Why it matters that the GOP's Ken Buck is resigning from Congress

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Ken Buck’s willingness to stick to some of his principles effectively ended his career, which says more about the state of the GOP than his positions.

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/matters-gops-ken-buck-resigning-congress-rcna143052

Given the practical implications, Johnson and other GOP leaders have every reason to be disappointed, their occasional clashes with Buck notwithstanding. As things currently stand in the chamber, the House now has 219 Republicans, 213 Democrats, and three vacancies. In terms of the legislative arithmetic, that means that on any given floor vote, it takes 217 members to pass the legislation.

Barring a sudden change of heart, Buck’s departure will lower the Republican majority to just 218 members.

Let’s not forget that Johnson and his leadership team have spent recent months struggling mightily to complete basic legislative tasks. A recent Punchbowl News report concluded, “This is the most chaotic, inefficient and ineffective majority we’ve seen in decades covering Congress.”

That was nearly a month ago. Now, Republican leaders’ challenges are poised to become slightly worse.

Complicating matters for Republicans is that their majority is so small that it occasionally doesn’t exist at all. With some members occasionally having an illness or a family emergency, there are days in which there are actually more Democrats on the House floor than Republicans — which happened about a month ago.

[CanonRay]

1. We should jump on one of those opportunities

to oust the Christian fanatic and install Jeffries. Fuck em.

[sheshe2]

2. Tick Tock

[BigmanPigman]

3. I am looking at my own Kit Cat clock right now.

They are made in San Juan, Capistrano and I have had it since 1983. It runs on batteries and has been consistent for over 40 years! They have poodles, owls, rhinestones and assorted colors but I stick with a classic...
My point being if it is old but working properly why throw it out or replace it. GO JOE!!!

[sheshe2]

4. That is a well made point, BP.

I second your GO JOE!

[calimary]

8. I third it!

He has my vote for reelection RIGHT NOW!!!

[sheshe2]

9. Me Too!

[AllaN01Bear]

13. old axiom, if it aint broke , dont fix .

[BigmanPigman]

15. Definitely!

[bsiebs]

5. Also... maybe a small additional problem for Boebert...

Colorado law to replace a vacant house seat:
Colorado law requires the Governor to set the date of the special election no less than 85 days and no more than 100 days after the date the vacancy occurs. Once the Governor sets the date, the parties will identify candidates, and unaffiliated candidates may petition onto the special election ballot

The only way Boebert can be in that special election is to vacate her current seat. If she doesn't want to do that, she will be running against an "incumbent" (whoever gets elected in the special election). If she does vacate her current seat to run in the special election, she risks everything and the House loses another republican seat... not a good situation for her...

I doubt the district would vote for her in the special election anyway...

Poor thing.

[Cheezoholic]

6. There was post earlier that said while she still holds her current seat it's to late for her run for that seat

as an incumbent because she didn't file in time. It basically said if she wants to serve another term at all she has to resign her current seat and run in the new district race. I could've read it wrong but it sounded to me like they potentially lost 2 house seats today if she runs in the new district for reasons you stated. Then again I'm easily confused

[bsiebs]

7. In the end... i really don't think she can win in either district anyway... but I'm not in Colorado...

[CrispyQ]

23. From some of the comments I've read from voters in Buck's district, re Boebert's switch, they're not having it.

From FB: "If she thinks we don't know what went on in that theater in Denver she's got another think coming." "We don't want your seconds, Miss Boebert." "Boebert can't win her own district so she's going to try to win ours?"

There were more. It was humorous.

[bsiebs]

25. That is comforting to hear... i know the district is ruby red, but that doesn't mean they are all MAGAots :)

[rubbersole]

10. "Poor thing." - hands down.🤛

[calimary]

11. Where's the "Sad Trombone" sound effect when we need it?

[rubbersole]

12. It's in Alina Habba's $70,000 hardship purse 👜.

[calimary]

16. Well, I hope she gets SOMETHING for all her work.

I bet trump pleads poverty with her and she never sees a nickel. Pretty much the same way he does with other people he owes money to.

[AllaN01Bear]

19. whah whah wahhhhhhhhh.

[calimary]

22. That'll work!

[madamesilverspurs]

14. Ken Buck has principles?

When did that happen? Just curious. I lived in his district until the new CD8 was created, with me inside it.
We now have genuine, for-real representation from Yadira Caraveo, who has accomplished more in her freshman term than Buck has done in nine years. The district Buck is leaving, CD4, is deep red, and they only care that whoever occupies the seat keeps it from a Democrat, no expectations beyond that. Buck should move to Wyoming and hang out with his mentor, Dick Cheney. In any case, good riddance.


.

[rubbersole]

17. Go hunting with him.

[Bundbuster]

24. Yes, Buck was an original hard core Teabagger

He was about as far right as possible without being behind bars, and now he's considered moderate. It sadly shows how far the Magats have dragged their "party" towards fascist dictatorship.

[AllaN01Bear]

18. good .. this will help us in the long run.

[mopinko]

21. maybe we cd get another 1 or 2 to jump.

how many of them have already announced they arent running again? offer them whatever is legal to step down now.