Reminder: 290 and 67. The 290 represents how many U.S. House of Representatives members it takes to override a presidential veto (all Representatives are up for reelection this year). It takes 67 U.S. Senators to override a presidential veto (35 Senators are up for reelection this year with 22 of those being Republicans—the ones we have to concentrate on the most). These numbers are very important this year at the ballot box because it will take this number of votes to help right this vast ship of a country for all of us, not just the billionaire class.
Once again the Republicans have disappointed democracy, proving once again they are not fit to govern the country.
One of the worst nominees for U.S. Attorney General, possibly ever which is saying a lot, was just confirmed by the Republican led senate. It did appear at least for a moment, a moment of hope, the Republicans might have finally realized they have power. That they aren’t only the lackeys of an authoritarian president, and would deny the confirmation of Todd Blanche, the president’s attorney.
Blanche even said he is the president’s attorney during recent testimony before a committee hearing. He, of course, quickly restated he was the president’s lawyer (past tense), but the truth was told first, then the lie. It was only when Blanche refused to meet with Epstein survivors or say the president’s $1.8B slush fund was dead in writing did two senators say they wouldn’t support Blanche’s nomination.
As soon though as Blanche had a very unproductive and condescending meeting with survivors plus providing a non-binding statement the slush fund, but not the immunity from tax audits for the Trump family, did these two senators, Corwyn (R-Texas) and Tillis (R-North Carolina), both of whom are leaving the senate, state their support of Blanche.
The next drama was how Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Collins (R-Maine), would vote as they don’t always vote with the Republican caucus. They almost always vote against the party line only when it is safe to do so, meaning the votes are already in line enough to pass whatever they are voting against. This helps provide cover for these two women to their own state’s electorate. With Collin’s tough reelection campaign right now she would have been between a rock and a hard place otherwise. Murkowski was an undecided right up until what might appear to be just before Cassidy (R-Louisiana) said he was voting yes for confirmation giving the Republicans the 50 votes needed to confirm Blanche. Now that’s some serious illusionary manipulation.
What is most disappointing in all this is that none of these three men, Corwyn, Tillis, or Cassidy are returning to Congress at the end of this session. They are either retiring or lost their primaries. They had nothing to lose, other than lucrative political jobs, by voting no. One of their final acts in Congress could have been to help save the country, but once again, as does Trump, as does Republicans, they voted in their own personal interest. They didn’t vote for the country, not even for their constituents, but for themselves.
What is also disappointing are the statements by Corwyn and Cassidy, statements abdicating their constitutional duty to advise and consent on nominations. Corwyn stated there was no way to rein this president in as if it isn’t the duty and obligation of the senate to be a check on the power of the president, meaning he isn’t qualified to be a senator as he has not apparently read the Constitution.
Then there was the statement by Cassidy, who also apparently doesn’t realize the senate can vote no to confirm as many times as it sees fit in advising and consenting. His lousy excuse was the president could just nominate someone worse than Blanche. Again, Cassidy must believe he can only vote no once per position confirmation. So much for doing his job of finding the best, not perfect, but best person for such an important role in our government.
Lest we forget about disappointments on the Democratic side of the equation, which could have negative effects on the country.
Let’s start with Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee. It’s role is to fundraise for the Democrats and help with winning elections. Full disclosure, I didn’t think he was the person for the job in the first place, especially after he forced David Hogg out. I always thought it should be Stacy Abram’s as she has the experience and results to show what a powerhouse she is. Even Ben Winkler from Minnesota would have been better as he too has the credentials of success behind him. In yet another show of how ego gets in the way of success, Martin, even with fundraising at a standstill for the DNC, and the organization being $2M in debt, plus the mishandling of the autopsy report from the Harris bid for President, he refuses to resign as he should due to the mess he has created and continues to create.
The other disappointment is Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). She lost her bid to Talarico in the Texas U.S. Senate race primary. I personally was rooting for her in his race, but I’m not a Texas voter. To her credit, she did endorse Talarico right after the results were announced. However, it seems the endorsement was without conviction. Since that time she has done nothing to help his campaign to win the seat and help take back the senate. She has even stated she doesn’t think Talarico can even win. Shame on her! She can believe what she wants, she of course can say what she wants, but she is acting as a petulant child who didn’t get her way without regard to the long-term effects of her lack of action and her negativity toward his chances. If she were a true team player and fully understood what is at stake, she would swallow her pride, get on the same stage as Talarico, and start stumping and campaigning hard for Talarico, or just not comment.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost my patience with childish nonsense and petulance by Democrats specifically, but also with the lack of courage of Republicans elected to defend the Constitution. That means saying no to an out of control president who really should, at a minimum impeached and convicted, and at worst prosecuted for his rampant lawlessness in not abiding by the constitution and rules of law.
As it has always been, it falls on us voters to do our homework and elect politicians who know how to adult well, make hard decisions, know their constitutional power, and do right by all of us, not just the billionaires.
Remember, there are more of us than there are of them. Together, showing up in overwhelming numbers, and voting in November for Democrats, who with all their flaws and imperfections still know how to govern better and work to help working folks like you and me.
Ask yourself this question, and answer honestly, are you better off now than you were two years ago? Vote accordingly.
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