Well, strap in. The incoming-president Donald Trump enjoys two political hammers unseen in the modern age. First, he near-personally controls every branch of the U.S. government. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, Trump has a “political mandate” – a vote so totally in his favor that even members of the other party occasionally bend to implement policy. Mandates used to be a thing – Trump’s victory of 312 electoral votes mirrors Reagan’s 513… Okay, mandates aren’t what they used to be but they’re close enough such that the power is overwhelming. Mitch McConnell is moving to control the last lingering independent power out there.
The Senate’s GOP Majority-Leader is the one “speed-bump” to Donald Trump’s total control. Even a minority of the U.S. Senate can hold up legislation and occasionally, the confirmation of appointees. McConnell will retire as GOP leader in 2025, but he wants to control who takes control, and he’s moved the vote up to 2024 to do it. McConnell doesn’t want to wait until January of 2025 to name a GOP leader, he wants a vote (Presumably including newly-elected Senators) next week, November 13th 2024, so that one of his guys – perhaps Jon Cornyn of Texas, gets the title over someone like Florida’s Rick Scott.
So Mitch McConnell senses a bit of a buzz going through the party. This GOP is drunk on power. The red elephant is sitting back rubbing its belly, maybe drifting as it rides the pink cloud… BANG! Somehow Mitch McConnell got surrogate Jon Cornyn elected to head the Senate GOP without anyone looking! This must be Mitch’s plan.
It is only November 2024 and yet McConnell just called a shockingly early vote to lead the Senate next year. Mitch wants an acolyte such that he will retain some of his power and spend the next two years lurking in the shadows.
Of course, up with this the MAGA mainstays will not put. Tucker Carlson senses a “moment” in Washington and, according to pals at Rawstory, tweeted in panic:
“What the hell is going on in the US Senate? Hours after Donald Trump wins the most conclusive mandate in 40 years, Mitch McConnell engineers a coup against his agenda by calling early leadership elections in the senate.
“Two of the three candidates hate Trump and what he ran on. One of them, John Cornyn, is an angry liberal whose politics are indistinguishable from Liz Cheney’s. The election is Wednesday, it’s by secret ballot, and it will determine whether or not the new administration succeeds.”
Right, chief… Think about what it means when a Cheney, heretofore he sin quo non of American conservatism, is called a liberal. It means that people like Mitch McConnell and the aforementioned John Cornyn find themselves holding tight to traditional conservatism versus what they see as the biggest of big government Project 2025. Carlson went on:
“Rick Scott of Florida is the only candidate who agrees with Donald Trump.”
“Call your senator and demand a public endorsement of Rick Scott. Don’t let McConnell get away with it again.”
What? Donald Trump “next week-version” isn’t sure that he agrees with Trump “this week version”. It is not about what one “believes” so much as who one follows. McConnell wants Cornyn in place to follow him while all things MAGA want Rick Scott in place to follow Trump.
McConnell likely believes that the Trump camp is still lulling its LOLs away and won’t get organized in time to bribe, threaten and shake the Republican Senate down. So hold the vote now, plant a stake in the ground and yell: “Do not pass this without consent and agreement of the United States Senate” – then use the Democrats to block Trump’s most extreme measures. And there it is, e’viola, the second most powerful person in the nation, by far, not even close, not for a long time.
The only question is whether Jon Cornyn becomes that person if installed or whether he will remain under McConnell’s sway. Oh, there is one other “modern” question, a little different than what mattered after Reagan’s election. Does Trump’s White House even care about the Senate’s role? Are we in a post-constitutional era?
None of us know, not even wily Mitch McConnell knows. Mitch only knows that anyone wanting a say in the matter best grab for power prior. He is a very nimble Kentucky bourbon burping good ole’ boy. His power will almost surely linger.
God Bless: I can be reached at [email protected] and @JasonMiciak
Second best thing I’ve read since the tick took video the other day. That being said, it won’t happen. McConnell has a lot to atone for. Secret ballot or not, they will vote for whomever orange lard boy wants. And finally, even if McConnell gets his pick thru either he’ll bow to king wannabe tyrant like all the others or he will be replaced January 20th or 21st. But nice to hear.
What a weird-ass time to be alive!! Appreciating the Cheneys and Moscow Mitch!?! 😱 G’head Mitch…get it done!! If these hateful jackasses wanna burn it all down, why shouldn’t Mitch turn on the gas and light a candle as he walks away?! 🤭 I don’t think he would include newly-elected senators; they aren’t sworn in yet and that would just confuse his plan. Of course it would be challenged in the new year, but it makes a great distraction “Day One” of the new administration and it once again highlights the destructive in-fighting in the GQP!! 👏
A chink of light? My enemy’s enemy is my friend.
McConnell is a major reason we’re where we are right now. He jerked Obama around for 8 years, stole a Supreme Court seat, allowed a president impeached to remain in office, and then said he’d vote for the scum. Now he’s going to try and right the ship he sank?
No, just retain as much power for himself as possible. He is simply staking out new terrifory with what is left.
jason
Every time I see Rick Scott he reminds me more and more of Voldemort. Start looking for horocruxes, folks.
“Right, chief… Think about what it means when a Cheney, heretofore the sin quo non of American conservatism, is called a liberal.”
The Overton Window has moved so far to the right, no-one can look through it anymore.