Rep. Mark Pocan’s (D-WI) bill to eliminate [ICE]
I admire Pocan but this was foolish.
Per Politico, Pocan and his co-sponsors—Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)—say they will opt out of the majority party’s “political stunt” and plan to lead the Democrats in a no vote. However, they are still eager to debate the issue on the House floor.
This in a way reminds me of when the GOP demanded certain concessions and amendments in the ACA yet still voted no in lockstop. Debating the issue on the floor is good but I hope Democrats choose their words carefully to avoid GOP using certain ones for soundbites.
So . . . . . hand the GOP a lifeline when they are drowning. Dems just don’t understand and realize, there is nothing the GOP won’t do to stay in power.
Typical Republican noise. This will backfire them in the same way that the Strzok hearings will backfire on them.
They hold a vote. Gets turned down 380-55. BFD. Democrats in districts that this doesn’t sell well in can vote no and point to the fact it is legislation they cannot support at this time. Democrats in districts that believe this policy is acceptable can vote yes. I don’t see Democrats who support the legislation getting angry at Democrats who vote against it. I don’t see a “fight” within the Democratic caucus over this.
In a sense I think the Republicans miss the good old days of Newt Gingrich when they would pull this type of stupid game and actually get some political ground by doing it.
If anything they are negating a talking point that they will try to run on in November.
It is alot harder for a Republican candidate to argue that a Democratic candidate is in support of terminating ICE when the Democrat is on record of voting against that policy.
It is also hard for a Republican incumbent to argue that a Democratic challenger is in favor of eliminating ICE even though they have stated they don’t believe in it AND the party is on record of keeping it in place…unless the Democrat does have that as a policy position.
I hope you’re right. We voters don’t have to make any single issue, especially a relatively new one, make or break because that’s what allows republicans to win with less votes.
Bingo.
Especially since that the sponsors of the bill are going to openly lead the “no” vote on this stunt, it’s not going to give the Republicans much political leverage.
Seriously, this is a no-brainer.
Every Democrat should vote against the bill, if it ever makes it to the floor, on the grounds that it was introduced by House Republicans - who will obviously submit an unworkable crap bill under any circumstance.
The House GOP wouldn’t know how to craft a competent bill even if they wanted to.
So, in the interest of Party Unity, call their bluff. Medicare for All and abolishing ICE are what’s winning elections these days. Nearly 60% of Americans support Medicare for All, so supporting that should be a no-brainer. And abolishing ICE and their Gestapo tactics should also be a no-brainer, with or without polling data to give cover to feckless, MIC-owned Democrats. (It’s called Leadership, something my Party wouldn’t know if it hit them over the head.) Or is Party Unity only a one-way street, where Progressives have to suck it up and allow other Democrats to collude with Republicant’s on handouts to undeserving corporations, extreme Reich Wing Supreme Court nominees or allowing unchecked militarism?
Memo to Democrats: Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth into gear.
I can understand why Republicans want a show vote on ICE, but Medicare for all? That one will backfire on them by highlighting how they want to privatize and destroy Medicare.
Dems are a big tent party. What works in NYC may not play in Montana. We’re not Republicans and I don’t necessarily see the need to speak with one voice on this issue as all elections are local. Do what works in your district.
Makes me wonder whether the GOPs silent partners at the intelligence agency formerly known as cambridge analytica have tested this.
The recipe really is not new, and there are two ingredients:
- Enflame passions over some social issue to turn out white voters without college education who otherwise could not GAF about Republican economics (racism 2016, gay marriage 2004)
- Splinter off the farthest left voters via third party candidate or bs “corporate democrat” agitprop. (2000, 2016)
I missed the part where abolishing ICE and Medicare for All became part of the Republican Party Platform.
I guess they were right in calling themselves “The Party of New Ideas”.
Ya never know !
This is easy. Democrats simply should not attend since the bill will not have gone through regular order.
LOL at the idea that this is some sort of Republican Trump card.
For better and for worse, Democrats simply are not the kind of voters who freak out and sit on their hands when they can’t win the moon in one go. Everybody knows ICE is not going away in the next day or next week. We can agitate for and desire the abolition of ICE, if we wish, as a long-term goal, without rending garments when we don’t get it immediately.
Ummm, no. They will just lie about it. And when called on their lie they will just double down and lie about it again. And they will repeat the lie so many times that it will eventually be accepted as truth, and our Corporate Media will, in the name of “balance”, dutifully continue to publish the lie. So if you’re going to get accused of doing the right thing, why not just do the right thing and spend your time and energy telling why it’s the right thing instead of running and hiding from it?
After yesterday the soundbite vault was full up.
There are some independents (and right here on this blog) who do that way too often.
The Republican Party: A bunch of modern day Neros fiddling away as Rome burns.
After November I hope the Dems can get that subpoena power…and wield it mercilessly against these Republican Congressworms. They’re clearly obstructing justice at very least so bring them all of on charges.