Oct 3, 2023·edited Oct 3, 2023Liked by Jerry Weiss
I do wonder whether many Democrats will end up supporting McCarthy, given the not unreasonable fear that the alternative could very well be even worse.
The alternative could definitely be worse if Dems let the Republicans fight it out among themselves. That's why a bipartisan coalition would have to be organized before the vote. What seems to be missing in the "save McCarthy" calculation is the prospect of a weak and feckless president loyal to Donald Tump should the worst come to pass.
Please provide a list of non-MAGA, non-McCarthy-aligned Congressional Republicans. I would like to be able to be specific when I reach out to the list of folks you are asking us to contact.
Thanks for pitching in, Lisa. Any one of the four Republicans listed in this post would be a good choice for Speaker under current circumstances: Bacon, Fitzpatrick, Gallagher, Joyce.
Wow, you found 8 traditional Republicans. I didn't think that possible. That party has gone off the a cliff into a sea if insanity. A dozen or so years ago, the future of that party in the House was placed in Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor, and Kevin McCarthy. They were hard conservatives but not nuts. All three were driven out by a party being driven ever further to the right. An ever growing set of media outlets fed the base a steady diet of fear, division, and hate to keep them watching and secure their bottom line. In the end, the base in an increasingly gerrymandered political world has dragged the GOP to the point where it has no interest in governing. It really is a nihilistic cult. Even Gingrich is appalled. We will see what happens. One glimmer of hope. Wisconsin now has a Supreme Court that might undo the most gerrymandered voting lines in the country though the state GOP keeps threatening to impeach the newly elected liberal Justice without cause. Talk about the old Chinese curse ... may you live in interesting times.
Actually there are more than 8, but most fly below the radar. Moderates by their nature don't seek the spotlight, and prefer to avoid conflict with those who relish it. They may hold views that we oppose vigorously, but do believe in the basic idea that our differences can be debated in a legislative chamber.
Not surprised that Gingrich is appalled since he faced the same thing.
Very pleased that the Wisconsin judicial impeachment threat seems to be dissipating.
I live in a swing district represented by David Schweikert (R-AZ). Thank you for providing the talking points to urge him to cross over from the land of Dysfunction to a functional government. Sharing this with my Facebook friends in the hopes that our collective voices can spur the change.
It's really helpful when people share info about their local Representative whom they know well. Research alone doesn't reveal much about institutional loyalty -- easy to get distracted by policy positions.
While I usually show only the party and State (R-NE), on this post both the State and district number are listed (R-NE-02). On today's post, "Putting Out The Fire" I did not list the district. Obviously I can't change the email version that was sent to subscribers, but I can edit the online version of the post, and will do that later this evening.
Jerry,
Party designation ( R vs D ) on your list of Representatives needs correction.
A great column this morning, as usual.
Ouch!!!
Really bad typo, thanks so much for catching this, Will. Online post has now been corrected.
I appear to be reading this an hour after the correction (10:45am, PST) but errors not yet fixed..
Really good work Jerry. Thanks.
I do wonder whether many Democrats will end up supporting McCarthy, given the not unreasonable fear that the alternative could very well be even worse.
The alternative could definitely be worse if Dems let the Republicans fight it out among themselves. That's why a bipartisan coalition would have to be organized before the vote. What seems to be missing in the "save McCarthy" calculation is the prospect of a weak and feckless president loyal to Donald Tump should the worst come to pass.
Seems like the Democrats have decided to let the Republicans figure it out themselves.
Way too long.
Please provide a list of non-MAGA, non-McCarthy-aligned Congressional Republicans. I would like to be able to be specific when I reach out to the list of folks you are asking us to contact.
Thanks for pitching in, Lisa. Any one of the four Republicans listed in this post would be a good choice for Speaker under current circumstances: Bacon, Fitzpatrick, Gallagher, Joyce.
You can read a little more about each here:
jerryweiss.substack.com/p/if-mccarthys-out-whos-in
.
Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful response.
Wow, you found 8 traditional Republicans. I didn't think that possible. That party has gone off the a cliff into a sea if insanity. A dozen or so years ago, the future of that party in the House was placed in Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor, and Kevin McCarthy. They were hard conservatives but not nuts. All three were driven out by a party being driven ever further to the right. An ever growing set of media outlets fed the base a steady diet of fear, division, and hate to keep them watching and secure their bottom line. In the end, the base in an increasingly gerrymandered political world has dragged the GOP to the point where it has no interest in governing. It really is a nihilistic cult. Even Gingrich is appalled. We will see what happens. One glimmer of hope. Wisconsin now has a Supreme Court that might undo the most gerrymandered voting lines in the country though the state GOP keeps threatening to impeach the newly elected liberal Justice without cause. Talk about the old Chinese curse ... may you live in interesting times.
Hey Tom! Good to hear from you.
Actually there are more than 8, but most fly below the radar. Moderates by their nature don't seek the spotlight, and prefer to avoid conflict with those who relish it. They may hold views that we oppose vigorously, but do believe in the basic idea that our differences can be debated in a legislative chamber.
Not surprised that Gingrich is appalled since he faced the same thing.
Very pleased that the Wisconsin judicial impeachment threat seems to be dissipating.
Again....Jerry Weiss, Thank you for the opportunity to help.
I've called everyone on this list and have received a affirming response.
jc
That's great jc! I too have met with positive responses. Very encouraging to know that insiders can see the wisdom of this solution.
I live in a swing district represented by David Schweikert (R-AZ). Thank you for providing the talking points to urge him to cross over from the land of Dysfunction to a functional government. Sharing this with my Facebook friends in the hopes that our collective voices can spur the change.
Thanks for spreading the word, Jenny.
It's really helpful when people share info about their local Representative whom they know well. Research alone doesn't reveal much about institutional loyalty -- easy to get distracted by policy positions.
On your list of "traditional Republicans", you should also give their districts. I might know people who are their constituents.
Thanks for making that point, PJ.
While I usually show only the party and State (R-NE), on this post both the State and district number are listed (R-NE-02). On today's post, "Putting Out The Fire" I did not list the district. Obviously I can't change the email version that was sent to subscribers, but I can edit the online version of the post, and will do that later this evening.
Thanks again.
.