“whom most Capitol Hill reporters couldn't pick out of a single defendant police lineup.” Brutal, but a great line. The Republicans are shredding their chances of winning anything with this behavior. Maybe a big fat L for many of them in the next cycle will be what it takes to open the eyes of some of these “public servants “.
I think the worst part about this for Republicans is that no matter who is the Speaker, there is a limit to what they can get in any negotiations with the Senate and the White House. Seriously, they should just give up right now on this year's budget and start work on FY2025, because they aren't doing anything in this extended fight which is going to help them in the short term.
“...theoretically I could start playing scratch golf next week.” You are brilliant and I so appreciate your deep understanding and history of congress. Thank you for constantly reminding us “this is not normal”
“He has what it takes to go into a room with Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden and negotiate conservative wins,” - After I stopped laughing, I looked at the screen and said um no.
Re: I turned off my tape recorder, and asked again - can Jordan win? Without missing a beat, this member of Congress instantly said, "No."
Wow.
Not sure why the House GOP isn’t working through the weekend on solving this mess. They’re putting their dysfunction on public display daily, giving Dems lots of 2024 campaign TV ad footage.
I have to assume that 'not working through the weekend' was to allow Jordan and his supporters to try to drum up the rest of the votes necessary to get him elected - but this surely is a crazy time at the big house...
The plan is to try to build outrage back home and demand that their lawmakers vote for Jordan. Then, you put the election for Speaker on the floor and make everyone vote to see who refuses to vote for Jordan, and then put even more pressure on the holdouts.
No rest for the weary. I'm sure this is not how you had the weekend planned.
Following the news about the dysfunctional House I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The last few years have left the Republican party in a huge mess. At this late date I have a hard time believing so many hard-core extremists still have their claws embedded in the GOP.
Confusion and conflict are a way of life for Democrats, but sooner or later they/we find a way to compromise with EACH OTHER. But hard--core authoritarians in the GOP are too stubborn to compromise even with each other.
When I could talk, I would give speeches when I was on the road. I would start by talking about how I love to play golf - and if I could, I would play golf 7 days a week. Everyone had a big smile. But then I would say - but in life you have to compromise, and if I'm going to stay married, I can't play golf 7 days a week. And then I would say, that's what politics is all about - you have to compromise. And the smiles would turn to frowns, and people would literally cross their arms in disapproval. I saw it over and over and over again from audiences who would now be some of the strongest GOP supporters.
This is where it quickly gets tricky. If you're the GOP, why do you want to voluntarily give up power?? Some of the suggestions I've heard are that Democrats would be the Speaker, but the GOP would still chair all of the committees. Dems would guarantee that funding bills come up with no restrictions (open rules for amendments). There would be a bipartisan deal to allow non-controversial bills to get to the floor from both parties - basically a more open legislative process.
“whom most Capitol Hill reporters couldn't pick out of a single defendant police lineup.” Brutal, but a great line. The Republicans are shredding their chances of winning anything with this behavior. Maybe a big fat L for many of them in the next cycle will be what it takes to open the eyes of some of these “public servants “.
I think the worst part about this for Republicans is that no matter who is the Speaker, there is a limit to what they can get in any negotiations with the Senate and the White House. Seriously, they should just give up right now on this year's budget and start work on FY2025, because they aren't doing anything in this extended fight which is going to help them in the short term.
“...theoretically I could start playing scratch golf next week.” You are brilliant and I so appreciate your deep understanding and history of congress. Thank you for constantly reminding us “this is not normal”
Yes, we go from 'unprecedented' to FUBAR
Do I make attribution when I quote you or just say "~Web note"?
“He has what it takes to go into a room with Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden and negotiate conservative wins,” - After I stopped laughing, I looked at the screen and said um no.
Actually, the really interesting part about that quote is it comes from Nicole Malliotakis R-NY, who is a second termer from New York.
Re: I turned off my tape recorder, and asked again - can Jordan win? Without missing a beat, this member of Congress instantly said, "No."
Wow.
Not sure why the House GOP isn’t working through the weekend on solving this mess. They’re putting their dysfunction on public display daily, giving Dems lots of 2024 campaign TV ad footage.
It's just endless stuff for the Dem attack machine. And I'm not really sure that Republicans can come together anytime soon. It's just crazy.
I have to assume that 'not working through the weekend' was to allow Jordan and his supporters to try to drum up the rest of the votes necessary to get him elected - but this surely is a crazy time at the big house...
The plan is to try to build outrage back home and demand that their lawmakers vote for Jordan. Then, you put the election for Speaker on the floor and make everyone vote to see who refuses to vote for Jordan, and then put even more pressure on the holdouts.
No rest for the weary. I'm sure this is not how you had the weekend planned.
Following the news about the dysfunctional House I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The last few years have left the Republican party in a huge mess. At this late date I have a hard time believing so many hard-core extremists still have their claws embedded in the GOP.
Confusion and conflict are a way of life for Democrats, but sooner or later they/we find a way to compromise with EACH OTHER. But hard--core authoritarians in the GOP are too stubborn to compromise even with each other.
When I could talk, I would give speeches when I was on the road. I would start by talking about how I love to play golf - and if I could, I would play golf 7 days a week. Everyone had a big smile. But then I would say - but in life you have to compromise, and if I'm going to stay married, I can't play golf 7 days a week. And then I would say, that's what politics is all about - you have to compromise. And the smiles would turn to frowns, and people would literally cross their arms in disapproval. I saw it over and over and over again from audiences who would now be some of the strongest GOP supporters.
Jamie…a littler confused here…435 members means 218 for majority
Everyone uses 217. Am I missing something?
There are 433 members right now. So 217 is a majority. It will kick back up to 218 in November with two special elections
Thanks. You’ve reported so many retirements I couldn’t keep track🤣
"...scratch golf..." 🤣🤣🤣
I mean, maybe I could for 9 holes
I'd like to know what a power sharing arrangement could look like.
This is where it quickly gets tricky. If you're the GOP, why do you want to voluntarily give up power?? Some of the suggestions I've heard are that Democrats would be the Speaker, but the GOP would still chair all of the committees. Dems would guarantee that funding bills come up with no restrictions (open rules for amendments). There would be a bipartisan deal to allow non-controversial bills to get to the floor from both parties - basically a more open legislative process.