Liz Cheney Shows What Leadership Looks Like

[Zorro]

The sooner Republicans demystify Donald Trump, the better for them and for the country.

By Peggy Noonan

Liz Cheney’s was a moment of real stature. Addressing the issue of impeachment, the third-ranking member of the Republican leadership said, of the events of Jan. 6: “The president of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the president. The president could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not. There has never been a greater betrayal by a president of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.”

And so she would vote to impeach. Her remarks implicitly urged others in her party to do so, and the bluntness and power of what she said offered them cover: They could be tough too. But most couldn’t. They were stupid and cowardly.

They claimed high-minded concern for the nation’s well-being, but they didn’t seem to believe their own arguments; some rushed through their statements, some gestured wildly as if hoping their arms could convince their brains they were sincere. Impeachment is needlessly divisive. They weren’t concerned about division when they refused to accept the Electoral College result. You’re rushing it. The president’s term is expiring; those who need more time to understand what happened on 1/6 don’t want to understand it. It’s revenge. Revenge has no high purpose and is base. The impeachment consisted of a branch of the American government asserting the country’s standards and the rule of law; an attempt to act decisively against a historic transgression in a way that says, “No more”; an attempt to draw clear and vivid lines for future leaders. To do nothing is to guarantee that it will happen again, that “storming of the Capitol” will become a picture in the minds of the ignorant and unstable as a thing that is possible for them, an option.

Ms. Cheney’s stand seemed brought by conviction, and given that she is the only woman in the House Republican leadership, took some guts: She operates within an environment that is dumb, male and clubby. She courted danger by giving them more reason to want to suppress her down the road.

They didn’t wait for down the road. Rep. Jim Jordan quickly announced she should be stripped of her leadership position. Others showed up on Hannity to drum up momentum. Having a GOP House leader vote for impeachment is “untenable,” Rep. Matt Gaetz said, showing he knows the word untenable.

The distinguishing characteristic of the House Republican Caucus right now is that whenever you say, “Could they be that stupid?” the answer—always—is, “Oh yes!”

https://www.wsj.com/articles/liz-cheney-shows-what-leadership-looks-like-11610666627

[RockRaven]

2. Let's be honest. She's making the self-serving career move. There will be a reckoning for Trump.

And the GOP is going to get hammered, probably. But sooner, or later?

She's grabbing the mantle of establishment/non-Trump faction leader. And leaving McCarthy and Scalise on the Trump side. She's betting that the anti-Trump backlash will be faster than slower. And when that happens -- fundraising, media access, criminal prosecutions of party insiders -- she is going to be left standing and best positioned to lead the party.

And here's why it is not crazy, as loathsome as she is: the party is in for a rough time, and it is expected that the party leaders pay the price. If she can leverage the GOP's time in the doghouse to bump out McCarthy and Scalise, she takes over as minority leader. And the majority/minority pendulum in Congress always swings..... eventually.

What she is doing is not leadership in values or in fact. What she is doing is leadership in ambition and potential outcome. This is her long-play to become Speaker.

[JI7]

6. No, she is just a neocon type Republican . This isn't going to help her get ahead in the Party

[The Roux Comes First]

3. That Was One of the Most Fabulous Moments and Speeches by a Republican in Years

Mitt Romney not withstanding.

Even dad Dick might have wriggled in annoyance. I certainly hope so. I cannot remember any similar moment of courage from him.

[Bev54]

4. Do people still ready Peggy Noonan?

[tableturner]

5. This was a well written, masterful take down of the MAGATS. You should read it...

Here is one great slam of Jordan and Trump:

"This week, before the vote, Mr. Jordan was awarded the Medal of Freedom. I am not sure that great honor will ever recover. No press were allowed, but I’m sure the ceremony was elevated, like P.T. Barnum knighting Tom Thumb with a wooden sword in the center ring of the circus."

I think that is hilarious!

I disagree with some of what she wrote, but I agree with much of it. It was well written and worth a read.