Mornin’ Politocadoes!
Oh my my my my Mitch McConnell has finally announced his decision to step down as Senate Republican Majority Leader. After the election. And will stay on in Congress until 2027. McConnell, known for his wily tactic of just plain not doing his job and daring various Democratic Presidents to do something about it, has been the top Senate Republican since 2006. McConnell’s announcement follows a series of health scares and an acknowledged waning influence in his caucus.
His fierce loyalty to the party helped the Trump Administration confirm three Supreme Court Justices, and completely remade the judiciary in the Republican image. A long held ambition of McConnell’s. He also passed sweeping tax cuts in 2017, and, in a rare L for the longtime Senator, failed to repeal the ACA by just one vote.
McConnell’s loyalty was tested repeatedly throughout the Trump years, but any sort of working relationship unraveled on January 6th. While voting to acquit Trump in his second impeachment, he has since declined to endorse the former President and believes Trump is morally responsible for the insurrection.
Mitch’s departure is the death knell for neoconservative influence in the Republican party, now weary as it hands the reigns to its MAGA successors. While two McConnell lieutenants, John Thune and John Cornyn will be favorites for leadership, the loud MAGA bloc will likely make it difficult. Recall that in 2022, McConnell faced his first ever contested run for leadership against Rick Scott of all people. Cornyn and Thune have also been castigated as RINOs by Trump himself. With an unruly, loud bloc of MAGA fanatics, the specter of Republican struggles to legislate in the House comes unbidden to the mind.
Welcome to Thursday! Please be excellent to each other in the comments. The Mayor McSquirrel Rule remains in effect. Something to keep in mind! Police are using digital data to prosecute abortion seekers, and Facebook and Google are helping them! Even if they are not legally required to do so, the tech giants will aid them in this since it’s technically *against the law*. Please be careful when looking for abortion providers or helping someone who is looking for that assistance.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues even if the emergencies end, continue to vaccinate using the latest version of the FDA approved vaccines by Phizer and Moderna. Even if you are vaccinated, please continue to maintain social distancing measures, wear masks in public areas in accordance with CDC guidelines in regard to your own vaccination status.
Also, according to recent polls approximately 50% of adults are not planning on getting their Covid-19 boosters. So please get them and older adults should also look to be vaccinated for RSV! It’s been difficult to get adults onboard with getting the RSV shots as it is. Remember that getting these shots could potentially keep thousands of Americans who do not have to be there out of the ICU this winter.