5 Comments
User's avatar
Mike Johnson & Jerry Climer's avatar

Well said and explained, Kelly. Anyone watching Grassley over the past few decades knows better than to underestimate the guy. The fact that he sounds like he just walked in from a corn field is a ruse.

Expand full comment
Raymond J LaJeunesse, Jr's avatar

Sen. Grassley is the last Senator Trump should alienate. He's a solid conservative, an effective Senator, honest and transparent. Before I retired, I worked judicial nominations for a conservative organization, and Grassley was the best ally we had.

Expand full comment
Politics and Sausage Making's avatar

Good post. In the Senate, traditions exist for a good reason - they allow it to work in a bipartisan manner where the minority has a say in the workings of the majority. In the past, it has prevented the Senate from devolving into the partisan brawl that has become the House. Those traditions have been strained by our highly polarized body politic and the actions of former Democratic Leader Harry Reid. Unfortunately, Chuck Schumer is just as partisan but lacks the skills and knowledge that the Senate's past party leaders have had. President Trump would be wise to let the people who understand the Senate work on his behalf.

Expand full comment
kellyjohnston's avatar

Well said. I should also note that someday the Senate will be in Democratic hands. As Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has pointed out, the blue slip process benefited GOP Senators and states when Schumer was the Majority Leader. MAGA Republicans should be careful what they wish for. Our judiciary has already suffered enough from the elimination of the filibuster, which occurred more than 10 years ago.

Expand full comment
Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D.'s avatar

Interesting backstory on the Senator and DC universe.

Expand full comment