Open Thread for Nov. 30, 2021…..Could GOPer lawmakers help Democrats keep their House Majority?…..
November 30, 2021 By jamesb 100 Comments
Back in the day it was the Freedom Caucus Right leaning Wingnuts….
Now we have the likes of Representatives Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, as the Right leaning Wingnuts….
While it looks like these Trump inspired Republicans run things in the House Caucus….
It's NOT that simple…
And NOT THAT Simple COULD erode the popular forecast that the House majority is getting ready to switch over to the Republicans….
These should be heady days for House Republicans. Off-year elections this month showed real disenchantment with Democratic control of the House, Senate and White House. Redistricting in Republican-controlled state legislatures has given the party a running start to win the four or five seats it needs to control the House, and polling suggests that a narrow plurality of Americans would rather have Republicans in control of Congress. Given the party's structural advantages on redistricting, access to polls and enthusiasm, that suggests a much broader victory would be at hand if the voting were today.
Michael Steel, a former spokesman for Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the former Republican speaker, said the party's leaders should be working behind the scenes to calm dissent and keep members focused on building a platform and an argument for control.
"The top priority right now should be for everyone in the canoe to have their rifles pointing outward, not at each other," Mr. Steel said. "And the focus should be on addition, not subtraction. That means keeping all the frogs in the wheelbarrow, even if some of those frogs are pretty ugly."
Instead, Republicans are stepping on their own message. On Tuesday, CNN unearthed another video of Ms. Boebert from September, when she said she turned to Ms. Omar and referred to the "jihad squad," again insinuating that she could be a suicide bomber….
Mr. McCarthy finds himself in a delicate position. He does not know how large a majority his party might win in November, especially since much of the redistricting has focused on shoring up incumbent advantages than creating more competitive races. A sweeping Republican win would allow him to write off the votes of his party's fringe.
But if the Republicans claim a narrow majority, Mr. McCarthy would need virtually all of the conference's votes to claim the speakership, a prize he has sought for nearly a decade. The far right brought down Mr. Boehner in 2015, and Republican divisions over the prospects of Mr. McCarthy's speakership sunk his last run for the post weeks later.
A handful of members, including Ms. Greene, have been cool to the idea of granting him the gavel should his party claim the majority….
image….Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado, second from left, along with Representatives Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have argued with more traditional Republicans.Credit…Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times
Filed Under: Government, Law, Open Thread/Comments, Other Things, Politics Tagged With: 2022 GOP/Republican election politics, House Republicans, Internal Republican Party problems, Open Thread /Comments 11/30/2021, Rep Gaetz, Rep. Greene, Trump House Republicans, US House Republicans
New open Thread is HERE…..
Atlanta Mayor election result…
City Council member Andre Dickens was elected mayor of Atlanta on Tuesday, defeating Council President Felicia A. Moore in a runoff election to decide who will lead the city through a host of challenges, including a surging homicide rate and a shortage of affordable housing.
Dickens, 47, will replace outgoing Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who announced in May she would not seek a second term…
That Mass House seat was a state one…..
Not a US House seat….
Charlie Baker Telling Allies He Won't Run Again
"Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R), the Republican who maintained the enduring support of his blue state constituents through boom times, the Trump presidency, and the COVID-19 pandemic, is telling allies he will not seek a third term in 2022," the Boston Globe reports.
"With less than a year before Election Day, Baker's choice leaves the race wide open, and it may make way for many more major candidates than the three Democrats and one Republican who have already jumped into the gubernatorial race."
Keith?
I DID…..
More on the House Republicans new 'civil wars'…..
House Republicans can't seem to stop fighting with each other, despite potentially being less than a year out from winning the majority in the 2022 midterm elections.
Just two weeks ago, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) urged Republicans to stop attacking each other after 13 moderate GOP lawmakers were marked as traitors by some of their conservative colleagues over their votes for the bipartisan infrastructure bill championed by President Biden.
McCarthy, the odds-on favorite to be the next Speaker if the GOP does win back the House next year, said his conference should focus instead on their opposition to Democrats' social spending and climate package. …
James, Did you delete Keith's post that that you are replying to?
I moved it to the new open thread…
The old one is long and some people have trouble seeing threads longer than 100 comments…
Keith says
Republicans step up the threats. Just imagine if they get control of the House and Senate.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has shared a chilling death threat she received after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) portrayed her as a suicide bomber at a recent campaign event.
From the audio: "You will not live much longer… We see you Muslim and (n-word) bitch, we know what you're up to. You're all about taking over our country. Don't worry, there's plenty that will love the opportunity to take you off the face of this fucking earth. Come get it. But you fucking Muslim piece of shit. You jihadist. We know what you are. You're a fucking traitor."
Question for the conservatives…
What do you think is causing the increase in hate speech? Or do you even consider it hate speech? Are Democrats equally to blame?
Someone will tell you that the Democrats are equally to blame. But we know that isn't true. They go back to the old you don't bring a knife to a gunfight quote. But that type of thing has been said for years by everyone and it's purely rhetorical, not a specific threat.
The Freedom Caucus has now become the Klu Klux Klan Caucus. These people are pure white nationalists who encourage others to make these threats. Where are the responsible Republicans who will speak out other than Cheney? Too afraid to speak.
Tell me again how Trump is fading away and doesn't run the Republican Party.
Cheers to Nancy Mace! As scary as it sounds, it took courage for the conservative to oppose hate speech,
Yes, because she herself knows what it is like to have an unwanted pregnancy. My mother used to say, "if a man could get pregnant, abortions would be free." Since viagra is covered by insurance I have to agree with her.
Nancy Mace's rape did not result in pregnancy.
Call us when you get raped Corey and then we can all talk about whether or not you might want to keep the pregnancy. She clearly understands the need to terminate that type of pregnancy since it would be the pure definition of a forced pregnancy, she was fucking raped, and that is what you will get when they outlaw all forms of abortion. And that is exactly what the Republicans want, incest and all. The dog will finally catch the car.
I support an exception for rape, just like Nancy Mace and many other Pro-Life people do.
I was correcting a factual error that inferred she got pregnant though in an unwanted way or might have had an abortion herself, the hate speech aside.
Scott P says
Most of the new GOP state laws on abortion–eithee passed or proposed–do not include exceptions for rape or incest.
Too bad, your party doesn't support any exceptions and the hate speech rules there today.
Nancy is toast because she doesn't toe the Party line.
Get ready for those back alley abortion clinics. A real step forward for humanity.
While I agree with Mace's position on Life, her taking Boebert (and later Greene) to task had nothing to do with abortion, but with religious bigotry. Greene is the one who tried to bring abortion into the discussion.
Those who are concerned about hate speech online should speak out against what could be construed as veiled threats of "rape" against others. But Keith literally gets a pass for everyone from some because they like being friends with a bully, probably after having been subject to a past of bullying themselves.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) threat to back a primary challenger to Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) — who Greene called "trash" in a Twitter spat yesterday — should be taken very seriously.
Said Greene, after speaking with Donald Trump: "Obviously, I love that man. And I have his support 1,000%. And unfortunately, Nancy Mace doesn't."
She added: "I will be very supportive of a primary challenger, along with President Trump."
Mace already has four declared Republican primary challengers and the current redistricting proposal for her district makes it much safer for Republicans. That leaves her very vulnerable to a challenge from the right.
Just ask former Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC), who once held Mace's seat. He lost a GOP primary in 2018 when he crossed Trump and the former president backed a challenger.
Trump hasn't weighed in publicly yet on the Greene-Mace feud, but he probably wouldn't mind seeing Mace defeated by a loyalist.
Furthermore, Greene has nothing better to do than seek vengeance on Mace. She has no committee assignments. She has a safe re-election race. And she has a campaign war chest that has already swelled to more than $3 million.
Greene has tens of thousands in House fee's being deducted from her pay for not following the chamber rules…,.
Saving the tax payers money i guess
Nancy Mace's top person in DC just resigned. Any doubt why? Any doubt that she will be a one termer?
Interestingly, so far no major candidate has emerged to oppose Mace.
There are three unknowns.
Trump will endorse and clear the field. Remember Mark Sanford.
"I think that that's a better route because the news cycle's been so tough on the Biden administration anyway."
— Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), quoted by National Journal, on avoiding a government shutdown.
So, he said the quiet part out loud. This is all about hurting Biden, it has nothing to do with the Nation. McConnell just announced yesterday that he had no legislative agenda for 2022. From this statement we know what their legislative agenda is.
Yes Keith…….
Ur right they seem to stand for nothing concrete
The Deplorables, aka Republican parents, who helped their son kill lots of his fellow classmates have been arrested.
Does their evil spawn know they abandoned him?
Daniel says
Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-4) will not seek Re-Election
Brings us back to the original Question of this Thread and my answer to it: No, the GOP isn't helping the Dems to keep the House.
DeFazio is the Cmt Chairman of the House Transportation Cmt. If Chairman like him in a Safe Blue District are declining to seek Re-Election you wonder how bad the Political Climate is for Democrats.
In Columbia, South Carolina there was recently a Republican Mayor been elected. That did not happen in over 30 years.
Ah, the cult is out in full force today.
Pete will turn 75 soon, he's gotten his major legislative accomplishment through the House and represents a deep blue district that will stay in Democratic hands.
Also, he's been there since I worked there, for over 30 years. He has gone through, starting in 1994, lots of power switches in the House. This retirement, like the others, are from folks that want to do other things while they are in a position to do so.
So, our faux Republican's glee notwithstanding, this gives a younger Democrat the chance to move up. It signifies nothing other than age actually.
Did you see the private job market soaring today. More jobs that the market anticipated. The economy is roaring back.
In 2020, DeFazio won with just 51 percent of the vote. He has had several close races in recent cycles. It's hardly a "deep blue" district as currently construed.
I suppose redistricting might make the district better for Democrats, but I had not heard that is specifically the case there.
CG,
DeFazios District was shored up in Redistricting from Biden 4.1 something to Biden + 14 in the PVI.
YET he still is retiring. That is very, very bad News for Democrats.
This supposedly "deep blue" district had Clinton over Trump 45-44 in 2016 and Biden over Trump 50-46 in 2020.
It is likely to be highly competitive as an open seat.
The main point though is that even if DeFazio himself were to win reelection, he reached the conclusion that Democrats are almost certainly going to lose the majority and he does not want to stick around for that.
Yeah, I agree with you on that. I remember WI Rep. David Obey retiring in early January 2010 which forshadowed the GOP big Wave.
It's a deep blue district now, and he had lots of opposition from the left. Not anymore. It's a safe blue district given the new lines and there is also a pickup opportunity there. The retirements, other than those of people seeking higher office are all coming from safe Democratic Districts.
After MTG and McCarthy finish with the Republican brand it should be an interesting election.
Hilarious! Any Democrat who won Re-Election by 10 Points or less is/will be vulnerable to defeat in 2022.
And BTW Keith is coming from an Migrated illigal caravan out of South America. He is an illegal Immigrant.
Ghost of SE says
A contender for "Stupid GOP Pol of the Day"?
My sources have told me that Keith is not an illegal immigrant.
I thought the caravan coming out of Mexico was encouraged by the Texan who promised he would send the Mexican mafia to South Carolina to pursue Jack? Some may even be approaching the Cooper River by now. Jack might be in danger.
Keith did once claim to be a target of Puerto Rican "gangbangers" under the control of future Congressman Luis Gutierrez, but that was a "long time" ago.
I don't recall this. Does anyone else remember it?
1980s Chicago. Aldermanic elections. You wouldn't remember it.
How is it a pickup opportunity if DeFazio's district goes from one Democrat to another?
Since they shored up the district, that seat in Oregon will probably go to a Democrat, but still, the overall House picture looks very bleak for the party. It is not even close to being accurate that retirements are all coming from "safe" districts. I posted a link about that the other day.
Thanks for calling out Keith CG!
The new district that Oregon will get. That's the pick up opportunity. I thought I made myself clear. I actually have a friend running for that seat.
Look, if you two cultists want to root for a right wing take over of the House, a place where Marjorie Taylor Greene will rule, then be my guest.
But first have Daniel explain why he is even a Republican.
What makes me a cultist and how does pointing out a widely shared political analysis indicate that I am "rooting" for anything?
All things considered,including redistricting in the various states, it is very likely that Republicans will win the House.
I haven't discussed it with Keith, but Perhaps he considers you a cultist because you appear to be obsessed with Keith – to an unnatural and unhealthy degree. Your life shouldn't revolve around one person.
New Trafalgar National Poll has Biden at 36/59 JA
https://www.thetrafalgargroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/TRF-Biden-Approval-1130-Poll-Report.pdf
GWB had a 27 % JA on E-Day in 2008. We're getting closer to that Mark!
Daniel?
Even they don't believe Biden's at 36/59
Ras has Biden @43/56……
Here is the List you mentioned
https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/casualty-list
Hey CG
U feeling better?
Arm issues aside, I am about 95% better now.
Glad to hear that
Stacey Abrams WILL BE running for Georgia Governor again….
Take her off ur 2024 list SE….
She should lean on Congresswoman McBath to run for Lieutenant Governor. She may well not win her member on member primary against Bourdeaux, a result of Republicans drawing her out of her home district, and the best Democrats have in the LG race thus far is Zell Miller's grandson(Talk about a throwback to a whole other era).
I think Abrams has a much better chance this time around and her and Warnock could help each other…..
I glad to see we ARE talking more at rhis place and seemingly getting along
Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker is reportedly not running for re-election.
Democratic Socialist Dave says
Extensive coverage (unsurprisingly) in today's Boston Globe, e.g.
Trump and Republicans are claiming credit for Baker's decision not to run. It's more complicated than that
By Yvonne Abraham, Globe Columnist,
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/01/metro/republicans-pyrrhic-victory/
Maura Healey? Marty Walsh? With Baker out, who might run for governor of Massachusetts?
]Labor Secretary Marty Walsh retired as Mayor of Boston this year; Mauru Healey (D) is the Commonwealth's Attorney General.]
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/01/metro/bakers-decision-not-seek-reelection-rekindles-interest-some-public-denials-among-might-be-candidates/
It is highly likely that a Democrat will regain the Governor's chair occupied for all but 8 [Deval Patrick's] of the last 32 years by Republicans (William Weld, Paul Cellucci, Mitt Romney, Jane Swift & Charlie Baker).
The hard right has (with the support of GOP voterrs) taken over the Mass. Republican Party, and will very likely nominate far-right Christian-reactionary kook Geoff Diehl, endorsed by Trump, for Governor, just about guaranteeing a Democratic victory.
This is a complete generational turnaround for a once very competitive party that used to elect popular liberal-moderate Republican U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke, Cong. Silvio Conte, Lt-Gov. Elliott Richardson, Gov. & Sen. Mitt Romney and Governors Christian Herter, John Volpe, Francis Sargent, Bill Weld, Paul Cellucci, Jane Swift, and Charlie Baker.
Ur view on the pitfalls of following Trump to closely is what i've been preaching here fir a while……
Baker is the last of a dying breed, a moderate Republican.Many of the people who voted for him were "weak Democrats" or "Democratic leaning Independents."The Republicans voted for him ,even the kook types who probably didn't like him but figured anything is better than a Democrat.
Any speculation on what ,if anything , he does next politically?
I think there will remain moderate Republicans ai least in states that would have a hard time electing a conservative Republican.
For a simulcast reason, there is a place for moderate Democrats – like Joe Manchin- and there should be.
Similar reason
What States Zreebs? Do you consider Susan Collins a moderate?
Phil Scot of Vermont is the best example. Larry Hogan of Maryland, Charlie Baker of MA. They are all moderates -certainly by GOP standards.
No, I don't consider Collins a Moderate, although she comes closer than most. Lisa Murkowski is probably more moderate than Collins. She is a moderate relative to most Republicans.
Collins folds when pressured….
I agree she isn't much of a moderate….
I believe I saw something about Cheney having voted Trump like above 90% of the time….
Cheney is extremely conservative; however, unlike most Republicans, she has some core principles.
He won't pull a Mitt and try to run for the Senate. He will probably go back to the health care industry where he started and how I met him.
Biden may seek to bring him into the Administration. He's one of the few Republicans I give money to, mainly because his COS is a very old friend.
The GOP can kiss this seat goodbye.
What The Globe suggests is that he has no particular ambitions in politics and little in government (unless, perhaps, if Biden were to offer him an ambassadorship or membership in a non-partisan, non-political board such as the Smithsonian's).
He came out (like many Republicans) from both state government and the private sector (running Harvard-Pilgrim Health Care) and might return to business or to public philanthropy.
"Baker on Wednesday framed the decision as an attempt to avoid the "distraction" of campaigning while guiding the state through a still-grueling pandemic..
"But an array of personal factors fed into his and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito's choice to not seek reelection, as well as Polito's decision to not run for governor herself after two terms in the number two position.
Baker was actively grappling with whether to run again, and his decision was made only recently, people close to the governor said. At times, advisers even began to sketch out how they would approach a reelection announcement. As recently as last Tuesday, Baker held a fund-raiser at Davio's restaurant in the Seaport, pulling in campaign cash ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
But over the weekend, Baker huddled with his family — he and his wife, Lauren, have three grown children — and it was then that he decided not to pursue another campaign, according to two people familiar with Baker's thinking.
His family was a driving factor, not any fear that he couldn't win another term, said one of them.
"He put his family first," said the other…."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/01/metro/baker-telling-allies-he-isnt-running-reelection/
Joint statement from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito
"To Our Friends & Colleagues – After several months of discussion with our families, we have decided not to seek re- election in 2022. This was an extremely difficult decision for us. We love the work, and we especially respect and admire the people of this wonderful Commonwealth. Serving as Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts has been the most challenging and fulfilling jobs we've ever had. We will forever be grateful to the people of this state for giving us this great honor.
We have all been going through an extraordinarily difficult pandemic, and the next year will be just as important, if not more important, than the past year. We have a great deal of work to do to put the pandemic behind us, keep our kids in school, and keep our communities and economy moving forward. That work cannot and should not be about politics and the next election. If we were to run, it would be a distraction that would potentially get in the way of many of the things we should be working on for everyone in Massachusetts. We want to focus on recovery, not on the grudge matches political campaigns can devolve into.
Coming out of this pandemic, we are acutely aware, more than ever before, about how little we can take for granted when it comes to our family, our friends, or our time on this planet. Done right, these jobs require an extraordinary amount of time and attention, and we love doing them. But we both want to be there with Lauren and Steve and our children for the moments, big and small, that our families will experience going forward…."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/01/metro/read-governor-charlie-bakers-full-statement-not-running-reelection/
Charlie Baker and the demise of the Yankee Republican
What does it say that Charlie Baker of Massachusetts isn't running for governor again but Paul LePage of Maine is?
It says that the Yankee Republican, a political species that has long been a stabilizing force in New England public life, is one step closer to going from being endangered to being extinct.
Baker, like Bill Weld, his predecessor and former boss, embodied the classic Yankee Republican: Ivy League, patrician, pragmatic, not especially partisan, moderate to liberal on social policy, more conservative on spending, and a bulwark against one-party rule.
Massachusetts voters like a Republican in the corner office at the State House if only to serve as a check on the unbridled power of Democrats who overwhelmingly control the legislative branch of state government.
That explains why, since just before the turn of the 20th century, Republicans have been elected governor in Massachusetts nearly twice as often as Democrats. It explains why, since John Volpe was elected in 1964, six of the last nine Massachusetts elected governors have been Republicans, even as the Democratic stranglehold on seats on Beacon Hill and in Washington has solidified….
— By Kevin Cullen
Boston Globe Columnist,
Updated December 2, 2021, 3:54 p.m.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/02/metro/charlie-baker-demise-yankee-republican/
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/583995-pollster-says-he-would-tell-democrats-running-in-2022-that-we-have-a?amp
President Biden joins the fall catching a cold (A virus) season….
Raspy-Voiced Biden Says He Just Has a Cold
"President Biden explained Friday that his cough and raspy voice is due to a grandson who had a cold and not the coronavirus," the Washington Post reports.
"He is tested for the virus every day and recent results were negative."
Interesting look.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/03/biden-walmart-doug-mcmillon-523702
I was pleased to see the parents of that Michigan high school student charged with involuntary Manslaughter.
Nikki Haley finally got her long awaited meeting with Trump.
Nikki made the pilgrimage to Mar aLago presumably to ask for forgiveness from the Republican Party Leader.
After the Republican insurrection of Jan 6 ,Haley ,apparently unaware that the vast majority of Republicans have no particular problem with domestic tertorism, thought she would strike political gold by denouncing Trump.In a matter of days it became apparent that she had badly miscalculated as Republicans rallied to the thief's side, most of them even echoing his lies about the election(illustrating my "conservatism is bunk" mantra)..
Since that time Trump has cast Nikki out into the political wilderness ,even as she hastily beat a retreat in an effort to get back in the Leaders good graces.After about a year and Haley's declaration that she won't run for the nomination in 2024 if Trump does(she presently polls in the mid single digits) , Trump has consented to see her.
As Nikki bows the knee of fealty to the Republican Party czar ,her performance reminds all who have watched her act in SC that she is nothing but an empty vessel with no particular beliefs other than what is good for Nikki.
I'll post the Haley Hill piece later
If Mace survives in SC, she could be more of a prospect for higher office than Haley ever was.
BYW?
The Hill has now begin to lean to the Right with its new ownership
I used to read both that one and Politico. Now I just bother with the latter. Solid reporting, contrary to what the Boy in the Bubble might tell you.
I will continue to check both….
But buyer beware
Of course Pwire leans left….
PoliWire is just tweet worthy blurbs at best. Roll Call requires a subscription. So Politico it is for me.
The Hill was created as an alternative to Roll Call, it has always leaned to the right. It's just worse now and ridiculous. Like the NYPost.
CNN terminates Chris Cuomo. Further claims of assistance to his disgraced brother to be investigated.
The cable news network said it had "terminated him, effective immediately," a move that came four months after Andrew Cuomo resigned as governor of New York…..
NY Times link...
(I thought the guy was tooo over the top…But he was helping his brother…These guys are on the left…Thet get no breaks like media right leaners, eh?)
One of the major differences between liberals and conservatives that I don't think we have ever discussed is that conservatives are something like ten times more likely to use Linked-in (which is a business network) to advance their political views. You still see posts from people who should know better about how trump sacrificed everything for this country. Even though it is a business website, a surprising number of people comment favorably on Kevin McCarthy's often offensive posts, even when they have nothing to do with business. I have hundreds of connections on linked-in and I have to assume that the majority are liberals. I am proud that liberals are far more likely to behave appropriately on Linked-in, which is not a place for sharing political views.
From my experience going out and about in my Ruby Red neck of the woods, Conservatives love to talk in pitched tones about all their fantasies and delusions. More Moderate to Liberal types generally keep to themselves and mind their own business. I know I sure do.
Morning ……
We haven't talked about the explosion of hate crimes in the schools. While the data below is not as current as I would prefer, it illustrates the escalating problem.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/05/us/racist-bullying-school-incidents/index.html
Conservative media's continued neofascist and white supremicist messages only lead to an increase in the violence. And even some non-Trump conservatives who claim to be against racism are extremely quick to defend neofascist laws that target black voting.
I have. Another mass murder goes by as an everyday occurrence.
One of the first acts when Trump came in with a GOP Congress was to remove the mental health restrictions on the purchase of assault weapons, an act that can be directly linked to the shooting of one of the sponsors of that legislation. How ironic and he still stands behind it.
When the Assault Weapons Ban was in effect these types of killings declined. That moron Bush and the Republicans let it expire.
I have to assume that bush's willingness to be morally indifferent to the increased deaths that this caused is actually one of the reasons that CG admires him. I assume it can't be for starting a war based on faulted assumptions with Iraq. I assume it can't be for Exploding the deficit following the Clinton surplus, or leaving the US in the Great Recession. Can it?
Conservative estimate on the Iraqi civilians who died during Bush's war, 100,000 plus.
A war based on a lie that Bush has never apologized for. The typical cult response, "well Hillary and Kerry voted to authorize the war."
They did, but they admitted their mistake. Without that war Bush would have joined his adulterous father as a one termer.
Don't you know chicken hawks love wars as long as others like young men of color are being sent.
Bob Dole has passed….
Former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kansas) died early Sunday at the age of 98, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation said in a statement.
"Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years," foundation said…..
Bob Dole, 1996 Republican Presidential nominee, dies at 98.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna953981
RIP Senator Dole. He is the second longest living unsuccessful GOP Presidential nominee from Kansas. Alf Landon who ran against FDR in 1936 died at the age of 100 in 1987
I remember when Bill Clinton took Dole and his wife on a foreign trip after Clinton had beaten Dole in 96.
That's not going to happen again anytime soon.
As far as Biden be a legislator at heart. Every Senator is President at heart, he certainly tried for it enough times before he made it. All you have to do is look at Joe Manchin and you see someone who thinks they should be President. Every Senator does, even Josh Hawley.
You have no idea what's in Joe Biden's heart. He has been gone from the Senate for nine long years.
But, this little exchange with James reminds me why I try to avoid engaging on anything other than the virus with him. He spouts platitudes only, no substance, just mindless platitudes you might hear from any Republican on the street.
Totally unrelated, NPR has a study, the death rate from COVID is three times higher in counties won by Trump than those won by Biden. No death certificates don't denote party affiliation, but statistics don't lie. Stupid Republicans are dying at a much higher rate. Get vaccinated you dummies.
Joe Biden was successful in being elected President 32 years after his first run for the nomination in 1988.I can't think of any serious presidential candidate who ever did anything close to that.
The recently deceased Bob Dole ran for the Republican nomination 3 times over a 20 year period (1980,1988 and 1996) .Successful in finally winning the nomination in96 ,he didn't win the election.
Ronald Reagan also won the nomination and was elected on his third bid but it was over only a 12 year period.He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in 1968 and 1976 ,although his 1968 "run" was more that of a "favorite son." It was only when he got to the Convention in 68 that he became an "real" candidate and indeed he came very close to stopping Nixon's nomination.
I always liked Dole personally ,even while disagreeing with his politics.
While many criticized his wit,which was often biting, I always found him funny as Hell.