Joe, I'm an "end-notes" kind of reader and consume them all. I'm enjoying the heck out of yours! "...the speaker needs to be capable of shame....", and "...unless you mean something like 'moral isolationism'." Keep it coming.
Seriously cannot Republicans rename the "Hastert" rule? It is like a constant reminder that the most effective GOP Speaker in the last 30 years was a pedophile.
A tactic of partisanship. We'd be better served by a rule that any bill with X level of support across the whole chamber *must* be brought to a floor vote.
Excellent reporting as usual - think Joe is squarely in the JVL and AB camp of the Bulwark. And unfortunately for us and for the world, they are right a lot.
I just don't get the chaos. I was back on the Hill Tuesday last week doing some Congress critter visits for my professional organizations and becuse I am in MA I went to lots of left leaning offices...and those poor kids (DC is basically run by 25 year olds) seemed shell shocked. They need cookies, a hot shower and a good night sleep.
I have been thru several Farm Bill cycles and the futility of it all was so palpable. I have never enjoyed my time there less. Which makes me sad. I like our democracy. I miss it.
The most under reported story of the Suozzi campaign is the coordination between the campaign and grassroots groups throughout the country. Suozzi has an army writing postcards, canvassing, phonebanking. Ask the candidate himself how important having a coordinated relationship with established grassroots groups have been to his (hopefully) success.
My fantasy politics dream is some R (no idea who...) files a motion to vacate, gets D support to back them for speaker, an agreement to pass the Ukraine/Israel/Taiwan bill, and some sort of way to bring bipartisan bills to the floor (again, no idea how).
That's only slightly less ridiculous than my political dream of 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats forming a REAL independent caucus (not the No Labels BS) because those 40 votes could practically rule the House. Then one of them make a motion to vacate the chair and with Democrats select a sane Republican with actual legislative experience to be Speaker.
Obviously each of them would end up being primaried--- but if they come from a swing district they could make a great case that they were saving the House from a Reign of Terror and dysfunction.
I suggest that Mike Gallagher force a vote using his retirement status as a point of leverage, either Johnson brings it to the floor for a vote, or he works with a couple of other lame duck retiring Republican House members and they move to vacate, offering up Gallagher as the new Speaker, they can get the foreign aid package done and the border. If you are going to dream, let's get specific.
I'm not sure it's so much "moral isolationism" as "we like authoritarians and hate our historic allies". Not as easy to put into a catchy phrase though.
With Trump at the helm, I believe what we have is a moral Ponzi scheme: he ropes more and more people in, squeezing the morality out of them in order lend an air of virtue to the people who got suckered in at earlier stages.
In the end, Trump absconds will all the morals, not that he has any use for them.
As far as I can tell, what it means is that each Great Power gets to have its sphere of influence. That means Russia gets to bomb Ukraine, China gets to bomb Taiwan, and the US gets to bomb Mexico!
Yay Suozzi won!! That has to speak a few things…NY district was tired of being represented by a cheat, liar and swindler, and possibly tired of the lack of real legislating in the House, by the majority..
Lifelong (the adult portion of that starting with Reagan's rightwingism) Democrat here! Have I made a horrible mistake? (just kidding, this is not a Republican site - more a moderate or centric readership).
This one should finally put to rest any notion that the impeachment process provided for in the Constitution has any meaning whatsoever. It really is useless and amounts to nothing but a partisan show trial. In my opinion Trumps first and second impeachments were equally a waste of time and money.
It will be interesting to see how Mitch organizes his minions. It could be a great opportunity to show bipartisan agreement that this impeachment is the political equivalent of a frivolous lawsuit... but I am not holding my breath!
I disagree. There is always a choice. The House and Senate could have censured him and moved on in the first impeachment. Especially since not a single Republican House member voted for the impeachment. So it became essentially a partisan attack on Trump and not an attempt to administer justice. It was a "show trial" because given the evidence they produced they knew in advance there would be no conviction. I suppose Democrats thought this would redound to their political favor but that didn't seem to have happened either. By letting an acquittal happen they (the Democrats) officially enabled Trump to declare a victory and point to his acquittal as a Democratic witch hunt.
The second impeachment was more obviously necessary. And it was the most bipartisan in the votes for conviction. Again, Mitch McConnell alone prevented the trial from taking place while Trump was in office. A decision that I think he probably secretly regrets now. He had a chance to free the hostages but wimped out.
To be honest assassination was probably the Democrats only real hope of getting rid of Trump
I am not saying it was a just a partisan attack only that by bringing it to a trial without certainty of the POSSIBILITY of conviction an acquittal would only empower Trump. The Republicans signaled well in advance that they did not intend to, or care to, act as impartial jurors foreclosing the possibility of conviction. Sure it is ugly and partisan and reprehensible but that is the lay of the land and the Republicans suffered little politically for their perfidy and Trump only gained strength from it.
In the end the aid was, in fact, released so while he threated to withhold aid he did not actually carry out the threat. A censure would have been more effective and not hand Trump an exoneration card as he was given by his acquittal. And Democrats and the country gained nothing from it.
"The most important thing to keep in mind about the result of tonight’s election is what it will mean for the math of the current House, which in turn will tell us a lot about what Republicans will be able to accomplish or obstruct in the coming weeks and months."
-----
Obviously someone didn't get the memo. The primary accomplishment that the New GOP can count on *is* obstruction (the "O" in New GOP stands for "Obstructionist"). Since the party took the House majority the Psychiatric Facility Escapee Caucus is the tail wagging the Republican dog. The political punditry, including you Mr Perticone, keep reminding us of just how slim the New GOP majority is in actuality, and it is this slim number that has allowed the MAGAdroids to control the House agenda, thus controlling the entire legislative process; "it's either do it our way, or no way." We've been witness, numerous times, that all it takes is a few of them to object to the potential legislation to sink it. Look at the chaos, bedlam and complete disfunction of the House that was created by just eight wacks voting to not support their elected Speaker for doing what was necessary to keep the government open (but didn't punish one of their own for doing the same thing) -- and the House still has not recovered to anything even closely resembling a functional legislative body.
The math will be the math until the Dems retake the majority or until the predicted Red Tsunami of 2022 finally reaches our shores (I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for the latter to occur). It will still only take a few from the ironically named House "Freedom" Caucus to obstruct anything that doesn't give them and/or the Fulvous Flatulence *everything* they demand, even knowing full well that there is no chance that legislation that pleases them will ever get past the Senate. Since they view themselves as patriotic bomb throwers just trying to "Make America Great Again," they don't care what the Dems, the Senate or a majority of the American population want, they'll continue to do whatever they think is necessary to save the US. We'll just have to take our medicine (which tastes remarkably like vomit mixed with a dog's diarrhea, I would guess) if we wish to be cured of what ails us. (Most of them don't seem to realize that it is them making the country sick to the point it is almost terminal.)
Joe, I'm an "end-notes" kind of reader and consume them all. I'm enjoying the heck out of yours! "...the speaker needs to be capable of shame....", and "...unless you mean something like 'moral isolationism'." Keep it coming.
Joe, you get better and better. Today was just excellent.
Seriously cannot Republicans rename the "Hastert" rule? It is like a constant reminder that the most effective GOP Speaker in the last 30 years was a pedophile.
I'm in favor of no made-up rules. If this is that important, make it an official House rule.
It is really more like a guideline :)
A tactic of partisanship. We'd be better served by a rule that any bill with X level of support across the whole chamber *must* be brought to a floor vote.
Yeah. It just a way to game the system.
Excellent reporting as usual - think Joe is squarely in the JVL and AB camp of the Bulwark. And unfortunately for us and for the world, they are right a lot.
Excellent commentary as always.
I just don't get the chaos. I was back on the Hill Tuesday last week doing some Congress critter visits for my professional organizations and becuse I am in MA I went to lots of left leaning offices...and those poor kids (DC is basically run by 25 year olds) seemed shell shocked. They need cookies, a hot shower and a good night sleep.
I have been thru several Farm Bill cycles and the futility of it all was so palpable. I have never enjoyed my time there less. Which makes me sad. I like our democracy. I miss it.
The most under reported story of the Suozzi campaign is the coordination between the campaign and grassroots groups throughout the country. Suozzi has an army writing postcards, canvassing, phonebanking. Ask the candidate himself how important having a coordinated relationship with established grassroots groups have been to his (hopefully) success.
My fantasy politics dream is some R (no idea who...) files a motion to vacate, gets D support to back them for speaker, an agreement to pass the Ukraine/Israel/Taiwan bill, and some sort of way to bring bipartisan bills to the floor (again, no idea how).
A guy can dream, right?
That's only slightly less ridiculous than my political dream of 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats forming a REAL independent caucus (not the No Labels BS) because those 40 votes could practically rule the House. Then one of them make a motion to vacate the chair and with Democrats select a sane Republican with actual legislative experience to be Speaker.
Obviously each of them would end up being primaried--- but if they come from a swing district they could make a great case that they were saving the House from a Reign of Terror and dysfunction.
I know dream on...
There are no sane Republicans at this time.
LOL! Actually there are but they are being held hostage and suffering from Stockholm Syndrome!
I suggest that Mike Gallagher force a vote using his retirement status as a point of leverage, either Johnson brings it to the floor for a vote, or he works with a couple of other lame duck retiring Republican House members and they move to vacate, offering up Gallagher as the new Speaker, they can get the foreign aid package done and the border. If you are going to dream, let's get specific.
I'm not sure it's so much "moral isolationism" as "we like authoritarians and hate our historic allies". Not as easy to put into a catchy phrase though.
How 'bout we just call it what it really is - moral bankruptcy - and be done with it?
With Trump at the helm, I believe what we have is a moral Ponzi scheme: he ropes more and more people in, squeezing the morality out of them in order lend an air of virtue to the people who got suckered in at earlier stages.
In the end, Trump absconds will all the morals, not that he has any use for them.
As far as I can tell, what it means is that each Great Power gets to have its sphere of influence. That means Russia gets to bomb Ukraine, China gets to bomb Taiwan, and the US gets to bomb Mexico!
BTW, Canada gets to bomb Greenland.
Not if Trump can buy it first.
They gave him a clear "no" a few years back, and so he's good with it.
Yay Suozzi won!! That has to speak a few things…NY district was tired of being represented by a cheat, liar and swindler, and possibly tired of the lack of real legislating in the House, by the majority..
Ok! Never thought I’d join a republican site. But you all are the best!
Lifelong (the adult portion of that starting with Reagan's rightwingism) Democrat here! Have I made a horrible mistake? (just kidding, this is not a Republican site - more a moderate or centric readership).
This is some fantastic writing.
"Moral isolationism" is amazingly adapt, bravo
Tom Suozzi flipped the seat
Go Blue, another one bites the dust. Good thing you impeached Mayorkas tonight Maga Mike, because it wouldn't have happened tomorrow.
This one should finally put to rest any notion that the impeachment process provided for in the Constitution has any meaning whatsoever. It really is useless and amounts to nothing but a partisan show trial. In my opinion Trumps first and second impeachments were equally a waste of time and money.
It will be interesting to see how Mitch organizes his minions. It could be a great opportunity to show bipartisan agreement that this impeachment is the political equivalent of a frivolous lawsuit... but I am not holding my breath!
I disagree. There is always a choice. The House and Senate could have censured him and moved on in the first impeachment. Especially since not a single Republican House member voted for the impeachment. So it became essentially a partisan attack on Trump and not an attempt to administer justice. It was a "show trial" because given the evidence they produced they knew in advance there would be no conviction. I suppose Democrats thought this would redound to their political favor but that didn't seem to have happened either. By letting an acquittal happen they (the Democrats) officially enabled Trump to declare a victory and point to his acquittal as a Democratic witch hunt.
The second impeachment was more obviously necessary. And it was the most bipartisan in the votes for conviction. Again, Mitch McConnell alone prevented the trial from taking place while Trump was in office. A decision that I think he probably secretly regrets now. He had a chance to free the hostages but wimped out.
To be honest assassination was probably the Democrats only real hope of getting rid of Trump
I am not saying it was a just a partisan attack only that by bringing it to a trial without certainty of the POSSIBILITY of conviction an acquittal would only empower Trump. The Republicans signaled well in advance that they did not intend to, or care to, act as impartial jurors foreclosing the possibility of conviction. Sure it is ugly and partisan and reprehensible but that is the lay of the land and the Republicans suffered little politically for their perfidy and Trump only gained strength from it.
In the end the aid was, in fact, released so while he threated to withhold aid he did not actually carry out the threat. A censure would have been more effective and not hand Trump an exoneration card as he was given by his acquittal. And Democrats and the country gained nothing from it.
"The most important thing to keep in mind about the result of tonight’s election is what it will mean for the math of the current House, which in turn will tell us a lot about what Republicans will be able to accomplish or obstruct in the coming weeks and months."
-----
Obviously someone didn't get the memo. The primary accomplishment that the New GOP can count on *is* obstruction (the "O" in New GOP stands for "Obstructionist"). Since the party took the House majority the Psychiatric Facility Escapee Caucus is the tail wagging the Republican dog. The political punditry, including you Mr Perticone, keep reminding us of just how slim the New GOP majority is in actuality, and it is this slim number that has allowed the MAGAdroids to control the House agenda, thus controlling the entire legislative process; "it's either do it our way, or no way." We've been witness, numerous times, that all it takes is a few of them to object to the potential legislation to sink it. Look at the chaos, bedlam and complete disfunction of the House that was created by just eight wacks voting to not support their elected Speaker for doing what was necessary to keep the government open (but didn't punish one of their own for doing the same thing) -- and the House still has not recovered to anything even closely resembling a functional legislative body.
The math will be the math until the Dems retake the majority or until the predicted Red Tsunami of 2022 finally reaches our shores (I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for the latter to occur). It will still only take a few from the ironically named House "Freedom" Caucus to obstruct anything that doesn't give them and/or the Fulvous Flatulence *everything* they demand, even knowing full well that there is no chance that legislation that pleases them will ever get past the Senate. Since they view themselves as patriotic bomb throwers just trying to "Make America Great Again," they don't care what the Dems, the Senate or a majority of the American population want, they'll continue to do whatever they think is necessary to save the US. We'll just have to take our medicine (which tastes remarkably like vomit mixed with a dog's diarrhea, I would guess) if we wish to be cured of what ails us. (Most of them don't seem to realize that it is them making the country sick to the point it is almost terminal.)
fnord
Excellent report Joe. Enjoy your footnotes.