There is a case to be made in which the Democrats help the Republicans elect a moderate to be Speaker of the House. Unfortunately, that case is premised upon finding a moderate (dubious enough to begin with) and having that moderate be someone with the ability to get the requisite five to six Republican votes. There is value in having the Democrats help pick the Speaker in that there would be something “owed.”
But there is also a case to be made to throw the GOP an oil tanker anchor and watch them try to swim with their new floaty. Jeffries is new school. He is going with sharp, heavy steel.
Hakeem Jeffries, who has replaced Nancy Pelosi in leading his party in the House, was asked by reporters about a potential scenario in which Democrats help Republicans elect a “moderate” Republican.
Jeffries shot down the idea. “We are looking for a willing partner to solve problems for the American people, not save the Republicans from their dysfunction,” Jeffries said.
Again, there are ways – and they are probably being explored – whereby the Dems do not solve the GOP’s dysfunction but do take advantage of this situation to get the Speaker the Dems prefer. Again, let them flail about until they’re so desperate that they’ll be open to all kinds of ideas. They will never elect a Democrat, so forget all thoughts of having a Democratic Speaker. But if one were to propose a John Boehner or another wildcard who the Dems know that they can at least “trust” his word, at that point, then maybe…
“We need a partner in governance to build upon the incredible progress that we made for the American people over the last few years by the way with a similar majority.”
Yeah, but Jim Jordan isn’t a partner, nor is Kevin McCarthy or whatever middle-like person they find. They can’t be trusted. But again, it’s not impossible to foresee a situation where Democrats can see someone that they can trust and convince ten Republicans to go along with, and then, at that point, there might be a way. It would almost surely involve bringing in someone from the outside.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is really good at this. Really good.pic.twitter.com/igjaoLMvoY
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) January 4, 2023
We will see. The show begins in an hour (from the time of this writing.)
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[email protected], @JasonMiciak, SUBSTACK:
I’ll be honest – at first I wondered if someone as young as Jeffries would have the gravitas to both lead what can be his own unruly (at times) caucus and also project true leadership on camera to the public at-large. He’s done a great job at removing all doubts. When the time comes he will be a great Speaker. And the way the GOP is acting and will surely continue to act in this Congress in two years we’ll see Jeffries take the Speaker’s Gavel and get right to work unfucking the mess the GOP will leave.
Perhaps “moderate” is the incorrect term here. I’d personally go with “serious”, something MAGA never was. And that’s who Jeffries wants to deal with, serious people even if they are the opposing side. If the GOP can’t manage that, the Dems will take things in their own hands.
“But there is also a case to be made to throw the GOP an oil tanker anchor and watch them try to swim with their new floaty.” You are frickin’ killin’ me today!
I do think, in time, Jeffries will be a wonderful Speaker. I like him more every day.