I think we're all screwed if the Republican moderates/pragmatists/whatever-they-want-to-be-called don't grow a backbone and take back their party from the Trumpsters. He's leading the Republican party and the country to a place that does not reflect the U.S. that was once globally admired (despite the flaws). They need to hire smart consultants & advertising firms to fight against the far right crooks. It should be easy to get the Evangelicals and mainstream Republicans to support them and reject the law-breaking, unethical, election denying, violence promoting, sexual assaulters/sexual assault enablers. They need to be more aggressive at fighting for what they believe is right and getting their message out, as do the Democrats!
There are no moderate Republicans. The majority party elects its own speaker and the minority power has no obligation to help them save face. Given how unserious and dangerous Jim Jordan is, it would be the opposite of "for the good of the country" if any Democrats were to vote for him just to settle it. They should not and they will not.
Alternately, some of the Republicans who were elected in districts won by Pres. Biden could easily end this for the good of the country by voting for Hakeem Jeffries. They will not. And even if they did it would mean the end of their careers and of course the current House rules permit a single member to move to vacate the speakership which is of course what would happen if any Republicans defected to elect a Democrat to the role.
The Dems could make a deal with a moderate R, nominate him/her and end this with just 4(?) votes from Republicans. Of course getting all Dems on board may be tough.
I can't imagine any scenario where a speaker elected with votes from Democrats will lead to a stable outcome under the current rules. Maybe if the rules change so that it takes something more than 1 representative to call for removal of a speaker, but I still don't think it is a good idea for Democrats to go along. They have nothing to gain from ceding any power to Republicans and I think it would be dangerous to do so.
I believe there is a possibility that the rules can be modified to allow the speaker pro tem to preside over regular business. If that's for a limited duration of time such as 45-90 days, I think it would be sensible for Democrats to support that.
Because anyone considered a "moderate Republican" does not fit in with the vocal majority hard-right Republican clowns that, while in the minority in their party, have this misguided oath of fealty to TFG. That makes them "not Republicans".
Bravo, Susan for writing this piece on Jordan. The thought of him gaining more power just overwhelms me with sadness. He is a do-nothing, election denier — which you so clearly spell out. So, why are Republicans with him? Is it the DT factor? Just hope the 20 no votes hang tough. Our Democracy is at stake.
Yes, it is the DT factor. As for the 20 holdouts, I do hope they either continue to hold out or cross the party line. With the way the vote was yesterday, only 4 need to cross. Could it happen? Possibly. Will it happen? Stay tuned.
I called Rep Bacon twice yesterday. First to ask him not to vote for Jordan, second to thank him for not voting for Jordan. Here’s his number and my Facebook post from yesterday. God help us. “ Please call NOW and respectfully thank Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) Washington office 202-225-4155 and thank him for opposing Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for House speaker. Rep. Bacon honorably served for decades in the military. He understands service and loyalty to country as Rep. Jordan never has and never will. Read more below. https://bacon.house.gov/
You think you all have it bad, I now need to fight the New Jersey Pay for Tolls group claiming my payment was late and they are demanding $50 administration fee. It was of course, the fault of the cosmo demonic (I always loved that Henry Miller line) Post Office which functioned better during the pony express period. I will not pay. I will not be shaken down like an ole neighborhood mafia clan. Indeed, the Cosmo-Demonic Post Office is run by a mafuch mafia Postmaster General appointed by you know who.
Our Post Office is in disarray. It keeps losing mail. I now agree that it should be sold off so it will be better managed. I know I’m not alone. So now, I will write my protest response back to the Pay for Tolls. I will send cover letters and copies to both senators, my congressman and the president of the United state of America. And if I believed in the almighty, she would get a copy, too. Of course, the letter will probably get lost. Because I’m simply not going to pay. Now, are we still talking about that little pervert weasel no-nothing Ohioan? When I drive through Ohio I gas up and go to the bathroom before entering the state so I don’t need to stop anywhere. I don’t trust anyone from Ohio. Sorry, I kinda get that way in my less than flexible age.
(Sorry I used your blog to write this so I could copy and paste it on my blog. I say “Blog it.” I used to say “Frec it.”)
But I did drive ultimately to the point of the subject but in so doing, I realize that I injured. I hope you’re not from Ohio, lol. But Jorma of Hot Tuna lives in Ohio so that state isn’t all bad. Oh then that comment about being a believer. Touchy.
What I notice is that many commenters are content with acknowledging the story with a “thank you.” The writer in me almost never thanks but hunkers down into his own story response. That is my nature.
Former Speaker Boehner called him a "legislative terrorist." Full stop!
To quote Dan Aykroyd as Joe Friday in the movie "Dragnet", Jordan "...does not have the brains that God gave the common dog...".
That was a surprise (at least to me).
I don't understand why another, more moderate, republican isn't stepping forward. Wouldn't democrats help elect him/her? Any thoughts on that?
I have thoughts, but they're all vulgar. It feels like a schoolyard writ large. The linked Atlantic article is interesting, but what do you think? https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/01/moderate-centrist-republicans-pragmatic-conservatives/672856/
I think we're all screwed if the Republican moderates/pragmatists/whatever-they-want-to-be-called don't grow a backbone and take back their party from the Trumpsters. He's leading the Republican party and the country to a place that does not reflect the U.S. that was once globally admired (despite the flaws). They need to hire smart consultants & advertising firms to fight against the far right crooks. It should be easy to get the Evangelicals and mainstream Republicans to support them and reject the law-breaking, unethical, election denying, violence promoting, sexual assaulters/sexual assault enablers. They need to be more aggressive at fighting for what they believe is right and getting their message out, as do the Democrats!
There are no moderate Republicans. The majority party elects its own speaker and the minority power has no obligation to help them save face. Given how unserious and dangerous Jim Jordan is, it would be the opposite of "for the good of the country" if any Democrats were to vote for him just to settle it. They should not and they will not.
Alternately, some of the Republicans who were elected in districts won by Pres. Biden could easily end this for the good of the country by voting for Hakeem Jeffries. They will not. And even if they did it would mean the end of their careers and of course the current House rules permit a single member to move to vacate the speakership which is of course what would happen if any Republicans defected to elect a Democrat to the role.
I'm hoping Beau is wrong on the moderates not crossing over. I hope that they do. Jordan is the worst possible choice right now.
Wait. I forgot about Gaetz.
And Greene.
And Boebert.
And Gosar.
And...and..and..and....
A worse one: Mike Pompeo.
The Dems could make a deal with a moderate R, nominate him/her and end this with just 4(?) votes from Republicans. Of course getting all Dems on board may be tough.
They should not. It will not end this.
I guess "end" is too strong a word. It seems we're at a stalemate unless a creative solution is introduced.
I can't imagine any scenario where a speaker elected with votes from Democrats will lead to a stable outcome under the current rules. Maybe if the rules change so that it takes something more than 1 representative to call for removal of a speaker, but I still don't think it is a good idea for Democrats to go along. They have nothing to gain from ceding any power to Republicans and I think it would be dangerous to do so.
I believe there is a possibility that the rules can be modified to allow the speaker pro tem to preside over regular business. If that's for a limited duration of time such as 45-90 days, I think it would be sensible for Democrats to support that.
Because anyone considered a "moderate Republican" does not fit in with the vocal majority hard-right Republican clowns that, while in the minority in their party, have this misguided oath of fealty to TFG. That makes them "not Republicans".
The sooner Trump is convicted and put in prison, the better!
I do agree, but it will not be easy because of the way the justice system turns.
Bravo, Susan for writing this piece on Jordan. The thought of him gaining more power just overwhelms me with sadness. He is a do-nothing, election denier — which you so clearly spell out. So, why are Republicans with him? Is it the DT factor? Just hope the 20 no votes hang tough. Our Democracy is at stake.
Personally, as a baptized believer? I'd like to see him squashed like a bug.
Yes, it is the DT factor. As for the 20 holdouts, I do hope they either continue to hold out or cross the party line. With the way the vote was yesterday, only 4 need to cross. Could it happen? Possibly. Will it happen? Stay tuned.
Jordan’s nomination is yet another demonstration of the Republicans’ operating by the Peter Principle.
As I said on my FB page, voting for Jordan as Speaker is like throwing an ax into a grinding wheel. The only way it will turn is backwards.
Doesn't even know how to wear a mask properly. Cover your nose, fool!
To be crude, Jordan strikes me as the kind of guy who likes to smell what he dealt.
I called Rep Bacon twice yesterday. First to ask him not to vote for Jordan, second to thank him for not voting for Jordan. Here’s his number and my Facebook post from yesterday. God help us. “ Please call NOW and respectfully thank Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) Washington office 202-225-4155 and thank him for opposing Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for House speaker. Rep. Bacon honorably served for decades in the military. He understands service and loyalty to country as Rep. Jordan never has and never will. Read more below. https://bacon.house.gov/
You think you all have it bad, I now need to fight the New Jersey Pay for Tolls group claiming my payment was late and they are demanding $50 administration fee. It was of course, the fault of the cosmo demonic (I always loved that Henry Miller line) Post Office which functioned better during the pony express period. I will not pay. I will not be shaken down like an ole neighborhood mafia clan. Indeed, the Cosmo-Demonic Post Office is run by a mafuch mafia Postmaster General appointed by you know who.
Our Post Office is in disarray. It keeps losing mail. I now agree that it should be sold off so it will be better managed. I know I’m not alone. So now, I will write my protest response back to the Pay for Tolls. I will send cover letters and copies to both senators, my congressman and the president of the United state of America. And if I believed in the almighty, she would get a copy, too. Of course, the letter will probably get lost. Because I’m simply not going to pay. Now, are we still talking about that little pervert weasel no-nothing Ohioan? When I drive through Ohio I gas up and go to the bathroom before entering the state so I don’t need to stop anywhere. I don’t trust anyone from Ohio. Sorry, I kinda get that way in my less than flexible age.
(Sorry I used your blog to write this so I could copy and paste it on my blog. I say “Blog it.” I used to say “Frec it.”)
Uh...I guess that's an option? I love some tangents, but these conversations work best when we're at least sort-of talking about the same thing.
But I did drive ultimately to the point of the subject but in so doing, I realize that I injured. I hope you’re not from Ohio, lol. But Jorma of Hot Tuna lives in Ohio so that state isn’t all bad. Oh then that comment about being a believer. Touchy.
What I notice is that many commenters are content with acknowledging the story with a “thank you.” The writer in me almost never thanks but hunkers down into his own story response. That is my nature.
Don’t you think one issue of a governmental nature relates to another? Ok I’ll cease commenting. This is my style.