying out of prison. If someone offers him a billion $ to go away, he'd go away (although now with criminal charges having over his head, I don't think that's enough). I can't understand why people don't realize the title of Rick Wilson's book, Everything Trump Touches Dies, is completely true. This is who he always has been and will be.
Ms. Hageman said she didn’t know who the legitimate winner of the 2020 election was (“I don’t know the answer”) and couldn’t say if former Vice President Mike Pence had the authority to block congressional certification of President Biden’s election (“I’m not an elections attorney”).
Boy, will TFG like to know that his annointed savior of Wyoming does not know that HE won the election and that Mike Pence DID have the authority (just not the cajones) to carry through with blocking the popular will. I wonder how fast Ms. Hageman will back-track and whether it is before or after the WOG (Wannabe Orange God) sends a lightning bolt her way.
I don't want to get carried away here, but could it possibly be that the RNC debacle is the addict's "bottom" that must be reached for a few of the power-at-all-costs-never-mind-my-mortal-soul types to reconsider? I mean obviously there are a lot of lost causes (Hawley, Johnson, Cruz, Rubio spring to mind in the Senate) Could we actually see some truth to Alexander Vindman's great words, "Here, truth matters"?