The Re-evolution of Mitch McConnell

In throwing out the Senate's extra-Constitutional blue slip procedure in confirming judicial nominees, Mitch McConnell appears to be developing a notochord - not yet a proper backbone but a step in the right direction.

Pursuit of the Perfect Will Cost the Republicans

There is a saying, "Don't let the pursuit of the perfect be the enemy of the possible." This is sound advice yet that is exactly what the Republicans are doing when it comes to repealing and replacing Obamacare. Instead of fixing it one piece at a time and making things better, they are fighting amongst themselves and accomplishing absolutely nothing and they will pay a heavy price at the polls in 2018 and 2020. This doesn't mean voters will replace them with Democrats however. No, the hapless, establishment Republicans like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan will be tossed out on their ears and replaced, not by Democrats (no one is buying what they are selling anymore) but rather by Republicans who will keep their promises.

On Monday McConnell slammed the President for not understanding the legislative "process" and having unrealistic expectations. What McConnell doesn't seem to understand is that like Trump, the people don't give a damn about the process; they want results. With control of the White House, the Senate and the House, the public doesn't believe it is too much to expect the repeal and replacement of a hated and failing Democrat healthcare bill, fixing our borders and stopping illegal immigration, reducing taxes, and passing a budget.

It shouldn't be too much to expect our legislators to keep their promises. If voters can't depend on Democrats or Establishment Republicans to do what they promised and were elected to do, trust me, the people will find someone who will. That is the process Mitch McConnell ought to be concerned about.

Fallout From Nuclear Option Won't Settle Where Dems Think

Any nuclear option will have fallout and the big question is always "Where will it settle?" In forcing the nuclear option in the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court, the Democrats have miscalculated where the fallout zone will be. Rather than landing on the Republicans and hurting Trump, it will come to rest squarely on them.

In their petulant effort to get even with the Republicans for not allowing Obama'a Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, to come up for a vote, not only will it not prevent Gorsuch from becoming an associate Justice, it will pave the way for potentially three more conservative Trump appointees who might have been effectively opposed had they not caused this new precedent. This was a wasted maneuver over a seat on the bench that would not have changed the balance of the court anyway because conservative Gorsuch will be replacing the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia.
A much better strategy would have been to oppose the next Trump nominee who will most likely be replacing a retiring liberal Justice Ginsburg which could effect the balance of the court. Further, although it may play well with their far-left base, it is equally likely to shore up Trump's base.

Additionally, because the Supreme Court was such an important topic with Independents as well as Republican in the last election, this latest move by the Democrats, may push the Independents to support Trump and jeopardize the 2018 re-election chances for several more moderate Democrats in states that went for Trump in 2016. This would ultimately give the Republicans even larger majorities in the House and Senate making opposing their agenda even more difficult.

As the saying goes, "When your opponents are busy destroying themselves, don't get in the way."