844
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 239 points 1 year ago

Sounds like they could easily solve this problem by making Hakeem Jeffries speaker.

[-] SatanicNotMessianic@lemmy.ml 93 points 1 year ago

Honestly, it could be a real power move for some blue state republicans to flip parties. If they could pull a Reagan and say that the Republican Party has changed but they haven’t, they could take both the democratic voters and centrist republicans while losing the MAGAs, and still carry their district.

That would be something for the history books.

[-] GladiusB@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago

I doubt they would be trusted at this point. Too many burnt bridges in the MAGA lifetime. They are on life support.

[-] dhork@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago

They don't even have to flip outright to Democrats, they could simply announce they are now Independent. They are probably getting a Primary challenger regardless, and maybe Democrats pay back the favor by forgetting to run a candidate in that district.

[-] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 year ago

What share of Republican voters are flexible enough to decide to vote for the Democrats just so they don't support the Trump/MAGA movement? Because these people would need need to decide to vote Republican come next election and US electors seem to be very entrenched in their support for one party or the other, no matter what...

[-] Taako_Tuesday@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

There's always more people to peel off, but I think a lot of the centrist republicans have already switched. Anecdotally, my dad, a lifelong republican, chose not to vote in 2016, and voted for Biden in 2020. I don't see a lot of Trump voters switching over after voting for him twice, but maybe some of the moderates who held their votes will decide to vote for democrats in the future

[-] xhieron@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

It could, but brass tacks: Who are these people? I mean which Reps could survive jumping ship here with their political careers intact? I'm genuinely curious because I love the idea. I just don't see it for the same reason I don't see a single Dem flipping to get a more center Republican speaker.

If you defect, you basically have to swap parties entirely, because you're not just signing up for the Speaker. You also have to expect to protect him or her from the next motion to vacate. And the next. So in for a penny, in for a pound.

This is the same reason it takes a majority to elect the Speaker in the first place: Otherwise you have a House with a Speaker that still can't actually govern.

[-] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 80 points 1 year ago
[-] Salamendacious@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago

I hadn't heard that. That's fantastic. It reminds me of Barack Obama's announcement in his Epic Rap Battle of History

[-] stevehobbes@lemm.ee 11 points 1 year ago

Sweet summer child. The reference to Leeroy Jenkins is right in the description.

https://youtu.be/mLyOj_QD4a4?si=aPUXmhC0wlwijlGT

[-] Wodge@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

The correct pronunciation.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Endorkend@kbin.social 73 points 1 year ago

Even tactically it would be the smart move for the Republicans.

If nothing gets done, they can blame the Democratic speaker, if things get passed the wingnuts don't like, they can blame it on the Democratic speaker, meanwhile, the republicans from the slightly more swingy states get creds with more moderate voters, when they vote sensibly.

But nooo, Republicans can only stand either having it all or blocking it all.

[-] logicbomb@lemmy.world 71 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Even tactically it would be the smart move for the Republicans.

Republicans have painted themselves into a corner on this issue by refusing to reject the fascism that has taken over the GOP. Fascism requires "others" to blame. You see it over and over. "This is all the fault of foreigners from X." "This is because of Y minority group." And of course, one of the "others" is always whatever the rival political party is. In this case, the Democrats.

For a fascist, it's unthinkable to work with one of the "others". It would be like Hitler partnering with Jewish people.

Republicans are already blaming Democrats bizarrely for not voting for McCarthy, at a time when McCarthy and all of the Republicans were blaming Democrats for everything, and vowing never to work with them again.

What we really need is a small group of Republicans to say the situation plainly. "The GOP is letting fascists take over and is becoming unamerican. I will not be able to support GOP leadership until they publicly reject fascism and eject extremists like Trump, Gaetz, and Greene from the party. I will still vote for my constituency's conservative values, but I cannot let fascists control American politics, and so for House leadership, I am forced to vote for my conscience and support Hakeem Jeffries."

[-] dragontamer@lemmy.world 50 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Some Republican House member requested two things from Jim Jordan:

  1. Ukrainian Aid
  2. A public statement saying that Trump lost the 2020 election.

Jim Jordan responded by doxing him and letting the far-right MAGA Twitter hatemob harass him over this weekend. And Jim Jordan still wonders why this guy hasn't flipped over to support him... Mind you: the other Republicans are more than happy to chastise the "defectors" and try to apply more pressure on them.

I don't know what needs to happen for people to realize that this won't work. But the political winds are very far against what you think they are right now. A giant speaker battle and public embarrassment over the new state of the Republican Party might be one of the better things to happen for this to blow over.

[-] harmsy@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago

At this point, spite should be a good enough reason for that House member to vote for Jeffries.

[-] dragontamer@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The actual play, if Democrats wish to engage, is to provide more power to acting speaker Patrick McHenry in exchange for various concessions.

The current plan being discussed is a Ukrainian/Israeli/Tawain aid bill, and probably another "kick the continuing resolution forward" another month or two.


No Republican Speaker wants to be seen as beholden to the Democrats, not with the politics as they are right now. But the acting-speaker has no such qualms, as its "temporary".

[-] Techmaster@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

But the acting-speaker has no such qualms

Aside from that gigantic bowtie. I'm pretty sure if anyone gets too close to it, he can squeeze a little pump and squirt some water in their face.

[-] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago

What we really need is a small group of Republicans to say the situation plainly.

We had that already. They were all voted out of office or had to not rerun because they wouldn't get voted back.

[-] speff@disc.0x-ia.moe 24 points 1 year ago

What we really need is a small group of Republicans to say the situation plainly. “The GOP is letting fascists take over and is becoming unamerican.

This is literally why Romney is quitting the senate after this term[0]. It’s a long, but pretty sad read. The problem is these articles get no traction so people don’t see it. And then maga keeps getting more powerful

[0] https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/11/mitt-romney-retiring-senate-trump-mcconnell/675306/#

[-] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago

Fascism is really the core of conservative values, ultimately.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] someguy3@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 year ago

need is a small group of Republicans to say the situation plainly.

And then they likely lose their primary to a trump candidate.

[-] logicbomb@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago

If I were a House Republican, I might say that in my speech. "I am a patriot who would give my life for my country. And as a patriot, I would obviously rather risk losing my seat than risk losing my entire country to fascism. I only pray that some of my colleagues also demonstrate that bravery."

Of course, this isn't going to happen. Patriotic Republicans had the opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism when Liz Cheney did, and we've already seen how many of the GOP had even the smallest amount of patriotism.

[-] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

Liz Cheney had the biggest balls of them all.

[-] Weirdmusic@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Yeah, but she was still a fascist sympathiser who's actions enabled the current bunch of wingnuts

[-] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago

Good points, but any Republican who votes for a Democrat would see the entirety of the MAGA base vote against them. Hell, McCarthy got ousted for just negotiating with Democrats to avoid a shutdown. None of them are going to vote for Jeffries.

[-] Darorad@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

Yeah, but it could be smart for some of the NY reps that flipped blur districts

[-] ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 6 months ago)
[-] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Yep, that was a "we have you by the balls" requirement to ensure that there could easily get rid of McCarthy if he did anything that the fringe right didn't like. It's not a rule that is helpful for getting work done, but those clowns don't care about that. The next speaker should get rid of it, it's dumb.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago

If nothing gets done, they can blame the Democratic speaker

Just heard a republican on CNN blame the Democrats for the current situation with the Republican house.

[-] Salamendacious@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago

In my opinion there's no chance of that happening. The next speaker will definitely be a republican.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago

I'm just saying, it's an easy solution. Only takes a few Republican votes.

[-] dragontamer@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago

McCarthy was kicked out for working with Democrats to prevent the government shutdown.

You're grossly underestimating the RINO / propaganda that causes Republicans to knife each other in the back and demand loyalty.

[-] Astrealix@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago

Surely their long term best interests is to kick the MAGA caucus out of the party, but I guess we're just driving full steam into fascism instesd

[-] SkepticalButOpenMinded@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 year ago

I think this gets things backwards. MAGA is the party as far as I can see. Trump has dominant support in the primaries. So who is kicking out whom? Even the non-freedom caucus members have to be MAGA-lite.

[-] Astrealix@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I mean, yes, but the leadership is still nominally under control of the old guard. Then again, if Jan 6 didn't stop them, nothing probably will.

[-] dragontamer@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

MAGA is the greatest base of voters. The neocons have been defeated so what do you want to do about it? And the religious right have gone full MAGA as well. Libertarians are also Maga-like (anti-Ukraine at least) so I'm not entirely sure who these Republicans are supposed to be impressing in their party by working with a Democrat.

[-] Endorkend@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

Only having MAGA voters won't win them elections in swing states.

[-] dragontamer@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

But losing the MAGA vote means losing the election to a Democrat.

Like seriously, if a Republican reaches across the aisle, do you really think that would impress Democrats and increase the congressperson's vote count? Lets say someone won their district like 55%. Losing 10% of the MAGA Republican vote is more deadly than the... I dunno... 3% at best that you'd gain from independents who are happy you're not an asshole. And the Democrats weren't voting for you anyway so its all irrelevant.

[-] newthrowaway20@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It is pretty cool though to see more Republicans stand up to Jim Jordan though, especially when that news came out about the threatening text messages some Republican Rep's wives got about their spouses vote. I would love to see more Republicans break off and pick somebody else other than Jordan. He is the absolute fucking worst and he's a maga Republican 100%. I mean if you're looking for somebody who looks strong to Republicans, Jim Jordan is not the choice. He looks like a whiny, sniveling bitch.

But sadly, I absolutely expect them all to fall in line behind Jordan after several pointless rounds of votes. Because they're all cowards.

Link for reference https://news.yahoo.com/gop-rep-reveals-threatening-texts-073112564.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGVbOGFfhk10n5vCNUBjtymaq49vhJXDRGI7BpMXwBieZZCv_UGtnoS4Aj2QvdDZy5XUXs56FNZqh0kZeCiT9sLABrK9LwZtndkFyi0CaA_yPMTTvknuxxxkqQ3Vv4z6k3-d65qCWz4gYLPULwr7L5KtoSY_2btSgSVJQlHkp4bo

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Salamendacious@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

That's analogous to a conservative commentor saying, "an easy solution would be a few Democrats voting for Jordan." You and I know that's about as likely as Hillary stumping for Trump though.

[-] kirklennon@kbin.social 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That’s analogous to a conservative commentor saying, “an easy solution would be a few Democrats voting for Jordan.”

I'm pretty sure that was exactly the point. There have been endless articles asking if Democrats will step in to help Republicans out of the mess they created by voting for a marginally less extreme Republican. This person was flipping that nonsense around and asking why a handful of Republicans can't just vote for someone who actually wants to govern.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Well, she kind of did do that, though.

What if he switched parties long enough to be elected and switched back? That's allowed per their playbook. Right?

[-] OpenStars@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

Only when it works for their own side...

No /s to be clear.

[-] flipht@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago

There's no chance of them crossing the aisle to elect a Democrat, yes.

But there's also no chance of them siphoning off Democratic votes if they're unwilling to give anything up, and can't be trusted even if they offer something juicy.

So there's about as much chance that they'll elect Jeffries as there is that they'll elect one of their own.

[-] fleabomber@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago

There are Republicans where they were able to win their seat but Biden won the general. They might be feeling purple.

[-] Salamendacious@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Purple? Definitely but feeling Blue? I don't think so. I think it's increasingly likely that we could see a republican & Blue dog supported speaker but in my opinion it'll be a republican with some minority party rights. I can't see Jefferies getting the gavel this time around. Hopefully 2024 gives it to him.

[-] fleabomber@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago

I agree with you but I'll maintain my hopium.

[-] Salamendacious@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

I'm maintaining with you.

Hopium 2024

load more comments (1 replies)
this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2023
844 points (98.5% liked)

politics

19097 readers
1947 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS