Is Trump's ugly Putin pandering going to hand Democrats the House BEFORE November?

[stevenkesslar]

Sorry to be blunt.  But mainstream Republicans seem to be disgusted by Trump bowing down to Putin and sucking his cock.

Johnson's margin drops to one vote as Gallagher heads for early exit

It would be a lot like Trump and MAGA to have an unplanned train wreck, just because everything Trump touches dies.  But I have a feeling this may be an organized train wreck.

First Ken Buck announced a few weeks ago that he would leave the House early, giving Johnson a two vote majority.  At the time there was some article suggesting as many as five more House Republicans could leave early.  I just assumed that was journalistic masturbation.  But two weeks later, now it's a one vote majority.

Both Buck and Gallagher cited Congressional dysfunction, including the dysfunction and election denialism in their own party when they decided to quit.

Gallagher stands out as one of the leading critics of China and its alliance with Russia.  He is a strong advocate of funding for Ukraine.

Quote

Given his skepticism of Moscow’s intentions and its alliance with Beijing, Gallagher is an unabashed NATO supporter, co-writing “The Conservative Case for NATO” for The National Review in 2019. “The U.S. alliance system in Europe is a bit like oxygen,” it read. “You may take it for granted, but you’ll miss it when it’s gone.”

For a principled mainstream conservative Republican who believes the defense of democracy and our allies is as important as breathing air, this makes sense.  There is no particular reason for any retiring member of Congress to leave early, or immediately.  Unless it is their health or a new job.  That's not the case with either Buck or Gallagher.  If anything, party loyalty would suggest that since their party's majority is razor thin, they would stick around.  So something is probably going on behind the scenes.  They may be using the razor thin majority as a razor, it seems.

Unrelated but perhaps related, Democrats are saying that they will save Johnson's speakership if needed, in return for one thing:  a House vote on aid to Ukraine. Whether it was his intention or not, Gallagher leaving in a few weeks puts more pressure on Johnson to schedule that vote.

This can't be helping the Republican cause to keep a House majority.  Or win a Senate majority.   Even people who don't follow politics - meaning most people - get some sense that since the Republicans took over the House it is a freak show.  And this means that more and more of the non-MAGA Republicans who favor bipartisan compromise are gone.  Not to mention Reaganesque goals like promoting democracy and defending allies.

[stevenkesslar]

McCaul expects Johnson to bring Ukraine aid bill to the floor after Easter

“His commitment is to put it on the floor after Easter,” McCaul said Sunday during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

More evidence that principled Republican Ukraine hawks have Speaker Johnson by the balls.  And are willing to squeeze.  Even if they are not as colorful in their clothing and pronouncements as Marjorie Taylor Greene.

 

If McCaul is saying that, it sounds like a deal to put it to a vote has been made.  Ms. MAGA In Red specifically said she was warning Johnson about putting Ukraine aid to a vote when she filed her motion to oust him.  So we can probably take her literally.  She must have known a plan to put Ukraine on the floor was in the works.  And her warning is:  "Do that, and you die."  Pro-Ukraine Republican hawks on the other side in effect said, "Fine.  I quit early.  That way our whole fucking majority dies.  is that what you want?"  

As Adam Kinzinger just said, if Ms. MAGA in Red does carry through on her threat, it sets the stage for a bipartisan group to save Johnson's Speakership from pro-Trump extremists who want to defund Ukraine and quit NATO. 

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Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) suggested that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) should make a deal on aid to Ukraine to save his Speakership, as the threat of a motion to vacate loomed over Johnson’s head Friday.

How does this help Trump?

See what Genocide Man does to people?  He is so repulsive and disgusting and murderous that principled Republicans are willing to quit early or squeeze a House Speaker's balls if needed.  Genocide Man may not fully appreciate what he is up against as his lies and mass murder continue.  Putin has done an excellent job of convincing the vast majority of Americans he is an enemy.  

It's hard not to believe this isn't going to hurt Trump.  Ms. MAGA In Red comes from a safe Republican district.  So she can be a Trump gadfly all she wants.  Biden's SOTU line, "I will not bow down to Putin," was clearly a dress rehearsal for the campaign.  Most Americans agree with him.  Most Americans support NATO.  It's not going to help Trump that he is making a case that he wants to undercut Ukraine, undercut principled hawks in his own party, and bow down to Putin.

Since Biden is supposedly weak and senile, which sounds weaker?  A) "I will not bow down to Putin."  Or B) "Mr. Putin, give me a loan."

Putin's rich cronies did bail out Truth Social with millions when it was near broke.  It didn't violate any law, or there would be even more indictments.  So maybe Trump is just returning a favor to his genocidal pal.

Trump Media probed by feds for possible money laundering after $8M loans from Putin-tied lender: report

[Stable Genius]