Have any of Representative Liz Cheney’s (R-WY) critics met her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney? In a low gravelly voice with his head crooked, he issued orders that felled entire cities. Remember, he shoots his friends. Then again, she probably can take care of herself just fine. These House Republicans may be very sorry they attacked this very conservative member on their side of the aisle. The real problem is the Grand Old Party (GOP) itself.
The party is not that grand any longer. There are three different factions, which simply are not compatible. Cheney represents the conservative branch which is the most likely to search for the bipartisan solutions President Joe Biden wants. Unfortunately, its members have been leaving in droves.
Then, there is the Tea Party bunch who used to be the far, far right. Finally, there are the Trumpers who have followed the former president off of the cliff and believe they are flying as they plummet to earth.
Today, Ohio Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) announced he was retiring. According to MSNBC News:
‘In Congress, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman was the kind of politician who developed a reputation for “moderation,” despite rarely actually doing anything moderate.’
Portman said:
‘I don’t think any Senate office has been more successful in getting things done, but honestly, it has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy.’
‘and that has contributed to my decision. We live in an increasingly polarized country where members of both parties are being pushed further to the right and further to the left, and that means too few people who are actively looking to find common ground. This is not a new phenomenon, of course, but a problem that has gotten worse over the past few decades.’
Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is a member of the Trump loons. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) is another one, his demeanor not unlike that of a hyperactive, hungry poodle gone casual. As one of Trump’s boys, Gaetz went into the House hearing of former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen and stood just within the attorney’s peripheral vision. His presence was a not-so-subtle warning from Trump to Cohen.
Gaetz and Cheney are in a knockdown drag-out fight right now. Although she is third in line to the top among the House leadership, she supported the former president’s impeachment.
The Florida representative appeared in an HBO documentary and mentioned he did his own makeup prior to cable TV appearances. Perhaps, he took lessons from the Donald, who wore makeup in a particularly repulsive shade, dog-poop orange.
Gaetz has plans to come to Cheney’s state for an anti-Cheney rally. A Cheney spokesperson told The Washington Examiner:
‘Rep. Gaetz can leave his beauty bag at home. In Wyoming, the men don’t wear make-up.’
Gaetz and his ilk hope to force her out of her leadership role as House Republican Conference Chair. Good luck trying to force her to resign.
Gaetz tweeted that which may be one of his worst lies:
‘I do not want her job. I unequivocally am not seeking a position in House Leadership. I also know Wyoming can do better.’
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs was one who kicked off her resignation petition. He said on Saturday:
‘Well, it isn’t necessarily because she voted for impeachment. I didn’t like that. I didn’t support that, obviously. But it’s the way she did what she did. Besides that, she went out, and she is representing the entire conference, whether she says she is or isn’t. And she puts out a statement, saying that what this president did is maybe one of the most heinous things in the history of the U.S. presidency.’
Cheney easily defended herself:
‘All of us have an obligation to the Constitution and an obligation to do what we believe is right, what our oath compels us to do, that is above politics, above partisanship. That is, I think, very important, and it’s incumbent on all of us. We came to different decisions within our conference about that issue.’
‘And as we look forward now, and as we look at what we’ve seen, the unity of President Biden’s inaugural address, but then contrasted with the executive orders that you watched him sign yesterday. They are very much indicative of the kinds of policies you knew he would be putting forward during the campaign.’
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
