Commentary
While most of the political news of late has been over the legal issues facing former President Trump and the frailties of President Biden, news of sudden Republican departures from the House and the outlook for a Republican Senate in 2024 are getting notice.
GOP House Majority in Peril
With Colorado’s Rep. Ken Buck serving his last day on Friday and Wisconsin’s Rep. Mike Gallagher resigning effective April 19, 2024, the Republican vote margin will soon be down to one vote.
Buck might well be called a RINO because he hasn’t been with conservatives on several major issues. Gallagher, on the other hand, has been a popular and important member.
Buck’s reason for leaving was laughable, referring to the House as a “dysfunctional” body that has “devolved into bickering and nonsense.” What’s new? He just came to this conclusion now, when his vote is needed, after nine years in the House?
The timing is rotten. It’s possible we might see Speaker Hakeem Jefferies.
From the Polls
In a March 18, telephone survey by Rasmussen Reports, by a narrow margin, more voters – 49 percent – think former President Trump cares more about them than President Biden.
In a March 21, telephone survey by Rasmussen, nearly half of voters – 49 percent – say they have been personally hurt by President Biden’s policies, and by an 11 percent margin, think his economic policies are worse than former President Trump’s.
Pennsylvania for Biden?
I frequently quote journalist Salena Zito, who I recognize as a competent grassroots reporter. No one knows Pennysylvania voters better than Zito.
She says Biden’s grip on the state is “tenuous,” with those she refers to as middle-of-the-road suburban Democrats, who are expressing disillusionment over rising crime and other issues, including social policies and international conflicts.
Her belief that Biden cannot afford to lose a single voter in Pennsylvania explains Biden’s announcement there that he will block Japan’s Nippon Steel acquisition of U.S. Steel.
Obama, Pelosi to the Rescue?
With Newsweek announcing Biden’s approval rating at an all-time low – 37.4 percent – and a 56.5 disapproval rating, there’s been as flurry of concern in the White House.
Amid rumors that former President Obama has been warning Biden that his campaign is in trouble, he stopped by the White House with Nancy Pelosi on Saturday, to celebrate the 14th Anniversary of ObamaCare, and took the opportunity to declare that former President Trump wants to repeal it,
Rubio Leaves Karl Sputtering
Since I do not watch the Sunday news programs of the leftist networks, I had to search for the video of ABC News “This Week” with Jonathan Karl after reading that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio got the best of the host.
“Their exchange was fairly cordial and even-keeled,” wrote Susie Moore in Red State, until the discussion turned to rumors that Trump might be eyeing Rubio as a potential running mate.
Karl expressed utter disbelief, and seemed to sputter that Rubio would want to associate himself with Trump and that he could possibly blame Biden for much of the chaos we’re seen at present.
Rubio mentioned that “the country was safer under Trump … it was more prosperous … we had better relations around the world … and we got a lot of good things done. The country and the world was a better place when he was president.”
He went on to review Biden’s record since he botched the withdrawal of Afghanistan.
Similarly …
I didn’t see the appearance of pollster Frank Luntz on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, but his singular statement was so compelling it was carried by Fox News Channel, Newsmax and others.
Looking directly into the camera, Luntz said”
“I want you to remember this moment, and don’t forget it. If the New York Attorney General starts to take his homes away, starts to seize his assets, it’s all going to be on camera. Pundits are going to sit there and scream about this.
“This man cannot be elected. You’re going to create the greatest victimhood of 2024, and you’re going to elect Donald Trump.”
Incidentally, Luntz is not a supporter of Trump.
The Two Tiers of Justice
In George Washington University law professor Jonahan Turley’s blog, he reminds readers that a 47 percent plurality believe that the indictments against Trump are politically motivated. He notes that Special Counsel Jack Smith himself is motivated to expedite the trial “precisely because it may have an influence on voters.”
Smith doesn’t consider himself bound by the Justice Department’s longstanding policy of not bringing changes or holding trials of candidates close to an election.
Likewise, Turley writes how U. S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan has pledged “not to yield to the election cycle,” and is clearly motivated to keep it on the docket despite a backup of thousands of other pending cases.
We’ll soon learn more about the New York case and the ridiculous bond demanded of the former president, and the decision by Georgia’s Judge McAfee.
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
