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
Now how to dodge that bullet is the $60,000 question, @dnewlander. Or is it $6million?
I can see then going full Jeremy Corbyn. You should never go full Jeremy Corbyn.
Any other folks you think have potential for joining Nunes and Ryan? Women? Senators? Chairs of Committees? I thought of Trey Gowdy, but he’s on his way out. What about Bob Goodlatte?
Of course they can. There are few limits on stupidity.
You bring up a really interesting idea: Congress setting the agenda. Of course the romantic in me yearns for the days when Congress had enough self respect to actually lead (and legislate, not delegate!) But our current system is far too centered around the president (again, nostalgic for Coolidge). I’ve always wondered if a president like Trump could bring back some balance. He fights the culture wars and let’s Congress actually fulfill its constitutional role. There’s been some evidence of that so far, I hope it continues.
Lyndon Johnson for all his faults, and they were legion, made the Senate important again in the 1950s. He cooperated with Eisenhower and got things done. We are in another era when the Senate is nothing but a fashion show of over inflated egos.
Ain’t that the truth. Congress is less about public service and more about self aggrandizement. And honestly, at this point I’d be fine with both. They seem to enjoy handing power to the exec. Ego without a clue.
I agree, @jackhendrix. I think he needs to fulfill the paradox of being in the executive branch, yet partnering with Congress. And Congress needs to stop taking an adversarial role. Somehow they need to see the benefits of working with him, even if they don’t like everything he proposes. It’s the only way to get things done. Thanks.
Judging by the way Progressives and their fellow travelers (see, I can use Marxist phrases, too!) spend money, more like $60 trillion.
Well, since you asked….
How about someone who is not in congress, not in the senate, but still has the ability to argue policy. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s not forget about Nikki Haley.🙂
Fair enough. I understand the president plays a legislative role, I just wish it was diminished by a factor of 100 or so. And I’m perfectly comfortable with a Congress adversarial to the president, so long as they are within their constitutional lane: policy, oversight, investigation. I support this arrangement even when there is unified party control. The alternative to separation of powers is separation of parties, that’s been a bust so far if recent history is any guide.
John Podhoretz and the folks at Commentary magazine and I guess their allies have been upset at Devin Nunes for about a year.
What’s that about?
I don’t follow all the details.
Do some people get upset thinking that government bureaucrats can never be involved in a semi-conspiracy or anything really wrong, is that it? I assume that many, but not all, government bureaucrats lean to the Left. Why is that so bad?
“So Devin Nunes is going to charge up the hill insisting that Carter Page was an American patriot who helped the FBI?” — John Podhoretz, February 24, 2018
“The divide between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump forces on the meaning, value, and/or deceit of the Nunes memo is larger than I’ve seen about anything over the past two years.” — John Podhoretz, February 3, 2018 (That seems like an exaggeration.)
“Advocates for good governance should be furious with Nunes. Now that the FBI has cut the legs out from under him, his memo, which could be of real importance, won’t get a hearing. That’s not the FBI’s fault.” — Noah Rothman, January 31, 2018
There was also the 2017 Rick Wilson article entitled, “Devin Nunes Is Just the Errand Boy in the Trump-Russia Scandal” — “Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Flopsweat), the clown prince of the Trump-Russia intelligence and influence scandal.”
Excellent suggestion, @aardovozz! One of my favorite people! She certainly is fearless, outspoken and determined.
Ah yes, @thecloakedgaijin, now I remember why I stopped listening to their podcast. Those are some of the most ridiculous remarks I have heard. Errand boy? With all the garbage he has to take from people? What universe do they live in? Okay, I’m done.
I believe Ricochet has a “Dead Horse” group if you want to join. I’m considering it. Hehe . . .
Nikki Haley had some problems early in her term as governor but I have never really figured out t=what the problem was. Anybody know?
Booking a venue for “meet-ups” would be tough if everybody in that group decided to come.
True indeed. Trump provides cover. Bravery – Trump’s or anyone else’s isn’t as much the point as opportunity.
A small correction: Pelosi is crazy base.
The Republican narrative also shows inconsistency. Today the President tweeted wondering why Sessions is so far confining his look into misdeeds at the DoJ to a request that the Inspector General investigate. Some Republicans have criticized this public announcement of the President’s thoughts regarding the AG’s actions or lack thereof suggesting that he should do this privately with Sessions. But that is just what Democrats would like so that they could then criticize the President for interfering with the independence of the DoJ. His tweet is his way of expressing his dissatisfaction without giving Democrats what they would like to have.
I’m imagining her face while SCOTUS Justice Trump reads his majority opinion.
I secretly wish that I was Devin Nunes.
And never more so than during their ‘hearings’ where they put an American citizen in the stocks and throw rotten fruit at him while pretending to ‘get at the truth’.
The 17th amendment is the worst thing that has ever been done with government in this country.
I just read that Nunes sent a letter to James Clapper, John Brennan and Susan Rice for them to explain what they knew and when, re the dossier. They’ve got until Friday to respond or he’ll subpoena them. Go Devin!
Speaking of the Senate, I was just thinking that Tom Cotton needs to be out front more. He’s put some excellent proposals together but they don’t seem to get traction. But he’s also not afraid.
I like that reference to LOTR, but for some reason, I saw Trump as Sean Connery and the Republicans as Kevin Costner in The Untouchables. Trump has been explaining and illustrating his version of “the Chicago way”.
It’s a very good analogy!
She had a problem with the entrenched “Good Ol’ Boy” Republicans in the state house when she first took office. Several of them have been replaced. Also, she took a lot of heat for the removal of the Battle Flag after the Charleston shooting. That showed she has that typical politician’s knee-jerk reaction tendency to embrace “We’ve got to do something now!” action. Roof’s brain told him to kill those people, not the flag or the gun.
Still, we really love Nikki down here, and she’s been fierce at the UN. I’d love to see a picture of her razing the UN building with a flamethrower. (Are you listening, @EJHill?)
Just like these “hearings” in the House and Senate. If those elected officials in Congress want some TV face time, hold a press conference! When was the last time a hearing accomplished anything? Watergate?