We Will Need A Better Speaker

 

We’re going to need a better Speaker of the House than Kevin McCarthy. I was just listening to him on Maria Bartiromo’s show this morning. 

When a good serial drama on TV falls apart, it’s often because the writers start playing it by ear, that is, by focus group. They stop working to craft a good story, and instead start working the audience. I get that vibe from plastic politicians. They don’t have a real plan, but they work to convince us they’ll … do whatever it is that we want. So long as we don’t get specific about what we want, or about what they’ll do.

In just over a week we will elect a Republican majority to the House of Representatives. In January, Republicans will control the agenda of the House. Bartiromo asked McCarthy for his specific plans. Each time McCarthy responded with canned platitudes. Kevin McCarthy is a politician of no substance, just wind. We will not restore the Republic with politicians like Kevin McCarthy.

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  1. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    Zactly. Tough to know what any of those guys believe in. As in foundational principles that guide their own behaviour and policies they think should be applied to desired objectives.  

    • #1
  2. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    Agree – why is a politician from California in any leadership position in the Republican Party?

    • #2
  3. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    I have no problem going with someone else.  Who do you have in mind?

    • #3
  4. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    McCarthy, Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan were once touted as the new leadership generation that would energize the GOP. But there is this unfortunate progression…

    * We have to water down and compromise to prevent a perception of being hard-edged right-wingers so we can still win elections.  
    * We haven’t yet won enough elections to achieve enough control to do whatever it was we once thought we should do. Victory is in the center.
    * We are really tired of being told we are not really conservatives and so we need to elevate those who don’t think that way or say that and keep the hothead types at bay.

    The ship of state steadily heads for the rocks and the parties quibble over how fast.

    • #4
  5. Boney Cole Member
    Boney Cole
    @BoneyCole

    How about Trump?  I understand that you don’t have to be a Congressman to be speaker. Maybe Bannon.  I am really enjoying the war room.   He seems to really be able to network and energize people.  And he has a plan!

    • #5
  6. Boney Cole Member
    Boney Cole
    @BoneyCole

    Steve Bannon exercising the office of speaker from prison would be a spectacle I would greatly enjoy. 

    • #6
  7. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Old Bathos (View Comment):

    McCarthy, Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan were once touted as the new leadership generation that would energize the GOP. But there is this unfortunate progression…

    * We have to water down and compromise to prevent a perception of being hard-edged right-wingers so we can still win elections.
    * We haven’t yet won enough elections to achieve enough control to do whatever it was we once thought we should do. Victory is in the center.
    * We are really tired of being told we are not really conservatives and so we need to elevate those who don’t think that way or say that and keep the hothead types at bay.

    The ship of state steadily heads for the rocks and the parties quibble over how fast.

    This is true, but I think that the capable leaders are simply scared off.  The CIA has files on everyone.  And isn’t averse to extortion, either.

    • #7
  8. JoelB Member
    JoelB
    @JoelB

    Where is the  New Contract with America? Where is the safeguard legislation for the American way of life? Where is the border protection legislation? Where is the energy legislation?

    Where is the ENERGY?

    We have gone so far down the down the road  that we need to do more than just keep the Democrats from doing bad stuff.

    • #8
  9. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    I have no problem going with someone else. Who do you have in mind?

    Steve Scalise is a better alternative.

    Trump could also speak up to stop McCarthy if he wants to.

    • #9
  10. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    Hoyacon (View Comment):
    Steve Scalise is a better alternative.

    I like Scalise, Jim Jordan, or my boy Chip Roy.

    • #10
  11. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    I have no problem going with someone else. Who do you have in mind?

    Steve Scalise is a better alternative.

    Trump could also speak up to stop McCarthy if he wants to.

    This comment makes me chuckle.  Scalise???   What is this the dirtbag coalition?  Lmao 

    • #11
  12. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Concretevol (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    I have no problem going with someone else. Who do you have in mind?

    Steve Scalise is a better alternative.

    Trump could also speak up to stop McCarthy if he wants to.

    This comment makes me chuckle. Scalise??? What is this the dirtbag coalition? Lmao

    He would be better than McCarthy, and already holds a leadership position.  Feel free to offer another suggestion though.

    • #12
  13. Chuck Coolidge
    Chuck
    @Chuckles

    EODmom (View Comment):

    Zactly. Tough to know what any of those guys believe in. As in foundational principles that guide their own behaviour and policies they think should be applied to desired objectives.

    Not so tough:  First, they believe in getting reelected and second, the muddle of the road.

    • #13
  14. Chuck Coolidge
    Chuck
    @Chuckles

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Old Bathos (View Comment):

    McCarthy, Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan were once touted as the new leadership generation that would energize the GOP. But there is this unfortunate progression…

    * We have to water down and compromise to prevent a perception of being hard-edged right-wingers so we can still win elections.
    * We haven’t yet won enough elections to achieve enough control to do whatever it was we once thought we should do. Victory is in the center.
    * We are really tired of being told we are not really conservatives and so we need to elevate those who don’t think that way or say that and keep the hothead types at bay.

    The ship of state steadily heads for the rocks and the parties quibble over how fast.

    This is true, but I think that the capable leaders are simply scared off. The CIA has files on everyone. And isn’t averse to extortion, either.

    Capable ≠ principled

    • #14
  15. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Concretevol (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    I have no problem going with someone else. Who do you have in mind?

    Steve Scalise is a better alternative.

    Trump could also speak up to stop McCarthy if he wants to.

    This comment makes me chuckle. Scalise??? What is this the dirtbag coalition? Lmao

    He would be better than McCarthy, and already holds a leadership position. Feel free to offer another suggestion though.

    Woah, didn’t read that name correctly while multitasking sorry.  I don’t have a problem with Steve Scalise. Haha.  Need to keep my comments to myself until I engage my brain. :)

    • #15
  16. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    How about Matt Gaetz? They’ve already made a failed attempt at prosecuting him.

    • #16
  17. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Chuck (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Old Bathos (View Comment):

    McCarthy, Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan were once touted as the new leadership generation that would energize the GOP. But there is this unfortunate progression…

    * We have to water down and compromise to prevent a perception of being hard-edged right-wingers so we can still win elections.
    * We haven’t yet won enough elections to achieve enough control to do whatever it was we once thought we should do. Victory is in the center.
    * We are really tired of being told we are not really conservatives and so we need to elevate those who don’t think that way or say that and keep the hothead types at bay.

    The ship of state steadily heads for the rocks and the parties quibble over how fast.

    This is true, but I think that the capable leaders are simply scared off. The CIA has files on everyone. And isn’t averse to extortion, either.

    Capable ≠ principled

    Yes, but that’s more why they’re bought off rather than scared off.

    • #17
  18. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Barfly: When a good serial drama on TV falls apart, it’s often because the writers start playing it by ear, that is, by focus group. They stop working to craft a good story, and instead start working the audience. I get that vibe from plastic politicians. They don’t have a real plan, but they work to convince us they’ll … do whatever it is that we want. So long as we don’t get specific about what we want, or about what they’ll do.

     

    • #18
  19. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    How about Matt Gaetz? They’ve already made a failed attempt at prosecuting him.

    I kind of have this theory.  If someone is on TV all the time, it makes me wonder if they are focused on doing their job or if they are focused on becoming a TV personality. Florida has 27 Congressional seats and it seems like Matt Gaetz is seen on TV more often than the other 26 combined.  The Speaker of the House is more than just a figurehead, it’s a job requiring a lot of actual work.

    The problem is that most of us don’t really know much about the representatives that keep their heads down and get a lot done.  We know the ones who put a lot of effort into making names for themselves.  It’s quite possible that the representatives whose names are most familiar to us might be among the least qualified.

    • #19
  20. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    How about Matt Gaetz? They’ve already made a failed attempt at prosecuting him.

    I kind of have this theory. If someone is on TV all the time, it makes me wonder if they are focused on doing their job or if they are focused on becoming a TV personality. Florida has 27 Congressional seats and it seems like Matt Gaetz is seen on TV more often than the other 26 combined. The Speaker of the House is more than just a figurehead, it’s a job requiring a lot of actual work.

    The problem is that most of us don’t really know much about the representatives that keep their heads down and get a lot done. We know the ones who put a lot of effort into making names for themselves. It’s quite possible that the representatives whose names are most familiar to us might be among the least qualified.

    Of course, it’s also possible that the ones not on TV still aren’t doing anything useful.

    • #20
  21. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Barfly: We will not restore the Republic with politicians like Kevin McCarthy.

    I’m in total agreement. He does not project the necessary leadership dominance and strength needed for this role. He may be a good worker bee, but this job requires more.

    • #21
  22. Al Sparks Coolidge
    Al Sparks
    @AlSparks

    I don’t think it matters who the Speaker of the House is.  Probably the one Speaker in modern times that could have mattered, was Newt Gingrich.

    He was the one who instituted government shutdowns and had the potential to reassert the House’s authority over the purse strings of government.  In the end he blinked.

    No Speaker has been able to come close to what Gingrich attempted and then failed to do.

    In the end, a Speaker’s power is based over his ability to get out the votes in his own caucus.  Republican caucuses have been more divided than the Democrat caucuses, and it’s why Democrat Speakers have more power than Republican ones do.

    • #22
  23. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    Never trust a politician with great hair.

    • #23
  24. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Annefy (View Comment):

    Never trust a politician with great hair.

    Where does Trump fall in this?

    • #24
  25. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Annefy (View Comment):

    Never trust a politician with great hair.

    Where does Trump fall in this?

    Would we call that hair “great”?? I thought of DJT before I commented and decided his hair is “noteworthy”. As in he has some, and that’s worthy of note. But it ain’t great. But it’s better than nothing. 

     

    • #25
  26. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Annefy (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Annefy (View Comment):

    Never trust a politician with great hair.

    Where does Trump fall in this?

    Would we call that hair “great”?? I thought of DJT before I commented and decided his hair is “noteworthy”. As in he has some, and that’s worthy of note. But it ain’t great. But it’s better than nothing.

    Good word.  I might say, impressive, or structurally sound.

    • #26
  27. davenr321 Coolidge
    davenr321
    @davenr321

    Chuck (View Comment):

    EODmom (View Comment):

    Zactly. Tough to know what any of those guys believe in. As in foundational principles that guide their own behaviour and policies they think should be applied to desired objectives.

    Not so tough: First, they believe in getting reelected and second, the muddle of the road.

    Middle of the Road will put the commies back in power. The message must be sent that we the voters aren’t going to vote ‘em back in come 2024.

    • #27
  28. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Al Sparks (View Comment):

    I don’t think it matters who the Speaker of the House is. Probably the one Speaker in modern times that could have mattered, was Newt Gingrich.

    He was the one who instituted government shutdowns and had the potential to reassert the House’s authority over the purse strings of government. In the end he blinked.

    No Speaker has been able to come close to what Gingrich attempted and then failed to do.

    In the end, a Speaker’s power is based over his ability to get out the votes in his own caucus. Republican caucuses have been more divided than the Democrat caucuses, and it’s why Democrat Speakers have more power than Republican ones do.

    Wouldn’t it be great if Congress started repealing laws that gave away so much of their power to the Executive branch?  I don’t expect it to happen, but happy surprises do happen once in a while.

    • #28
  29. Hang On Member
    Hang On
    @HangOn

    The problem with Jim Jordan is he carries water for Silicone Valley, as does Kevin McCarthy. 

    Hopefully an alliance of conservatives and progressives will get antitrust legislation passed to break up the Silicone Valley conglomerates. This strikes at the heart of the corporatism power structure running this country into the ground.

    • #29
  30. Justin Other Lawyer Coolidge
    Justin Other Lawyer
    @DouglasMyers

    Annefy (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Annefy (View Comment):

    Never trust a politician with great hair.

    Where does Trump fall in this?

    Would we call that hair “great”?? I thought of DJT before I commented and decided his hair is “noteworthy”. As in he has some, and that’s worthy of note. But it ain’t great. But it’s better than nothing.

     

    He has the best hair.  The greatest hair.  People are saying, “I’ve never seen hair as great as Trump’s hair.”  You should see the polling on his hair.

    • #30
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