To be honest, I've been thoroughly avoiding the bullsh*t surrounding the U.S. House attempting to elect a new Speaker. Today's Republicans prefer to cause chaos and "own the libs" than to actually engage in substantive policy debates. Problem is they had no "Plan B" once Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his role.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) was nominated but dropped out before even a vote was taken, seeing firsthand how too many GOPers had personal agendas.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) endured three different votes (losing ground each round) before dropping his quest for the gavel.
Then on Friday evening, news broke of a familiar name looking to throw his proverbial hat in the ring.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer is the frontrunner in a massive field of candidates for speaker now that the House Republican Conference has ousted Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as their speaker designate.
Emmer nabbed an important endorsement right out of the gate. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy told us Friday afternoon that Emmer is “the right person for the job. He can unite the conference. He understands the dynamics of the conference. He also understands what it takes to win and keep a majority.”
Remember that McCarthy still has a big base of support in the conference.
Given Emmer is my Congressman, it's hard for me to be impartial about this. I've known him since 2010 when he was vying for (and eventually secured) the GOP nomination for MN Governor. He's been my House rep for more than 8-1/2 years and has been one of the most hands-on, engaged members of Congress I've had the pleasure of voting for.
Realistically though, I'm just ready for this nonsense to be over.
---------------------------------------------
Just a few days ago I would have agreed with you about Emmer, though really preferring either McCarthy or Jordan. But it seems that Mr. Emmer has decided that his hand-picked candidate for Congress in CD2 is to be foisted on the rest of us, through big money and influence, even though we have good candidates already who have been working very hard. C'mon, Tom, what are you thinking?
ReplyDeleteTom Emmer supports the national popular vote over the Electoral College, sir. I know the family and Tom supports the status quo of annual $2T deficits.
ReplyDeleteHad not heard those but damning if true. Sometimes politicians say things that are trial balloons or "thinking out loud." Not saying that is true here, but I have not heard it clearly stated by Emmer himself. Trust but verify.
ReplyDeleteTom Emmer supports the national popular vote over the Electoral College, sir. I know the family and Tom supports the status quo of annual $2T deficits.
ReplyDeleteYou misspelled "Donald J. Trump."