A very revealing and disturbing story. Menendez should be drummed out of the Senate with all possible speed. Egypt should also pay the price for human rights violations and conspiring with Senator Menendez and his spouse to dupe the American people.
I really enjoy these biweekly newsletters. The writing style and tone are really opening up to let more of Joe through in his writing. I’ve loved to see his connection with the audience grow. Good job!
Joe, of all the coverage and commentary I've encountered on Senator Menendez's indictment, yours is the first to address the implications for Egypt - an important angle that, in my sometimes blinkered focus on American politics, I hadn't realized I'd been missing. Thank you.
I really enjoy this newsletter. On a side note, it was very entertaining listening to you and Sarah talk about how some of the people in congress dress... it was a fun distraction.
Menendez has to go, don't exactly know how Dems are going to accomplish this but there has to be a united front here from democrats. Schumer needs to strip him of all committee assignments now. All the Democratic senators need to be united in this. NJ Governor is already on board but Cory Booker needs to be. Republicans will gleefully use this to excuse t***p "everybody gets indicted". Menendez needs to understand if he persists, he will be on his own in the trial and what will likely be a conviction.
1) He clearly seems guilty, but is presumed innocent like TFG, who also seems guilty as hell. Menendez should resign as soon as TFG withdraws from the presidential race. Seems equivalent to me.
2) If the DOJ pursues charges against him because f his dealings with Egypt, they are WAY overdue on investigating Jared Kushner for his dealings with and $2B payoff from the Saudis.
"McCarthy is bringing them forward in an attempt to appease far-right members of his conference and enlist their support to pass a funding bill to avert the shutdown. The things that make them appealing to that wing of the party are deep spending cuts, which are precisely what will make them a nonstarter for the Democratic majority in the Senate."
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Any attempts by My Kevin to get even a singe funding bill passed is nothing but delusional political theater. He is very aware that anything offered as a sop to the Psychiatric Facility Escapee Caucus has a less than zero chance of even making it to the Oval Office, the Dem Senate majority will, justifiably, shoot down *any* proposal that contravenes the agreement reached to settle the debt crisis, much less any that try to walk back social justice efforts already approved, signed into law and funded.
McCarthy is in a no-win situation. He goes bipartisan and the wack Right of his party file a Motion to Vacate (not that there is anyone else stupid enough, or willing to violate a sense of ethics enough, to want the job who can garner 218 votes). He tries for a bill with only R support, he must be aware that it will be a non-starter outside the House chamber.
I fear that we are past the point of no return and a government shutdown is inevitable. With just five calendar days left before shutdown, there is no likely compromise that the bomb throwers will accept and precious little time to negotiate a cross-aisle proposal that would have bipartisan support and reconcile any differences that might be found in a Senate bill. (We can hope that the discussions between the Problem Solvers Caucus, the Republican Governance Group and the New Democratic Coalition reach a successful agreement within the required timeframe, but I'm not holding my breath.)
Reporting I've read says that the Freedom Caucus rarely, if ever, votes yes on a budget bill. Probably because they want no budget as all. McCarthy has chosen the no-win situation, since he was part of the forerunner to the Freedom Caucus and has set the table for them. Since these "nos" are baked into the cake, the only way out is for the more moderate GOP work with the Democrats to avert this. Quite honestly, I bet if they did, the GOP increases its odds to hang on to the House.
The last time I watched because I was at my sister’s house, but I’m home now, and she can’t make me! Seriously, I can’t bring myself to watch one again.
And very insulting to Pop Warner players and coaches. The players already exhibit more maturity than on display by many of the New GOP Representatives. Even the Normies are showing a lack of desire to put on their "big girl/boy pants" and stand up to the very vocal but small minority on the far right of the New GOP (most likely out of apprehension of the MAGAdroid base who has no problems with using fear and intimidation to get what they want).
A very revealing and disturbing story. Menendez should be drummed out of the Senate with all possible speed. Egypt should also pay the price for human rights violations and conspiring with Senator Menendez and his spouse to dupe the American people.
I really enjoy these biweekly newsletters. The writing style and tone are really opening up to let more of Joe through in his writing. I’ve loved to see his connection with the audience grow. Good job!
Nice analogy to Pop Warner football.
Joe, of all the coverage and commentary I've encountered on Senator Menendez's indictment, yours is the first to address the implications for Egypt - an important angle that, in my sometimes blinkered focus on American politics, I hadn't realized I'd been missing. Thank you.
I really enjoy this newsletter. On a side note, it was very entertaining listening to you and Sarah talk about how some of the people in congress dress... it was a fun distraction.
I wonder why we still have debates at all but especially when the leading candidate isn't even there?
And all this time I thought Israel owned Congress.
As for Kevin he can either be speaker of the house, or leader of the terrorist responsible for a shutdown, up to him.
Menendez has to go, don't exactly know how Dems are going to accomplish this but there has to be a united front here from democrats. Schumer needs to strip him of all committee assignments now. All the Democratic senators need to be united in this. NJ Governor is already on board but Cory Booker needs to be. Republicans will gleefully use this to excuse t***p "everybody gets indicted". Menendez needs to understand if he persists, he will be on his own in the trial and what will likely be a conviction.
Just remember, watching the debate will cost you precious minutes of your life that you can’t recover.
I remember that game I was on the sidelines on the chain gang
On Menendez, I have two thoughts:
1) He clearly seems guilty, but is presumed innocent like TFG, who also seems guilty as hell. Menendez should resign as soon as TFG withdraws from the presidential race. Seems equivalent to me.
2) If the DOJ pursues charges against him because f his dealings with Egypt, they are WAY overdue on investigating Jared Kushner for his dealings with and $2B payoff from the Saudis.
Yes to #2. This, in my mind, is part of the corruption of the Trump Crime Family.
I like the idea of #1, but Trump ain't leaving the race without a huge shove.
I agree Trump isn't leaving, and while I don't like Menendez, he shouldn't leave either until he is convicted.
"McCarthy is bringing them forward in an attempt to appease far-right members of his conference and enlist their support to pass a funding bill to avert the shutdown. The things that make them appealing to that wing of the party are deep spending cuts, which are precisely what will make them a nonstarter for the Democratic majority in the Senate."
-----
Any attempts by My Kevin to get even a singe funding bill passed is nothing but delusional political theater. He is very aware that anything offered as a sop to the Psychiatric Facility Escapee Caucus has a less than zero chance of even making it to the Oval Office, the Dem Senate majority will, justifiably, shoot down *any* proposal that contravenes the agreement reached to settle the debt crisis, much less any that try to walk back social justice efforts already approved, signed into law and funded.
McCarthy is in a no-win situation. He goes bipartisan and the wack Right of his party file a Motion to Vacate (not that there is anyone else stupid enough, or willing to violate a sense of ethics enough, to want the job who can garner 218 votes). He tries for a bill with only R support, he must be aware that it will be a non-starter outside the House chamber.
I fear that we are past the point of no return and a government shutdown is inevitable. With just five calendar days left before shutdown, there is no likely compromise that the bomb throwers will accept and precious little time to negotiate a cross-aisle proposal that would have bipartisan support and reconcile any differences that might be found in a Senate bill. (We can hope that the discussions between the Problem Solvers Caucus, the Republican Governance Group and the New Democratic Coalition reach a successful agreement within the required timeframe, but I'm not holding my breath.)
fnord
Reporting I've read says that the Freedom Caucus rarely, if ever, votes yes on a budget bill. Probably because they want no budget as all. McCarthy has chosen the no-win situation, since he was part of the forerunner to the Freedom Caucus and has set the table for them. Since these "nos" are baked into the cake, the only way out is for the more moderate GOP work with the Democrats to avert this. Quite honestly, I bet if they did, the GOP increases its odds to hang on to the House.
I see the GoP (and the major media) is still pretending that they are having a primary.
I guess Donald hasn't settled on a VP pick yet.
It's all for show as someone mentioned above, like "elections" in Russia or North Korea.
Correct on both points.
Still not going to watch the debate. Thanks to the brave Bulwark folks who do this for me.
The last time I watched because I was at my sister’s house, but I’m home now, and she can’t make me! Seriously, I can’t bring myself to watch one again.
I'm sure I will see another picture of Vivek's gaping maw with a lot of very white teeth the next day.
Ohh were it not so true 😁
Very charitable to compare the House GOP to youth football.
And very insulting to Pop Warner players and coaches. The players already exhibit more maturity than on display by many of the New GOP Representatives. Even the Normies are showing a lack of desire to put on their "big girl/boy pants" and stand up to the very vocal but small minority on the far right of the New GOP (most likely out of apprehension of the MAGAdroid base who has no problems with using fear and intimidation to get what they want).
fnord