DeVos Confirmed

 

The party whips were correct and the final vote on Betsy DeVos’ nomination to head the Department of Education was 50-50.

Vice President Mike Pence, in his Constitutional role as President of the Senate cast the deciding vote. In what can only be seen as a historic piece of strategy on the part of Democrats, by delaying Jeff Session’s elevation to the cabinet they allowed him to remain in the Senate and vote for DeVos.

And, of course, this:

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  1. PHenry Inactive
    PHenry
    @PHenry

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):
    Would someone please explain this need of Democrats’ permission for Sessions to exercise his elected authority as Senator?

    if the Democrats had allowed Sessions confirmation to move forward, he would have been confirmed, thus no longer a Senator and no longer eligible to vote on Devos.

    Since they delayed, he is still senator, thus facilitating the tie vote.

    • #31
  2. Richard Finlay Inactive
    Richard Finlay
    @RichardFinlay

    C. U. Douglas (View Comment):
    this will hurt the impoverished the most

    If it leads to some incompetent public school “teachers” being disemployed, I suppose they could count as the impoverished who were hurt the most.

    • #32
  3. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):
    While this is a good win, can we calm down a bit on the exultation of continuous rampant victory. This was a confirmation vote, it’s nothing. The hard part starts now.

    No, I won’t calm down!  The hard part started when Trump announced he was running.  Complete opposition ever since, to no avail, happily.

    I’ve personally been waiting since Reagan left office for a President to cheer me up, a President who fights for the citizens, a President who gets in the face of the excrement called the “elite” media and causes their heads to explode, a President who sends shivers up the spines and down the legs of both the NeverTrumpers and the HRC bots.

    Winning is everything.  Everything.  Everything.   Trump could pick up a 7-10 split with his eyes closed to close out his mindless opposition with 290.

    It’s nothing?  Don’t you realize why this particular confirmation was so hard fought?  The educations and public unions and lobbies that are directly affected by the DOEd, are the #1 funding source of the Marxists.  DeVos hurts them in the pocketbook, a bulls eye in my opinion.

    Winning!  No apologies or explanations, and certainly no dimming of my boundless enthusiasm and optimism.  Winning!

    • #33
  4. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Trump’s next EO should be to undo JFK’s EO permitting public sector unions. It would be one the top three or four actions he could take in domestic politics.

    That would be more consequential than anything he does on immigration.

    Nope.  Immigration is #1 by several leagues.  Again, read Coulter.

    • #34
  5. Richard Finlay Inactive
    Richard Finlay
    @RichardFinlay

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Trump could pick up a 7-10 split with his eyes closed to close out his mindless opposition with 300.

    Hyperbole! If he is picking up a split, the most he can score is 290.

    • #35
  6. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    Richard Finlay (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Trump could pick up a 7-10 split with his eyes closed to close out his mindless opposition with 300.

    Hyperbole! If he is picking up a split, the most he can score is 290.

    Bowling burn.

    • #36
  7. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    I want the two spineless R’s who voted NO to be taken to the woodshed, and spanked to within an inch of their bottoms. Leadership needs to take charge.

    What kind of Republican do you expect will get elected in Maine? Are you willing to jeopardize the senate majority for your vendetta? McConnell, knowing he could count on Pence to break the tie probably allowed this to preserve her seat and get more important work done in the future.

    As for Murkowski – she’s a ridiculous nepotism case who was primaried and then elected independently with the help of teachers unions. Primary her again and get an actual conservative elected. That’s easier in Alaska.

    I think you are right on the money here Jamie…on both Senators.

    • #37
  8. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    Richard Finlay (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Trump could pick up a 7-10 split with his eyes closed to close out his mindless opposition with 300.

    Hyperbole! If he is picking up a split, the most he can score is 290.

    Crap!  You’re right!

    • #38
  9. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Winning is everything. Everything. Everything.

    If that were true you would have long ago marched on Washington, rifle in hand to wage righteous rebellion. Somehow I don’t think so.

    • #39
  10. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Trump’s next EO should be to undo JFK’s EO permitting public sector unions. It would be one the top three or four actions he could take in domestic politics.

    That would be more consequential than anything he does on immigration.

    Nope. Immigration is #1 by several leagues. Again, read Coulter.

    Can you at all understand that people have different priorities to you?

    • #40
  11. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Winning is everything. Everything. Everything.

    If that were true you would have long ago marched on Washington, rifle in hand to wage righteous rebellion. Somehow I don’t think so.

    Ack! Reductio ad absurdum.

    My optimism remains undamped.  Besides, that’s why the Big guy invented money, as a means for me to be Yugely influential even from my faraway cabin in Oregon.

    • #41
  12. C. U. Douglas Coolidge
    C. U. Douglas
    @CUDouglas

    EJHill (View Comment):

    RushBabe49: I want the two spineless R’s who voted NO to be taken to the woodshed, and spanked to within an inch of their bottoms. Leadership needs to take charge.

    As good as that sounds it wouldn’t have worked. Unlike the House, Senators enjoy a certain independence. And the majority isn’t big enough for butt hurt sulking.

    I suspect this could be a bit of “I voted for it before I voted against it” thing. Knowing they had the votes, those to split off so they could say they were against it while still benefiting from the party voting for her if Devos turns out to be a success.

    • #42
  13. Amy Schley Coolidge
    Amy Schley
    @AmySchley

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Trump’s next EO should be to undo JFK’s EO permitting public sector unions. It would be one the top three or four actions he could take in domestic politics.

    That would be more consequential than anything he does on immigration.

    Nope. Immigration is #1 by several leagues. Again, read Coulter.

    Can you at all understand that people have different priorities to you?

    Jamie, can you?

    Calm down a bit, please.

    • #43
  14. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Trump’s next EO should be to undo JFK’s EO permitting public sector unions. It would be one the top three or four actions he could take in domestic politics.

    That would be more consequential than anything he does on immigration.

    Nope. Immigration is #1 by several leagues. Again, read Coulter.

    Can you at all understand that people have different priorities to you?

    Simply stating my opinion, not debating.

    • #44
  15. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Winning is everything. Everything. Everything.

    If that were true you would have long ago marched on Washington, rifle in hand to wage righteous rebellion. Somehow I don’t think so.

    Ack! Reductio ad absurdum.

    My optimism remains undamped. Besides, that’s why the Big guy invented money, as a means for me to be Yugely influential even from my faraway cabin in Oregon.

    The only possible response to absurdity is more absurdity.

    • #45
  16. KC Mulville Inactive
    KC Mulville
    @KCMulville

    Just saw this off of RealClear (the quote is from a opponent of DeVos) :

    Eskelsen García predicted the resistance to DeVos will find unlikely allies in Republican governors and state legislators across the country, who might bristle at an overbearing education secretary telling them what to do in their states. (emphasis mine)

    Do they really think that before Trump, the Department of Education never interfered? The facts say otherwise, dear colleague.

    • #46
  17. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Amy Schley (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Trump’s next EO should be to undo JFK’s EO permitting public sector unions. It would be one the top three or four actions he could take in domestic politics.

    That would be more consequential than anything he does on immigration.

    Nope. Immigration is #1 by several leagues. Again, read Coulter.

    Can you at all understand that people have different priorities to you?

    Jamie, can you?

    Calm down a bit, please.

    Of course I can. And I’m perfectly calm, thanks.

    • #47
  18. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Richard Finlay (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Trump could pick up a 7-10 split with his eyes closed to close out his mindless opposition with 300.

    Hyperbole! If he is picking up a split, the most he can score is 290.

    Bowling burn.

    I fixed it; I’m so embarrASSed.

    • #48
  19. Ralphie Inactive
    Ralphie
    @Ralphie

    C. U. Douglas (View Comment):
    Personally, as my kids get closer and closer to school age, Devos looks an amazing choice

    I agree. I had no choice but to put my kids in the local public school, or pay private (which I could not do). My kids are 40 and 37. Homeschooling had just started, and the few I knew were given such a hard time, one left the state. Today, there are so many homeschooled that it isn’t unique.  My nephew attended 2 years in a Traverse City MI (where the DeVos family has a presence at the local children’s hospital anyway) charter, loved it and thrived. Moved on to Traverse City West, after 3 months, begged his mother to let him be homeschooled again. Works at the hospital part time and is enrolled in an online school, and sees to be very happy. And by golly, he has friends and is not a social dolt.

    • #49
  20. tabula rasa Inactive
    tabula rasa
    @tabularasa

    Thank you to the Democrats in the Senate for slowing down the Sessions confirmation.  Nitwits!

    • #50
  21. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    It was all cold calculation to allow a reformer without crossing the unions.  or not.  Now the new Secretary must downsize by 80 to 90 percent.  She can replace the whole place with boards that fund pilot programs and investigate why education departments can’t educate educators. Does the Department of Edcuation or Education Departments  serve any purpose, other than patronage?

    • #51
  22. aardo vozz Member
    aardo vozz
    @aardovozz

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

     

    The only possible response to absurdity is more absurdity.

    Hence the ever-increasing size of the federal bureaucracy:)

    • #52
  23. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    It might have been a bit more difficult for Collins of Maine to vote against DeVoss if she would have been the deciding nay vote keeping DeVoss off the Cabinet. However, the Republicans knew they had the vote, which cleared Collins for whatever political need she had to vote against DeVoss.  Or possibly Collins really had an intellectual issue which she never made clear in anything I heard. There was some silly major hub bub about something DeVoss was unable to answer, but it sure didn’t seem like that was anything but a false flag. On the other hand, Murkowski is bad news. She is owned by the teachers union. As Jamie says, she needs to be primaried again and defeated this time.

    As far as Sessions is concerned, if he had been approved earlier it is possible that the Republican Governor of Alabama might have had his appointed replacement ready immediately (he has had plenty of time to consider his choice) and that individual would have been available to vote for DeVoss.

    Bottom line is…CONGRATULATIONS MR. PRESIDENT! Another fine choice.

    • #53
  24. Mike LaRoche Inactive
    Mike LaRoche
    @MikeLaRoche

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    Trinity Waters (View Comment):
    Winning is everything. Everything. Everything.

    If that were true you would have long ago marched on Washington, rifle in hand to wage righteous rebellion. Somehow I don’t think so.

    Ack! Reductio ad absurdum.

    My optimism remains undamped. Besides, that’s why the Big guy invented money, as a means for me to be Yugely influential even from my faraway cabin in Oregon.

    It certainly helps me be influential from my cabin in the wilds of Eastern Washington.

    • #54
  25. Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam Inactive
    Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam
    @Pseudodionysius

    Trump’s next Executive Order should have a heading in Latin:

    “Deus Vult”

     

    • #55
  26. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    cdor (View Comment):
    It might have been a bit more difficult for Collins of Maine to vote against DeVoss if she would have been the deciding nay vote keeping DeVoss off the Cabinet. However, the Republicans knew they had the vote, which cleared Collins for whatever political need she had to vote against DeVoss. Or possibly Collins really had an intellectual issue which she never made clear in anything I heard. There was some silly major hub bub about something DeVoss was unable to answer, but it sure didn’t seem like that was anything but a false flag. On the other hand, Murkowski is bad news. She is owned by the teachers union. As Jamie says, she needs to be primaried again and defeated this time.

    As far as Sessions is concerned, if he had been approved earlier it is possible that the Republican Governor of Alabama might have had his appointed replacement ready immediately (he has had plenty of time to consider his choice) and that individual would have been available to vote for DeVoss.

    Bottom line is…CONGRATULATIONS MR. PRESIDENT! Another fine choice.

    This.

    • #56
  27. Arjay Member
    Arjay
    @

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    I want the two spineless R’s who voted NO to be taken to the woodshed, and spanked to within an inch of their bottoms. Leadership needs to take charge.

    What kind of Republican do you expect will get elected in Maine?

    I doubt this had much of anything to do with the people in Maine.  She’s in bed with the teacher unions.

     

    • #57
  28. Keith Preston Member
    Keith Preston
    @

    If they start listening to Rahm the Republicans could be in trouble this year getting things through Congress as Republicans are known for fighting among themselves.

    If anything, recent events have shown, we are safe from that concern.  Pound them into the sand in 2018.

     

    • #58
  29. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Arjay (View Comment):

    Jamie Lockett (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):
    I want the two spineless R’s who voted NO to be taken to the woodshed, and spanked to within an inch of their bottoms. Leadership needs to take charge.

    What kind of Republican do you expect will get elected in Maine?

    I doubt this had much of anything to do with the people in Maine. She’s in bed with the teacher unions.

    Maybe, that’s certainly true of Murkowski – perhaps you’re conflating them?

    • #59
  30. Keith Preston Member
    Keith Preston
    @

    tabula rasa (View Comment):
    Thank you to the Democrats in the Senate for slowing down the Sessions confirmation. Nitwits!

    Actually, that’s all on Mitch.  He saw this coming, told Susie and Lisa they could “revolt” and scheduled Jeff for later.  The Majority Leader sets the vote schedule.  What’s really fun is how that jackass Schumer keeps getting schooled.  Harry Reid’s legislative bonehead move is the gift that keeps on giving.

    • #60
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