House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is floundering. He lacks the money and political power Nancy Pelosi used to whip Democrats into line, but in truth, they didn’t need all that much whipping. They were united by their Trump Derangement Syndrome—TDS—induced psychosis. It was pretty simple: whatever Trump was for, they were, spittle- slinging, red-faced against. Whatever was good for America, they were against.
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That’s still the case these days, but it has become a bit more complicated due to the imminent threat of Communists masking as “Democratic Socialists” taking over the Democrat Party. “Moderate Democrats,” being all but extinct, fit for museum-level taxidermy, Democrats agree with virtually everything in the Democratic Socialists of America—DSA—Platform, but in some purplish states, and even a few blue states, have to backpedal a bit. Most will identify only one or two ultra-lunatic DSA stances and claim not to agree with them. A few brave souls will profess not to agree with the DSA at all, or say—gasp!—“I’m not a socialist.”
Pack the Supreme Court? Absolutely. “Medicare for all?” Of course. Tax the hell out of everybody? Certainly. Abolish the Senate? Probably not most Senators, but probably the rest. Impeach and prosecute every Republican? Can’t wait. Ensure eternal Democrat rule? Hand out the AK-47s. But the other day, that brave, new collective, “real communism hasn’t been tried yet” future cracked:
Hakeem Jeffries had a plan. The House Democratic leader assumed his caucus would vote unanimously Tuesday against a Republican effort to bring several bills to the House floor, thereby plunging the GOP conference into chaos. Then Democrats could sit back and enjoy as Speaker Mike Johnson played defense ahead of Labor Day.
But the joke was on Mr. Jeffries. Reps. Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez unexpectedly voted with Republicans to pass the “rule” and consider proposed legislation. Mr. Jeffries was furious. Asked if he’d known how Mr. Golden and Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez would vote, Mr. Jeffries snapped, “You’ll have to ask Katherine.” He was referring to House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, who was as clueless as her boss.
The real problem was the vote called for passing the SAVE America Act—Voter ID and other election integrity measures—which Democrats absolutely don’t want, particularly in time for the midterms and the 2028 election. It also involved a resolution condemning socialism. Democrats, as previously noted, are, in varying degrees, trying to back away from Socialism/Communism while supporting much, if not all, of the DSA platform. And they proved it with only eight Democrats voting for the measure while the rest opposed it:
Graphic: X Post
That vote handed Republicans a ready-made campaign commercial for the midterms and beyond, depending on how well Communist/Islamist/Marxists like Abdul E-Sayed and James Talarico do in the midterms.
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The real loser was Mr. Jeffries. He was exposed once again as a weak leader in hock to his party’s progressive, anti-Trump base. Since taking the reins of the House Democrats from Nancy Pelosi in 2023, Mr. Jeffries has done little more than act as a thorn in the side of the Republican majority. Otherwise, he’s been a bystander, watching complacently as the Democrats swerved to the left. And now, as expectations build for a Democratic majority, Mr. Jeffries is under increasing pressure to lend his caucus purpose and direction. That hasn’t happened. Instead, his tenure has been a case study in embarrassment and indecision.
Jeffries really got in trouble by talking to Republicans, specifically Jared Kushner. Imagine that: A Democrat leader talking with a member of the opposition President’s inner circle in an attempt to benefit America. Party treason! Jeffries was forced to essentially repudiate himself in the rage-infused style he and Democrats have adopted:
Graphic: X Post
The backlash led Mr. Jeffries to issue a bizarre, direct-to-the-camera message on X. Wearing all green and standing in front of a nondescript apartment building, he defended his actions in a halting speech filled with awkward pauses. Mr. Kushner asked for a meeting, and he took it, Mr. Jeffries said. “I shouldn’t have to say it, but I am,” he went on. “No one is going to get a pass. We’re going to hold every single member of the Trump cartel accountable.” So much for negotiation and compromise. Investigations and partisan warfare lay ahead.
I’m not commenting on the hat—too easy—but more posing with baseball bats in a failed attempt to look tough lies ahead. There is also every reason to believe Democrats are serious about Soviet-style show trials of their political enemies—about half of America—are already being planned if they seize the House and Senate, and God help America if they also take the White House in 2028. Democrats have already proved they’re perfectly happy with Muppet figureheads. After all, it’s the behind-the-scenes operatives that make it all work.
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Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, lifelong athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer, and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
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