Mediaboss Marketing

By Samuel StebbinsDecember 2, 2019 6:14 pm

With the exception of Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life, job security can be a major challenge in Washington D.C. particularly for members of the House of Representatives. Unlike their congressional counterparts in the Senate, who face reelection every six years, members of the House are elected every two years.

Without term limits, members of the House can, in theory, serve for decades but this does not happen often. The majority of the more than 430 members of the House of Representatives have served for no more than six years fewer years than a single term of a U.S. Senator.

Using data from congress.gov 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the tenure of all current members of the House of Representatives to identify the longest-serving Republicans in the House. Lawmakers are ranked on cumulative service, even if their terms were not consecutive or their district changed. Though the number of Democrats who have held office since the 1980s and 1990s is more than double the number of Republican lawmakers with similar tenure, the two longest serving House members are Republican.

Remaining popular enough to win elections is critical for elected officials in the legislative branch. The Republican House members on this list have proved more than capable of that, winning anywhere from five elections to more than 20 each. Though they face reelection less frequently, U.S. senators need to remain popular as well. Here is a look at Americas most and least popular senators.

A representatives reason for leaving office is by no means limited to losing an election. House members will often run for another elected office or simply retire. Others choose to leave public service for more lucrative opportunities in the private sector. Here is a look at 76 richest members of congress.

Click here to see the longest-serving Republicans in the HouseClick here to see the longest-serving Democrats in the House

Read more:
Longest-Serving Republicans in the House - 24/7 Wall St.

Do you remember when the Republican Party was led by staunchly anti-communist Cold Warriors such as Ronald Reagan, issuing dark warnings that the Soviet Union was an Evil Empire posing an existential threat to Americas freedoms and way of life? Remember Reagans exhortations to Russian President Gorbachev to Tear Down that Wall! Remember when it was the party of fiscal responsibility, balanced budgets and conservative democratic principles?

That Republican Party no longer exists. The new Republican Party is now a pro-Russian party that, under the unchallenged leadership of leading Russia apologist Donald J. Trump, continues to question the unanimous conclusion of the U.S. intelligence community that it was Russia that launched the hugely successful cyberattack and disinformation campaign on our American democracy during the 2016 election.

In her dramatic testimony, Fiona Hill, the distinguished former National Security Council official, warned that the fictional narrative and conspiracy theory being supported by Republican members of Congress that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that was responsible for interfering in the 2016 presidential election was consistent with Russian disinformation talking points and was distracting from the very real threat that Russia poses to Americas democracy.

As long as Trump is in the White House, it is a virtual certainty that Republican members of Congress will continue to live in fear of expressing concern over the White Houses extortion campaign of the Ukraine administration. Republicans continue to take the short-term, myopic view that their own political survival is more important than a principled vote in support of the simple premise that a sitting president is prohibited from seeking foreign assistance for his re-election campaign while holding up critical military aide to an important ally.

Russias successful attempt to co-opt the Republican Party closely parallels its broad campaign to compromise right-wing populist politicians in Europe with offers of cooperation, loans, propaganda and disinformation campaigns. Anti-European Union candidates and parties in Austria, Italy, Holland, France and Germany have received either overt or clandestine backing from Russia over the past several years, and a recent suppressed report on the Brexit vote found that it is highly likely that Russian money played a significant role in the successful pro-Brexit campaign to withdraw the U.K. from the European Union.

These far-right European parties have embraced Putin as the exemplar of the patriotic, nationalistic strongman who is dedicated to national traditions and realpolitik, rather than the internationalism and democratic institutions that have long characterized Western liberalism. These right wing, nationalist parties tend to be virulently anti-immigration, xenophobic, racist, and deeply suspicious of genuine democratic institutions, an independent judiciary or a free press that may challenge the unbridled exercise of executive power. Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary and his Fidesz Party are prime examples of how democratic institutions can be gradually eroded over a period of years, to the point where the country can be considered as more an illiberal semi-authoritarian state than a truly democratic one. Orban took over as Prime Minister in 2010, and in only nine years was able to transform the country into an authoritarian regime more aligned with Russia than its other partners in the European Union.

Only time will tell whether America will further drift right toward anti-democratic authoritarianism. Indeed, the more likely scenario is that America will do what France did when faced with a choice between a Kremlin-loving right wing candidate like Marine Le Pen and her National Front Party, or the strongly pro-democratic and centrist candidacy of now-President Emmanuel Macron. With its deep democratic traditions, France overwhelmingly rejected the pro-Russian and anti-European message of Le Pen. Similarly, I think it likely that the majority of American voters will ultimately reject the best effort of Trump and his co-opted Republican Party to paint Russia as a benign force that has been unfairly blamed for the 2016 election interference, and to portray Ukraine as a corrupt, unreliable ally.

If the Republican Party does not re-embrace its bedrock core principles, if it does not come to its senses and recognize that Russia is now (and always has been) a major adversary of the U.S. and the greatest threat to NATO and our European allies, then it runs the risk of not only seriously damaging Americas national security, but also of facing political disaster in the 2020 elections. It can no longer call itself the Party of Lincoln, or even the party of Eisenhower, Reagan or Bush.

Unless Republicans right their own ship, it is destined to become a permanent minority party that has drifted far from the mainstream of American democratic principles, or just a footnote in American history like the Whig Party.

Kenneth Foard McCallion is a former federal prosecutor and human rights attorney who has represented numerous Ukrainian and other European clients, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko of Ukraine. He is the author of Treason & Betrayal: The Rise and Fall of Individual-1.

Read the rest here:
What has become of the Republican Party? | Column - Tampa Bay Times

MSNBCs Katy Tur today asked how Congress can debate or even have a trial on an impeachment focused on President Donald Trumps actions on Ukraine when one side is refusing to acknowledge the world as it currently exists.

On Meet the Press Sunday, Chuck Todd clashed with Republican senator John Kennedy over Ukraine and 2016 interference, with Todd saying at one point, You realize, the only other person selling this argument outside the United States is this man, Vladimir Putin.

Tur brought up that interview and said, It seems like theres arent just two set of facts, its that one side is completely refusing to acknowledge that facts exist.

Its snowing here in New York City, she continued. Its like someone looking outside saying, its summer and its sunny and its wonderful outside, what are you talking about, its not snowing. Republicans are embracing the conspiracy that Ukraine meddled in our election on a large scale, like they were the ones responsible for the hacking of our elections and not the Russians. How do you go about making even having an argument, having a trial, having a debate when one side is refusing to acknowledge the world as it currently exists in front of them?

Ian Bassin called it a contrast from the Watergate days, saying, Theres a real danger here, I think. Republicans see the president as immoral, unethical, not that intelligent, I dont think they fully grasp how dangerous he is.

You can watch above, via MSNBC.

Have a tip we should know? [emailprotected]

Read more from the original source:
One Side is Refusing to Acknowledge the World As it Currently Exists: MSNBCs Katy Tur Shreds GOP for Ukraine Conspiracies - Mediaite

Back in late September, conservative commentator Bill WhalenarguedinForbesthat the House Democrats should seek to censure President Trump rather than impeach and remove him from office. I found his reasoning flawed, primarily because Trump stands accused of a political crime and cant be trusted to run an honest and legal presidential campaign. This wasnt a concern in 1998 when Bill Clinton was accused of lying about a personal matter and had already won a second and final term.

Nonetheless, Whalen offered an important reminder about the impeachment of Bill Clinton. The Democrats were firmly opposed to impeaching Clinton over the Lewinsky affair, but they were very supportive of offering an official congressional rebuke of his behavior. Minority Whip David Bonior of Michigan spoke for the party leadership when he went to the floor of the House and said he wasnt interested in sweeping Clintons behavior under the rug. He wanted to censure the president, but the Republicans would not allow a vote on anything less severe than impeachment.

This House is out of touch. It is out of control. And it is so consumed that they have denied us a chance to vote on one option the only option that commands the support of the American people, and that is censure.

What Bonior was alluding to: for weeks, Democrats in the minority had pushed for a floor vote censuring Bill Clinton for his behavior and substituting a censure resolution for impeachment articles by sending the latter back to the House Judiciary Committee. The parliamentary tactic was rejected as non-germane; an appeal vote failed and House Democrats briefly exited the chamber in protest.

The Republicans did not want give the Democrats the comfort of condemning Clintons behavior without supporting his removal from office, but that doesnt mean that most Democrats were unwilling to go on the record as disapproving of a president having furtive Oval Office trysts with an young intern and then lying about it under oath.

I think its important to remember this in light of how the Republicans are responding to the far more serious charges that are being drawn up against President Trump. One reason the Democrats wanted to censure Clinton was that they acknowledged that lying under oath is not acceptable behavior. Another was that they wanted to support something that would have a deterrent effect on Clinton and any future president who might consider repeating his poor decisions.

I dont know if people were concerned that Clinton would simply continue to have extramarital sexual relationships in the backroom of the Oval Office. I think most people figured he had been adequately shamed and chastened in that respect, but the Democrats werent arguing that he had been within his rights or that his conduct had been perfect. They certainly would not have appreciated it if Clinton had suggested this and then tried tomonetizethe witch-hunt with merchandizing stunts.

Impeachment is bringing out President Trumps instincts as marketer in chief, as he seeks to turn a perilous, shame-inducing inquiry into an aggressive fundraising and mobilization tool,Axiosreports

Recent additions to the Trump campaigns merchandise store include Bull-Schiff t-shirts demonizing House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, and Wheres Hunter? t-shirts mocking former Vice President Joe Bidens son.

The Republicans may or may not privately believe that President Trump has committed an impeachable offense, but I can guarantee that exactly none of them would see it as legal or fair play if a Democratic president withheld a White House visit and military aid from a foreign ally until they agreed to announce an investigation of a likely GOP nominee. For deterrence reasons alone, they ought to be looking for ways to signal their disapproval of Trumps Ukraine scheme so that no future president believes they can get away with doing something similar.

So far, however, they have been unwilling to even acknowledge that Trump deserves to be censured, let alone request the opportunity to vote on such an alternative measure.

For me, this shows why censure was never really an option. Even if it were offered as a solution, the Republicans wouldnt take it.

It's that time of year when we all give thanks, and we want to extend that thanks to you. All of us at AlterNet are honored by your readership and support. We hope you and your family enjoy a cozy, joyful Thanksgiving.

AlterNets journalists work tirelessly to counter the traditional corporate media narrative. Were here seven days a week, 365 days a year. And were proud to say that weve been bringing you the real, unfiltered news for 20 yearslonger than any other progressive news site on the Internet.

Its through the generosity of our supporters that were able to share with you all the underreported news you need to know. Independent journalism is increasingly imperiled; ads alone cant pay our bills. AlterNet counts on readers like you to support our coverage. Did you enjoy content from David Cay Johnston, Common Dreams, Raw Story and Robert Reich? Opinion from Salon and Jim Hightower? Analysis by The Conversation? Then join the hundreds of readers who have supported AlterNet this year.

Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure AlterNet remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to AlterNet, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.

Link:
Republicans are refusing to give Trump even a slap on the wrist and they may live to regret it - AlterNet

Former GOP lawmaker David Jolly charged that Republicans in Congress today are essentially "being used by Russia" because they don't want to acknowledge the truth.

"It's dangerous, it's gravely dangerous," Jolly told host Ali Velshi Monday night during MSNBC's The Last Word. Jolly served as the representative for Florida's 13th congressional district from 2014 to 2017.

"Through their own ignorance, negligence or maleficence, they are being used by Russia," Jolly said. "Republican senators and Republican members of Congress tonight are being used by Russia because they are unwilling to look at the truth."

The MSNBC segment began with Velshi playing a clip of William Taylor's public hearing in front of the House Intelligence Committee earlier this month. Taylor was one of a dozen witnesses to testify as part of the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

Taylor, the top American diplomat in Ukraine, told lawmakers that there was no good reason for Trump to temporarily block nearly $400 million in military assistance to the nation except for wanting to pressure them to help with his political campaign.

"It was counterproductive to all of what he had been trying to do. It was illogical, it could not be explained, it was crazy," Taylor added.

House Democrats launched the impeachment probe in late September following reports that Trump tried to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Trump temporarily withheld nearly $400 million in military assistance to Ukraine to get the country to follow through with his request, according to multiple reports.

Velshi commented that before 2015, no Republicans on Capitol Hill would have peddled conspiracy theories to help defend the president. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has even been dubbed "Moscow Mitch" over his support of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Lindsey Graham wouldn't have tolerated it, John McCain wouldn't have tolerated it, people like you wouldn't have tolerated it," the MSNBC host said.

Jolly replied that was has happened is that the GOP has "abandoned the truth and failed the American people."

"What I've learned these last three years is it wasn't a law and order party, just a party that hated Bill Clinton. It wasn't a constitutional party when Barack Obama was in office, it was just a party that hated Barack Obama," the former congressman said.

Jolly added: "What we're seeing now is a party embracing Donald Trump because they have a quest for power, proximity for power and they want within their reach the ability to self-deal."

More here:
Former GOP Congressman Tells MSNBC Republicans Are 'Being Used by Russia' - Newsweek