Until Republicans are able to govern with a majority, America has little reason to give them one!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

by Steve fair

    

     The U.S. House is without a speaker, who according to the Constitution, is required to be its leader.  Until one is chosen, the lower chamber is essentially in a holding pattern.  Rep. Patrick McHenry, (R-NC) is serving as Speaker Pro Tempore until a permanent speaker is selected.  Speaker Kevin McCarthy, (R-CA) was removed from the speaker’s position on Tuesday after he lost 216-210.  208 Democrats were joined by 8 Republicans to kick McCarthy to the curb.  All 210 votes to retain were cast by Republicans.  No Democrat crossed the aisle and voted for McCarthy.  Three observations:

     First, Republicans can win elections, but regularly fail at governing.  They can’t/won’t unite or come together.  Democrats don’t have that problem.  Even when they disagree, they stay fused.  Not the Rs.  Some elephants are furiously independent and demand absolute total agreement with their views.  There is no wiggle room. They are willing to walk away from the negotiating table with nothing instead of something.  That strategy always results in nothing for the average American. 

     The eight ‘principled’ Republicans who crossed the aisle to vote to remove McCarthy were willing to partner with people who agree with them only 20% of the time so they could show those they agree with 80% of the time how ‘principled’ they are.  Their action will not result in any significant change in the direction of America.  Until Republicans are able to govern with a majority, America has little reason to give them one. 

     Second, the eight members who voted with the Ds should join the Democratic Party.  Clearly, they ‘identify’ with the Ds, so give the Democrats the pleasure of dealing with these so-called principled people.  The CRAZY EIGHT should be expelled from the GOP caucus and begin their ‘walk of shame’ before their constituents.  Each should be willing to explain to the voters/citizens in their district why they voted with the other Party and practiced situational ethics.  These Brutus types should be proud to defend their backstabbing.     

     Third, the new speaker will face the same challenges.  No matter who is elected to the post, the difficult duty will be to try and unite the caucus.  Several candidates for speaker have emerged, including Rep. Kevin Hern, (R-OK)- a good choice.  But how long will the next speaker last?  Only until the CRAZY EIGHT decide to join the Ds again and make a motion to vacant?   The new speaker will walk the same tightrope of McCarthy.  There are two ways to fix this bedlam: (1) the CRAZY EIGHT recognize something is better than nothing and start to work and play better with others, or (2) Republicans win more House seats, get a larger majority, and render the CRAZY EIGHT irrelevant.  The first is not likely to happen.

     After the House passed the Continuing Resolution (CR) two weeks ago, the handwriting was on the wall- McCarthy had to go- according to the Ds and the CRAZY EIGHT.  Passing the CR- and keeping the government from shutting down- was akin to committing the unpardonable sin.  Never mind the CR is only good for 45 days!  With the clock ticking for the House to get a real budget completed in a little over a month, valuable time that could be used to identify waste and make spending cuts is being taken to conduct a speaker’s race.  Republican voters should be outraged by the actions of the CRAZY EIGHT.