Primaries, Guns, and Riots, Oh My! – “The Sunday Political Brunch” June 12, 2022

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

View Larger +

January 6 attack on the Capitol PHOTO: ITV

Talk about your weird week in politics… it was a hodge-podge of everything under the sun! There were gun legislation hearings, Capitol riot hearings, and, oh by the way, seven more primary elections. Toss in a threat to a Supreme Court Justice, and it was a weird smorgasbord of political dining. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“Capitol Riot Hearings” – Ninety minutes into the first prime-time hearing, and I am absolutely riveted. This is one of the most compelling and frightening experiences in all my years covering politics. I admit my biases, as I worked in the U.S. Capitol as a House and Senate aide in 1992-93, then served there as a TV news reporter from 1993-1999 and visited many times since. I consider it sacred, hallowed ground. The only thing that comes close to the impact on my heart and soul were the Watergate hearings in 1972 and 1973. In both cases, it was so revealing. It was corrupt politics, simply gone off the rails on steroids. The impeachment of President Clinton in 1998 and 1999, for lying under oath to a federal judge, (and not for a sex affair), was also a low. These three events remind me, that we are, or should be so much better than this.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

 

“Thompson Opening” – Rep. Bennie Thompson (D) Mississippi, is chairman of this committee. He’s not the wealthy country club liberal from San Francisco, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (D) California. Thompson, a 30-year member of Congress, is simply a hardworking, humble Black man from rural Mississippi, who seems to be here for the truth, and not with an agenda. During my years in DC, I found him to be a fair broker. What happened January 6th was a national disgrace. Period! Peaceful protest is our Constitutional First Amendment right and strong suit, not this violence against our police and military.

 

“Demon Rep. Liz Cheney” – Folks, if there is any lesson, I can impart on you, it is this. When the opposing party wants you out, you can fight. But when your own party wants you out, it’s over. Watergate is a case in point. Democrats lobbed grenades for years and even started impeachment proceedings against President Nixon. But it wasn’t until the Summer of 1974 when a group of Senators, including Sen. Barry Goldwater (R) Arizona and Sen. Hugh Scott (R) Pennsylvania went to the White House and told Nixon, “You can’t survive!!’ In the end it was Republicans, not Democrats, who made Nixon walk. In 2021, Rep. Cheney suggested Trump crossed the line saying that Mr. Trump, aware of the rioters’ chants to, “hang Mike Pence,” … responded with this sentiment: “maybe our supporters have the right idea.”  Wow!

 

“Pulling the Trigger on Gun Control” – On the heels of the mass killings at a school in Uvalde, Texas two weeks ago, the U.S. House voted 223 to 204 on Wednesday to pass a sweeping gun control bill. It would raise the age from purchasing an assault rifle from 18 to 21; it would outlaw the private sale of high-capacity gun magazines; and it would pass even tougher restrictions on bump stocks and so-called ghost guns. The measure is unlikely to pass the Senate because it would need 10 Republicans to join the 50 Democrats to block a filibuster. So, the big bill may fail, but I bet a stand-alone bill that would raise the assault weapon purchase age to 21, may happen. In an election year, both sides can claim, “We did something.” Short of that, I don’t see any other federal legislation passing this year.

 

“Of Supreme Concern” – A 26-year-old California man was arrested early Wednesday morning outside the Maryland home of Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He was armed and told police he was there to kill Justice Kavanaugh. Most of the conservative justices have had their addresses posted online by activist groups, with ensuing protests outside their homes. Peaceful protest is one thing, but it is illegal for people to harass, intimidate, or threaten a judge or justice, to sway decisions from the bench. Congress may act, but that could raise criticism from mass shooting victims who argue, “Why do you protect our judges, but not our kids at school?” It’s going to be a fight with critics shouting there’s a double-standard!

 

“California Politics” – The Golden State is one of the bluest of the blue. It is one of the most liberal states. But Democrats in the state are vulnerable, perceived as not tough enough on crime and immigration. In San Francisco, District Attorney Chesa Boudin was recalled as being too light on crime, in what is easily one of America’s most politically progressive cities. What’s the old joke? “A conservative is a liberal, who’s been mugged,” may apply here. In Los Angeles liberal Rep. Karen Bass (D) California, did not win a majority and is in a runoff with wealthy developer Rick Caruso, who was a Republican until early this year. Again, there’s the perception Bass has been weak on crime in her legislative and Congressional career. 16 U.S. House seats out of 52 in California are open this year, and the GOP could see gains. The primary ended with 41 percent for Caruso, and 38 percent for Bass. A November showdown looms!

 

“California Chaos” – Ok, just follow me here because it’s confusing, but particularly important. Rep. Tom McClintock (R) California, (an old friend from my days in the Golden State), moved from his District 3 seat, to run in District 5, ostensibly because it has more Republicans. McClintock won, 44 to 37 percent, but will be in a runoff to secure a majority. It’s a race critical to who controls the U.S. House next year!

 

“Primary Races Wrap” – Last week we profiled some of the highest profile races in the seven states that held primaries this past Tuesday. Let’s do a lightning round! In New Jersey. Rep Donald Payne Jr., (D) New Jersey held off a feisty, well-financed challenge from fellow Democrat Imani Oakley. Payne, whose dad, and him have held the seat for 33 years, won with 80 percent of the vote. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) Iowa, who has served in Congress nearly 50 years, beat back a primary challenge with the endorsement of former President Trump winning 74 percent of the vote. Grassley faces a tough fight in November against Admiral Mike Franken (Ret.) who was a more moderate choice than his chief rival. In purple-state Iowa, many think a moderate career military Democrat has a real shot. Senate control lies in the balance!

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.


 

Related Articles

 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook