Despite his “no” vote, the Senate deal to reopen the government bears Schumer’s fingerprints
Either Schumer no longer has effective control over own his caucus, or he has permitted the deal to progress with a wink and a nod behind the scenes — and with a strident disavowal for the bank of cameras he famously loves — while taking Democratic voters for fools.
His whip voted yes. Either he can’t even control his whip, or he orchestrated it.
He absolutely orchestrated it, the reason he is the minority leader in senate is because he has the connections and political capital to influence or even order the votes of his party. I am only somewhat curious if they knew he was going to back out and vote no to try to wash his hands of his own capitulation. It’s wild because it signals he still thinks he has a future.
Schumer represents a weird kind of old-school political capital. Whereas Trump’s power comes from a literal horde of orcs carrying weapons and flags, arguably an even older kind of power to wield, Schumer carries the Elder Conclave of Ancient Liberal Liches who delight in social parties and ritual and systems. If you’ve ever listened to the old-guard dems talking among each other it sounds like a Victorian-era socialite gathering, like aliens from another dimension. While wildly out-of-touch, the reason he has power is because this kind of thing appeals to older institutional bankers, elder community leaders, and people with old money.
Old money is the reason he still stands as the “head” of the Democratic party and I am actually unsure if efforts to unseat him will be successful for the same reasons that Trump and his warband face no consequences because their own political capital. Nobody wants to challenge the base. If you go against Trump you get people breaking into your house and shooting you, if you go against Schumer, you lose your 7-figure retirement and your vacation house on the beach. For many people with a lot to lose, either of these outcomes is equally terrifying.
It’s the latter. Just magically the 8 that are retiring or aren’t up for reelection just manically all got together at the same time to do this? Right…
I mean, it isn’t magic. They also had more pressure because of snap running out. Also, some of them, like Fetterman, always voted against the shutdown.
Yeah, fuck Fetterman
What a collasal disappointment he has been.
Yep. And either way, he has to go.