Brawling for the Front-Row Seat in Politics—“The Sunday Political Brunch” - November 19, 2023

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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U.S. Congressman George Santos PHOTO: House of Representatives

Boy, I wasn’t kidding last week when my headline read, “When Politics Becomes TV Wrestling!” In fact, it got even worse this week. From near fisticuffs in Congress, to more changes in the presidential race, there is a lot of meat in the “brunch” this week.

 

“Senate Smackdown” – It got ugly Tuesday in a U.S. Senate Committee. Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien was there to testify, again. In his previous appearance, he really mixed it up with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) Oklahoma, and the rematch did not disappoint. After the first hearing, the Teamsters boss took on the senator tweeting, "Quit the tough guy act in these Senate hearings. You know where to find me any place, any time, cowboy," said Sean O'Brien, of the Teamsters.

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“The Counter Punch” – The Teamster’s boss called Senator Mullin a fraud and a clown, and said he was not self-made. Sen. Mullin shot back, "Sir, this is a time, this is a place. If you want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here," (meaning on the Senate Committee floor) said Sen. Mullin. "Okay, that's fine. Perfect," said O’Brien. "You want to do it right now?” asked Sen. Mullin.  "I'd love to do it right now," said the Teamsters boss. "Stand your butt up then," said the senator. “You stand your butt up," O’Brien responded. It looked ugly!

 

“The Senate Response” – The two men both stood up to face off and it appeared we were going to have a brawl on the committee room floor. Chairman Bernie Sanders shouted for Mullin to stand down. "You're a United States Senator, sit down. This is a hearing and God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress. Let's not make it worse," shouted Sen. Sanders. This week I spoke with Sen. Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia, concerning the near Senate brawl. Manchin told me, "I'm ashamed. We are the Superpower of the world. We are not a banana republic. We are not a fledging third-world country. The rest of the world is looking to us for leadership and guidance. And we start acting like that." True confession… I wish they would have duked it out right there! Knock-out punches and fight, fight, fight!!!

 

“Tim Scott Drops Out” – It really came as no surprise that Sen. Tim Scott (R) South Carolina ended his presidential run this week.  He never got higher than 4 percent in the GOP presidential preference polls, and his Real Clear Politics Composite Poll average for the past year stands at just 2.6 percent. As I asked when Mike Pence departed last week, “Where do the Scott supporters go? And will he endorse any other candidate?” My gut says Scott will endorse his Palmetto State rival, former Gov. Nikki Haley (R) South Carolina, who appointed him to the vacant Senate seat in the first place. Scott, who has a remarkable personal story, will be viable for the next few presidential election cycles, so we will see him again.

 

“New Hampshire Dance” – The State of New Hampshire, ignoring the wishes of President Biden and the Democratic National Committee, has scheduled the quadrennial “first-in-the-nation” presidential primary for January 23rd. There is concern amongst Team Biden that now independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is a threat, even though he’s not running as a Democrat, but is allowed on the ballot as an independent option.  Regardless, the latest GOP poll is fascinating. The CNN/University of New Hampshire Poll this week shows the race 42 percent for former President Donald Trump, 20 percent for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, 14 percent for former Gov. Chris Christie (R) New Jersey, and 9 percent for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Florida, who appears to be fading.

 

“Isn’t That Dicey?” – Yes, I think Haley is walking a tightrope here. She is Trump’s biggest challenger now, but she is also the best prospect for his vice-presidential running mate.  Yet, she has been harshly critical of Trump and his legal problems. Can they “kiss and make up?” Probably, because in the world of politics, anything is possible. In a potential Biden-Trump rematch, each would have an Asian-American running mate, which may neutralize the impact of “the politics of color.” Quite honestly, inclusion and diversity in both parties is now a key selling point. And, given the age, and potential health of both frontrunners, it’s likely Kamala Harris or Nikki Haley will be our first female president. I’m not a ghoul. I’m pragmatic and realistic. This will be a factor!

 

“Manchin in the Middle, Part 294?” – I know this is an ongoing saga, but it’s nice to have a front-row seat and an ongoing dialogue with the most powerful U.S. Senator in America, and perhaps its most fascinating presidential candidate. I was in a scrum of other West Virginia reporters this week, and I asked Manchin about his potential third-party presidential run. He promised a tour of other cities and states soon, to see if there is interest in his potential independent White House bid. Sen. Manchin said, "So, where do we go? I don't know if there's a middle. We're going to find out. I don't know if they want candidates or not. We'll find that out, but I know there's a lot of good people out there that can lead the country. And I hope they're going to come forward and speak out loud and clear."

 

“The George Santos, Send Off” – U.S. Rep George Santos (R) New York announced Thursday he would not seek election to a second term in Congress. He is already under criminal indictment over campaign finances from his 2022 race, and a blistering House Ethics Committee report on Thursday did him no favors, suggesting more questionable campaign finances. When your own party punts on you it’s time to go. Just Google Richard Nixon. Santos’s bigger concern was not reelection, it was staying out of federal prison. The big picture for the GOP is finding a candidate who can win this seat with only a five-seat majority in the House. This is a “swing” New York district that can bounce between either party.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.


 

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