Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Republicans Are Beginning to Drive the Narrative
We’ve been waiting a very long time. We have watched Republicans wringing their hands, trying to be polite, and deferring to their “honorable colleagues.” Finally, I think we’re seeing a couple of Republicans who are indicating they’ve had enough. I don’t know how long it will last, but I’m cautiously encouraged.
The first Republican I want to give a shout out to is Devin Nunes. Since the first major controversy arose in the House Intelligence Committee over the Russian dossier, which Nunes chairs, he has had to fight for his voice to be heard and for his reputation. We are now seeing the results of his efforts.
In spite of Adam Schiff’s pitiful behavior in trying to stop, discount and rage about the Republican memo, Nunes has been a stalwart representative for truth and justice. He has refused to bow to defend himself against the onslaught of insults from Adam Schiff. He has waited to see the Democrat rebuttal—and he, in his responsible and undramatic way has torn it apart, point by point. He now is collecting information about the missteps and possible corruption of the Department of State. I’d say he’s on a roll.
The other person who has actually surprised me is Paul Ryan in his determination to drive the conversation about gun control legislatively:
Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday that House Republicans would focus on law enforcement failures, not tighter gun control, in the wake of the latest mass shooting, which left 17 children and educators dead at a Florida school on Feb. 14.
“There was a colossal breakdown in the system,” Ryan, R-Wis., told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. Ryan cited inaction by a deputy stationed outside the school and tips called in to federal and local law enforcement officials about the alleged shooter, Nikolas Cruz, which raised concerns that the 19-year-old was planning such a rampage.
He was also prepared to clarify the conversation that should be had:
Ryan dismissed calls from Democrats and some survivors of the school shooting for stronger gun laws, including a ban on assault rifles and legislation to close loopholes in the background check system.
“We shouldn’t be banning guns for law-abiding citizens,” the GOP leader said. “We should be focusing on making sure that citizens who should not get guns in the first place don’t get those guns.”
I appreciated that he wasn’t ruling out anything, but he was stating clear Republican principles. It was so refreshing.
So I hope that Nunes and Ryan are both stepping up determinedly in ways that the Republican party needs to see and follow. I wonder about a few things:
Do you think that Donald Trump has set an example of fearlessness (in spite of any attributes of his you might not like)?
Do you see any other lawmakers who could join with Nunes and Ryan to move the Republican conversation forward?
What about those Senators?
Published in Politics
I’ve thought about his “attributes” at greater length than this comment will reflect. And I’ve come to wonder if the very “attributes” we find distasteful in our President–we who self-identify as conservatives or traditionalists–have not chose our label based on our “comfort” with the known, with reality, and our discomfort with “coloring outside the lines.” It is a rare idol smasher who sees value “outside the lines”. An even rarer one who is willing to step outside those lines in pursuit of something not found “inside the lines.” To leave the lines and step outside requires fearlessness. And perhaps that is the admirable part in a “package deal” of attributes we may not–indeed do not like.
The standard Republican mantra — “this is not the hill we want to die on” — needs to be given a rest. How about “Might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb?”
Beautifully and thoughtfully said, @dereksimmons. Would he have accomplished as much without his brashness? (I don’t want this to be a Trump post, though). I just wonder, even subconsciously, he is influencing others to be more assertive
We now have ample mountains of issues challenging us, @percival. We need to take on a bunch, just to get in shape, and make things happen. It’s the only way to get the MSM attention, by deluging them with successes–isn’t that a great phrase?
Paul Craig Roberts nominates Devin Nunes for President and Ray McGovern for CIA Director.
Or maybe ““Here’s my strategy . . . we win, they lose.”
Or “There is no substitute for victory.”
Or “Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser.”
Or “Americans play to win all the time.”
Republicans may have the drive, but do they have the stamina to keep it alive?
Where Republican progress goes only to die . . .
Yes. I think Trump has shown that you don’t have to bow down to Democratic demands or the media.
I would also argue that Ted Cruz did this as well. He pushed back against the Republican Party, he shut down the government. Whether you think this was good tactic or not, he came in 2nd in the 2016 Presidential race. The top two finishers were two of the people most likely to fight back against popular narratives. Republicans need to learn the lesson of Trump and Cruz, their voters will not punish them standing against Democratic attacks.
This is a good comment.
I think Trump will draw ire no matter what. For Ryan and Nunez, this is a good thing. Trump will say or do something outrageous – Like call Hogg a Crisis Actor – and no attention will be given to house and Senate until something is underway or the Democrats have found their next squirrel.
Trump is impulsive, abusive, manipulative, thin-skinned, shameless, reactive, and frequently irrational.
He is Alinskian. In short, he’s a Democrat in drag. His unstated motto is The Worse The Better.
But Romney was a decent man and look where that got him. And us.
I don’t see a way to walk back from this cliff. We say, often, “how you got Trump,” but the left won’t start nominating Moynihans no matter what kind of truce we offer. They just don’t seem to have the repertoire anymore. Webb was the last gasp of that kind of Democrat.
But, I suspect I’m going over old ground here. Sorry.
About Trump, I was skeptical until the convention and have several posts at Chicago Boys about it.
https://chicagoboyz.net/archives/50860.html
The problem with Cruz is that he has few allies in the Senate and his shutdown was not popular. I would like to see Trump nominate him to the Supreme Court which is a better venue for him.
Mitch McConnell is the villain in my opinion. He gave us Roy Moore by backing a corrupt deal with Strange and blocking Mo Brooks a real conservative, who was a political enemy. Had McConnell stayed out of it, we would have one more GOP Senator.
The delays in confirming nominees, even for ambassadors, is disgraceful.
I hope Ryan is finally getting on board. The election is coming fast.
Nunes is a hero which is why Democrats will go all out to defeat him this fall.
I’m reading his book. Good stuff.
Yippee!!!!!!!!
Except Trump said he’s running again . But it’s a long time until 2020.
Where is Cruz?
How about a positive speculation?
I think a big part of the reason that the right can drive the argument is that the left is ignoring facts and arguments and just yelling at everyone that disagrees with them. For once, the right is telling a more convincing stories.
Disagree vigorously. This is the standard line of the NeverTrumpers but I see no evidence for it. If anything Trump is libertarian and I am too.
His crude, rude persona let him break through the media wall. Reagan did it too but that was an age when the Deep State was much weaker. The Media trashed Reagan but he still got his message through. He was hated almost as much as Trump. He had a Democrat Congress but the Democrats were not crazy then. Tip O’Neil was a guy he could do business with. Schumer and Pelosi are afraid of their crazy base.
Susan, I think it is almost all attributed to The Don.
I don’t know if you saw Lord Of The Rings, The Two Towers.
Wormtongue was adviser to King Theoden of Rohan. Wormtongue put a spell on Theoden which put him in perpetual fog. He was only able to listen to Wormtongue’s council, all bad. Once Wormtongue’s butt was kicked out of the palace, the fog that paralyzed Theoden was lifted and he was able to rule again.
Wormtongue = Democrats , News Media, political correctness, race politics, gender politics, etc………
King Theoden = Republican Politicians
Trump grabbed Wormtongue by the ankles and spanked his heinie right out of the palace. Then proceeded to ridicule him mercilessly and gets away with it.
Now the scales are beginning to fall from the Republicans eyes. In the age of The Don, we have a new paradigm. The thing is, the Republicans must embrace it. It is in their nature to go round up Wormtongue, take him to dinner and home for a night cap. The Fog would then return with a vengeance.
I’m afraid of their crazy base, too. Any sane person would be.
It is about time, and I hope they keep it up. The idea that government is accountable to the people, and that the Bill of Rights are serious documents that are not outdated, is not a radical veiwpoint. Most average Americans are just trying to get through another day, pay bills, raise kids. They need the security of order, which conservatives are good at.
The right needs to defend what they know is good and right, because we aren’t hearing that from popular culture.
Just imagining the look on Sotomayor’s face while Cruz asked questions during oral arguments is delicious.
Very observant, @henrycastaigne. I hope that everyone is realizing that the Left are blowhards with little substance. Thanks!
That’s all good. Nunes is young and I hope Republicans or a successor conservative party will be competitive beyond 2020. He needs more time on the national stage to establish himself. I think Roberts main point was these are two people who have worked tirelessly attempting to preserve and validate the idea that non-partisanship in the bureaucracy, especially the powerful law enforcement and intelligence components, is essential to preserve our constitutionally guaranteed individual liberties. If these agencies assisted candidate Clinton’s campaign in a partisan way, those responsible need to be held accountable. Clinton’s campaign colluded with Russians in gathering opposition research and it looks as if certain individuals in government helped. I think it is important how this resolves.
@mike-k, it looks like I said this from your paste. Just so you know, I didn’t. ;-)
How about we start by not letting the Progressives create “issues” out of nothing, purely as a wedge to divide the country and characterize us as “evil”? To whit:
Wow, what a creative analogy, @kevinschulte! Sorry I didn’t see the movie! But I get your message. Sometimes these “mythic tales” are great substitutes for real events. Thanks!
Yes, indeed! Thanks, @ralphie!
I keep wondering if the Democrats can go even farther Left than they’ve become. It is a scary thought, @seawriter.
Woo-hoo! I wanna be there!