My Take on the Republican Snub of the MAGAts Yesterday

[MineralMan]

This week will be very interesting, as the small group of MAGA House members takes their shot at kicking the Speaker off his job. Republicans, in the majority, said no to the MAGAts yesterday. They were joined, rightfully, by Democrats to put a stop to the shutdown of the Federal government.

Now, the real fun begins. They're going to try to remove McCarthy as Speaker this week. How's that going to work? Here's what I think:

First, they'll bring the question of forcing McCarthy to vacate his seat. The MAGATs will scream and whine. If the rest of the Republicans decide that's not what should happen, enough Democratic House members will join them in voting to keep McCarthy on the job. Why? Because that is the best result that can happen. The Democrats who vote that way should not be lambasted by Democrats. We need the House to be a viable legislative body, which it can only be if the Speaker is someone who is willing to defy the MAGATs on really crucial issues, like McCarthy did with the continuing resolution.

The result for Republicans will be chaos, but a reduced level of chaos. If what I think will happen does happen, the far right wing in the House is just about to lose its hold on Republican members. They're all running in 2024, and are beginning to realize that the far right does not represent most Republicans in their districts. They are vulnerable, in at least enough districts to return the majority to the Democrats. If they back the right-wing, they will lose in enough districts to make that happen.

They're trying desperately to hang onto their phony baloney jobs. In the end, it's not going to work. Enough Democrats will flip enough seats to regain the majority.

Bottom line is that this nonsense may well be the thing that finally destroys the GOP. I dearly hope so. We should let them duke it out among themselves, and do whatever is needed to keep the conflict alive. If that means voting to Keep McCarthy on the job, so be it.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Hope this confusion reflects back on Trump, he's puppeteering the GOP

McCarthy did his bidding and then didn't. But the late November deadline could produce another opportunity.

[MineralMan]

2. Trump? Whatever.

I predict he will not actually end up running at all. What he's doing now is attempting to stall prosecutions. That won't work, either.

I don't know if Republicans are even considering that he might well not be on the ballot in November, 2024. I expect that to be the case, in the end.

[Lonestarblue]

17. Big donors are courting Youngkin. He is no better than any other Republican but hides his

biases better. He’s just as rabid as DeSantis, but smoother and seems to have a personality that is better than DeSantis’s chalk grating on chalkboard. I’ve read that Youngkin might not bite for this election for fear that Trump would chew him up so badly that his chances for 2028 might disappear.

[Probatim]

45. He's the kind of republican that scares the shit out of me.

Smooth, well-spoken, seems to be honest - but just because he seems to be better than most, he still sides with Nazis and the Klan.

[Demsrule86]

49. His abortion actions and words will do him in...he only got elected because of monuments...

My family has been in Charlottesville and a few in Northern Virginia for 300 + years. They generally vote Democratic but were up in arms for that stupid shit...some not all. They are big on heritage. Although, like all border states, that part of Virginia sent their sons to both sides in the Civil War.

[ananda]

18. Interesting.

Maybe maga is on its last gasp.

[MineralMan]

19. That is my hope.

I believe they have reached the point where even Republicans have had a belly full of their nonsense.

So I hope, anyhow.

[erronis]

28. There have been waves of these extremists before - they crash into the shore

and then come back for more.

Sometimes these waves can be more dangerous - thinking of the Tea Party movement.

Still, the funders keep on pumping dollars into lobbyists' and congress-critters' pockets to keep these waves of stupidity rolling/roiling.

[cilla4progress]

27. Does your prescience have anything to say about

who will be (on the ballot)?

😃

[MineralMan]

30. Nope. Take your pick.

The thing is that none of the secondary GQP candidates have even a prayer. Since TFG has been dominating everything, everyone thinks he is the only viable candidate. Won't they be surprised when he pulls out next year, possibly too late for anyone to gain prominence. That's what I expect to happen. There's a fair chance that Trump will be heading for prison before November, 2024. Maybe better than a fair chance, I hope.

I see that some of the alternatives have started attacking Trump to some degree. It's not working, though, to move them up in the primary polling. Later than the early primaries will be way too late, if Trump decides or is forced to leave the field.

I don't have any prescience. This is just my gut feeling, based on all of the stuff we do know.

[azureblue]

46. if not telling them what to do,

at least the MAGAs are T's disciples. And if Kevin succeeds in forcing Matt out, then he will move on to the rest of that bunch of loonies, to get them out of power, too. That means, legislation will at last have a chance at getting done, the screwballs are now on the sidelines, T no longer has sway in the house and the Dems have Kevin by the short and curlies..

I think Kevin is fully aware of this - this will be his one and only chance at holding onto his chair. So he needs to come out swinging for the fences, if he is to stop Matt and the rest of the nuts from coming at him.

[Captain Zero]

3. Never spoken in all this is that the Speaker is 3rd in line to the presidency

I really don't think McCarthy is a good person in that line, but absolutely NO MAGAT should ever be in the speaker's position. So, if a few dems vote to keep a more responsible person in the line of succession that is necessity too.

[MineralMan]

4. I doubt that is a real concern, to tell the truth.

I don't think Kamala Harris is often in the same place as Joe Biden. People know. People plan.

[Demsrule86]

50. That is an excellent post...I have never thought of that...good lord!

[MaryMagdaline]

5. I agree wholeheartedly. Democrats need to vote rationally.

If that means voting for Kevin McCarthy, so be it. Our government has to function.

[2naSalit]

6. I heard...

Rep. Jamie Raskin mention that it could be that Rep. Jeffries would make a great Speaker and that if Kvvey is removed that Jeffries could fill the spot and do a much better job. I wouldn't mind if that happens either.

Time will tell, and probably by Halloween.

[MineralMan]

10. You know that the only way we solve this problem is to

elect a Democratic majority in the House, right? Anything else is a loss, it seems to me. So, that's what I'm focused on, not the Republican's issues within its own party, even though I find that fascinating.

[2naSalit]

11. I only...

Wish that what Raskin said would happen, I was hoping for it at the beginning of this session but I also agree with your point. And I have thought so all along.

The Dems will take over ownership of kevin's control console by saving him from losing his coveted position. He has always been Speaker in name only so this creates the opportunity for the Dems to own him from now on. It will also bring along anyone in that party to abandon the magats and leave them in their own little corner with no power other than the shit they spew on camera. Best case scenario that I can picture at this point.

But then...

[Demsrule86]

51. Elections are the only thing that can get us out of this mess...

[MineralMan]

55. And Elections Are Also How We Keep Messes Like This from Happening

I wish we'd learn that, as Democrats, and show up for EVERY election. Sadly, we have a history of not doing that.

[TheBlackAdder]

7. I hope Gaetz brings up a No Confidence and gets sand kicked in his face to knock him down a peg.

[Arthur_Frain]

8. Well, I love to hear stories like this.

They calm me down, make me feel warm and fuzzy, help me doze off into peaceful sleep.

Problem is always the next morning when I wake and I find out the only place any of these shits really get a comeuppance is in my dreams.

Honestly, my story starts out like yours, but there isn’t really a way to win. I have no idea how to deprogram these cult members, and I predict that if we get the victory you predict, we are finally going to see some of that civil unrest they’ve been grousing about. If you can’t deprogram, you end up with that portion of the population convinced they’re being subjugated. They’ll resist to the last erg.

And if we lose, well that will be that anyway. Once tfg gets any validation he’s going to unleash the shitshow of shitshows, aided and abetted by every single republican because they’ve proven before they have no interest in standing up to him.

I can’t believe we are here, with tfg as the presumptive republican nominee yet once again. We truly do have a huge mental illness issue in this nation.

[QED]

15. I don't think the House MAGAts believe what they spew.

It's all performance for their mythical base and their hope that tfg won't trash them.

Except for Gosar. He's certifiable. His family says so.

[Arthur_Frain]

23. Some do, some don't, I think.

But the means doesn’t really matter when the end is the same in this case. These days, it seems like 99% of what comes from house republicans is performative posturing.

If it is just a bunch of down on their luck actors putting a roof over their heads and food on the table, why do they have to be such total ass hats?

[Demsrule86]

52. Some do and some don't. However it doesn't matter what they believe. If McCarthy hadn't

decided to put the country above his speakership, we would be beginning a long government shutdown. I think it would have been long and devastating. I believe Democrats need to give McCarthy the votes needed to keep him as speaker and not have some MAGA speaker of the House who will shut the government down when this agreement expires. It is in our best interest.

[gratuitous]

9. It took a fiasco of this magnitude to get the media to notice Republicans are in disarray

But I expect by Wednesday we'll be back to the "Dems in disarray!" narrative so beloved by the media, as well as why all this chaos is actually good news for the defendant.

[Hugin]

12. I don't know if this is common everywhere...

The Republicans around here are not stating their party affiliation anywhere on their campaign materials. Even for partisan elections.

I guess they are hoping to mistaken for Democrats. I believe the move is craven and spineless. They made their flea ridden beds. Now, lay in them!

[Traildogbob]

24. Right!!

They have abandoned the team color Red on campaign signs. Many use Blue to confuse. We have elections Coming here is Meadows/Cawthorn distinct and not a red sign to be seen, among the many hundreds planted everywhere.

[live love laugh]

57. Yes... or worse, they actually run as Democrats.

[Hekate]

13. Kick & Rec, MM

[Nasruddin]

14. Simply put

Kevin McC is a manageable problem for Democrats.
Obviously a strong Pelosi-like speaker for Republicans would be a nearly insurmountable problem for Democrats, altho
such a person emerging seems unlikely.

A risk here is allowing KM to grow into the job & become such a person, but that also seems unlikely.

[DemocraticPatriot]

16. Judging by the votes on the Continuing Resolution, Gaetz doesn't even have the majority of GOP votes

in the House to vacate the speakership... he would need Democratic votes to make the motion successful.

There is likely no need for Democratic votes to "save" McCarthy. They could all vote "present".... unless a large number of Democrats were to join Gaetz in a vote to vacate, which doesn't seem likely to me....

[True Blue American]

39. He doesn't!

And keep in mind Democrats passed the budget. 90 Republicans voted against it. We still have a lot of control and Pelosi being there is a constant example of a working majority.

[Demsrule86]

53. Someone said he only needs five? This is to vacate the speakership. I don't know if this is true.

I suppose McCarthy could be nominated again and with our help win. It would only take a handful of Democrats. However, I am not sure how it works...anyone here know?

[republianmushroom]

20. I agree with you.

[SouthernDem4ever]

21. If the bill funding Ukraine passes the house

I'll put some stock in what you are saying. Otherwise, McCarthy is still too much a big MAGAT.

[MineralMan]

22. Oh, OK...

[SWBTATTReg]

25. Nice write-up, and nice to hear from you! I kind of predicted that eventually some repugs would

join w/ democrats in the Congress to get bills passed, the small portion of the MAGAs aren't enough of a majority to do anything substantial, other than yell and scream, hurl invectives at others (like djt).

In short, the adults in the room are putting the children into another room, while they continue the business of running a government, which is primarily why they are all there.

This all is going to hurt the MAGAs on every level, although we should have never gotten to this level or point in our politics. This all is a selfish example of tRUMP wanting nothing to pass while Pres. Biden is at the helm.

[cilla4progress]

26. Bullies are like that.

Poof. 🤯🤣

[quakerboy]

29. And math doesn't matter?

221 Republicans
212 Democrats.

Assuming the crazy trumpists do in fact challenge Mccarthy, let's look anumbers

But 90 Republican just voted to shutting down the government. Let's say half of them are just grandstanding and still support Mccarthy.

So you then have
211 democrats
177 Republicans

Why is it on Dems to come up with an extra 41 votes to prop up a republican and not on the so called moderate Republicans to provide the 7 votes needed for speaker Jeffries and a bipartisan powershare?

[MineralMan]

31. Of course it matters.

However, the Republicans have only a small majority in the House. As we saw yesterday, it was easy to get the continuing resolution passed. Despite the whining from the MAGAts, a simple measure passed right away, once it was introduced and brought to the floor for a vote.

What has happened is that the Republicans in the House are no longer committed to supporting the wackadoos among them. They demonstrated that last night. More to come, I think. Remember every member of the House is up for election in 2024. Every last freaking one of them. They're starting to recognize that, now. Time's a'wasting.

[quakerboy]

59. There are more democrats

Than there are sane Republicans.

Why would 30ish Democrats break ranks to support a questionable republican, when all we would need is 8 Republicans to break ranks and support a good democrat?

[Hugin]

32. That's what I keep asking myself. n/t

[Demsrule86]

54. Because McCarthy won't shut the government down when this agreement expires and is our

best shot to keep the lights on. And as someone pointed out the Speaker is third in succession...God forbid there was a national tragedy, we can't let a Gaetz or a Jordan get the presidency. It would be the same as electing Trump.

[quakerboy]

58. Please explain why you think speaker Jeffries will

Shut down government. And why you prefer speaker McConnell to speaker jefferies.

[BadGimp]

33. Thanks for the perspective!

I tend to agree.

[live love laugh]

34. Republicans are MAGATS. McCarthy is a MAGAT.

They don’t get to discard their identity just because they didn’t unanimously agree on an issue they created.

MAGAT-ism is going to cost all of them.

[RainCaster]

35. What happens if the Dems don't stand up for Mccarthy?

Really - I'd like to hear the possibilities.

What happens if the Dems step back and let the crazies do their thing? Will the moderates reach across the aisle?

[ZonkerHarris]

36. It's a standoff. They they move to oust McCarthy the Dems get a chance to get a deal to save him

so by moving to get rid of him they could give the Democrats more power or something we want.

[littlemissmartypants]

37. Can you name names, please? I'm trying to compile a list. Thanks. ❤️

[DFW]

38. A vote to oust McCarthy will only transfer the debt he owes for his speakership from them to us

The threat is still a weapon in their hands. Actually going through with it becomes a weapon in ours. Either we vote present so that he can continue as Speaker elected by tiny minority of the House, or else he remains Speaker with some Democratic votes. Either way, the second Gaetz introduces the vote to remove, McC serves as Speaker at the pleasure of the House Democrats.

My bet is that an off-the-record meeting between McC and Jeffries takes place within hours of any such vote to remove. Jeffries will be the one to tell McC what the terms of his continued Speakership will be, and he is smart enough not to make them so harsh as to be unacceptable. All Jeffries has to do is remind McC of something he already knows only too well: about 20 House Republicans hate him more than any Democrat does. He's only there for as long as WE tolerate him. With Mattel Matt's ranting about a removal vote, there's no way he doesn't know that by now.

[Major Nikon]

40. House Democrats shouldn't be in the business of saving the GQP from themselves

I disagree that keeping McCarthy is the best result that can happen. The best result is a power sharing agreement between the two parties where committee assignments and responsibilities are shared along with allowing bi-partisan bills to come up for a vote. All it will take is one moderate Republican to offer up such a deal, and they will be elected Speaker.

[Silent3]

41. Democrats need to be in the business of keeping a (barely) functional House going

Providing McCarthy with some support has NOTHING to do with "saving the GQP from themselves".

If you think we should let things go to hell with further budget crises and debt-ceiling showdowns, no matter how much that hurts the country, just so we can sit back and place the blame on Republicans, then you're entertaining the same cruel politics the Republicans are guilty of.

[MineralMan]

56. Yes, wouldn't that be nice...

The reality, however, is not that. What is reality is that we can regain control of the House next November, and increase our majority in the Senate. If we all work toward that goal, the benefits will be tremendous. If, however, we bicker among ourselves and do not stand firm together, we could easily blow that opportunity next year.

We cannot change what we have at this time. We can only plan for the next round. Meanwhile, we are making progress. Republicans cannot do anything, really, with the Senate and the White House in Democratic hands. That is the lever we have. We should make maximum use of it and campaign against right-wind dangers as hard as we can for 2024.

I'm too old not to deal with reality. So, that's what I do.

[progressoid]

42. This won't finally destroy the GOP.

They managed to rally behind Trump for 4 years even though many openly criticized him during the primaries.

Add to that, this country is filled with voters who will vote for a turnip if it has an "R" behind it's name. The GOP won't be destroyed by this.

[malaise]

43. Popcorn ready

😀😀😀

[randr]

44. You got it right on!

If they had done this at the onset they might have had a chance to retain some power. They didn't and their body did not gain the opportunity to enact any Republican legislation in this session. They are running home with their tails between their legs begging for forgiveness and won't be granted any. The magats will be left with the shame that is coming down on their messiah.

[TygrBright]

47. Spot on! And thanks for this reference:

Kev, make sure you get a "Harumph" outta Margie 3Names...

amusedly,
Bright

[Demsrule86]

48. Hey MM...good to see you. I absolutely agree.

I rec'd you.