"But Republicans understand very well that parliamentary maneuvering seldom matters to voters..." I would agree with you except for the fact that this particular maneuvering is not only easy to understand, it sends a clear message that Republicans won't represent voters and won't work with Democrats. It also ignores the fact that most of the House Republicans hate Gaetz and would enjoy taking him down, especially now that he's out of office. I also don't think Senate Republicans want to give up their leverage and political power. Trump is a lame duck from day one and when things begin to go south, Republicans up for re-election in 2026 will bear the cost, not Trump. They're also not happy with Muskaswamy telling them what to do and trying to assum even more of their political power. Never ignore the pettiness and self-centeredness of politics.
I'm more pessimistic. I think the Senate Republicans are spineless and willing to let trump burn the house down. And just like trump. R senators up for re-election will reap no consequence for obeying Dear Leader. Most of the R senators up for re-election in 2026 come from solidly Red states, and I don't see any of them flipping anytime soon. As a matter of fact, Dems may never control the Senate ever again. Two senators from states with low populations skew the senate toward minority rule. "According to David Birdsell, by 2040, 70% of the American population is expected to reside in just 15 states, meaning that a mere 30% of the American
population would be represented by 70% of sitting Senators."
I think the power given to "Little Man" Johnson has gone to his head. He wants to be one of the boys, but given the chance Trump and his ilk will tread all over him.
Honestly, with the promises he made on the campaign trail to prosecute his enemies, deport immigrants (even those here legally), and his talk of his and Mike's "secret", I think he will get every cabinet pick through, whatever it takes. It will just be a bonus to him if he manages to destroy the advise and consent of the senate in the process.
Keep in mind that if Johnson helps Trump shuts down Congress for say ONE YEAR, he is also free to dismantle our democracy and install a fascist dictatorship:
- Deport anybody any way he wishes without pushback from Congress,
- Fire all the generals & withdraw from Ukraine
- Restore all civil service jobs to patronage appointments
- Eliminate entire Departments
- Allow police to shoot on-sight any suspected criminal behavior
Well this just scares the living hell out of me. As if there weren't enough things to keep you up at night, now there's this. Best case scenario here is 4 years of more confusion and chaos. Either nothing will get done, or the things that are done will be very bad indeed.
"But Republicans understand very well that parliamentary maneuvering seldom matters to voters..." I would agree with you except for the fact that this particular maneuvering is not only easy to understand, it sends a clear message that Republicans won't represent voters and won't work with Democrats. It also ignores the fact that most of the House Republicans hate Gaetz and would enjoy taking him down, especially now that he's out of office. I also don't think Senate Republicans want to give up their leverage and political power. Trump is a lame duck from day one and when things begin to go south, Republicans up for re-election in 2026 will bear the cost, not Trump. They're also not happy with Muskaswamy telling them what to do and trying to assum even more of their political power. Never ignore the pettiness and self-centeredness of politics.
I'm more pessimistic. I think the Senate Republicans are spineless and willing to let trump burn the house down. And just like trump. R senators up for re-election will reap no consequence for obeying Dear Leader. Most of the R senators up for re-election in 2026 come from solidly Red states, and I don't see any of them flipping anytime soon. As a matter of fact, Dems may never control the Senate ever again. Two senators from states with low populations skew the senate toward minority rule. "According to David Birdsell, by 2040, 70% of the American population is expected to reside in just 15 states, meaning that a mere 30% of the American
population would be represented by 70% of sitting Senators."
See page 343
https://www.law.georgetown.edu/public-policy-journal/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/06/GT-GLPP240011.pdf
I think the power given to "Little Man" Johnson has gone to his head. He wants to be one of the boys, but given the chance Trump and his ilk will tread all over him.
Thanks for the clarification.
Honestly, with the promises he made on the campaign trail to prosecute his enemies, deport immigrants (even those here legally), and his talk of his and Mike's "secret", I think he will get every cabinet pick through, whatever it takes. It will just be a bonus to him if he manages to destroy the advise and consent of the senate in the process.
Keep in mind that if Johnson helps Trump shuts down Congress for say ONE YEAR, he is also free to dismantle our democracy and install a fascist dictatorship:
- Deport anybody any way he wishes without pushback from Congress,
- Fire all the generals & withdraw from Ukraine
- Restore all civil service jobs to patronage appointments
- Eliminate entire Departments
- Allow police to shoot on-sight any suspected criminal behavior
Well this just scares the living hell out of me. As if there weren't enough things to keep you up at night, now there's this. Best case scenario here is 4 years of more confusion and chaos. Either nothing will get done, or the things that are done will be very bad indeed.
Mike Johnson looks like he could be the “unsub” in an episode of Criminal Minds…..