DL Open Thread Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023
Chris Coons must be having the mother of all sads today. After Kave-in McCarthy was ousted as House speaker, a GOP member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus told CNN that Republicans in the group are considering quitting en masse because none of its Democratic members voted to retain him. Republicans apparently can’t conceive of solving their own problems. McCarthy’s temporary replacement: his close ally, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina.
Donald Trump finally got slapped with a gag order after doxxing a court clerk in this New York fraud trial. He also was either stupid or lying when he claimed threw out most of the charges against him because of the statue of limitations. Turns out that every time he lied about the value of his properties started the clock anew.
But the news that’s bound to piss off the man-baby the most: Forbes magazine booted him from its list of the 400 richest people.
In news that got no traction because reporting about clownish Republicans and ex-presidents is more important, the U.S. took action against Chinese and Mexican fentanyl traffickers.
In case you wonder why Hollywood actors went on their recently ended strike, Tom Hanks took to social media to warn fans that a bogus commercial featuring him was created using AI.
The floor’s yours.
Kinda enjoyed Gaetz labeling Jim Jordan’s Biden investigations as ‘failure theatre’.
House D’s should do just what they’re doing–nothing. This is one of the most circular circular firing squads in American history.
Annnd, just like that, Jordan announces he’ll run for Speaker.
The new Speaker Pro-Tem wastes no time in doing the responsible thing:
“In one of his first moves as speaker pro tempore, Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.) ordered former House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to “immediately” vacate her hideaway office in the Capitol by Wednesday.
While lawmakers who are not in leadership don’t usually have offices in the Capitol, Pelosi, as former speaker, was allowed to keep one.”
Pelosi puts it in perspective:
“Sadly, because I am in California to mourn the loss of and pay tribute to my dear friend Dianne Feinstein, I am unable to retrieve my belongings at this time,” Pelosi said. “Now that the new Republican Leadership has settled this important matter, let’s hope they get to work on what’s truly important for the American people.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/10/03/acting-speaker-orders-pelosi-vacate-capitol-office-she-held-former-speaker/
Expecting chaos at this point, also expect it to be revealing as to the many problems, mad men and lunatics in the house. Even better I expect this game to be a perennial favorite like the debt ceiling game. I ask are the Fascists winning at this point? Chaos and a failed government are the typical goals of the Fascists, would suggest they need no help as the house is destroying itself with no need for assistance.
Robert Menendez’ wife struck and killed a pedestrian. Sure as shit looks like some favors were called in to cover it up:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/nyregion/nadine-menendez-mercedes-death.html
Rudy Giuliani An Out-Of-Control Drunk. Haven’t read many articles like this in my lifetime:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-drinking.html
A snippet:
“For more than a decade, friends conceded grimly, Mr. Giuliani’s drinking had been a problem. And as he surged back to prominence during the presidency of Donald J. Trump, it was getting more difficult to hide it.
On some nights when Mr. Giuliani was overserved, an associate discreetly signaled the rest of the club, tipping back his empty hand in a drinking motion, out of the former mayor’s line of sight, in case others preferred to keep their distance. Some allies, watching Mr. Giuliani down Scotch before leaving for Fox News interviews, would slip away to find a television, clenching through his rickety defenses of Mr. Trump.
Even at less rollicking venues — a book party, a Sept. 11 anniversary dinner, an intimate gathering at Mr. Giuliani’s own apartment — his consistent, conspicuous intoxication often startled his company.”
Prosecutors have taken note, which apparently is why the NYTimes has done the same.
Umm, Alby, it was the Writers Guild that recently settled their strike.
Tom Hanks and SAG-AFTRA are still on strike, but the actors union and studio representatives resumed talks on Monday and reportedly are meeting again today.
Thanks for the correction.
Democrats only need 6 of these Biden District Republicans to vote for Hakeem Jeffries to win the Speakership.
District Member Biden
NY4 A D’esposito 56.8
CA22 David Valadao 55.3
CA27 M Garcia 55.1
NY17 M Lawler 54.5
CA13 J Duarte 54.3
NY3 G Santos 53.6
OR5 L Chavez-DeRemer 53.2
NY22 B Williams 52.6
NE2 D Bacon 52.2
CA45 M Steel 52.1
PA1 B Fitzpatrick 51.8
NY19 M Molinaro 51.3
NJ7 T Kean 51.1
AZ1 David Sweikert 50.1
VA2 J Kiggans 50.1
So, a suicide squad.
All the moderates in the media who argue that the Democrats should have saved McCarthy, should not be lobbying these people. Why is it only Democrats who have agency?
I imagine the accelerated GOP chaos will inspire a number of Rs to retire. Not saying they would necessarily side with Dems, but announcing retirement sometimes has a salutory effect on the spine.