The Republicans have won an opportunity that comes around perhaps once a century. They have a president whose only real guiding principle is imperial power as true-north. The lunacy of the Senate’s construct gives them a relatively comfortable majority (Though nowhere near the gift Obama had with 60 Democrats in 2008). An unforgivable manipulation of rules and norms led to a generation-dominating Right Wing SCOTUS. The world’s richest man, whose GDP-wealth renders him a nation unto himself, has surgically attached himself to Trump’s right. Additionally, as a testament to gerrymandering – particularly North Carolina – the GOP swings from the top bar of the monkey House, though by the barest of margins. Weirdly, they hold immense power that could be used to do something great, in this case – greatly destructive. Alas, this gorilla is afraid of its own shadow.
There is simply no fixing the GOP’s propensity for fracking itself – again, particularly in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson would otherwise be one of the top five most powerful people in the nation but for the fact that he holds such a slim majority that even two rogue members can effectively tear-down the entire artifice. Predictably, we now see those two, three, four… rogue members exhibit their GOP-DNA in finding that inner-rogue. From a Democratic view, this is perfect – they can’t do a thing. From a Republican view, this is perfectly disastrous, they can’t do a thing. So let the majority-threatening whining begin.
Rolling Stone brings us the protestations from the maniacal Rep. Massie:
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has been the most vocal critic of Johnson in the House Republican caucus. “I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan,” he said in a post on X on Monday. “We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget.”
See? Now that’s the weird thing. Fact: Donald Trump “is” the Republican party. If you are not firmly aligned with Trump, you are not a Republican. Thus it is that Trump himself has given Johnson his backing… sort of. Trump wants Johnson to deliver as ordered, even when the order is legislatively impossible. What Trump has not done is threaten to eviscerate anyone who opposes Johnson… which is… interesting? If you’re Johnson – and, thankfully, you’re not, it is an omnipresent threat. On any given day, well – Kevin McCarthy is just a phone call away.
Massie isn’t the only one:
I understand why President Trump is endorsing Speaker Johnson as he did Speaker Ryan, which is definitely important. However, we still need to get assurances that @SpeakerJohnson won’t sell us out to the swamp.
Donald Trump endorses Paul Ryan, John McCain https://t.co/Xa0tcTKpWk
— Rep. Victoria Spartz (@RepSpartz) December 30, 2024
Be wary whenever Republicans reference “the swamp” but also be bemused. The “swamp” is a concept that remains entirely undefined, objectively meaningless, yet incredibly useful. If someone on the far Right doesn’t like something, it’s attributed to “the swamp” – an easy out. No need for specifics, never mind alternatives.
In any human organization – from Rotary to the U.S. House of Representatives, it’s pitifully easy to lob complaints and find fault with plans – easy, so long as the person doesn’t have to actually define their proposed alternative, never mind implement it. The GOP suffers this same affliction. Step up, big and annoying Andy Biggs:
Us. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) told Fox News he is holding out on making a decision: “I haven’t publicly or privately committed yet. I do want to speak with the speaker just to see what his plans are, because I think there are some issues that need to be worked out, specifically dealing with the budget issues.”
Some budget issues “to be worked out”? How brave. This is nothing more than hostage taking (Which, of course, is fine – the alternative is they get exactly what they want). When the Speaker cannot afford to lose even two votes, any two people can literally hold the country’s credit card behind their back and demand whatever, a new airport in their district, or bigger gifts to big pharma, undoubtedly both – whatever it might be.
The hostage-taking thing comes so naturally that it was specifically addressed in recent reports, per Rolling Stone:
Johnson’s journey to a second term as speaker could be “a short-term hostage taking” situation, a House Republican told Axios anonymously. “Not sure if they deny the first vote or he will be forced to negotiate prior. I think there are 4-8 ready to hold out at least until the vote,” they said.
Ahhh, all the way up to four-eight members are going to hold guns to their heads, demanding whatever – usually cutting taxes and funding for programs – all against 210 other members. The fact that even two to four critters can hold the nation’s credit and economy in their hands is as terrifying as it is amusing. It is also a testament to the Democrats’ resilience. The House Democrats are not in “disarray.” They are a disciplined blue wall that can, and reliably will, throw the Republicans an anchor as they flounder off the stern.
From a totally neutral and objective view, this whole thing is simply astonishing. Donald Trump “is” the GOP (to repeat), and Trump tepidly endorsed Johnson. It is stunning that any Republicans could hold out against Trump’s preferences. It also operates as the trip-wire ready to fire against the march to Trumpian-GOP imperialism. For that, we should be grateful.
On the other hand, with things like disaster relief, funding for SNAP, etc. – we need the GOP to function at a baseline level because – if they can’t, we don’t really have a government. And they just can’t get it together to govern at all – ask Paul Ryan or Kevin McCarthy.
I wish I knew the possible implications going forward toward January 3rd and especially January 6th – a date that used to be absolutely pro-forma but now looms large. One can make a strong argument that the Democrats really ought to unify on certification. Our identity is wrapped up in operating in good-faith objective reality under the Constitution. There is no serious argument that Trump didn’t fairly win the election. If the Democrats don’t simply save the GOP from itself and agree to put forth a vote to certify Trump’s win, the GOP will never vote to certify a Democrat ever again. Period. On the other hand… Damn, it is a weird situation.
With respect to January 3rd and the speakership up for grabs, the Democrats can and will sit back, vote confidently and most appropriately for Hakeem Jeffries, and watch the GOP attempt to triangulate their circle. Expect anything… expect anything but a smashingly seamless two-vote win for Mike Johnson.
Again, this would be situation normal, complete monkey House Republicans. But under Trump’s Saddam-like control, the fact that they can’t get it together is breathtaking. One wonders whether Musk is somehow mucking things up below, the former Democrat now being further Right of Mike Johnson and relishing playing “Shadow President.” Love him, or please do hate him, Musk is smart AF and should know better than to do anything but mimic Trump’s wishes. One still wonders… He is – as I often write, a small nation unto himself and it is incredibly hard for Trump to punt the guy if getting in the way. Hard to know.
Easy to know that January 3rd will be anything but easy. Anything could happen, and perhaps will. Good TV anyway. As always, any gambling must be done in accord with federal law. Take Johnson and the points.
God Bless: I can be reached at [email protected] and on X @JasonMiciak and now on Bluesky
Hello Mr. Miciak. I’m delighted to see a current piece of yours to read — I very much enjoy the cogency of what you write. My own opinion is similar to yours — that the situation is weird ( as in both strange as well outside of previously established parameters of strangeness within this strange community) & nonsensical (as in not following the before-outlined ideas of “sensibility” promulgated). My now-dead journalist dad would say these poor schmucks are hooked up to an ass-smoke machine & stuck getting high on their own methane … Too bad all around. I mean Whip Its in HS were bad enough & extra lame now actual weed is legal all over the place. Whip Its reeking of bull shit inside one’s own brain would be so awful. That’s the thing about being awful: one is stuck inside one’s own awfulness & one never leaves one’s self, no matter how greatly desired. Anyways — thanks for the post.
Hello Mr. Miciak. I’m delighted to see a current piece of yours to read — I very much enjoy the cogency of what you write. My own opinion is similar to yours — that the situation is weird ( as in both strange as well outside of previously established parameters of strangeness within this strange community) & nonsensical (as in not following the before-outlined ideas of “sensibility” promulgated). My now-dead journalist dad would say these poor schmucks are hooked up to an ass-smoke machine & stuck getting high on their own methane … Too bad all around. I mean Whip Its in HS were bad enough & extra lame now actual weed is legal all over the place. Whip Its reeking of bull shit inside one’s own brain would be so awful. That’s the thing about being awful: it’s awful inside & out, with one always inside one’s self & never able to leave one’s self behind, no matter how ever much desired, while the view from the inside can **really** suck large.
Anyways … I enjoy your observations & your writing style. Thanks!
BTW: my best to your daughter (mine is 15!) & strong wishes for good fortune in the New Year (most of us could really use it!)
Oops! Double Fudge — sorry!
Interested,
I can’t tell you how much this small comment meant. Little things matter in this world and I needed something like this today. I have had some health issues and it’s been a slog. So getting this was very much appreciated. Please stick around, recommend the site to others, and participate – there are so many wonderful people here.
jason