I’m not sure how I feel about the effort to expel Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) from Congress. I’m clear that she shouldn’t be serving in the Capitol, but that’s true about a lot of congresspeople, including several Democrats. The resolution was introduced on Friday by Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California:
“I believe some of my Republican colleagues, and one in particular, wish harm upon this legislative body. And I’m not saying this for shock value. It’s the conclusion I drew after a member of Congress advocated violence against our peers, the Speaker and our government,” Gomez said on the House floor.
“I take no joy in introducing this resolution,” Gomez continued. “But any member who incites political violence and threatens our lives must be expelled. And I’ll do everything I can in my power to protect our democracy and keep all my colleagues safe.”
The evidence against Greene is that she ‘liked’ a post on Facebook in 2019 that said “a bullet to the head would be [a] quicker” way to remove Pelosi from office, that she once accused Nancy Pelosi of treason and mentioned that the death penalty is the penalty for treason, and that she once made a comment on Facebook that suggested that “the stage is being set” to hang Pelosi.
That’s inexcusable behavior, for sure, but removing a member is a serious matter and I’m not sure hot-headed social media posts are sufficient cause, especially when they pre-date a member’s candidacy for office. She’s already been stripped of her committee assignments, and there is an investigation ongoing to see what role she (and other Republican lawmakers) may have played in the January 6 insurrection. That move was made in response to her unhinged embrace of conspiracy theories, including 9/11 Trutherism and skepticism about school shootings, as well as racist and anti-Semitic remarks she’s made in the past. I suppose this all part of one big picture, but the expulsion would be a second punishment for these transgressions.
For me, I’d wait for further provocation or at least for evidence that she had direct links to the insurrection. Her constituents elected her knowing much of her record, and while I think they made an irresponsible decision, I won’t advocate lightly removing their representative from office. It’s not really about her, but more about the precedent it sets.
I’m fairly confident that she’ll make the case for her removal stronger if we just wait. I note that Twitter just suspended her account again (allegedly by mistake), and she’s alienating more of her Republican colleagues every day with her shenanigans. She’s a 24/7 shitstorm, so patience is probably a virtue in this case.
Reminds me of the saying: The FBI (or other law enforcement agencies) would not move against the abusive spouse because he/she had not killed anyone! YET.
I’ll take this response under advisement. It can’t be dismissed, but I don’t currently see the imminence of danger that you suggest.
Where the hell does she get off to call treason on someone. That is a most serious charge. Does she have any evidence, real evidence which is highly unlikely. This may be a teachable moment for her and others who throw that shit around. Shit even Rudy is not guilty of treason. I’m keeping sedition open though given his love of Russians and his participation in Jan 6 riots.
The Democrats ought to make her the face of the Republican party. I see no reason to jump through hoops to remove her when that just makes life easier for McCarthy et. al. Make them run for reelection as her enablers. I get frustrated watching the way Democrats lack political messaging skills. In my view, our party has been inept since the early 1990s. Jim Wright and his ilk knew how to message.
Jim Wright? No disrespect to JIm Wright but he couldn’t last three years as House speaker.
That said, I basically agree with your larger point: Dems are probably better off using Greene (and her extremist colleagues) as a millstone around the neck of the entire GOP.
I just saw a segment on TV about Boise, Ok where apparently the entire town won’t take the vaccine. Imagine that no one wants the vaccine. I suppose Greene could get elected even if the messaging is really great. So I would toss her out now if I could. If Cuomo is at risk then toss her.
I remember that during the Bush the Lesser’s first presidential run, people would say they would have loved to have a beer with him! That was the messaging, and that was a lot of what he was elected on – likeability! No matter what skills he has!
The Dems are never going to be the perfect messaging party – simply because it is more fractious coalition, and does not march in lockstep like the thugs on the right.
One can see how coalition governments in Germany, Israel, India, and to some extent even in UK has worked – here the coalition is within one party!
Are we doomed to remain a superficial political culture forever?
If you are thinking of multiple parties, that likely won’t happen with the electoral college.