McConnell’s very bad week

by | Sep 27, 2017 | Editor's Blog, North Carolina | 4 comments

Yesterday, Mitch McConnell had the worst week in Washington and it’s only Wednesday. First, Graham-Cassidy, the latest bill to repeal Obamacare, died when Maine Senator Susan Collins announce she wouldn’t support it. Then, Tennessee Senator Bob Corker announced he would retire, giving Republicans another seat to defend in 2018. And last night, McConnell’s choice to fill the Senate seat in Alabama, Luther Strange, lost to Roy Moore, a guy who has twice been kicked off the Alabama Supreme Court for refusing to respect the rule of law. Now, they will probably have to spend money to ensure they keep the seat with a guy they really don’t want.

We’ll almost certainly see more repeal-and-replace bills before the 2018 election. Republicans need to satisfy their base, but the bills they keep producing would cause more disruption instead of offering stability—which is what people want. A bill hasn’t passed because Republicans in swing states fear the backlash against repeal or conservatives object to bills that don’t take insurance away from enough people.

The GOP is still the favorite to win both Alabama and Tennessee, two states where Trump won big and is very popular. Still, the day brings more questions about McConnell’s influence over his caucus and the party. While Moore may still pull off a win in Alabama, his primary victory must bring memories of 2010 and 2012 when establishment Republicans lost primaries and handed Democrats victories in places like Missouri and Indiana.

Republicans continue to make 2018 look like a year that will be kind to Democrats. Divisions within the GOP are pulling it apart and preventing if being a governing party. Contentious primaries could eliminate their better candidates. And the president’s popularity is pulling the whole party down in the polls.

So, what could go wrong? Well, Democrats could insist on making the election about social issues instead of about Republicans. The GOP controls all of the federal government and about two-thirds of state governments. Over 60% of the people think the country is on the wrong track. Democrats should take advantage of that dissatisfaction instead of pushing a controversial agenda that further politicizes the country and energizes the Republican base. In short, they should work to make sure that Mitch McConnell has a lot more bad weeks.

4 Comments

  1. Bubba

    You forgot to mention that Roy Moore actually brandished a pistol on stage at one of his campaign rallies. So, maybe the Republicans will actally get a guy on the Senate floor who doesn’t just joke about shooting his political opponents in the face (like Richard Burr did), but
    actually comes to work equipped to DO it. If the Republicans really are in a “circular firing squad” situation, I hope they’re ready for the REAL THING. Hmmm. Was the Eleventh Commandment “Thou shalt pack heat”?

  2. willard Cottrell

    The party(?) hasn’t yet figured out anything. Their newest slogan “a better deal” is lame at best. They haven’t yet – still -again, mentioned what their plans for insurance are. They argue with Bernie, but offer nothing. What are they doing? Where are the arguments against the republican ideas? Its not like the “party of ideas” has any. They continually ask for my money – but for what? They’re not at all in touch w/ the people. So, I’m not chasing their none alternative ideas w/ good money. I DO NOT look forward to a victory party next November. AS usual, dems will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

    • The Ghost of Elections Past

      Willard, I wish you were in error, but unfortunately our Democratic Party is doing it yet again. As has happened with Hubert Humphrey, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and Hillary Clinton, the “Big Tent” coalition put together by FDR contains a block of “true believers” in whatever social issues are in vogue at the time. These people are not pragmatic enough to realize that one has to get partisans into office before their beliefs can be put into governmental action. If their candidates don’t get nominated, they stay home and don’t vote, allowing the fascists to win elections. I realized that history was repeating itself about 2 weeks before the November 2016 election.

      Present party leadership just doesn’t get it! And, Uncle Bernie supporters have put on the blinders and believe that only one man can lead us to nirvana–and he isn’t even a Democrat. [I do support most of his ideas, however, but he isn’t the one who will carry enough voters in a general election to win.] It might turn out that single payer medical care will eventually become popular with the general electorate so that some leader on this issue can win a mandate to carry it forward. But, looking at Bernie Sanders’ past and characteristics, he is probably done as far as chances to be president–all he can do is to be a spoiler, as were Ralph Nader and Ted Kennedy.

      I hope that some progressive candidate arises on the national scene who carries enough credibility with the general working class electorate to have a chance to win a presidential election. Perhaps Elizabeth Warren will become strong enough–if the electorate will actually give a woman a chance. I despair that the present fascists in charge of Washington and 2/3 of the states will continue to hold power for the rest of my life.

    • smartysmom

      I always wonder who people are talking about when they say “the Party”? Seems to me we’re talking about people and whether they can be convinced to work together for common goals which turn implies agreeing on goals, suggesting supporting the idea of common good and involves compromise? Seen any of that around much anywhere? Certainly not the far right or the Bernie Bros (Do you really think This country is going to vote for a self proclaimed socialist just because he’s promising a pony for all? Well, maybe, but I doubt it.

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