Ricochet.com Editor-in-Chief Jon Gabriel is in for Jim. Today, Jon and Greg express their frustrations over the GOP’s intraparty food fight that has no obvious end in sight. Although they are pleased that the Republicans can at least agree for now not to make any deals with Democrats. They also cringe as a top Biden national security official says he is confident that Hamas will not interfere with $100 million of U.S. aid to the Palestinian people because they “have an understanding.” And they remind us where we’ve heard very similar language before. Finally, they shake their heads as more than 400 congressional staffers write an open letter demanding that lawmakers insist upon a cease-fire in the Middle East – but all of them refuse to sign the letter instead of standing behind their words.

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  1. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan.  WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    • #1
  2. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Later, @jon asserts that it’s irresponsible to try and accomplish anything in the Middle East without a plan.

    Shortly after that, Greg states that no plan works in the Middle East.

    Jon agrees.

    Geeze, guys.

    • #2
  3. db25db Coolidge
    db25db
    @db25db

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz.  I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt.  I like Jordan, but he never had a shot.  The numbers aren’t there.  This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy.  We’ll see.

    • #3
  4. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault.  He’s just one guy.  And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments.  It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    • #4
  5. Taras Coolidge
    Taras
    @Taras

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    • #5
  6. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan.  They’re the real problem

    • #6
  7. Taras Coolidge
    Taras
    @Taras

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    • #7
  8. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    In a way, that’s true.  McCarthy did, by not following the deal he made.

    • #8
  9. Taras Coolidge
    Taras
    @Taras

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    In a way, that’s true. McCarthy did, by not following the deal he made.

    The vote in McCarthy’s favor by Republicans was 210 to 8.  End of story.

    • #9
  10. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    In a way, that’s true. McCarthy did, by not following the deal he made.

    The vote in McCarthy’s favor by Republicans was 210 to 8. End of story.

    So, what you’re telling me is that 210 Republicans didn’t care about McCarthy making side deals with the Democrats and breaking his commitment on handling budget matters etc?

    • #10
  11. Taras Coolidge
    Taras
    @Taras

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    In a way, that’s true. McCarthy did, by not following the deal he made.

    The vote in McCarthy’s favor by Republicans was 210 to 8. End of story.

    So, what you’re telling me is that 210 Republicans didn’t care about McCarthy making side deals with the Democrats and breaking his commitment on handling budget matters etc?

    No, I’m saying that 210 Republicans don’t agree with your view of the situation.  They think McCarthy did as well as could reasonably be hoped, with a razor-thin majority and the Democrats holding the Senate and White House.

    • #11
  12. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    In a way, that’s true. McCarthy did, by not following the deal he made.

    The vote in McCarthy’s favor by Republicans was 210 to 8. End of story.

    So, what you’re telling me is that 210 Republicans didn’t care about McCarthy making side deals with the Democrats and breaking his commitment on handling budget matters etc?

    No, I’m saying that 210 Republicans don’t agree with your view of the situation. They think McCarthy did as well as could reasonably be hoped, with a razor-thin majority and the Democrats holding the Senate and White House.

    So that would mean all of them would think it justified to make side deals with the Democrats and break their commitments to those who supported them?  Sounds like a much bigger problem.

    • #12
  13. Taras Coolidge
    Taras
    @Taras

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    In a way, that’s true. McCarthy did, by not following the deal he made.

    The vote in McCarthy’s favor by Republicans was 210 to 8. End of story.

    So, what you’re telling me is that 210 Republicans didn’t care about McCarthy making side deals with the Democrats and breaking his commitment on handling budget matters etc?

    No, I’m saying that 210 Republicans don’t agree with your view of the situation. They think McCarthy did as well as could reasonably be hoped, with a razor-thin majority and the Democrats holding the Senate and White House.

    So that would mean all of them would think it justified to make side deals with the Democrats and break their commitments to those who supported them? Sounds like a much bigger problem.

    No, I’m saying that, 210 to 8, Republicans don’t agree with your view.  Note that it’s all the Democrats, not the Republicans, who wanted McCarthy gone.

    The Democrats figured his replacement would be less effective than he was.   The fact that the Republicans can’t even get together to name a replacement is just frosting on the cake.

    • #13
  14. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    db25db (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jon apparently answers his own question, but doesn’t realize it.

    The problem isn’t Gaetz and the other 7 or whatever, the problem is the 20-plus who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. WTAF is their excuse for THAT?

    no, the problem is Gaetz. I could have told you 20+ Rs would vote against Jordan before this started, especially if it meant rewarding Gaetz stunt. I like Jordan, but he never had a shot. The numbers aren’t there. This whole exercise has been pointless and will almost certainly land us with someone worse than McCarthy. We’ll see.

    Still though, if it does end up with someone worse than McCarthy that’s really not Gaetz’s fault. He’s just one guy. And McCarthy deserved to get booted because he didn’t keep his commitments. It would be the fault(s) of any so-called “Republicans” who vote for a Dimocrat as Speaker.

    When I call up Gaetz’s office to ask for my $200 back, I will tell them I’m planning to contribute it to whoever is running against him.

    You’d do better contributing to the primary opponents of the 20+ who wouldn’t vote for Jordan. They’re the real problem

    They didn’t start the fire.

    In a way, that’s true. McCarthy did, by not following the deal he made.

    The vote in McCarthy’s favor by Republicans was 210 to 8. End of story.

    So, what you’re telling me is that 210 Republicans didn’t care about McCarthy making side deals with the Democrats and breaking his commitment on handling budget matters etc?

    No, I’m saying that 210 Republicans don’t agree with your view of the situation. They think McCarthy did as well as could reasonably be hoped, with a razor-thin majority and the Democrats holding the Senate and White House.

    So that would mean all of them would think it justified to make side deals with the Democrats and break their commitments to those who supported them? Sounds like a much bigger problem.

    No, I’m saying that, 210 to 8, Republicans don’t agree with your view. Note that it’s all the Democrats, not the Republicans, who wanted McCarthy gone.

    The Democrats figured his replacement would be less effective than he was. The fact that the Republicans can’t even get together to name a replacement is just frosting on the cake.

    Those 20-something could make it clear that the Dimocrats were just being played.  If they won’t, I put that on them too.  And remember, one of McCarthy’s side deals was that the Dims wouldn’t vote to remove him.  Another mistake on his part.

    • #14
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