Marcy Wheeler offers some pushback on the “dump Hakeem Jeffries” movement. She’s a sharp observer who’s been at this for a long time, and I think her logic here is sound, even if I don’t agree with every single point.
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@jalefkowit I strongly disagree w/ her characterization that he has been effective at messaging OR at keeping the party unified, when just in SEPTEMBER two Dems defected to allow the Rs to get their way and his response was "this was a shock and they blindsided us". The purpose of the House leader is yes, to manage and control the caucus. That's so much easier to do when Rs bring bills like "Let's build the orphan grinding machine!" And he didn't even do that well!
Ultimately, this person is a supposed leader. What and where did he lead us? Where does he WANT to lead us? He met in secret with Kushner FFS.
Lastly, being a leader is mostly about messaging. And this mother fucker can't read a room, even with all the lights on and large print. If he was SoOoO sUcCeSsFuL as she claims, then why does everyone hate him and want him gone and claim he was ineffective? You can't get and keep a majority if voters think you did jack shit. He's terrible at messaging, and messaging is what wins!
@jalefkowit You've convinced me that Jefferies should stay.
But Schumer ... oy, what a tool. Still think he needs to go.
This was good context. Still not convinced, but I want him to succeed.
@jalefkowit At a minimum I'd like Hakeem Jeffries to have no doubt as to why there is a loud "dump Hakeem Jeffries" movement, if he doesn't already.
And given Trump's current health/pathology, and that the likes of JD Vance is VP, there's a non-zero chance the Speaker will be POTUS before the 2028 elections.
@jalefkowit I'd love to hear what she has to say about Schumer too.
@jalefkowit I'm agnostic on this subject. But given how many online leftists are worried about the Dems becoming UK Labour, I wonder if this demand to replace Jeffries & Schumer with someone more palatable to the base doesn't risk turning the dems into the UK Conservatives constantly changing leaders who appeal to the right-wing base and don't know how to run a caucus.
In other words, do you want to end up with Liz Truss? 😆
@jalefkowit I’m not convinced. Jeffries sounds like a great manager, but the Speaker role is an opportunity for vision-setting. It’s possible to manage the House well and yet lose the support of the people, which I think Jeffries will do if elected speaker.