Maybe they met at the same ‘empty suit academy’. There might not be the votes, for AOC but surely there has to be someone better than this for speaker. Someone who doesn’t walk into every trap set before him? Hell even if we DEI’d it and limited it to minority ethnic men I can think of at least five suits containing warm bodies. What about Ted Lieu? He seems to be on what Evan Hurst calls ‘team fight’. What about Ro Khana who managed to be both bi-partisan and to score the biggest hit inflicted on Trump at the same time. What about the Gen Z genius Maxwell Frost? What about Bennie Thompson who shepherded a wimpy AG into indicting Trump. What about André Carson who rocks a toothbrush moustache?
Jared had that meeting for one reason and one reason only - to leak it to the press afterwards and damage Jeffries. The fact he walked into it again makes me think he just loves gifs with Mariachi music.
I generally do not like and certainly do not trust never Trumpers, but sometimes something about them gives them a moral clarity that lifelong democrats lack. Maybe it’s the guilt. Maybe it’s because democrats are always being accused of being preachy so we modulate. Anyway this is Rick “from our sponsors” Wilson doing a rare ad free 30 min where he lays it out as only a never Trumper could.
Thanks for this. I keep thinking back to Chuck Schumer fawning over Jeffries breaking the filibuster record (which, as I recall, was not going to make a tickey's worth of difference over the actual issue). These two. ALL about putting a spotlight on political theater that makes no difference, but then running off to secret meetings where things that will be bad for the country actually happen. Kushner probably offering some kind of incentive to ensure the Democrats pull a repeat Pelosi circa the GWB admin and put it all "in the rearview mirror."
My (not) favorite Jeffries defense was someone patronizingly sneering at me that there always has to be compromise in politics and that Jeffries has to meet with the opposition because it's his job. Then they capped it off by telling me to suck it up. 🙄
Mamdani had already won his election when he met with trump in a publicized meeting, no secrecy about it. There are pictures and videos of the event. Jeffries met Kushner in a secret meeting, that was leaked to the press, and no doubt you are right that Kushner is the one who leaked it, and it accomplished just what he intended - it makes Jeffries look weak.
Over at Wonkette, some of the commenters speculate that the "mutual friend" is AIPAC.
As much as I'd love for AOC to become Speaker, you are right that she doesn't have the votes. However, I'm sick of Dems in leadership positions being weak, or looking weak even if they are not, and failing to read the room. Jeffries is a disappointment.
This whole thing made my blood boil. Jared hasn't been elected to shit, yet Jeffries thinks it's a good idea to meet with him? The same asshole who couldn't be bothered to endorse the Democratic nominee for NYC Mayor? It's a big club, but we ain't in it. And maybe it's just nerves, but the closer we get to the midterms, the less sure I am about some big blue wave. I hope it will come but with the apathy and the cheating, not to mention the apathy about the cheating, I just don't know what's going to happen. After 2016, nothing is really predictable. But neither Jeffries nor Schumer should be in leadership positions in 2027, no matter what happens.
I'm in the same boat. I'm expecting a blue ripple and maybe a few surprises here and there, but I think the house and Senate are going to stay firmly Republican.
Then we'll hear "this was progressive's fault" until the end of fucking time.
Yup. Them and all the consultants, who will be able to make millions off of “I told you so”-ing about progressives while dragging the party even further to the right.
Once again, Stephen has perfectly stated my feelings about both Kushner, who is a rapacious scumbag without an ounce of conscience, and about Jeffries, who doesn't seem to understand that he should be leading the fight against this administration and not cutting deals. Jeffries should know by now that his position as speaker will not be helped by ignoring the Dems who have been the leading edge of the Democratic party, and their supporters.
Maybe they met at the same ‘empty suit academy’. There might not be the votes, for AOC but surely there has to be someone better than this for speaker. Someone who doesn’t walk into every trap set before him? Hell even if we DEI’d it and limited it to minority ethnic men I can think of at least five suits containing warm bodies. What about Ted Lieu? He seems to be on what Evan Hurst calls ‘team fight’. What about Ro Khana who managed to be both bi-partisan and to score the biggest hit inflicted on Trump at the same time. What about the Gen Z genius Maxwell Frost? What about Bennie Thompson who shepherded a wimpy AG into indicting Trump. What about André Carson who rocks a toothbrush moustache?
Jared had that meeting for one reason and one reason only - to leak it to the press afterwards and damage Jeffries. The fact he walked into it again makes me think he just loves gifs with Mariachi music.
I generally do not like and certainly do not trust never Trumpers, but sometimes something about them gives them a moral clarity that lifelong democrats lack. Maybe it’s the guilt. Maybe it’s because democrats are always being accused of being preachy so we modulate. Anyway this is Rick “from our sponsors” Wilson doing a rare ad free 30 min where he lays it out as only a never Trumper could.
https://therickwilson.substack.com/p/dont-negotiate-with-evil-hakeem-jeffries
Thanks for this. I keep thinking back to Chuck Schumer fawning over Jeffries breaking the filibuster record (which, as I recall, was not going to make a tickey's worth of difference over the actual issue). These two. ALL about putting a spotlight on political theater that makes no difference, but then running off to secret meetings where things that will be bad for the country actually happen. Kushner probably offering some kind of incentive to ensure the Democrats pull a repeat Pelosi circa the GWB admin and put it all "in the rearview mirror."
My (not) favorite Jeffries defense was someone patronizingly sneering at me that there always has to be compromise in politics and that Jeffries has to meet with the opposition because it's his job. Then they capped it off by telling me to suck it up. 🙄
Neville Chamberlain 2.0
or
The Vichy Dems Prepare to Surrender
Mamdani had already won his election when he met with trump in a publicized meeting, no secrecy about it. There are pictures and videos of the event. Jeffries met Kushner in a secret meeting, that was leaked to the press, and no doubt you are right that Kushner is the one who leaked it, and it accomplished just what he intended - it makes Jeffries look weak.
Over at Wonkette, some of the commenters speculate that the "mutual friend" is AIPAC.
As much as I'd love for AOC to become Speaker, you are right that she doesn't have the votes. However, I'm sick of Dems in leadership positions being weak, or looking weak even if they are not, and failing to read the room. Jeffries is a disappointment.
I like the idea of Jamie Raskin becoming speaker. AOC clearly has her eyes on higher office.
If you aren't betraying the Democrats, Hakeem, why meet in secret with the fascists?
This whole thing made my blood boil. Jared hasn't been elected to shit, yet Jeffries thinks it's a good idea to meet with him? The same asshole who couldn't be bothered to endorse the Democratic nominee for NYC Mayor? It's a big club, but we ain't in it. And maybe it's just nerves, but the closer we get to the midterms, the less sure I am about some big blue wave. I hope it will come but with the apathy and the cheating, not to mention the apathy about the cheating, I just don't know what's going to happen. After 2016, nothing is really predictable. But neither Jeffries nor Schumer should be in leadership positions in 2027, no matter what happens.
I'm in the same boat. I'm expecting a blue ripple and maybe a few surprises here and there, but I think the house and Senate are going to stay firmly Republican.
Then we'll hear "this was progressive's fault" until the end of fucking time.
That's what the centers are hoping for
Yup. Them and all the consultants, who will be able to make millions off of “I told you so”-ing about progressives while dragging the party even further to the right.
Perfect fucking headline.
Once again, Stephen has perfectly stated my feelings about both Kushner, who is a rapacious scumbag without an ounce of conscience, and about Jeffries, who doesn't seem to understand that he should be leading the fight against this administration and not cutting deals. Jeffries should know by now that his position as speaker will not be helped by ignoring the Dems who have been the leading edge of the Democratic party, and their supporters.