Wednesday, October 09, 2024

For Some, It's Turmp, Not Republicans



This tweeter is on the right track but makes one major error.


Democrats do not continually insist Republicans are fascists. Democrats- several, anyway- insist Donald J. Trump is a fascist.

Consider the widely-acclaimed, and beloved among Democrats, acceptance speech in Chicago by Kamala Harris.  The nominee invoked the name "Trump" (or "Donald Trump") sixteen times. She invoked the word "Republican" (actually, "Republicans") one time.

If we thought that Harris instead referred to "Congress" or the "House of Representatives" as shorthand for "Republican," we need to think again.  She stated "as a part of his agenda, he and his allies would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion and enact a nationwide abortion ban, with or without Congress." 

There was no suggestion that it is Republicans aiming to "limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion and enact a nationwide abortion ban." It is the generic "Congress."

A moment later, she would add "and when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law." There was not even a hint that there is no chance Congress would pass such a bill if it is not controlled by Democrats, nor even that Democrats are the ones who would like to make this a reality.

And not only abortion rights because soon thereafter Ms. Harris would remark

Last year, Joe and I brought together Democrats and conservative Republicans to write the strongest border bill in decades. The border patrol endorsed it. But Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign, so he ordered his allies in Congress to kill the deal.

It wasn't Republicans, to hear Harris explain it. It was Trump's allies, with no mention that they were Republicans. It was all Donald Trump, with no accountability assigned to his party.

And then there was the 60 Minutes interview aired on Monday, October 7. Vice President Harris was asked about her economic plan, with that segment beginning at 2:50 of the first, complete, video below (abridged video at end). At 5:10, CBS correspondent Bill Simmons asks her "how are you going to get this through Congress?"  After fifteen seconds of empty words by the guest, Simmons states/asks (at 5:29) "Congress has shown no inclination to move in your direction." Harris responds

I disagree with you. There are plenty of leaders in Congress who understand and know that the Trump tax cuts blew up our federal deficit. None of us- and certainly I- cannot afford to be myopic in terms of how I think about strengthening America's economy. Let me tell you something. I am a devout public servant. You know that. I am also a capitalist and I know the limitations of government.

("I have my principles but don't expect me to do anything with them.")


   

Congress passed President Trump's tax bill (promptly signed by the President) in November, 2017 with opposition from every Democrat, yet with a mere twelve Republicans. Every Republican member of the Senate voted for the bill. No Democrats did.  Like size, the partisan breakdown of Congress matters.

Nonetheless, the Democratic nominee says "there are plenty of leaders in Congress who understand and know that the Trump tax cuts" harmed Americans. She might have stated "there are plenty of leaders in Congress, including a few Republicans..." or :"there are plenty of leaders in Congress, especially Democrats...."

But, no, of course she didn't. Inform Kamala Harris: like size, partisan breakdown of Congress matters.

She would know that, obviously, but doesn't want to be associated with the Democratic Party as she continues her courtship with Republicans. And that is why the tweet above is accurate only up to a point. Democrats, and especially Harris, are very good at calling out Donald Trump for what he is. However, the party's presidential nominee is negligent, even grossly averse to, criticizing Republicans. That may work for her while down-ballot Democrats pay the price for a self-centered candidate.


 



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