Could it be that the Republicans are not so much pro-Cheney as in tatters now and what good would it do to shoot one of their own over a controversy that has no path forward? I don't like what Liz Cheney did of kicking one of her own when he was going down anyway, but for the same reason I don't like kicking Liz Cheney. We already have too few votes in the House.
The former president’s power is not weaker than it is projected by his true followers because most of what will be done will be done in public, not hidden by some secret voting. They’re still terrified of him. Otherwise there would have been a helluva lot more Republicans voting for impeachment and for certification of the presidential election.
His power will be demonstrated to have weakened if, and only if, a large portion of his selected candidates lose their primary elections.
There’s still a long road ahead, but thankfully this shows there are clearly 3 wings in the GOP. The true blue cultists, the Cheney wing, and the paralyzed middle who privately want to be in the Cheney wing (or at least NOT in the cultist wing), but cave to the Trumpist political pressure. They are still persuadable, and that gives me some hope.
That's some interesting jui jitsu you're doing with logic and proportion there. Trump the Magnificent did several good things, or had several good things done under his watch, but his delusional narcissism outweighed it.
Remember Cheney supported President Trump until well after the election. Support for him or agreement with him is not the point. Undying loyalty to the point of purging those who disagree is the whole point. That is a personality cult.
Do yourself a favor and read up on it. Cheney, Kinzinger, and lots of the elected officials Trump is throwing under the bus post-election voted for him, championed most of his policies, and publicly stated their support for him and his administration.
I do not support the actions of the Democrats right now. I personally think MTG is cuckoo, but she should not be stripped of her committee assignments for something she did before taking office, especially since she disavowed those comments publicly. Stuff like that is decided at the ballot box. She was duly elected by her constituents. Give her a chance to effectively legislate.
Read closer. I’m okay with Trump’s policy in many cases. Not okay with putting Trump over country, personal conscience, Constitution, independent thinking, etc. People who supported Trump, but realize he lost the election and we need to move on and solve problems of the day are good in my book. People who think anyone who disagrees with Trump needs to be purged from their leadership role (or the Republican Party) based solely on that? That is cultish behavior.
The picture at the end is awesome. I remember that from when Dick Cheney was VP. I miss him.
This is an important article for anyone in politics. Despite all the grandstanding, a lot of real politics is about power and maneuvers behind closed doors. As you mentioned, it’s very easy to appeal to the masses; but behind closed doors, within the circles of power, choices are made often self-servingly. The people on the wrong side of this vote, for example, could face erosion of political capital. These types of things are not forgiven or forgotten. This is real politics, whether we like it or not.
I agree with your assessment that foundationally, Trumpism is a surface phenomenon that will recede. But it will do significant damage to GOP cohesiveness if only because it’s an easy way to get popular support. (Trumpists will support Trumpist politicians no matter what they do or say.) Once Trumpism recedes, how will these Trumpist politicians be able to work with their colleagues whom they will have distanced from themselves?
All that said, as an American, I am very happy with this vote. It shows that Trumpism is not as rooted as one may have thought. This bodes well for America and even the possibility of bipartisanship. (Unfortunately for progressives, this can skew the Democratic Party more to the center. If the Democratic Party has to fight the entire GOP, it would have been easier for progressive Democrats to prevail since there really wouldn’t be much reason to appeal to the center in order to secure some support from Republicans. Ah well, I suppose the proletariat revolution will have to wait.)
I'm reminded of "The Wizard of Oz." "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." The Wizard was all smoke and mirrors but had no real power. All bluster and pomposity.
And look what America received in return.......Attacks on free speech, going after gun rights, job losses already, men in women’s sports, men in women’s restrooms, gasoline prices up 20%, illegal aliens ready to get free everything, expanded and even celebrated killing of babies......
I was talking about ineffectiveness of those who thought they had her ouster locked. In no way does that say I'm happy with the results of the election.
Could it be that the Republicans are not so much pro-Cheney as in tatters now and what good would it do to shoot one of their own over a controversy that has no path forward? I don't like what Liz Cheney did of kicking one of her own when he was going down anyway, but for the same reason I don't like kicking Liz Cheney. We already have too few votes in the House.
If only I could give it an extra like for the Dick Cheney joke at the end.
The former president’s power is not weaker than it is projected by his true followers because most of what will be done will be done in public, not hidden by some secret voting. They’re still terrified of him. Otherwise there would have been a helluva lot more Republicans voting for impeachment and for certification of the presidential election.
His power will be demonstrated to have weakened if, and only if, a large portion of his selected candidates lose their primary elections.
There’s still a long road ahead, but thankfully this shows there are clearly 3 wings in the GOP. The true blue cultists, the Cheney wing, and the paralyzed middle who privately want to be in the Cheney wing (or at least NOT in the cultist wing), but cave to the Trumpist political pressure. They are still persuadable, and that gives me some hope.
because...if you think Trump ever did anything positive, you must be a cult member?
That's some interesting jui jitsu you're doing with logic and proportion there. Trump the Magnificent did several good things, or had several good things done under his watch, but his delusional narcissism outweighed it.
Remember Cheney supported President Trump until well after the election. Support for him or agreement with him is not the point. Undying loyalty to the point of purging those who disagree is the whole point. That is a personality cult.
I don't remember. "Purging those who disagree...", like the Ds are trying to do right now to folks that worked for or supported Trump.
Do yourself a favor and read up on it. Cheney, Kinzinger, and lots of the elected officials Trump is throwing under the bus post-election voted for him, championed most of his policies, and publicly stated their support for him and his administration.
I do not support the actions of the Democrats right now. I personally think MTG is cuckoo, but she should not be stripped of her committee assignments for something she did before taking office, especially since she disavowed those comments publicly. Stuff like that is decided at the ballot box. She was duly elected by her constituents. Give her a chance to effectively legislate.
Read closer. I’m okay with Trump’s policy in many cases. Not okay with putting Trump over country, personal conscience, Constitution, independent thinking, etc. People who supported Trump, but realize he lost the election and we need to move on and solve problems of the day are good in my book. People who think anyone who disagrees with Trump needs to be purged from their leadership role (or the Republican Party) based solely on that? That is cultish behavior.
The picture at the end is awesome. I remember that from when Dick Cheney was VP. I miss him.
This is an important article for anyone in politics. Despite all the grandstanding, a lot of real politics is about power and maneuvers behind closed doors. As you mentioned, it’s very easy to appeal to the masses; but behind closed doors, within the circles of power, choices are made often self-servingly. The people on the wrong side of this vote, for example, could face erosion of political capital. These types of things are not forgiven or forgotten. This is real politics, whether we like it or not.
I agree with your assessment that foundationally, Trumpism is a surface phenomenon that will recede. But it will do significant damage to GOP cohesiveness if only because it’s an easy way to get popular support. (Trumpists will support Trumpist politicians no matter what they do or say.) Once Trumpism recedes, how will these Trumpist politicians be able to work with their colleagues whom they will have distanced from themselves?
All that said, as an American, I am very happy with this vote. It shows that Trumpism is not as rooted as one may have thought. This bodes well for America and even the possibility of bipartisanship. (Unfortunately for progressives, this can skew the Democratic Party more to the center. If the Democratic Party has to fight the entire GOP, it would have been easier for progressive Democrats to prevail since there really wouldn’t be much reason to appeal to the center in order to secure some support from Republicans. Ah well, I suppose the proletariat revolution will have to wait.)
Not so sure this ends well for the GOP.
Me neither.
I'm reminded of "The Wizard of Oz." "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." The Wizard was all smoke and mirrors but had no real power. All bluster and pomposity.
Unfortunately the Trumpkins have not woken from their spell after the wicked witch is dead.
And look what America received in return.......Attacks on free speech, going after gun rights, job losses already, men in women’s sports, men in women’s restrooms, gasoline prices up 20%, illegal aliens ready to get free everything, expanded and even celebrated killing of babies......
And you seem pleased with this????
What makes you think I'm pleased with anything you mentioned?
Your post
I was talking about ineffectiveness of those who thought they had her ouster locked. In no way does that say I'm happy with the results of the election.
Love this analysis!