"The majority of Americans..." simply do not want what the GOP is selling. Period. Your piece today helps me see the "Big Picture" and not panic. (At least not as much. 😂) Surely the Democrats will improve their messaging and draw the comparisons of extremism to a free and functional Democracy. Because when you vote for Republicans, you'll have to live in the authoritarian country they will create.
Youngkin is a right-wing extremist, yet he presents well...sailed through the VA gubernatorial election and has largely been given a free pass by the media.
Despite initial flurries, Johnson will soon be normalized by the media.
Does anyone really believe that most Americans are aware of the sea change in the GOP? Will the Biden18 really be punished by voters for their votes for someone who presents as normal vs an unhinged Kari Lake or Blake Masters?
Never underestimate the incredible prowess of the Dems to screw up and muddle their messaging, constantly play defense, and never be as aggressive as they should be in pointing out the obvious.
That said, the word IS out that the GOP is basically anti-women, and recent elections have proved that true. A big test are the upcoming elections in VA and OH. If either or both go GOP will again control the the narrative and the msm will fall all over themselves saying how the GOP has "righted the ship" and the "Dems in disarray."
I also worry that at some point - like now - there's sedition and J6 fatigue - thanks to so many having very short memories and tight budgets thanks to an increasing cost of living...
And all THAT said, I try and remain confident that a majority of Americans aren't batsh*t crazy - 2020 and 2022 proved that true!
Louisiana, after 8 years under a moderate Democrat who fought off the worst GOP excesses, just elected a Trumpist governor. Democrats did not show up.
The GOP has been shifting its messaging on abortion from 'bans' to 'compromise' or 'consensus limits', as though the complexities of pregnancies could be legislated...yet legacy media is parroting these rhetorical shifts and distracted voters will fall for it without a strong competing narrative.
With you. I keep hoping what feels like a lead blanket over my entire being today will lift - that something will click to tell me it'll be ok. And I don't feel it. Yes, I'll vote - and yes, I'll encourage and do more to get others to vote. The emotional toll of all this -the physical toll on some days - makes me wonder how any Dems in the US House and Senate maintain any sanity. The "my good friend from" language just can't be true.
Yes, I agree with the physical and emotional toll.
With few notable exceptions, the unwillingness of Democrats in either chamber to loudly and continuously articulate the multi-faceted dangers posed by rising antidemocratic leaders and religious extremism is infuriating.
If they want to counter the hapless media, the coordinated Republican lies, and social media propaganda, then Democrats have to use their platforms constantly. It's not sufficient to assume the party f/k/a the GOP will doom itself. This is a fantasy.
The bizarre belief that decorum outweighs clarity is a lethal one in these times.
I agree - Jay said “if Democrats succeed in portraying johnson as….” And for me, that’s a big “if”. It needs to be loud, simple, and repeated often and everywhere so that harried grocery shoppers know about him ( how many people do you think have NO IDEA that this is happening? ) Meanwhile in the grocery store or the gas station, consumers everywhere are struggling, and for some reason Blame the government - because they don’t look further than their own bills . I just don’t know that enough people will be as alarmed as we are.
That right there is the problem: Democrats not showing up, for whatever reason. And not *speaking* up.
Really, 2016 should have put an end to "there's no difference between the two major parties," but I'm still seeing way too much of that. There really is a difference between "not everything I want" and "everything I *don't* want."
With the courts busy focusing on Trump et al, is there a time when the Congress folks involved in the coup get any accountability, aside from the elections themselves? It seems mad to me that we're in court for Trump, but these wankers are taking positions of power, dangerously close to the Presidency. I worry about "accidents" happening to our elected President and Vice President. It's not like it doesn't happen everywhere else in the world. Assassination is a time honored method of overthrowing a gov't. Many high level folks in Russia and China seem to be dying suspiciously convenient deaths right now.
The problem with trying to nail Congressmembers for their actions around January 6 is that they will all claim broad free speech rights under the Speech & Debate clause of the constitution. It will be hard for the court to draw a clear line between what was permissible speech and impermissible conspiracy. With Trump it’s easier because he actually DID things, like pressure Pence to overturn the election or call Brad Raffensperger. For the Congress people to plot to object to the electoral count isn’t illegal per se because the Electoral Count Act give the right to object, and so we’d have to show they were acting outside the contours of that law. So far, I haven’t seen any actions that exceed those, but perhaps Jack Smith knows of something we don’t.
Could they be in trouble under the Jan 6th insurrection if evidence pops up that they conspired to create/support/build the J6 event? Or is that somehow also covered by Speech and Debate? I guess that's why the emphasize it was a "peaceful protest", which would be protected.
"The problem with trying to nail Congressmembers for their actions around January 6 is that they will all claim broad free speech rights under the Speech & Debate clause of the constitution"
Now there's a great get-out-of-jail-free catchall for wholly questionable if not verging on criminal actions, and as you point out, unlikely to attract the attention of prosecutors, *tant pis*.
Thank you and you, @Kimberlee Avery Wilkins, for these posts. I know they weren't said in jest and still the idea made me smile. I say a secret service earpiece for Commander and on duty.
This is a good question - one I would like more clarity on. It's great that we have the 14th Amendment, but how is it enacted/enforced? What has to happen, and who has the authority to declare that it bars Trump from office? I've been on the lookout, on all my favorite news sources, but I haven't seen anything that clarifies any of that.
There is currently a court case in CO (10 electoral votes) that 5 judges so far, have refused to toss. It's gonna get a trial. The verdict will be appealed either way, but it's barely possible TFG will not be on that ballot. And that one is not the only one.
I know about CO, but I can't imagine state-by-state lawsuits, all of which will be appealed if they win, are going to get enough traction in red states to make a big difference. What I am curious about is if he is convicted in either the DC or GA cases before voting starts, is there any federal-level authority that is bound to follow the 14th amendment, thereby unequivocally exempting him from holding office?
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I want to believe that this will end up as a referendum on MAGA. Unfortunately, all it takes is a series of bad events to roll Biden out of office. As Krugman and others have pointed out, the whole country thinks the economy is a complete mess when stats show that it is not. If people are paying $5 a gallon for gas and the Middle East is on fire, Biden will lose. I have no faith in the American voter. None at all. I have faith in the people reading this blog. That's a different thing.
I can't help but agree with you on this. I hate that I feel this way but I have no hope in the American voter either. They don't need facts or logic - they just want sound bytes that support their lies.
I know more people than I should who blame Biden for everything that goes wrong. I'm just not sure we in this echo chamber are a match for the Fox propaganda machine, which has a trickle down effect on its propaganda that affects people who should know better.
Then Trust In The Women Voters! If you Think Women Have Forgotten About Roe vs Wade Already...THEY HAVE NOT...and They Are Reminded About It MONTHLY! (Pun Intended)!
I don't know that we are either. But that also raises the issue of how Fox can continue to spread such lies. And... why are Americans so eager to believe lies that so clearly aren't true? It's disheartening the amount of ignorance out there. My own mother is one of those people who just buys into all the lies about Biden. In her world there is no one at the border any more. People can just walk on over without any checks. You can't tell her otherwise. It's harder and harder to have hope these days.
I thought the Dominion lawsuit would help, but it hasn't much. There's another lawsuit pending. Hopefully, if that goes well, more will follow suit. Fox News is like the Phillip Morris of news companies. They spread the cancer, so they should be financially liable. We really need to find a way to bring them down.
Some of it is the brain-virus that proposes that "well they have to be talking about something". Like I've seen very anti-trump people who consider themselves "moderates" be concerned about the Hunter nothingburgers and be angry at Democrats over the house thing because they're committed to "listening to both sides" even when they know that one side is lying, and will admit so when you actually ask them if they think Fox, or whatever else, is actually credible.
A few weeks ago, following the defenestration of our Kev, a consensus emerged that whoever the GOPers elected as their succeeding Speaker, he/she would be worse than McCarthy...the question of how much worse was answered by the election of Mike Johnson, a MAGA extremist's extremist. He's the far-right's reification of religio-political excesses and election-denial shithousery, someone dealing well below the radar that circumstances rapidly elevated to the top job in Congress with virtually no prior heads-up...oy vey.
I do think that the GOP has potential long-term problems if politics in the traditional manner are practiced. As a coup organizer and plotter, I am concerned that the coup attempt will be reinstigated by Johnson from within the House itself.
On a less dolorous note, I imagined the following exchange between Mike Johnson and Pete Buttigieg (not, repeat NOT a real exchange) on the floor of the House:
Johnson: "If it were up to me, you and your kind would be locked up in prison instead of in government."
Buttigieg: "I was thinking exactly the same thing of the Right Honorable Speaker and his adherents."
The Republican woman shouting "Shut up, Shut up" at the media for questioning Johnson's architecture of the election denial is Virginia Foxx from North Carolina. She won 63% of the vote in 2022. What a terrible person who always stands so smugly behind James Comer and Mike Johnson over the Biden impeachment inquiry and weaponization of the government committees. She voted No on every single Biden accomplishment. I was appalled at her yelling "Shut up Shut up", it is so unbecoming of an older woman to be so petulant.
I generally agree with your comment, but can we not put women in a box, please? Whether she is a woman of a certain age or not, shutting down press inquiries is bad. Let’s put aside thoughts of what’s ladylike. Nancy Pelosi is a badass and often acts in ways the opposition believes are “unbecoming of an older woman,” and she is awesome. Women should be judged on what they do, not whether they conform to gendered expectations. Virginia Fox is a terrible person and stands for reprehensible ideas -- we don’t have to couch it in gender stereotypes.
I completely agree, and I apologize. Being front and center screaming Shut Up is unbecoming for any person! As an older woman myself, I find her behavior completely inappropriate! It was truly shocking. I prefer to set an example for our youth and be a person to be looked up to as cool, calm and collective demonstrating wisdom, not belligerence.
Why is it that the GOP has such lack of decorum in so many situations? What's-his-name - the one who yelled "You Lie" at SOTU? And MTG and Boebert and others who are simply obnoxious. I'm a rule-breaker when it's necessary and appropriate. Bec I live in DC, we've had the conversation during Administrations not of our view of whether if we went to the theatre and the Pres-of-not-our-choice entered (there was NO chance during the last Admin - he went to his hotel and no where else in DC) we'd stand. We agreed not. We wouldn't boo tho' either.
Yes, and @Colby Boss was calling out only really Foxx - and tho' I commented that she gave those of us who are older women a bad name, she gives that kind of anyone a bad name. Pelosi is a badass. Barbara Jordan who didn't live long enough was a badass.
I would normally agree with your statement, but really Nancy, it's another indication of the level of Arrogance and Disdain that the Republicans have for The Democrats , The President, ( think address) The Press, Basically the American People. And while I'm here , they hate your military, Tubberville proves that.
Mabey Republicans Hate America so Much , thats the reason they are trying to destroy it.
The entire crowd of Republicans behind Johnson behaved exactly like Trump rally attendees. The same crude behavior, the same contemptuous jeering at the press.
I don't think the magnitude of the final capture of the GOP has been fully articulated.
She gives those of us who are older women a bad reputation. She is horrific - rude. Her constituents must be similar. These conversations help me realize that I can't move. That taxation without voting representation is safer (sorta except that the House continues to try to remove more of our rights) than living in a district with people who vote for and those who represent them like Foxx or others. Friends who do live districts like that are doing all they can to elect Dems. and to stay safe from the hate of MAGAnuts. (What is the better name for them?)
All of NC is virtually locked in thanks to the old and new gerrymandering, so Foxx isnt going anywhere. All the Democrats have been packed into 3 districts (of 14) in a 50/50 state. Her district is very rural and in a corner of the state.
The GOP knows it has one shot in '24. Make voting as difficult as possible for Democratic voters. Keep an eye out for foreign election interference and right-wing voter intimidation, perhaps even employing firearms, in 2024.
The Republican Party no longer is the party of Lincoln. They completely have embraced the party of Hitler. I’m thinking to now refer to them as the ANP, the American Nazi Party. Perhaps someone here has a better name...
First, let me just say that I LOVE reading the comments from your readers. This, as much as your profound insights on that dog catching the car, gives me such hope. We really are suffering with people like Johnson (plus all those hypocritical cynics like Cruz and Hawley) in charge of part of our government and I’m quite sure the suffering will continue until we manage to vote them out. But thanks to the people who comment here, I have a lot of hope that we will do it. Thank you, Jay, for creating such a powerful forum for these voices.
Peggy - It is just getting harder and harder to keep up hope that these far-right extremists will be voted out....they are now judges, in the Supreme Court, in our police forces, in our military, in the Senate, and now in control of the House....liars/terrorists/traitors....if we are the majority why then has this small extremist group managed to take over so many positions of power and control of our country???? Every time I feel hope it gets crushed by the fact that they continue to manage to gain more and more control of our government. I am 50% second generation Irish and I remember from my grandparents hearing how they were banned by society, until they started getting into the jobs that had power/or provided care over and for their communities....firefighters, policemen etc. And then they started small with public offices in their community till finally one became President of the U.S. - JFK. In a way these traitors to this country, these unPatriotic maga's are infiltrating the same way, and they managed, surprise! surprise! to put an idiot in the White House in 2016, a man who started the tearing down of the Constitution, and it was allowed IMO, and incompetent, radical people filled the House, starting a clown show that the whole world watched, and is still watching. Peggy, you said "I have a lot of hope that we will do it." and so do I, but after all that has happened, cleaning house will almost need more than a broom, almost needs everything to be demolished and start again, and at my age, I am afraid I won't see it happen. IMO they not only shitted in the Capital building, but they have shitted all through this country, and there is just too much to clean up. Feeling burn-out.
Christine, I won’t say that I haven’t felt the same way on alternate days. It is hard to keep hoping and somedays it is almost impossible. For me, I find that those “hopeless” moments require a long view on history—things will certainly change over time. Listening to Heather Cox Richardson’s take on similar historical moments have helped. So has some of Rachel Maddow’s writing and podcasts (Ultra was fascinating). In other words, we’ve been in trouble before and have managed to pull through. Right now, there are so many of us who have been energized by the MAGA extremists, and that is why reading comments is so important. We are so many thoughtful and democracy-loving people. So—hang in there. Don’t give up hope.
His acceptance speech was saccharine, condescending, and empty. But lots of people will be soothed by that. Hakeem, on the other hand, just wow! Such a joy to watch him. If Jeffries stays visible during the election, we might have some hope. And what do you think about Obama finally surfacing, and what he said, re the Middle East?
Before yesterday, some thought both houses could flip in '24.
I am more convinced now only one house will flip.
I am also convinced now Trump will be sent to a correctional facility in 2023 and If I had Judge Engron's ear, I would recommend he send Donnie to Juvie.
Democratic candidates have to campaign hard and ram this down their throats. Don't assume people are going to remember it. Sometimes Captain Obvious is the best guy for the job.
Yes, I caught that I reversed the dog and the car in the metaphor! It’s fixed. Thanks for all the flags!
"The majority of Americans..." simply do not want what the GOP is selling. Period. Your piece today helps me see the "Big Picture" and not panic. (At least not as much. 😂) Surely the Democrats will improve their messaging and draw the comparisons of extremism to a free and functional Democracy. Because when you vote for Republicans, you'll have to live in the authoritarian country they will create.
Let's call MAGA Mike Johnson what he is an extremist, forced birth activist, election denying, coup organizer. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing!
A Jordan in a jacket.
Perhaps, I'm far lesson certain.
Youngkin is a right-wing extremist, yet he presents well...sailed through the VA gubernatorial election and has largely been given a free pass by the media.
Despite initial flurries, Johnson will soon be normalized by the media.
Does anyone really believe that most Americans are aware of the sea change in the GOP? Will the Biden18 really be punished by voters for their votes for someone who presents as normal vs an unhinged Kari Lake or Blake Masters?
Never underestimate the incredible prowess of the Dems to screw up and muddle their messaging, constantly play defense, and never be as aggressive as they should be in pointing out the obvious.
That said, the word IS out that the GOP is basically anti-women, and recent elections have proved that true. A big test are the upcoming elections in VA and OH. If either or both go GOP will again control the the narrative and the msm will fall all over themselves saying how the GOP has "righted the ship" and the "Dems in disarray."
I also worry that at some point - like now - there's sedition and J6 fatigue - thanks to so many having very short memories and tight budgets thanks to an increasing cost of living...
And all THAT said, I try and remain confident that a majority of Americans aren't batsh*t crazy - 2020 and 2022 proved that true!
I hope you're right, but I wonder.
Louisiana, after 8 years under a moderate Democrat who fought off the worst GOP excesses, just elected a Trumpist governor. Democrats did not show up.
The GOP has been shifting its messaging on abortion from 'bans' to 'compromise' or 'consensus limits', as though the complexities of pregnancies could be legislated...yet legacy media is parroting these rhetorical shifts and distracted voters will fall for it without a strong competing narrative.
I remain as alarmed as I was 8 years ago.
With you. I keep hoping what feels like a lead blanket over my entire being today will lift - that something will click to tell me it'll be ok. And I don't feel it. Yes, I'll vote - and yes, I'll encourage and do more to get others to vote. The emotional toll of all this -the physical toll on some days - makes me wonder how any Dems in the US House and Senate maintain any sanity. The "my good friend from" language just can't be true.
Yes, I agree with the physical and emotional toll.
With few notable exceptions, the unwillingness of Democrats in either chamber to loudly and continuously articulate the multi-faceted dangers posed by rising antidemocratic leaders and religious extremism is infuriating.
If they want to counter the hapless media, the coordinated Republican lies, and social media propaganda, then Democrats have to use their platforms constantly. It's not sufficient to assume the party f/k/a the GOP will doom itself. This is a fantasy.
The bizarre belief that decorum outweighs clarity is a lethal one in these times.
I agree - Jay said “if Democrats succeed in portraying johnson as….” And for me, that’s a big “if”. It needs to be loud, simple, and repeated often and everywhere so that harried grocery shoppers know about him ( how many people do you think have NO IDEA that this is happening? ) Meanwhile in the grocery store or the gas station, consumers everywhere are struggling, and for some reason Blame the government - because they don’t look further than their own bills . I just don’t know that enough people will be as alarmed as we are.
(This is why i read Jay / he helps calm me down!
That right there is the problem: Democrats not showing up, for whatever reason. And not *speaking* up.
Really, 2016 should have put an end to "there's no difference between the two major parties," but I'm still seeing way too much of that. There really is a difference between "not everything I want" and "everything I *don't* want."
Crossing my fingers up here
Good luck
Trouble is, many of them think they want the country they will create. The culture wars are taking care of that.
With the courts busy focusing on Trump et al, is there a time when the Congress folks involved in the coup get any accountability, aside from the elections themselves? It seems mad to me that we're in court for Trump, but these wankers are taking positions of power, dangerously close to the Presidency. I worry about "accidents" happening to our elected President and Vice President. It's not like it doesn't happen everywhere else in the world. Assassination is a time honored method of overthrowing a gov't. Many high level folks in Russia and China seem to be dying suspiciously convenient deaths right now.
The problem with trying to nail Congressmembers for their actions around January 6 is that they will all claim broad free speech rights under the Speech & Debate clause of the constitution. It will be hard for the court to draw a clear line between what was permissible speech and impermissible conspiracy. With Trump it’s easier because he actually DID things, like pressure Pence to overturn the election or call Brad Raffensperger. For the Congress people to plot to object to the electoral count isn’t illegal per se because the Electoral Count Act give the right to object, and so we’d have to show they were acting outside the contours of that law. So far, I haven’t seen any actions that exceed those, but perhaps Jack Smith knows of something we don’t.
The secret meeting in the Hotel comes to mind for those who knew about the fake electors. Why is that not prosecuted?
Could they be in trouble under the Jan 6th insurrection if evidence pops up that they conspired to create/support/build the J6 event? Or is that somehow also covered by Speech and Debate? I guess that's why the emphasize it was a "peaceful protest", which would be protected.
"The problem with trying to nail Congressmembers for their actions around January 6 is that they will all claim broad free speech rights under the Speech & Debate clause of the constitution"
Now there's a great get-out-of-jail-free catchall for wholly questionable if not verging on criminal actions, and as you point out, unlikely to attract the attention of prosecutors, *tant pis*.
Smoking Shotgun?
They didn't know? Ya right Jay
This was orchestrated better than the NY Philharmonic
Seriously, why do we have a 14th Amendment if we're not going to use it?
And I hope that the Secret Service agents guarding the President & VP have been very thoroughly vetted.
Major was doing his best to vet them but there were objections to his methods.
Thank you and you, @Kimberlee Avery Wilkins, for these posts. I know they weren't said in jest and still the idea made me smile. I say a secret service earpiece for Commander and on duty.
Poor Major got exiled for his efforts.
I suggest they keep Commander by President Biden 's side at all times !!
Yes Gail
Something very creepy or scary about Agent Orange Secret Service changing phones, after the shit hit the Fan
This is a good question - one I would like more clarity on. It's great that we have the 14th Amendment, but how is it enacted/enforced? What has to happen, and who has the authority to declare that it bars Trump from office? I've been on the lookout, on all my favorite news sources, but I haven't seen anything that clarifies any of that.
There is currently a court case in CO (10 electoral votes) that 5 judges so far, have refused to toss. It's gonna get a trial. The verdict will be appealed either way, but it's barely possible TFG will not be on that ballot. And that one is not the only one.
I know about CO, but I can't imagine state-by-state lawsuits, all of which will be appealed if they win, are going to get enough traction in red states to make a big difference. What I am curious about is if he is convicted in either the DC or GA cases before voting starts, is there any federal-level authority that is bound to follow the 14th amendment, thereby unequivocally exempting him from holding office?
Impossible to say - there is no precedent. There would be a pretty solid argument though I would think.
They should have been charged as well.
Agent Orange and ALL HIS CONSPIRATORIAL GANG!
Including Flynn, Bannon, Stone, Manafort, Clarence and Ginny, the couple that never speaks to each other.
OY I thought it was 'just me'. In social media posts I've added "spit spit", channeling ancestos, about anything happening to Biden and Harris.
Touché
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I want to believe that this will end up as a referendum on MAGA. Unfortunately, all it takes is a series of bad events to roll Biden out of office. As Krugman and others have pointed out, the whole country thinks the economy is a complete mess when stats show that it is not. If people are paying $5 a gallon for gas and the Middle East is on fire, Biden will lose. I have no faith in the American voter. None at all. I have faith in the people reading this blog. That's a different thing.
I can't help but agree with you on this. I hate that I feel this way but I have no hope in the American voter either. They don't need facts or logic - they just want sound bytes that support their lies.
I know more people than I should who blame Biden for everything that goes wrong. I'm just not sure we in this echo chamber are a match for the Fox propaganda machine, which has a trickle down effect on its propaganda that affects people who should know better.
Then Trust In The Women Voters! If you Think Women Have Forgotten About Roe vs Wade Already...THEY HAVE NOT...and They Are Reminded About It MONTHLY! (Pun Intended)!
I don't know that we are either. But that also raises the issue of how Fox can continue to spread such lies. And... why are Americans so eager to believe lies that so clearly aren't true? It's disheartening the amount of ignorance out there. My own mother is one of those people who just buys into all the lies about Biden. In her world there is no one at the border any more. People can just walk on over without any checks. You can't tell her otherwise. It's harder and harder to have hope these days.
I thought the Dominion lawsuit would help, but it hasn't much. There's another lawsuit pending. Hopefully, if that goes well, more will follow suit. Fox News is like the Phillip Morris of news companies. They spread the cancer, so they should be financially liable. We really need to find a way to bring them down.
We really do. Without Fox maybe people would be able to come out of the fog.
I have relatives like that too and I don't get it....I am pretty sure they are not readers..
My mom used to be an avid reader. Now she just reads the Bible. I have so many words about this but I'm going to just let it go at that.
Some of it is the brain-virus that proposes that "well they have to be talking about something". Like I've seen very anti-trump people who consider themselves "moderates" be concerned about the Hunter nothingburgers and be angry at Democrats over the house thing because they're committed to "listening to both sides" even when they know that one side is lying, and will admit so when you actually ask them if they think Fox, or whatever else, is actually credible.
Kelly, Problem is this , Grandpa was am Giants fan, Dad was a Giants Fan, I'm. Giants fan.
Loyalty to the Tribe.
And as an example, look at the Conservative Party in England.
Could you Fuck up a country anymore than that?
And you have Big Business and Right Wing News touting their achievements?
ACHIEVEMENTS???
But I Digress
Faith in the American voter? I’ve been saying since 2000, never underestimate the stupidity of the American voter.
A few weeks ago, following the defenestration of our Kev, a consensus emerged that whoever the GOPers elected as their succeeding Speaker, he/she would be worse than McCarthy...the question of how much worse was answered by the election of Mike Johnson, a MAGA extremist's extremist. He's the far-right's reification of religio-political excesses and election-denial shithousery, someone dealing well below the radar that circumstances rapidly elevated to the top job in Congress with virtually no prior heads-up...oy vey.
Or as we say out West, sheee-it
One poster posed it this way to me.
Damien OMEN
Thank you for your insights.
I do think that the GOP has potential long-term problems if politics in the traditional manner are practiced. As a coup organizer and plotter, I am concerned that the coup attempt will be reinstigated by Johnson from within the House itself.
On a less dolorous note, I imagined the following exchange between Mike Johnson and Pete Buttigieg (not, repeat NOT a real exchange) on the floor of the House:
Johnson: "If it were up to me, you and your kind would be locked up in prison instead of in government."
Buttigieg: "I was thinking exactly the same thing of the Right Honorable Speaker and his adherents."
I wasn’t aware of this exchange. Really scary stuff.
It was an exchange that I imagine, and NOT a real exchange. I have edited my comment to your piece to ensure that no one misunderstands that.
The Republican woman shouting "Shut up, Shut up" at the media for questioning Johnson's architecture of the election denial is Virginia Foxx from North Carolina. She won 63% of the vote in 2022. What a terrible person who always stands so smugly behind James Comer and Mike Johnson over the Biden impeachment inquiry and weaponization of the government committees. She voted No on every single Biden accomplishment. I was appalled at her yelling "Shut up Shut up", it is so unbecoming of an older woman to be so petulant.
I generally agree with your comment, but can we not put women in a box, please? Whether she is a woman of a certain age or not, shutting down press inquiries is bad. Let’s put aside thoughts of what’s ladylike. Nancy Pelosi is a badass and often acts in ways the opposition believes are “unbecoming of an older woman,” and she is awesome. Women should be judged on what they do, not whether they conform to gendered expectations. Virginia Fox is a terrible person and stands for reprehensible ideas -- we don’t have to couch it in gender stereotypes.
I completely agree, and I apologize. Being front and center screaming Shut Up is unbecoming for any person! As an older woman myself, I find her behavior completely inappropriate! It was truly shocking. I prefer to set an example for our youth and be a person to be looked up to as cool, calm and collective demonstrating wisdom, not belligerence.
Why is it that the GOP has such lack of decorum in so many situations? What's-his-name - the one who yelled "You Lie" at SOTU? And MTG and Boebert and others who are simply obnoxious. I'm a rule-breaker when it's necessary and appropriate. Bec I live in DC, we've had the conversation during Administrations not of our view of whether if we went to the theatre and the Pres-of-not-our-choice entered (there was NO chance during the last Admin - he went to his hotel and no where else in DC) we'd stand. We agreed not. We wouldn't boo tho' either.
Yes, and @Colby Boss was calling out only really Foxx - and tho' I commented that she gave those of us who are older women a bad name, she gives that kind of anyone a bad name. Pelosi is a badass. Barbara Jordan who didn't live long enough was a badass.
Nancy
I would normally agree with your statement, but really Nancy, it's another indication of the level of Arrogance and Disdain that the Republicans have for The Democrats , The President, ( think address) The Press, Basically the American People. And while I'm here , they hate your military, Tubberville proves that.
Mabey Republicans Hate America so Much , thats the reason they are trying to destroy it.
Sure looks that way
The entire crowd of Republicans behind Johnson behaved exactly like Trump rally attendees. The same crude behavior, the same contemptuous jeering at the press.
I don't think the magnitude of the final capture of the GOP has been fully articulated.
She gives those of us who are older women a bad reputation. She is horrific - rude. Her constituents must be similar. These conversations help me realize that I can't move. That taxation without voting representation is safer (sorta except that the House continues to try to remove more of our rights) than living in a district with people who vote for and those who represent them like Foxx or others. Friends who do live districts like that are doing all they can to elect Dems. and to stay safe from the hate of MAGAnuts. (What is the better name for them?)
All of NC is virtually locked in thanks to the old and new gerrymandering, so Foxx isnt going anywhere. All the Democrats have been packed into 3 districts (of 14) in a 50/50 state. Her district is very rural and in a corner of the state.
I thought I knew this - at least the gerrymandering. It is depressing.
Similar S in Wisconsin
Just when I thought she couldn't be any more vile...
The GOP knows it has one shot in '24. Make voting as difficult as possible for Democratic voters. Keep an eye out for foreign election interference and right-wing voter intimidation, perhaps even employing firearms, in 2024.
The Republican Party no longer is the party of Lincoln. They completely have embraced the party of Hitler. I’m thinking to now refer to them as the ANP, the American Nazi Party. Perhaps someone here has a better name...
Mark I agree with you. For me, now they will be the American Nazi Party. Because that’s exactly who they are.
I call Them Repugnicans,
But you got me beat by a Country Mile
Little did the dog know that the car he caught was Animal Control!
Touché
First, let me just say that I LOVE reading the comments from your readers. This, as much as your profound insights on that dog catching the car, gives me such hope. We really are suffering with people like Johnson (plus all those hypocritical cynics like Cruz and Hawley) in charge of part of our government and I’m quite sure the suffering will continue until we manage to vote them out. But thanks to the people who comment here, I have a lot of hope that we will do it. Thank you, Jay, for creating such a powerful forum for these voices.
I agree… all the readers who comment are starting to feel like friends and I appreciate their insights!
You Are Loved!
Peggy - It is just getting harder and harder to keep up hope that these far-right extremists will be voted out....they are now judges, in the Supreme Court, in our police forces, in our military, in the Senate, and now in control of the House....liars/terrorists/traitors....if we are the majority why then has this small extremist group managed to take over so many positions of power and control of our country???? Every time I feel hope it gets crushed by the fact that they continue to manage to gain more and more control of our government. I am 50% second generation Irish and I remember from my grandparents hearing how they were banned by society, until they started getting into the jobs that had power/or provided care over and for their communities....firefighters, policemen etc. And then they started small with public offices in their community till finally one became President of the U.S. - JFK. In a way these traitors to this country, these unPatriotic maga's are infiltrating the same way, and they managed, surprise! surprise! to put an idiot in the White House in 2016, a man who started the tearing down of the Constitution, and it was allowed IMO, and incompetent, radical people filled the House, starting a clown show that the whole world watched, and is still watching. Peggy, you said "I have a lot of hope that we will do it." and so do I, but after all that has happened, cleaning house will almost need more than a broom, almost needs everything to be demolished and start again, and at my age, I am afraid I won't see it happen. IMO they not only shitted in the Capital building, but they have shitted all through this country, and there is just too much to clean up. Feeling burn-out.
Christine, I won’t say that I haven’t felt the same way on alternate days. It is hard to keep hoping and somedays it is almost impossible. For me, I find that those “hopeless” moments require a long view on history—things will certainly change over time. Listening to Heather Cox Richardson’s take on similar historical moments have helped. So has some of Rachel Maddow’s writing and podcasts (Ultra was fascinating). In other words, we’ve been in trouble before and have managed to pull through. Right now, there are so many of us who have been energized by the MAGA extremists, and that is why reading comments is so important. We are so many thoughtful and democracy-loving people. So—hang in there. Don’t give up hope.
both sick---and sad that it has come to this. Well written article, Jay. Appreciate your take on this mess
His acceptance speech was saccharine, condescending, and empty. But lots of people will be soothed by that. Hakeem, on the other hand, just wow! Such a joy to watch him. If Jeffries stays visible during the election, we might have some hope. And what do you think about Obama finally surfacing, and what he said, re the Middle East?
Before yesterday, some thought both houses could flip in '24.
I am more convinced now only one house will flip.
I am also convinced now Trump will be sent to a correctional facility in 2023 and If I had Judge Engron's ear, I would recommend he send Donnie to Juvie.
Not Juvie!
He would be out in no time!
Once again, as always thank you for breaking down the utter dysfunction of the GOP'ers!
Democratic candidates have to campaign hard and ram this down their throats. Don't assume people are going to remember it. Sometimes Captain Obvious is the best guy for the job.
They are eager to use Johnson as the face of all of this. It’s an electoral gift.