I don't know that it will matter much if Ed Gallrein is a yes man for Donald Trump. The Democrats will take the House (and probably the Senate) this November, so Republican votes won't matter.
Whether Ed Gallrein is just a Trump yes man is indeed the question. There is no denying that his campaign pitch was little more than "I will vote for what President Trump wants."
It is a questionable Constitutional order when the President wields that much legislative influence. The classic formulation has been "The President proposes and Congress disposes." We seem to have strayed a good deal from that.
Nor is that a purely Trumpian phenomenon. President's have been increasingly involved in legislative affairs, and it is not hard to construct an argument that Presidents are too involved.
Is Gallrein an upgrade over Massie? As you say, time will tell.
However, I suspect that if Gallrein is just a Trump yes man he will prove as easy to unseat as Massie. Simping is as likely to be as counterproductive in building legislative legacy as snark. Substance is far better for that
Myself, I liked most of what Thomas Massie did. Not every representative can be influential. Most have to be backbenchers. His is a libertarian voice that's good to hear even if he doesn't have much sway.
But the Epstein files fiasco killed his reputation for me. He should not have fallen for that scam. Making the government review and post all its investigative files was an expensive and harmful effort. Many innocent people suffered for it, to no purpose.
Thank you, it’s so hard to parse through headlines and articles today - your insights and factual reporting are so valuable, we appreciate your hard work
Well said, Peter!
“….accomplishment over performative posturing.”
Too many of our politicians are sorely lacking in accomplishment!
Your point of “Mr. No” is well taken, but are we just getting a “Mr. Yes” for “Mr. Trump" instead? Time will tell.”
I don't know that it will matter much if Ed Gallrein is a yes man for Donald Trump. The Democrats will take the House (and probably the Senate) this November, so Republican votes won't matter.
Whether Ed Gallrein is just a Trump yes man is indeed the question. There is no denying that his campaign pitch was little more than "I will vote for what President Trump wants."
It is a questionable Constitutional order when the President wields that much legislative influence. The classic formulation has been "The President proposes and Congress disposes." We seem to have strayed a good deal from that.
Nor is that a purely Trumpian phenomenon. President's have been increasingly involved in legislative affairs, and it is not hard to construct an argument that Presidents are too involved.
Is Gallrein an upgrade over Massie? As you say, time will tell.
However, I suspect that if Gallrein is just a Trump yes man he will prove as easy to unseat as Massie. Simping is as likely to be as counterproductive in building legislative legacy as snark. Substance is far better for that
Myself, I liked most of what Thomas Massie did. Not every representative can be influential. Most have to be backbenchers. His is a libertarian voice that's good to hear even if he doesn't have much sway.
But the Epstein files fiasco killed his reputation for me. He should not have fallen for that scam. Making the government review and post all its investigative files was an expensive and harmful effort. Many innocent people suffered for it, to no purpose.
Thank you, it’s so hard to parse through headlines and articles today - your insights and factual reporting are so valuable, we appreciate your hard work
Excellent post!