When being in the minority suddenly looks good

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Opinion by Albert Hunt, opinion contributor

On what were supposed to be dark days for Democrats, losing control of the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) seemed content, observing the Republican shitshow as they attempted to elect a Speaker. The Democratic leader also looked across the aisle and saw a half dozen Republican seats that Democrats could have won.

If the New York Democrat ever becomes Speaker, he may be glad they didn’t.

The Republican fringe figures are nihilists more into destroying than governing. They assure disruptive chaos not just this first week of the new Congress, but for the next two years with Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) a compromised and impotent Speaker.

That’s a certainty, which makes it more interesting to see how Jeffries will navigate the circus. Leading opposition to the clownish GOP majority affords him a real opportunity.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/when-being-in-the-minority-suddenly-looks-good/ar-AA166jqk

[Walleye]

1. He has done pretty good so far, I'm impressed

[Pantagruel]

2. Being in control

of the HoR is a superb opportunity for the GOP to demonstrate they are simply incapable of governing.

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. Demonstrate to whom?

We, the smart side of the room already know they are incapable of governing.
The other side, the dumb ones, will just blame the Democrats.

[SallyHemmings]

3. He's smart

And Madame speaker will be available to provide critical wisdom.


We are in good hands.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. There is a common theme running through the Democratic Party

It's come through Obama, and Biden as VP and Pres., and Pelosi, and even Schumer. Joe said it best. "The best ideas win." That's what democracy is all about.

We were not feeling this way in the 80s, or 90s, not even in the Clinton Administration. We were constrained by the Gingrich insurgency.

But now, we are comfortable with the freedom of ideas, our own ideas. Jeffries is part of that trend. He is articulate, perhaps more concrete than even Speaker Pelosi. You win in politics with ideas, and logic, and truth, and delivering for voters. Can Republicans do that? With their constrained, warped, cheesy barf platform?

Do Democratic ideas sound good to you? There's your answer why we're sitting pretty.

[cilla4progress]

5. Post from Steve Schmidt today on Jeffries

https://post.news/article/2K3A9PCZ1HdPsCTkrvXWBFvpdPG

Snip:

It was during the early hours of January 7, 2023, when a great thunderclap boomed over the United States. It marked the beginning of a new era, and drew a red line through which patriotic Americans can rally together in solidarity against extremism — and for America. It marked a moment of renewal and reform that is just now beginning, but will lead to something much better if we remain determined and committed to the obligations of citizenship.

It marked the rise of a new American leader — a 52-year-old man from Brooklyn named Hakeem. The thunderclap was the magnificence of his voice rising in defense of the American creed, and his taking his place in a long line of liberty’s defenders. Like his patriot predecessors, his rise was not preordained or even predictable, but rather somewhat providential. It is that providential manner that is part of the miracle of America. We are a resilient country because all around us are the reminders that ordinary people rise and do extraordinary things. During each hour of crisis in which despondency and hopelessness creeps, there has arisen the people — as if from nowhere — who would lead the United States through the storm

[BComplex]

6. Great post!

Steve Schmidt is amazing.

[cilla4progress]

7. Although he's pretty full of himself,

I do appreciate his viewpoint amd his writing!

[SouthernDem4ever]

9. It has been a lot of work building back trust in the Democratic party

After being torn apart for 30 years of targeted misinformation, nasty slurs and propaganda. Starting with the R's contract on America and Gingrich's list of nasty words to use when describing Democrats to today's weird and crazy R's in the House and Senate who have shirked all responsibility to protect our Constitution. It's getting easier for most, except the most ignorantly stupid right wing media viewer/listener, to see who wants our country to succeed for everyone and who just wants to take everything for themselves. The difference is clear between a group that wants to tear down our democratic system all in the name of greed, power and control and who wants people to thrive at every level. The work for Democrats has just begun. There is no time to sit back and rest on whatever laurels we think we have. Discrediting liars on right wing media will remain a full time job for all of us - for life. The Democrats gaining positions of authority need to remind themselves of their position of trust to the country and not let themselves be corrupted by the fascist side. So far we have a lot of which to be proud. Steady wins the race.