When will the responsible, sane Republicans realize that all they have to do is stay away for one vote. Jeffries has almost half already. The House could then act as a governing body with a loyal opposition and lead.
Fellow Dead Heads need to unite. I am actually shocked by the slash and burn antics I have witnessed by some house republicans and even more shocked by the sublimation by this majority of house republicans to placate attempts to destroy our republic. BTW Ari I have read your prologue twice and still feel terrified of how close the insurrectionists came to denying the votes of Americans. I am half way through the Jan 6 full report and how infectious Trump craziness can be. So many are cut from the same cloth and so few realized their ideological folly. To me it now feels less political and more an impaired mental state. My recollections of Dead concerts was feeling love all around and now the world has shifted into anti love.
Thank you for this piece, especially on the eve of the Jan-6 anniversary! These are wild times, indeed. Cannot believe, as Michael Moore pointed out, that 100+ rep-elects seek control over a government they tried to overthrow 2 years ago. This is all cray cray.😡
Forgive me, but I feel zero pity for McCarthy. Lady Nancy worked with similar margins like a BOSS; Kevin would have been wise to get some expert tips from her! I. Sooooo proud of the Democrats right now, though. They are holding the line and showing - as is sung in Newsies - that "Brooklyn's here!" 🎶
There is a simple solution here. McCarthy needs to go to Jeffries. Democrats expect nothing from the GOP. But if McCarthy offers some stuff - maybe some better committee assignments or better rules - something in exchange for support, it's a win win win. McCarthy gets his Speakership and it is unfettered - no need to adhere to all the concessions he has made. Jeffries gets something for the Dems and comes out looking like the adult with total credibility in the party. AND, the loonies get nothing. They get outflanked and wind up without all these chairmanships, procedural rules, motion to vacate, and the rest. It's payback for McCarthy, and suddenly you have a House that instantly shows it can come together to accomplish something.
Just a quick suggestion for another "theme" song for the H of Reps debacle: "Send in the Clowns" -- I believe the last line may be something like "No matter, they're here." And they are!
And while I'm at it - theme for trump: "The Man Who Sold the World" -David Bowie early one. Sometimes I think during that period he was psychic.
On a more serious note: Loved your forward to the 1/6 Report - now I'm plowing through the evidence. If DoJ doesn't nail everyone associated with 1/6 attempted coup d'état, there's something definitely wrong with the US.
Hi! Re a “ new face of the GOP, I don’t see it as the GOP any longer. It’s like there’s a party within a party. It’s really a Maga faction inside a declining intimated dying relic. If the 19-20 prevail the changes they will make will seriously shake the foundations of the house, pun intended. As to McCarthy moving in - isn’t possession 9/10ths of the law? I think he was sending a message. It may be the closest he comes to his dream- a fleeting occupancy.
What I’m wondering is, if McCarthy were to succeed, or another choice is elected, what would be left for the 200 Republicans that have supported him in terms of prime committee assignments and chairs, and with rule changes, would they be relegated to be only spectators in the Forum?
January 1, 2023 was just a date- not a New Year.
I love when Michael Moore is on your show, he is really astute, and a humble gentle soul. Thank you for pointing out a degree shouldn’t get in the way of an education.
Best thing that happened in the eleventh vote was that Trump came in last with one vote. This circus of a house leader is only another test of how much you bend before cracking or standing on your own two feet.
Sometimes, people do things because they think it will create some sort of reality - a self fulfilling prophecy, if you will. Sometimes, people do things because their ego demands it. Sometimes, people will do things because they are desperate. Sometimes, people will do thing because they truly believe it to be the right thing. Kevin McCarthy? Probably all of the above, except the last.
GOP has been moving in this direction for decades. Chaos and disruption is the theme of populism and Republican leadership is all in. Gets them elected. Pay is good. Solid benefits they do not want others to have and no accountability. At least not so far,
Hey Ari:) Yes. Indeed he did:) What a hot mess! Hard to believe and hard to watch. The Grateful Dead song that comes to mind when discussing Kevin McCarthy and all of his concessions is:
‘Friend Of The Devil’
“Set out runnin' but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight”
McCarthy has clearly adopted the Trump mentality of, it’s all about him, and if he doesn’t win, the rest of us can’t move forward. The functionality of our government is on pause, and he doesn’t care as much about that as his own ego and position, as speaker. Even if it ends up being in name only, with no actual power, because he traded it all away. We’ve known for awhile that he has no integrity, but where’s the shame? This is a job of service, not of selfish, and his choice to continue and try to win at all costs, when, come on 11 losses? And what’s left to give? Why not get a clue, and a different path forward, for the good of the American people, if that is truly the intention of any of these folks to begin with. Mccrathy and the party have shown, they really don’t have any other plan. Which is crazy with over 200 people in the party, right? Get it together. This Groundhog Day voting does not come off as his negotiating momentum, or progress of any kind for McCarthy. It reads as desperation on his part to keep his fictitious ball in the air as long as possible, at the cost of us the people, because once again, like with Trump, we are watching a grown man who cannot except defeat, and is fixated only on, his own winning.
I think the 21 clowns are showing McCarthy they control everything and if they let him become speaker he’s going to do what they want or he will be replaced in a second he will be a powerless speaker in title only ! McCarthy has a spine made of jello nothing will be done for the American people for the next 2 years but chaos and ignorance from these pathetic parasites a waste of taxpayers dollars disgraceful!
Today is the second anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. Trump and his top government officials that planned and instigated the coup are still walking around scot free🤔
January 6th 2021 will forever be a day that we Americans will not forget
Kevin McCarthy shouldn’t have moved into the Speaker’s office. He is so desperate for the Speaker position that he had to move into the office without getting the required votes. He set himself for failure to be the Speaker. He didn’t think the insurrection was a big deal.
To me, he is not a true leader and just like the rest of the GOP, he just wants the power.
Question: once the House GOP knew in November 2022, that they would be the majority starting 2023, why didn’t they start to figure out who they were going to select as the Speaker of the House?
There’s no other way to say this: the GOP is a big hot mess 🙄
You gotta love The Dead.. great association Ari.
When will the responsible, sane Republicans realize that all they have to do is stay away for one vote. Jeffries has almost half already. The House could then act as a governing body with a loyal opposition and lead.
Fellow Dead Heads need to unite. I am actually shocked by the slash and burn antics I have witnessed by some house republicans and even more shocked by the sublimation by this majority of house republicans to placate attempts to destroy our republic. BTW Ari I have read your prologue twice and still feel terrified of how close the insurrectionists came to denying the votes of Americans. I am half way through the Jan 6 full report and how infectious Trump craziness can be. So many are cut from the same cloth and so few realized their ideological folly. To me it now feels less political and more an impaired mental state. My recollections of Dead concerts was feeling love all around and now the world has shifted into anti love.
Hello Ari,
Thank you for this piece, especially on the eve of the Jan-6 anniversary! These are wild times, indeed. Cannot believe, as Michael Moore pointed out, that 100+ rep-elects seek control over a government they tried to overthrow 2 years ago. This is all cray cray.😡
Forgive me, but I feel zero pity for McCarthy. Lady Nancy worked with similar margins like a BOSS; Kevin would have been wise to get some expert tips from her! I. Sooooo proud of the Democrats right now, though. They are holding the line and showing - as is sung in Newsies - that "Brooklyn's here!" 🎶
There is a simple solution here. McCarthy needs to go to Jeffries. Democrats expect nothing from the GOP. But if McCarthy offers some stuff - maybe some better committee assignments or better rules - something in exchange for support, it's a win win win. McCarthy gets his Speakership and it is unfettered - no need to adhere to all the concessions he has made. Jeffries gets something for the Dems and comes out looking like the adult with total credibility in the party. AND, the loonies get nothing. They get outflanked and wind up without all these chairmanships, procedural rules, motion to vacate, and the rest. It's payback for McCarthy, and suddenly you have a House that instantly shows it can come together to accomplish something.
Hi Ari:
Just a quick suggestion for another "theme" song for the H of Reps debacle: "Send in the Clowns" -- I believe the last line may be something like "No matter, they're here." And they are!
And while I'm at it - theme for trump: "The Man Who Sold the World" -David Bowie early one. Sometimes I think during that period he was psychic.
On a more serious note: Loved your forward to the 1/6 Report - now I'm plowing through the evidence. If DoJ doesn't nail everyone associated with 1/6 attempted coup d'état, there's something definitely wrong with the US.
Hi! Re a “ new face of the GOP, I don’t see it as the GOP any longer. It’s like there’s a party within a party. It’s really a Maga faction inside a declining intimated dying relic. If the 19-20 prevail the changes they will make will seriously shake the foundations of the house, pun intended. As to McCarthy moving in - isn’t possession 9/10ths of the law? I think he was sending a message. It may be the closest he comes to his dream- a fleeting occupancy.
What I’m wondering is, if McCarthy were to succeed, or another choice is elected, what would be left for the 200 Republicans that have supported him in terms of prime committee assignments and chairs, and with rule changes, would they be relegated to be only spectators in the Forum?
January 1, 2023 was just a date- not a New Year.
I love when Michael Moore is on your show, he is really astute, and a humble gentle soul. Thank you for pointing out a degree shouldn’t get in the way of an education.
Best thing that happened in the eleventh vote was that Trump came in last with one vote. This circus of a house leader is only another test of how much you bend before cracking or standing on your own two feet.
Sometimes, people do things because they think it will create some sort of reality - a self fulfilling prophecy, if you will. Sometimes, people do things because their ego demands it. Sometimes, people will do things because they are desperate. Sometimes, people will do thing because they truly believe it to be the right thing. Kevin McCarthy? Probably all of the above, except the last.
Stay united Democrats
GOP has been moving in this direction for decades. Chaos and disruption is the theme of populism and Republican leadership is all in. Gets them elected. Pay is good. Solid benefits they do not want others to have and no accountability. At least not so far,
Not only did he move in prematurely, I can’t believe he’s still in there. Dude might need to resign and just go home.
Hey Ari:) Yes. Indeed he did:) What a hot mess! Hard to believe and hard to watch. The Grateful Dead song that comes to mind when discussing Kevin McCarthy and all of his concessions is:
‘Friend Of The Devil’
“Set out runnin' but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight”
McCarthy has clearly adopted the Trump mentality of, it’s all about him, and if he doesn’t win, the rest of us can’t move forward. The functionality of our government is on pause, and he doesn’t care as much about that as his own ego and position, as speaker. Even if it ends up being in name only, with no actual power, because he traded it all away. We’ve known for awhile that he has no integrity, but where’s the shame? This is a job of service, not of selfish, and his choice to continue and try to win at all costs, when, come on 11 losses? And what’s left to give? Why not get a clue, and a different path forward, for the good of the American people, if that is truly the intention of any of these folks to begin with. Mccrathy and the party have shown, they really don’t have any other plan. Which is crazy with over 200 people in the party, right? Get it together. This Groundhog Day voting does not come off as his negotiating momentum, or progress of any kind for McCarthy. It reads as desperation on his part to keep his fictitious ball in the air as long as possible, at the cost of us the people, because once again, like with Trump, we are watching a grown man who cannot except defeat, and is fixated only on, his own winning.
I think the 21 clowns are showing McCarthy they control everything and if they let him become speaker he’s going to do what they want or he will be replaced in a second he will be a powerless speaker in title only ! McCarthy has a spine made of jello nothing will be done for the American people for the next 2 years but chaos and ignorance from these pathetic parasites a waste of taxpayers dollars disgraceful!
Today is the second anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. Trump and his top government officials that planned and instigated the coup are still walking around scot free🤔
January 6th 2021 will forever be a day that we Americans will not forget
Hello Ari and Happy Fri-YAY😃
Thanks for your newsletter😃
Kevin McCarthy shouldn’t have moved into the Speaker’s office. He is so desperate for the Speaker position that he had to move into the office without getting the required votes. He set himself for failure to be the Speaker. He didn’t think the insurrection was a big deal.
To me, he is not a true leader and just like the rest of the GOP, he just wants the power.
Question: once the House GOP knew in November 2022, that they would be the majority starting 2023, why didn’t they start to figure out who they were going to select as the Speaker of the House?
There’s no other way to say this: the GOP is a big hot mess 🙄