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GOP Admits eGhazi Political Witchhunt

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2016
Posted on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 06:41:10 AM EST
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The McCarthy there is Kevin McCarthy, the likely next GOP speaker of the House, touting the GOP "accomplishments" in the House.

So the Benghazi committee and all its leaks to Michael Schmidt of the New York Times has one purpose -- to damage Hilary Clinton. Your tax dollars at work.

McCarthy's words:

Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right?” House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Fox News’s “Hannity” on Tuesday. “But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping. Why? Because she’s untrustable. But no one would’ve known any of that had happened had we not fought and made that happen.”

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    GOP Admits eGhazi Political Witchhunt | 101 comments (101 topical)

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    Glad to finally (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 07:24:02 AM EST
    see they admit it.

    Given the spectacle that House Republicans ... (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 07:55:21 AM EST
    ... created of themselves in yesterday's "public hearing" on Planned Parenthood, it's quite apparent that rather than engage in actual governance, the far right's primary endeavors are (a) settling old and often imaginary scores with their opponents, both real and perceived; and (b) doing whatever it takes to impose their collective will upon the entire country. Kevin McCarthy's unfortunate comment on Fox News about desiring to drive down Hillary Clinton's poll numbers is further indicative of that singularly deconstructive political mindset, and thus hardly surprising.

    I think the age of Obama (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 09:01:55 AM EST
    Has probably changed our politics forever.  No more need for a veneer of purpose beyond political destruction.  
    Endless pointless symbolic votes never intended to accomplish anything but feed the hate of the base,  main streaming of questions about the twice elected presidents religion or nationality.  What could they possibly do to Hillary that would surprise anyone?  
    Why are we even surprised that the next speaker of the house admitted the entire farce was a political witch hunt.   Did the entire country not know this?
    After all did his counterpart in the Senate not, 8 years ago, proudly announce to the world that the single most important task of the "worlds greatest deliberative body" was to destroy the president and deny him a second term?

    I'm afraid we should realize sooner rather than later that the 2016 race with be an ugly ugly dog fight with no rules.   Not even the vague and mostly ignored rules of the past.

    I only hope Hillary is willing and able to call them on it with out pulling any punches.  To call them what they are and call it what it is.   Because it's going yo get worse.
    A lot worse.

    An utter lack of political imagination (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by Dadler on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 10:20:46 AM EST
    Is what is going to kill Hillary or the Democratic Party in general. It's ultimate emptiness is being revealed. If you don't have the brains and creativity to counter these right wing halfwit clowns, you're worthless. It's time to play very ugly, lively, funny, humiliating hardball, but the Dems can't do it. Why? Financial corruption top to bottom. When they drop the need to suck Big Money's d*ck, then they can evolve. Until then, we're stuck with two parties, utterly useless for different but disturbingly similar reasons. And this like this bullsh*t will continue happening.

    I agree, (none / 0) (#9)
    by KeysDan on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:01:11 PM EST
     the Clinton campaign needs creativity and innovation. Important policy positions have been crafted taking into account the popular influences of Senator Sanders as well as those long-held by the candidate.  But, some curvature is needed to reduce flatness.  

    A defense was necessary to address how Mrs. Clinton emails, but now it is time for an offense. And, one with some pizzazz. Examples, of the  safe, yet the  feisty, are Mrs. Clinton attending a wedding/reception of a couple issued a marriage license by a deputy to the incorrigible and fanatical Kentucky clerk.  Or, allowing the idea of Senator Warren as a running mate.

    But, it is still early. A full-court press is premature and may be a welcome Republican distraction from their own Conga line foibles and frolics. If the Republicans don't crash into each other, and burn,  they will crash into themselves, and burn.   Getting to know them is not getting to love them. None wear well.

    When the clown car is down to just a driver and front-seat passenger, the emphasis can shift fully and dramatically to what these Republicans are offering--demagoguery. Dangerously so.      And, appreciate the intelligence, experience and steadiness of Mrs. Clinton.

    Parent

    Or, to quote Napoleon Bonaparte (allegedly), ... (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:37:04 PM EST
    KeysDan: "If the Republicans don't crash into each other, and burn, they will crash into themselves, and burn. Getting to know them is not getting to love them. None wear well."

    ... "N'interrompez jamais votre adversaire alors qu'il commet une erreur."

    ("Never interrupt your adversary while he's making a mistake.")

    Parent

    Yes - I don't think any campaign can sustain (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 04:36:24 PM EST
    a full court press for 14 months. A surge around her Oct 22 testimony, plus, as you all have said, letting the GOP self destruct to the extent they will, should be good to handle eGhazi, then see what the next thing is they throw at her. Who knows what it will be.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:10:43 PM EST
    It's early.  Probably to early for that kind of response.

    I believe Hillary is fully capable of responding appropriately when the time comes.  I actually think she may be one of the only politicians alive prepared for what's coming.  

    I hope we are right

    Parent

    Straight from the horses......mouth (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 11:50:06 AM EST


    This fellow, (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by lentinel on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 05:30:54 PM EST
    calling Hillary Clinton untrustable is clearly full of  untrustiness his own self.

    Watching the coverage of this (none / 0) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 06:05:10 PM EST
    It's an absolute disaster for the republicans.

    They are actually, and unbelievably, covering t as what it is.   The admission of what it's been about from the beginning.

    Parent

    Honestly (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 06:10:06 PM EST
    I am shocked it is being reported that way simply because it means admission by the press that they were duped by the likes of Gowdy.

    Parent
    ABC News tonight (none / 0) (#23)
    by christinep on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 07:01:28 PM EST
    had a fairly decent report showing the Gowdy/Hannity interview followed by Clinton's direct statement that <don't recall exact words> as has been growingly suspected, the Repubs had been "investigating" Benghazi for purely partisan purposes.  (She looked appropriately disgusted.) Oh, that was also followed by other supportive commentary from Dems, Bill, et al. Nice spot ... change of pace for the "press."

    Parent
    Yeah (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 07:06:02 PM EST
    honestly I am shocked. Like Howdy says the GOP is taking a beating in the press over this nonsense. Maybe the press is angry because they fell for all the BS coming from Gowdy.

    Parent
    That is Funny... (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 08:43:15 AM EST
    ...every clock is right now and then.

    Today. the press, nothing but 5 spam emails, one from Russia.

    Am on crazy pills, who cares that HRC received spam from nefarious people ?  Isn't this suppose to me about crimes ?

    I know you didn't say it, but you kinda of implied that the press learned some sort of lesson from being lead around by hacks.  Nope, if anything they are probably regretful for printing the truth that shows they were republican stenographers.  But it sure as hell isn't going to stop the drip/drip, aka ad dollars.

    Parent

    I saw that (none / 0) (#44)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 08:47:54 AM EST
    and burst out laughing. The Russians supposedly were saying she got parking tickets and she only got 5? LOL. I probably get twice that amount in one day alone.

    Parent
    Right... (none / 0) (#47)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 09:59:16 AM EST
    ...it's so bad at work, that they send them out from IT and if you click on the link, BAM a page pops up saying you messed up.

    They got me once, a dumb valentines card link.  The problem is my gf sends me cards all the time.

    I get at least three emails a day from IT which is a summary of everything they have blocked.  My Gmail account is like a magnet for every sheik/king in Africa trying to smuggle funds out of the country and can only do it with my help.

    Her not getting spam would be news.

    Parent

    But I am still in shock that (5.00 / 3) (#49)
    by Anne on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 10:08:44 AM EST
    Clinton had to ask Cheryl Mills what "FUBAR" stands for...how could she not know?

    I mean, that's just so unbelievable I think there needs to be a committee convened to look into it...

    Maybe they could call it the FUghazi Committee.  I mean, it is really just all so F'd Up.

    And yes, this is about as heavily snarky as it is possible to be.

    Parent

    Perhaps we should ask about (none / 0) (#61)
    by jmacWA on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 12:46:27 PM EST
    SNAFU.

    This is pretty much part of the vernacular now, and IMO the fact that this was an acronym has been forgotten.

    Parent

    I know, it's simply amazing what any of this ... (none / 0) (#64)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:12:34 PM EST
    ... could possibly have to do with anything. And now, the FBI has Mrs. Clinton's private emails. How long will it be before we're privy to all that? This is the sort of crap that makes most people not want to go into politics and public service. Why subject yourself to potential ridicule and humiliation?

    Parent
    The GOP (none / 0) (#66)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:19:01 PM EST
    wants to crotch sniff and underwear drawer pilfer. And they are going to do it until you give them the presidency dammit! They are ENTITLED to it!!! Or so they think. The entire GOP it seems has not matured past middle school.

    Parent
    She knew what FUBAR meant... (none / 0) (#70)
    by fishcamp on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 02:21:53 PM EST
    look at the talk it generated.  She's good.

    Parent
    not gonna lie (none / 0) (#71)
    by CST on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 02:36:48 PM EST
    I had to google it...

    Parent
    Really? (none / 0) (#72)
    by sj on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 05:11:48 PM EST
    What about SNAFU?

    Parent
    I knew what SNAFU meant but did not (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by vml68 on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 05:16:13 PM EST
    know what it was an acronym for. Just looked it up!

    Parent
    same (none / 0) (#79)
    by CST on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 09:32:35 AM EST
    Definitely heard the phrase, but didn't know the acronym.

    For whatever reason I'm really bad at remembering acronyms.  And spelling.

    Parent

    I Didn't Actually Know... (none / 0) (#81)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 11:48:28 AM EST
    ...it was a acronym and I have used the word from time to time.

    Parent
    I describe myself (none / 0) (#90)
    by sj on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 05:13:27 PM EST
    as "acronym challenged" and in my field that is a distinct disadvantage. Yet, somehow, I have never forgotten where SNAFU and FUBAR originated.

    Go figure :)

    Parent

    Well, Kevin McCarthy (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 11:22:05 AM EST
    was selling himself to his wingnuts.  He wanted to let them know that by electing Republicans their wingnuttery has not been ignored.  They are really doing what they want.  They just have been too dull to recognize it.  As if Kevin has to explain a bad joke to the dimwits who did not get it.  And, note, importantly, in the introduction to his own question, that there is a "strategy."  And, gave an example.....  And, I agree with Kevin, it does need to be explained to them explicitly.  This should cinch the deal for Kevin.

    Parent
    How will the NY Times (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by MKS on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 11:36:25 PM EST
    report this story.....buried somewhere in the last pages....

    At the L.A. Times, they're discussing ... (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:39:10 AM EST
    ... the latest batch of Mrs. Clinton's e-mails released by the State Dept. My favorite exchange:

    Mrs. Clinton: "And BTW what does 'fubar' mean?"

    Cheryl Mills: "Fubar is unprintable on civil email."

    LOL.

    Parent

    So, Hillary (none / 0) (#62)
    by MKS on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    did not see Saving Private Ryan.....Probably too busy.

    Parent
    I know a lot of people who ... (none / 0) (#65)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:18:35 PM EST
    ... haven't seen "Saving Private Ryan."

    Parent
    No, but Too Me It's Strange... (none / 0) (#74)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 05:27:38 PM EST
    ...to ask someone which takes more time than googling it and you don't come accross as an idiot.

    Happens here all the time, I still google tings ike FWIW, IANAL, or IOKIYAR.

    And I am not a man servant so don't ask, google it.

    Parent

    As a newbie on blogs and the internet, (5.00 / 3) (#84)
    by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 03:37:26 PM EST
    I provided readers with quite a laugh when I asked the meaning of a particular acronym. My question:

    By the way, what does BTW mean.

    The lightbulb went off about 3 seconds after I hit post.

    BTW, at that time,  I didn't even know what "The Google" was, let alone know how to use it. ;o)

    Parent

    Yeah, But... (none / 0) (#86)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 04:00:24 PM EST
    ...you aren't Secretary of State.

    I can't think of any right now, but there are acronyms that have a bunch of meanings, and I always feel dumb asking what does that mean, when no one else has asked.  Dumb is probably the wrong word, maybe old.

    Parent

    Often times when no one (5.00 / 2) (#92)
    by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 05:23:12 PM EST
    else has asked the meaning of an acronym, it only means that they don't want to admit that they do not know. IOW, they might not know but they don't want to look dumb.

    Evidently, HRC does not have a problem asking for clarification when she doesn't understanding what someone is saying. Not the worst attribute for a SOS. IMO.

    Parent

    Fouled up beyond all recognition is unprintable ? (none / 0) (#75)
    by Molly Bloom on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 10:18:09 PM EST
    Who knew?!

    Parent
    Molly, FUBAR and SNAFU were both (none / 0) (#89)
    by caseyOR on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 05:00:23 PM EST
    coined by military personnell in WWII. These are people not known for their delicate use of language. I think wherever you got the explanation using the word "foul" was cleaning things up for a PG rating.

    The original WWII phrase was "F@cked up" not "Fouled up."

    Parent

    In my world (none / 0) (#91)
    by sj on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 05:18:38 PM EST
    the "R" stands for "repair" and the "F" doesn't stand for "fouled"

    :)

    Parent

    McCarthy (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by TrevorBolder on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 06:57:55 AM EST
    Lol.
    I recall reading recently that a conservative pundit, believe it was Mark Levin, was not jumping for joy when Boehner announced he was resigning.
    Levin stated that "Kevin McCarthy is Eric Cantor with 10 less IQ points,
    I think Levin is being far too generous to McCarthy, he should not be allowed anywhere near the Speakers gavel.  

    And Levin (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:26:02 AM EST
    Is Rush Limbaugh with 15 less IQ points


    Parent
    Or (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 09:39:04 AM EST
    15 fewer IQ points I suppose

    Parent
    Well, in conservative America (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by jondee on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 10:15:40 AM EST
    the formulation seems to be that the dumber and more inarticulate you are, the more a real honest-to-God "man of the people" you are..

    Parent
    Oh, c'mon! (none / 0) (#67)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:21:03 PM EST
    Kevin McCarthy was speaking American on "Hannity," not English!

    Parent
    Kevin's workin' hard (none / 0) (#69)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:40:52 PM EST
    to fight off the pod people.

    Parent
    Judging by his appearance on Fox News, ... (none / 0) (#101)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Oct 04, 2015 at 03:45:41 PM EST
    ... I'd say that he apparently lost that fight personally.

    Parent
    This means something to us, but (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by BarnBabe on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 12:24:49 PM EST
    The problem with this news is that we understand the implications but the average non political person is watching the hurricane on the East Coast. They are not even taking this revelation into account. I had to tell my neighbor about it and she did not break a stitch while watching Murder She Wrote and talking with me. Luckily I keep them informed and steer the family to the polls and pulling one lever. They changed 8 yrs ago to Dems as in PA you can only vote your party in the primary. Listen, 4 votes are 4 votes.
    Now I have to call my Florida relatives who are Dems but like what Trump is saying. Woe de me. My work is cut out for me.

    Feh (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:11:39 PM EST
    it's going to show up in a super PAC ad so everybody is going to know about this at some point in time I'm quite sure.

    Parent
    Probably Depends Where You Live (none / 0) (#60)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 12:32:57 PM EST
    In Houston, even though we are on the gulf, the Hurricane coverage has been minimal.  Two minutes this morning showing the east coast batten down the hatches.

    Parent
    I liked the (5.00 / 2) (#77)
    by lentinel on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 08:40:46 AM EST
    Kevin McCarthy who starred in the original, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".

    But this latest guy, sporting the same cognomen, I don't like much at all.

    You're next... (none / 0) (#99)
    by desertswine on Sat Oct 03, 2015 at 08:21:07 PM EST
    They're here already! You're next! You're next, You're next...!

    Parent
    It's being (none / 0) (#6)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 02:21:01 PM EST
    reported by Rep. Fleming that Gowdy is giving up his house seat over this revelation.

    But not, reportedly, until the end of his (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 02:27:51 PM EST
    term.

    What I find disturbing is that it is also being reported (it's Politico, so consider the source) that Boehner was encouraging Gowdy to run for Majority Leader...can you even imagine?

    Puts some of what Boehner has said in the last week into perspective, that he was angling to get Gowdy in the #2 spot.

    Boehner (R-Ohio) "has always been a fan of Trey's and thinks he's done a tremendous job as chairman of the Benghazi select committee and he thinks he would do the same thing if he had gotten into the leader race," said one Boehner confidant with knowledge of the meeting.

    I mean, Gowdy for crying out loud...


    Parent

    You are (none / 0) (#10)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:05:41 PM EST
    correct. I should have stated not running for reelection. Though honestly Gowdy's district is ripe for fleecing so I have a hard time imagining that this revelation would hurt him much with voters. However if he had an opponent in the GOP primary that continually was pointing out how Gowdy has been playing them for years over this Benghazi stuff I guess Gowdy might be toast. It's a very strange fundamentalist district Gowdy represents.

    Parent
    It makes me think that McCarthy (none / 0) (#14)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:11:40 PM EST
    wasn't much interested in Gowdy as the Majority Leader, otherwise, why throw him under the bus?

    Parent
    Reports (none / 0) (#33)
    by TrevorBolder on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 06:50:35 AM EST
    Are Gowdy might not run for re election, which his office has not confirmed, yet...
    But quite possibly only to run for Governor

    Nikki Haley is term limited, and Gowdy does have a very high profile in the state

    Parent

    Gowdy (none / 0) (#35)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:04:00 AM EST
    really needs to go back into private practice. If he runs for Governor the GOP primary is going to be brutal for him over him lying to his constituents for years about Benghazi. I would think someone could easily take him out in the primary. Haley committed political suicide with the GOP base in SC so her endorsement is not going to be worth anything.

    Parent
    I don't (none / 0) (#36)
    by FlJoe on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:16:32 AM EST
    thinks his lies about Benghazi will hurt him at all, most likely help him with the Hillary hating base.

    Parent
    It's not (none / 0) (#39)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:40:51 AM EST
    really about Hillary so much as the fact that he spent years fleecing them and wasted a ton of money. All that needs to be done is another Republican pointing this out over and over again.

    Parent
    We (none / 0) (#37)
    by TrevorBolder on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:17:22 AM EST
    Will have to disagree here

    I believe Gowdy immediately jumps to frontrunner status

    PPP poll from September, Haley still has very strong Republican support in South Carolina, dipped from +64 to +42 after the Confederate flag issue.

    The flag issue may be a big contributor to an unusual shift in Nikki Haley's approval numbers. At first glance they're quite similar to where they were earlier in the year- she has a positive 53/35 rating now, and she had a positive 51/38 rating in February. But when you dig into the numbers, who approved of her then and who approves of her now has changed quite a bit. In the winter she had a -54 approval rating with Democrats at 17/71, now it's just -6 at 39/45. She's even on slightly positive ground with African Americans at 44/39. But her numbers with Republicans have gone in the other direction- in the winter she was at +61 with them at 76/15, now it's just +42 at 67/25.

    Parent

    If (none / 0) (#40)
    by FlJoe on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:44:04 AM EST
    he really is considering a run, then that throws a whole different angle on the Oct 22 hearing. He will essentially be auditioning on a national stage.

    If he is really out of politics he really has no fks to give, if he has eyes on Governor he might be a little more restrained as he cannot afford to have Hillary mop the floor with him.


    Parent

    Expect (none / 0) (#42)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:46:42 AM EST
    full blown radical fundamentalism if he's running for Governor and him to be a national embarrassment to the GOP.

    He is so creepy I can't believe the GOP doesn't want to stick him in a closet.

    Parent

    He might (none / 0) (#41)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 07:44:08 AM EST
    immediately but he'll be easy to be taken down. He's a fundamentalist radical and if the GOP has any hopes of coming back from the abyss it needs to get rid of people like Gowdy. However perhaps the GOP has no interest in coming back from the abyss and will continue the slide with people like Gowdy leading the charge.

    Parent
    We are watching (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 09:44:14 AM EST
    The slo-mo implosion of the Republican Party.   The few who would like to avoid the abyss are terrified of the "freedom" caucus.   If McCarthy is Soeaker the govt will shut down in December.  
    Merry Christmas.  Stock up now.   It will be a long winter.

    Parent
    I have` (none / 0) (#48)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 10:08:04 AM EST
    to wonder if McCarthy is going to become speaker after he spilled the beans. Of course, I don't know of any other names being bandied around other than Gowdy. Gowdy would definitely accelerate the implosion of the GOP for sure. Maybe McCarthy would do the same.

    Parent
    Here's a take on that that I think (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by Anne on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 10:17:34 AM EST
    perfectly explains what's at work here, and also explains Fiorina's constant and brazen lying:

    Link

    Now, I know that in certain Beltway circles telling the truth is considered one of the worst possible gaffes, but McCarthy bragged about the effectiveness of this smear campaign precisely because he wanted to remind people that the Republicans deserve credit for finding ways to effectively fight back against the Democrats. In other words, he was reminding the Republican base voter that there actually are examples where the Republican leadership did something extraordinarily partisan and obnoxious and that it worked. The reaction will probably be exactly what he hoped for. He gets a pat on the head and a couple of "Atta Boys."

    The idea that Republican members of Congress will clutch their pearls in horror that McCarthy defended their performance is a big reach, in my opinion.

    [...]

    Look at Carly Fiorina right now. She's doing well, recently, and how many of the people running against her have questioned her truthfulness? It's not an issue for them. It's not something they can score political points with, because the base does not want their heroes to tell the truth.

    I can't remember the last time a Republican officeholder got in trouble with the base for lying. Sure, the base thinks that promises were made to them that were made in bad faith, but that's a different kind of lie. Lying for the cause is expected and rewarded.

    If McCarthy is auditioning for the role of the most powerful Republican in Washington DC, he's off to a good start. Why should Republicans support him? Because he won't let the truth get in the way of brawling.

    That's all the base really wants.

    These people lie the way you and I breathe; it's an autonomic function for them.  

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#52)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 10:20:40 AM EST
    it's the whole lying for Jesus thing. As long as lies are made for the "cause" it is okay to lie. Embrace lying is actually what the GOP does so yeah, I agree with a lot of that. However McCarthy did pretty much admit that they are lying all the time. Not sure how that is going to play out.

    Parent
    Well, it's not going to play well with (5.00 / 4) (#53)
    by Anne on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 10:24:25 AM EST
    Democrats, but I don't see this as being a problem within the GOP; if Dick Cheney, who lied us into war, wasn't a problem for them, I can't imagine that lying to neutralize the biggest threat to the republic - Hillary Clinton - is even going to register on their personal Richter scales.

    Parent
    Yeah (5.00 / 3) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 11:16:47 AM EST
    I doubt this keeps him from being speaker

    Parent
    You are probably right but...... (none / 0) (#85)
    by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 03:46:12 PM EST
    there is this:

    Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham said Thursday night that the Republican establishment should "pull the plug" on House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) bid to become House speaker.
    ...
    Other conservative pundits, including RedState editor Erick Erickson, have suggested that McCarthy's gaffe should disqualify him for the speakership.link

    Probably a bid to make room for the most radical candidate to get the spot but McCarthy evidently provided them with a great opening.

    Parent

    Add to that, MOblue (none / 0) (#88)
    by christinep on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 04:16:35 PM EST
    the report that Utah's Republican Congressman Chaffetz is said to be seeking the Speakership.  He, of course, is the same Chaffetz that is leading assault (er, hearings) on Planned Parenthood.  

    So, first we had Gowdy from Benghazi-ville and now Chaffetz from the land of Getting Planned Parenthood ... the Repub ticket to the top??? I wonder how that will be played in our press?

    Parent

    From the little I've read, (none / 0) (#93)
    by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 05:45:13 PM EST
    Chaffetz is being treated as a serious, long shot contender.

    Media reports I've read tend to list his bio. Example of how it is being played from an AP article:

    Chaffetz chairs the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and has led high-profile hearings on the Secret Service, Planned Parenthood and other issues. His candidacy would offer an outlet for Republicans reluctant to coronate McCarthy to replace House Speaker John Boehner, who shocked Capitol Hill a week ago by announcing his resignation under conservative pressure.
    ...
    Chaffetz, 48, and in his fourth term, arrived in Congress with hardline conservative backing, but as a committee chairman is now seen by some as an ally of leadership. He angered some conservatives by briefly revoking Rep. Mark Meadows' subcommittee chairmanship when Meadows and others Republicans defied party leaders in a vote on a trade bill, and some are still smarting. link


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    Huh? This is not an Onion (none / 0) (#8)
    by MKS on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 02:55:17 PM EST
    headline?

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    No (none / 0) (#11)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:06:12 PM EST
    shocker. See Anne's post above.

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    Link for Gowdy (none / 0) (#15)
    by MKS on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:15:34 PM EST
    quitting?

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    FWIW (none / 0) (#16)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:34:44 PM EST
    here's the source link.

    However Gowdy's office won't confirm it. Don't know why that's the case. It comes from his friend Fleming.

    Frankly Gowdy is so creepy having him up front and center on anything is good for Democrats.

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    It seems as though (none / 0) (#17)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:35:14 PM EST
    there has been no formal announcement.

    Then Wednesday morning, fellow GOP Rep. John Fleming, R-La., told C-SPAN Gowdy did not plan to run for re-election.

    "Trey wants to go back to South Carolina, and God bless him for that," Fleming said.

    A Gowdy aide denied Fleming's account shortly after it caught fire on Twitter.

    "He has not made any announcement about 2016," Gowdy spokeswoman Amanda Duvall said in an email -- a statement that neither confirmed nor denied Gowdy has plans to make his current term in Congress his last.

    Multiple Republican strategists say it's common knowledge Gowdy eventually wants to go back to South Carolina to serve as a federal judge -- a dream for the former prosecutor.

    But at least one GOP member of Congress on Wednesday said Fleming likely misconstrued a comment Gowdy made Tuesday night at a House Republican Conference meeting, which prompted the retirement news.

    "Trey said something like, `I have no ambition for leadership, [I] want to do my job on the select committee, and long to return home to my family in South Carolina.' But to construe that as a retirement announcement is a real stretch. I think he just said that he misses being away from his family," the GOP member said.

    Fleming later apologized for the brouhaha he started.

    Rollcall.

    See also: USNews.

    Parent

    Gowdy was snide (none / 0) (#12)
    by MKS on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 03:10:28 PM EST
    and winked at Cecile Richards at the Planned Parenthood hearing yesterday.

    The definition of a political hack.  

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    I saw that wink. (none / 0) (#68)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:25:05 PM EST
    I wonder what THAT was all about.

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    Bad Lip Reading... (none / 0) (#25)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 08:13:58 PM EST
    I know this is a little OT, but I just have to bring you The Bad Lip Reading version of the GOP debate...

    Thought you all could use a chuckle.

    Holee krap (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 08:15:19 PM EST
    I didn't know much about this guy but Rachel opened with a montage of his "speaking" performances.

    Oh. My. God.

    The guy can't put two words together.  Seriously.  You think Bush was bad with "putting food on your family"?  This guy makes W sound like fi@kimg Winston Churchill.

    here is a link t the speech she was sampling

    I watched some of it.  There is some serious lol moments.

    If this guy becomes Speaker of the House it will officially become "Speaker" of the House

    And btw
    Third in line for President

    Well (none / 0) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 08:25:53 PM EST
    I couldn't watch the whole thing so there may be some LOL moments in there but I just didn't see them. I didn't see him not being able to string two words together. What I saw was a speech so full of laughable cliches he sounded like an 9th grader at high school debate club.

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    Here ya go (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2015 at 08:39:09 PM EST
    Kevin McCarthy needs to master speaking before becoming Speaker of the House

    Commentary: Rep. Kevin McCarthy's battle with English



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    What a doofus! (none / 0) (#30)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 01:22:11 AM EST
    He proved himself completely unworthible for any sort of leadery-type role.

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    That (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 11:51:56 AM EST
    Or the perfect man to lead the no nothing caucus.

    Or both.

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    Ha (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 11:52:46 AM EST
    Know nothing

    No nothing

    Not nothing

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    Captain, I think (none / 0) (#58)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 12:07:29 PM EST
    no nothing works also too.

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    Just proves (none / 0) (#32)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2015 at 05:42:46 AM EST
    the old adage not all conservatives are stupid but all stupid people are conservative.

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    What the voter outside (none / 0) (#76)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 08:27:17 AM EST
    the Hillary fan group is seeing......

    Any attack on what Hillary has done is sexist and wrong and evil and......

    All she has to do is call a press conference and answer all the questions.

    The Repubs love her strategy of trying to control everything.

    Sorry (none / 0) (#78)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 08:49:35 AM EST
    bucko. The GOP got caught with their pants down. Nothing is going to satisfy the GOP because they want their wacko conspiracy theories justified.

    Yes, a press conference just like Chris Christie who is polling 10th in the GOP primary and should just drop out. Great advice if you want to join the losers club.

    We know the GOP will continue on with their bogus investigations no matter what. According to them we don't have money for jack but we have money for nonsense investigations. Trey Gowdy should apologize to the families he has treated like dirt and everybody involved in this fiasco including Hillary.

    Parent

    The reason why Christie is polling as good as he (1.00 / 2) (#80)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 09:43:52 AM EST
    is how he answered the Demo attack.

    The base doesn't like him. They see him as a RINO at best and blame him for part of Romney's defeat.

    Of course you don't understand the Repub base anymore than they understand the Demo base. Both groups have extremists which I judge you to be one.

    Hillary has never taken ownership for anything. It is always someone else. She claims to be a women's rights leader yet she let her husband subject her to Zippergate without saying a word.

     

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    Wow Ga's an extremist.. (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by jondee on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 02:08:27 PM EST
    what do you call someone who believes an ill-defined "they" are coming to take away all our guns, that the EPA should be dissolved, and that the U.S should pull out of the U.N?

    Is that the moderate wing of today's GOP talking?
       

    Parent

    Good poll numbers? (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 06:02:42 PM EST
    Christie RCP average 9/17 - 9/28 - 3%

    Democratic RCP averages 9/17 - 9/28

    Clinton 40.8%
    Sanders 26.8%
    Biden 20%

    Somehow based on Christie's GOOD poll numbers, I am not convinced that his strategy has proven to be successful.

    Parent

    I think he might be out soon (none / 0) (#95)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 06:52:01 PM EST


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    One down (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 06:57:04 PM EST

    Though, rumors are going around that two big names are already looking to get out.

    Sen. Lindsey Graham and Gov. John Kasich, you wonder?

    Sadly, no.

    More like Gov. Chris Christie and former Gov. Rick Perry,



    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#97)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 07:17:06 PM EST
    Rick Perry is already gone so that info must be a little old. Kasich has no reason to drop out YET and Lindsey actually serves a purpose as the canary in the coal mine. What about Santorum? Pataki? How on earth are they still in it?

    Parent
    Still (none / 0) (#83)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 02:54:59 PM EST
    you're saying that she should follow the advice of someone who's a loser in the GOP primary?

    If you think I'm an extremist you need to get out more. The tea party of which you are a member of are the extremists in the country. They are the ones that want to blow the country up. You make me laugh. I think you're the first person who ever called me an extremist.

    Are you kidding? Hillary absolutely stood up when it came to Benghazi. Chris Stevens was a personal friend of hers and she was very torn up about what happened. You are projecting onto Hillary your own shortcomings and complete refusal to take responsibility for anything. You have hung around here and made excuse after excuse for Republicans collapsing the economy, lying us into a war and now faking a investigation.

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    And Killing Children Used as Shields... (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Oct 02, 2015 at 04:04:58 PM EST
    ...is right down the middle, well except for every law enforcement agency, the military, and every descent human being on the planet.

    I would also call anyone who thinks GW is a hoax, very extreme, maybe not a good word, nutz ?, which is essentially mental extremism.

    Parent

    And Anne's "positions" (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by jondee on Sat Oct 03, 2015 at 12:41:41 PM EST
    (however reasonable and moderate) mean that she and people like her want to take away all our guns..

    Which is also why many social liberals now only drink rain water and grain alcohol in order to safe guard their precious bodily fluids from possible contamination (see Dr Strangelove)

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    I have no tolerance for stupid, and (none / 0) (#100)
    by Anne on Sat Oct 03, 2015 at 08:44:44 PM EST
    that's all jim traffics in; sadly, he is representative of far too large a group.  A group that keeps insisting, in spite of little evidence to support it, that the answer is more guns.

    This quote seems to be making the rounds - I saw it on Facebook just a little bit ago:

    "How about we treat every young man who wants to buy a gun like every woman who wants to get an abortion -- mandatory 48-hr waiting period, parental permission, a note from his doctor proving he understands what he's about to do, a video he has to watch about the effects of gun violence, an ultrasound wand up the ass (just because). Let's close down all but one gun shop in every state and make him travel hundreds of miles, take time off work, and stay overnight in a strange town to get a gun. Make him walk through a gauntlet of people holding photos of loved ones who were shot to death, people who call him a murderer and beg him not to buy a gun.

    It makes more sense to do this with young men and guns than with women and health care, right? I mean, no woman getting an abortion has killed a room full of people in seconds, right?"



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    GOP Admits eGhazi Political Witchhunt | 101 comments (101 topical)

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