Yes, that is, to both of those propositions. The Republicans are showing on a daily basis that they cannot even bring their House of Representatives caucus together for the simple and basic task of electing a Speaker. Depending on the day there is at least five to fifteen percent of their membership who are not concerned about their constitutional responsibilities for organizing and running the House.
Kevin McCarthy over a one-week period this past January sold his soul to attain his long held personal goal of becoming speaker. Among the deals he agreed to was the one that allowed just one member of the House to file a "motion to vacate," which ultimately led to his removal less than ten months into his tenure. He did not last as long as his two Republican predecessors as Speaker, John Boehner and Paul Ryan, who were essentially driven out of office by the crazy caucus.
Current (?) House Majority Leader Steve Scalise did not even venture into putting his candidacy for speaker up for a vote. His "speaker-designee" title did not even last for one Scaramouch.
And then, low and behold, the House Reps turned to Jim Jordan, a character who was then abandoned after three failed votes for the speakership. He did at one point get 199 of the 221 House Republicans to support him. When they voted him off the island he was down to 86 votes.
Here are the credentials that nearly all of the House Republicans considered as qualifications for a Jordan speakership:
- His role and presence in a sex abuse scandal involving the Ohio State wrestling team. Jordan used the Sargent Schultz defense: "I know nothing."
- In eight terms in the House Jordan has never had even one piece of legislation that he sponsored become law.
- John Boehner referred to Jordan as "a legislative terrorist."
- Jordan was an active participant in the planning that led to the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
- Jordan voted against counting the electoral votes from several states that had voted for Joe Biden for President. He has never departed from the Trump BS that the election was stolen and Biden was not elected.
- Donald Trump supported his speaker candidacy.
As balloting proceeded Jordan's vote total continued to shrink but it was not for want of trying. Actually, "trying" is too civil a term. Bullying and physical threats to members of their own party and their families were among tactics that the Jordan MAGA forces employed. De facto member of the Republican leadership team, Sean Hannity, was involved in promoting Jordan.
Interestingly, many of the anti-Jordan votes came from what might be described as the establishment wing of the House caucus including several members of the House Appropriations Committee. Those folks most likely realize and accept the responsibility for approving an annual federal budget. There are less than 25 days left until the expiration date for approving a budget or at least another continuing resolution to keep the federal government operating past November 17.
There is also, of course, the very grave world situation in Ukraine, Israel, and elsewhere, where American assistance is seriously needed. That is unattainable when the House cannot even get itself organized to pass the time of day, much less important legislation and financial assistance.
After the Jordan fiasco the party also considered and then quickly discounted the idea of elevating the temporary speaker, Patrick McHenry, for some short period of time to allow the House to function.
There are members of the Republican caucus whose whole reason for being is to burn it all down, to do nothing. That group basically controls most of the remainder of House Republicans who are either closet crazy caucus members or are simply too intimidated to act on their own. Local House members Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy have been in lock step during the proceedings. So too is the party's budding superstar/celebrity, Elise Stefanik, who represents the north country of New York State. Downstate freshmen New York Republicans who represent districts won by Joe Biden are quaking in their boots for their role in the ineptitude of the House caucus.
House Democrats have remained incredibly solid in standing with their Leader, Hakeem Jeffries. It is funny to watch various House Republicans accuse their fellow caucus members of working with the Democrats. Any sane Republican would obviously know that at the end of day they will need to work with the Democrats to pass a budget and get the Biden war assistance package approved.
There is only one sure fire way out of this political quagmire for the Republicans. Losing control of the House in the 2024 elections will relieve them of any semblance of responsibility for anything and allow them to return to their natural role in performance art politics, the country be damned. In the meantime it is going to be one hell of a year coming up.
Early voting
Early voting begins on Saturday October 28 and runs through Sunday November 5. You can vote at any convenient voting location in your county. Locations and hours of operation in Erie County are listed here: EARLYVOTING 2022 AUG.pub (erie.gov). These are the dates and times in Niagara County: ge23-early-voting.pdf (niagara.ny.us)
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