At this writing, Republicans in the House of Representatives are trying yet again to choose a speaker. At last count, at least nine members had inserted themselves in the race.
Is more really better? At this point, why not try something different. Putting forth the candidate who had a majority in caucus failed miserably.
You would think Jim Jordan would have packed it in after the first public vote, or at least the second. As the Irish say, “When a boat runs ashore, the sea has spoken.”
Maybe the “recalcitrant eight” should have thought about this before the tyranny of the minority overruled the majority and tossed Kevin McCarthy out on his ear. But what do they care? Those eight are not interested in governing; they are bent on setting political fires and warming themselves from the flames.
The contrast on cable television is startling. Much of the news is about the life-and-death struggle in the Israel/Hamas war and the existential threat from terrorists. After the commercial break, however, we get reports of the dysfunction on Capitol Hill where members of the same party are at each other’s throats.
President Biden has proposed a $105 billion national security package that includes mostly military and humanitarian assistance for Israel and Ukraine. The package also includes billions for security along the U.S.-Mexico border. But that cannot move while the House is leaderless.
Yes, House Republicans have spent a lot of time over the last two weeks in caucus arguing and on the floor voting, but they do know there are wars going on, don’t they? They do know that the continuing resolution funding the government runs out November 17, right?
I suspect some Republican readers of this commentary will come to the rescue of their party with examples of dysfunctional Democrats. True, there is plenty of political stasis to go around. But the whataboutism just does not carry the same weight as the current Republican self-immolation.
A frustrated Talkline listener asked me the other day who I would choose to be speaker. I didn’t have a name, but I did have an idea: How about anyone who can legislate? Using an elected position purely as a podium for partisanship and a vehicle for self-promotion undermines the very idea of what it means to be a leader.
Will failing and flailing politicians suffer any consequences for their actions? Conservative columnist Chris Stirewalt raises the provocative point that maybe the voters are numb.
“In the old days, though, the minority party would have been working under the assumption that acting like a bunch of ball hogs and incompetents would have negative consequences with voters. But in a politically deadlocked nation, who cares?” Stirewalt wrote.
If not enough people care, then nothing will change, and that means the House Republican chaos is only a disturbing example of what’s to come.