Speaker Scalise for the Win!

 

The 2018 primaries are upon us, and the House GOP has an opportunity to win bigly, if they give eligible voters a reason to show up and vote for Republicans. In the face of Senate obstacles to legislative victories, House Republicans need to take meaningful action within their own control. The most dramatic such action would be forcing the election of a new Speaker against the wishes of the entrenched establishment. Representative Steve Scalise is uniquely qualified to lead Republicans to victory in the current political environment, given the clear Democratic Party strategy.

There is nothing inevitable about Republicans losing the House or Senate this November. Claims of scientific law-like electoral behavior in midterms ignore basic statistical modeling issues, starting with the small-N problem, that is the lack of predictive power due to lack of adequate data points to support statistical significance. Nevertheless, it has generally been the case that the party in the White House loses seats in Congress in the midterms. On the other hand, there are reasons pointing at least towards cautious optimism and reasons to engage in both the primaries and general election.

[I]t’s a bit premature to place your bets on the 2018 congressional sweepstakes, for several reasons: forecasts that the economy will take off later this year as a result of the GOP’s massive tax cuts, increasing incomes and jobs, not to mention that the Democrats are having problems of their own.

Yet, Congressional Republicans have done little the past year and a half to excite support for them in the midterms. The House cannot point fingers at the Senate for failure to keep the core promise of Obamacare repeal; excuses will not do. Unlike the Senate Republicans, who can point to keeping promises on the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, the House has tax reforms plus little else. They need to prove to the American people that House Republicans will keep promises and have a clear intent to further the Make America Great Again agenda that drove the 2016 election. They can take the career risk of making enemies by forcing the immediate election of a “war leader” Speaker, who will rally the troops and lead a campaign through the primaries and on into November.

The business-as-usual choice and the Freedom Caucus choice are both losers in the face of Democrats clearly signaled intent to campaign “for the children” against Republicans as taking blood-stained dollars from the gun lobby. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is the business-as-usual, next in line guy. He represents a district in a state where the Republican Party has been an abject failure for over a decade. Representative Jim Jordan, from Ohio, represents a state at the heart of the Electoral College win, but is clearly identified with the Freedom Caucus rather than the broader potential MAGA coalition. In contrast to both of these good but not great men, Steve Scalise is both an articulate representative of the people who gave Republicans all three branches of government and a living rebuke to the Democrats’ hateful rhetoric and gun-grabbing politics.

Steve Scalise has a regular guy image.

Beyond looking like a regular guy, not a swampy or wonky elitist, Scalise is a legitimate tough guy who is a living rebuke to the gun-grabbing Democrats. Steve Scalise was shot by a leftist radical, motivated by Democrats rhetoric, and is still a strong defender of the Second Amendment.

A GOP-loathing gunman turned a ballfield into a bloody battlefield, critically wounding the House majority whip in a Virginia shooting spree that targeted two dozen Republicans.

Scores of bullets tore across the diamond Wednesday morning as lone shooter James Hodgkinson appeared behind the third-base dugout and opened fire as lawmakers took batting practice for a charity baseball game.

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) remained in critical condition after a bullet to the hip knocked him flat near second base in the Alexandria, Va., ballpark.

Representative Scalise used his moral authority to put the emphasis on government failure contributing to the Parkland school mass murder.

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, says many warning signs were missed by law enforcement and the FBI before a former student allegedly opened fire at a high school in the Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people.

Scalise was a victim of a shooting himself, surviving a gunshot wound to the hip when a gunman opened fire on members of a congressional baseball team at a practice in Alexandria, Virginia, last June. The House Majority Whip underwent several surgeries and was hospitalized for over a month as a result of his grave injuries.

Scalise later told CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell on 60 Minutes doctors had to literally put him back together again after suffering such extensive internal damage from the shooting.

Note how CBS was forced to credit Scalise’s voice and virtuous victim status, disrupting their usual DNC script. They then honestly reported that Scalise, as a shooting survivor himself, was in a position to empathize with and comfort student survivors.

The Republican met with student survivors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Capitol Hill on Monday, where he said they talked about their “shared experiences.”

Majority Whip Scalise was shot June 14, 2017, and boldly stood up for the Second Amendment at the beginning of that October, following the Las Vegas mass shooting.

Scalise, however, remained adamant that legislation favoring gun control would not be beneficial and instead would infringe upon the rights of many Americans.

“Look at some of those bills,” Scalise said. “Those bills wouldn’t have done anything to stop this.

“The gunman actually cleared background checks,” Scalise continued. “To promote some kind of gun control, I think, is the wrong way to approach this. And frankly, what I experienced was when there was a shooter, luckily we had Capitol Police there with their own guns.”

He later added: “People use guns way more to defend themselves from criminals than criminals using guns to hurt people.”

Steve Scalise has proven his effectiveness and willingness to refute Democrats’ extremist rhetoric and to stand strong on principle. That makes him a stronger leader in the current political season than either Majority Leader McCarthy or Rep. Jordan. Rep. Scalise said the right things in his initial response to Paul Ryan’s announcement April 11.

“Paul is a deeply principled father and conservative leader, and a great friend. I’m grateful for his leadership and I look forward to working with him through the remainder of his time in the House to advance President Trump’s agenda so we can rebuild our economy and preserve our Republican majority,” Scalise said.

Now it is time for House GOP members and primary candidates to speak up, forcing a timely change in leadership. No professional sports team with serious championship aspirations would accept their head coach announcing at the start of the season that he didn’t intent to stick around after the playoffs. Such a man does not have skin in the game and does not communicate confidence in the winning potential of the team. At best, Ryan communicates doubt in and by the House GOP. At worst, Ryan is postured to passive-aggressively sabotage the congressional majority as he seeks a new path to the presidency with the kind of party he wants to lead. The House GOP must dump Ryan like a quitter coach, replacing him with Speaker Scalise for the win!

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  1. Kevin Schulte Member
    Kevin Schulte
    @KevinSchulte

    Does Scalise want the job, and is he willing to fight for it and buck the entrenched money’d leadership ? 

    • #1
  2. Richard Easton Coolidge
    Richard Easton
    @RichardEaston

    We heard at the podcast summit from the AEI president about the importance of stories.  Having Scalise as speaker would remind people of the violent aspects of the Democratic coalition.

    • #2
  3. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    How is he on the corporate welfare problem (which is coming up again with the agriculture/food stamp bill). 

    • #3
  4. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Why bother?  My understanding is that the AntiTrump blue wave is upon us and the GOP is about to be swept from the field.  Not sure why voting is worth the time.  

    • #4
  5. Doctor Robert Member
    Doctor Robert
    @DoctorRobert

    Great analysis.

    Does he favor building the wall?

     Now, with the economy humming, unemployment nil, taxes reduced and Russian collusion  debunked, an imaginative and hard-working Republican establishment could win over youthful, Hispanic, Black, Union voters like never before, increase the majority in both houses and actually MAGA.

    So i ain’t holding my breath.

    • #5
  6. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Doctor Robert (View Comment):
    an imaginative and hard-working Republican establishment

    You see the flaw in your thinking, right?

     

    • #6
  7. Doctor Robert Member
    Doctor Robert
    @DoctorRobert

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Doctor Robert (View Comment):
    an imaginative and hard-working Republican establishment

    You see the flaw in your thinking, right?

     

    Of course I do.  Which is why I ain’t holding my breath. Republicans like losing.

    • #7
  8. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Clifford A. Brown: Steve Scalise has proven his effectiveness and willingness to refute Democrats’ extremist rhetoric and to stand strong on principle. That makes him a stronger leader in the current political season than either Majority Leader McCarthy or Rep. Jordan.

    This statement is encouraging to me, Clifford. I just wish I knew how hard he is willing to fight for Trump on the President’s issues. We need someone who will be proactive and fearless!

    • #8
  9. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    This article says Scalise has shown strong support for the wall; here’s a chart  that shows his voting record.

    • #9
  10. Larry Koler Inactive
    Larry Koler
    @LarryKoler

    Clifford A. Brown: Now it is time for House GOP members and primary candidates to speak up, forcing a timely change in leadership. No professional sports team with serious championship aspirations would accept their head coach announcing at the start of the season that he didn’t intent to stick around after the playoffs. Such a man does not have skin in the game and does not communicate confidence in the winning potential of the team. At best, Ryan communicates doubt in and by the House GOP. At worst, Ryan is postured to passive-aggressively sabotage the congressional majority as he seeks a new path to the presidency with the kind of party he wants to lead. The House GOP must dump Ryan like a quitter coach, replacing him with Speaker Scalise for the win!

    This is so important. 

    We need to give the next speaker some time to get a running start on the election and the next Congressional session. 

    Here’s the big question: Why doesn’t Paul Ryan even know something as simple as this?

    • #10
  11. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Larry Koler (View Comment):
    Here’s the big question: Why doesn’t Paul Ryan even know something as simple as this?

    I suspect, for many reasons, Ryan checked out a while ago.

    • #11
  12. Kevin Schulte Member
    Kevin Schulte
    @KevinSchulte

    Larry Koler (View Comment):

    Clifford A. Brown: Now it is time for House GOP members and primary candidates to speak up, forcing a timely change in leadership. No professional sports team with serious championship aspirations would accept their head coach announcing at the start of the season that he didn’t intent to stick around after the playoffs. Such a man does not have skin in the game and does not communicate confidence in the winning potential of the team. At best, Ryan communicates doubt in and by the House GOP. At worst, Ryan is postured to passive-aggressively sabotage the congressional majority as he seeks a new path to the presidency with the kind of party he wants to lead. The House GOP must dump Ryan like a quitter coach, replacing him with Speaker Scalise for the win!

    This is so important.

    We need to give the next speaker some time to get a running start on the election and the next Congressional session.

    Here’s the big question: Why doesn’t Paul Ryan even know something as simple as this?

    Oh, he does. He is not simple nor stupid. Weasel  like perhaps.  

    • #12
  13. Hypatia Member
    Hypatia
    @

    Larry Koler (View Comment):

    Clifford A. Brown: Now it is time for House GOP members and primary candidates to speak up, forcing a timely change in leadership. No professional sports team with serious championship aspirations would accept their head coach announcing at the start of the season that he didn’t intent to stick around after the playoffs. Such a man does not have skin in the game and does not communicate confidence in the winning potential of the team. At best, Ryan communicates doubt in and by the House GOP. At worst, Ryan is postured to passive-aggressively sabotage the congressional majority as he seeks a new path to the presidency with the kind of party he wants to lead. The House GOP must dump Ryan like a quitter coach, replacing him with Speaker Scalise for the win!

    This is so important.

    We need to give the next speaker some time to get a running start on the election and the next Congressional session.

    Here’s the big question: Why doesn’t Paul Ryan even know something as simple as this?

    To me, the big question is why are Ryan and other GOP legislators behaving like:  the ship is sinking, I’m gettin’out now while I can still save my self!  I mean, they have been behaving like this since November 9, 2016, as if we had suffered a catastrophic loss instead of a sweeping victory!  Why?  Oh yeah, there was the stsndard stuff about the “Blue Wave”, which Dems started pushing on Nov 9, 2016–I mean , I can see why they  would,…but why does the GOP act like they agreed?  Now, of course, were gettin the Red Tide instead, or at leas a much improving prospect of it.  Why do so many Republicans want  to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?   

    I think Ryan does know his staying around as a lame duck isn’t going to help the GOP.  

    What is it,

    he got  a taste of genteel defeat as Romney s running mate, and he likes it! He loves  it!  He Wants some more OF it? 

    Out now!!

    • #13
  14. Larry Koler Inactive
    Larry Koler
    @LarryKoler

    Hypatia (View Comment):

    Larry Koler (View Comment):

    Clifford A. Brown: Now it is time for House GOP members and primary candidates to speak up, forcing a timely change in leadership. No professional sports team with serious championship aspirations would accept their head coach announcing at the start of the season that he didn’t intent to stick around after the playoffs. Such a man does not have skin in the game and does not communicate confidence in the winning potential of the team. At best, Ryan communicates doubt in and by the House GOP. At worst, Ryan is postured to passive-aggressively sabotage the congressional majority as he seeks a new path to the presidency with the kind of party he wants to lead. The House GOP must dump Ryan like a quitter coach, replacing him with Speaker Scalise for the win!

    This is so important.

    We need to give the next speaker some time to get a running start on the election and the next Congressional session.

    Here’s the big question: Why doesn’t Paul Ryan even know something as simple as this?

    To me, the big question is why are Ryan and other GOP legislators behaving like: the ship is sinking, I’m gettin’out now while I can still save my self! I mean, they have been behaving like this since November 9, 2016, as if we had suffered a catastrophic loss instead of a sweeping victory! Why? Oh yeah, there was the stsndard stuff about the “Blue Wave”, which Dems started pushing on Nov 9, 2016–I mean , I can see why they would,…but why does the GOP act like they agreed? Now, of course, were gettin the Red Tide instead, or at leas a much improving prospect of it. Why do so many Republicans want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

    I think Ryan does know his staying around as a lame duck isn’t going to help the GOP.

    What is it,

    he got a taste of genteel defeat as Romney s running mate, and he likes it! He loves it! He Wants some more OF it?

    Out now!!

    And Ryan gets treated so respectfully by the media — like a wife who’s been cheated on. He doesn’t seem to get it that they mean him and the country no good. They are busy working with anyone who can be persuaded to say something bad about Trump. GOP elites are so easily manipulated by ego stroking that it’s kind of disgusting.

    • #14
  15. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Hypatia (View Comment):

    Larry Koler (View Comment):

    Clifford A. Brown: Now it is time for House GOP members and primary candidates to speak up, forcing a timely change in leadership. No professional sports team with serious championship aspirations would accept their head coach announcing at the start of the season that he didn’t intent to stick around after the playoffs. Such a man does not have skin in the game and does not communicate confidence in the winning potential of the team. At best, Ryan communicates doubt in and by the House GOP. At worst, Ryan is postured to passive-aggressively sabotage the congressional majority as he seeks a new path to the presidency with the kind of party he wants to lead. The House GOP must dump Ryan like a quitter coach, replacing him with Speaker Scalise for the win!

    This is so important.

    We need to give the next speaker some time to get a running start on the election and the next Congressional session.

    Here’s the big question: Why doesn’t Paul Ryan even know something as simple as this?

    To me, the big question is why are Ryan and other GOP legislators behaving like: the ship is sinking, I’m gettin’out now while I can still save my self! I mean, they have been behaving like this since November 9, 2016, as if we had suffered a catastrophic loss instead of a sweeping victory! Why? Oh yeah, there was the stsndard stuff about the “Blue Wave”, which Dems started pushing on Nov 9, 2016–I mean , I can see why they would,…but why does the GOP act like they agreed? Now, of course, were gettin the Red Tide instead, or at leas a much improving prospect of it. Why do so many Republicans want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

    I think Ryan does know his staying around as a lame duck isn’t going to help the GOP.

    What is it,

    he got a taste of genteel defeat as Romney s running mate, and he likes it! He loves it! He Wants some more OF it?

    Out now!!

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    This article says Scalise has shown strong support for the wall; here’s a chart that shows his voting record.

    Thank you for the valuable addition to the topic. 

    • #15
  16. ToryWarWriter Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter
    @ToryWarWriter

    People forget that the committee chairmanships are term limited.  Now when your chairmanship is up you go back into the pack and have to wait your turn.  This leads to people once there term is up to not seek reelection.  There was a time that the Republican party believed in term limits and though that didnt happen this chairmanship gambit has turned into something like term limits.

    Which like I said was something we wanted, didnt we?

    • #16
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