REPOST BY REQUEST: I say gently, don’t look for President Trump to expend valuable political capital on this.
Senator John Thune has been groomed by Mitch McConnell to be his replacement for decades. Thune’s ascension to the role of Senate Majority Leader was, maybe is, essentially a foregone conclusion.
Senator Thune will carry the full support of roughly 15-to-20 senate DeceptiCons (deceptive conservatives), and perhaps a dozen more squishy ones in the middle who want great committee positions. The important dynamic that comes into play is Senate Committee Chairman “leverage” for Donald Trump’s nominees.
Nov 7th on CNBC Senator John Thune discussed the upcoming secret ballot election for Senate Majority Leader. WATCH (prompted):
.
Essentially, this is Thune’s gentle first shot requesting President Trump “stay out of” the senate caucus decision. Likely, what matters most to President Trump is getting his nominees past the Republican majority confirmation process. Thune was in previous talks with President Trump several months ago, and again several weeks ago in Mar-a-Lago.
Senator Thune doesn’t want President Trump to put his finger on the scale. If matters of the Senate are left alone, Thune ascends – period. However, Thune isn’t stupid and would like Trump to support him. Essentially, Thune would welcome intervention so long as the intervention came with an endorsement.
Thune wants to be Senate Majority Leader. Pragmatic President Trump wants all of his ‘advise and consent’ nominees to glide through confirmation.
We should potentially anticipate President Trump to endorse Thune; generally, that would indicate terms have been agreed and we can be optimistic. Despite his need, perhaps the best situation for Rick Scott is a non-endorsement of anyone.
However, if we see a non-endorsement from President Trump, or if Trump should surprisingly endorse someone else, then we should watch out for full DeceptiCon opposition in the Senate from here on out.
A lot of the dynamic exists without any outside influence. The two positioned candidates are John Thune (SD) and John Cornyn (TX). Florida Senator Rick Scott is a MAGA favorite, but Thune is heavily favored and has an inside track. The number of MAGA senators is around ten, not really enough to block any organized leadership challenge.
Our MAGA movement benefits from appointments gaining confirmation. President Trump well understands the negotiations and maneuvering that will be needed to get the right committee chairs and members in place.
Maybe Scott has a chance… But… Optimal solutions, folks. Optimal solutions.
LOVE THIS!!!!!
via CFP:
JD Vance backup plan to become Senate majority leader and Senate president.
https://x.com/glennbeck/status/1854988977989992472
“This would COMPLETELY change the game in Washington.”
Repeal of the 17th…
YES ! This is imperative to the survival of our republic !
Absolutely agree….
Cuz gerrymandering Senate seats is a great idea?
Cuz state/local gov’t is any less susceptible to donor class influence?
I have lived in liberal and conservative states. Every level of gov’t can be corrupted.
If your beef is those states whose governors can appoint temp office holders that run counter to a state’s political makeup – then I think there is a data point worth considering.
Senators being chosen by state legislatures was a way to protect our Country’s federalism.
The House represents the People, but the Senate was created to represent and safeguard states and state powers.
The 17th Amendment was a huge blow to the federal system the Founders created.
It threw off the balance of powers between the feds and the states and over the years allowed the federal government to steal so many state powers.
States were supposed to have a voice in federal government and the 17th stole that voice.
Yes. I found this personal refresh helpful for the 17th:
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/17th-amendment
I just posted a comment about this before seeing yours. You said it better than I.
This screws with the separation of powers, and I think it’s a no-go for that reason.
Senate Majority lead did not exist when Adams was VP.
Not a good idea IMO; double edged sword. A Kamala Harris type VP as SM lead even when the Rs control the Senate?
Senate President is qualified with “pro tempore” in the Constitution.
Also, in my mind, raises very serious questions about separation of powers.
Glen Beck bidding to return from the media graveyard?
Agree … he ain’t perfect … but he ain’t a McConnell lackey … he may be a plant … but who else is there ??!
Trump needs Vance if it comes down to it.
Absolutely … if Trump can make this happen.
Amen Sweet God. Amen 🙏
again, take what is offered and like it
well, I do not like it one bit
fwiw
Sen. Rick Scott Slams Mitch McConnell: He Wants A McConnell Majority, Not A Republican Majority (6min)
part 1
https://rumble.com/v5nb3wb-sen.-rick-scott-slams-mitch-mcconnell-he-wants-a-mcconnell-majority-not-a-r.html
part 2
https://rumble.com/v5nb452-if-you-like-trumps-agenda-help-sen.-rick-scott-become-senate-majority-leade.html
I detest McConnel as much as the rest of you. But I read material like this and think “then work with folks in KY, specifically Louisville, to get rid of the sob.”
That never happened.
Where is the Brunson case when you really need it?
Favorable ruling on that one right now would cause a constitutional crisis and as fkn awesome as that would be to watch , at this point would be a hindrance causing chaos where there is already plenty, altho I still want them to be removed , ahh want my cake and eat it too !
Agree with everything you post!
It’s gonna take a two pronged approach:
One. PDJT taking law breakers to trial.
Two. State citizens voting people into office who restore the integrity of respective voting policies, architecture, technology, management, accountability.
Nothing in anything that is on the agenda is going to be easy. This is going to be a bare knuckles fight to the end. The really, really, really hard part will be prosecuting the fight while keeping to the higher principles in play. I know I struggle with that one from time to time.
Secret ballot needs to go.
Maybe Thune and Cornyn will split the McConnell loyalist vote, leaving an opportunity for Scott.
Thune IS MITCH MCCONNELL. What happened during the first 2 years of Trump 45 when R’s had control of the house and senate? Absolutely nothing. McConnell could not even be counted on to confirm Trump’s nominees.
Why would Trump assume Thune or Cornyn would scratch his back if he scratches theirs? Their interests are aligned with the Chamber of Commerce, not Trump, MAGA, MAHA, or Main Street.
It may be a mistake but if I was making the decision, I’d assume Thune would block my agenda just like McConnell did, no matter what I did to help him get selected. I’d endorse Scott and lobby the crap out of the GOP senators to vote for Scott.
Trump is pragmatic, but he watched McConnell and Ryan burn him and should know Thune is the exact same person politically as McConnell. I also don’t think he appreciates or backs down to threats.
Depends on who knows how to work media better and use the tools of power more forcefully.
This time around I think PDJT is much better prepared on both accounts.
Both sides will start out, in light of the landslide vote, pandering to unity. Won’t last long.
George
@BehizyTweets
The Republican Party of Tarrant County, Texas, which is the largest red county in the country, passed a resolution rejecting John Cornyn’s leadership bid
“BE IT RESOLVED that Tarrant County Republican Party rejects John Cornyn as a possible Majority leader of the United States Senate and encourages Republican US Senators to elect a majority leader that represents President Trump and the America First Agenda, such as Rick Scott and John Kennedy.”
Cont…
I’ve always said that if mitch mcconnel made a sharp turn then john cornyn’s neck would break, because his head is so far up mcconnel’s rear end.
Katie Britt is a “no” on Thune or Cornyn.
If either Thune or Cornyn becomes leader, McConnell is still the leader. Which means the Senate will obstruct President Trump. Trump might as well roll the dice and endorse Scott and publicly lobby for open voting. He will never have more political capital that he has right now, and it will never be better spent than on getting rick Scott into the senate leadership.
Why would they be having this vote now?? Three more Republican senators are coming in in January. Why don’t they have a say?
An excellent question!
The Senate Elect members are allowed to vote this week. The ballots are secret.
Deleted – wrong thread
Fox is reporting Josh Hawley “delighted” to be backing Cornyn. Yuck!
Another one on the grift.
Really, really disappointed in hearing this.
Me too, just lost all respect for him.
That’s terrible. Says a lot about Hawley.
I didn’t hear him say my Senator, J.D. Vance can’t lobby for Scott.
And he will be presiding over the Senate.
https://x.com/glennbeck/status/1854988977989992472
By Scott…..no RINOs
We need to understand that politics is an ‘adult game’, and not one where you can pick up your ball and go home. If a Thune endorsement calms the waters for Trump’s nominees, then so be it.
Yeah,, well a Mitch in another pair of pants can’t be good.
Who counts the “ secret “ ballots ?
that is secret too
I could not see any room here for a negotiation with the McConnell-followers, they have demonstrated who they are. My two cents: Only option: Scott. It’s necessary to fight it through.
What do y’all think of this idea ?
https://x.com/glennbeck/status/1854988977989992472
That would be great, of course, but I suspect it’s a lot on a VP’s plate, to be in session that much plus duties as VP. I really don’t know if it’s doable. BUT, he selects committees, too. I believe he is currently a junior senator, though.
It’s absolutely “doable” next week if you are talking about Senate Rules — however, that would only hold true until J.D. resigns his Senate Seat — which we do NOT want him to do until the end of this session – we are facing another Omnibus Bill.
However— it would sure be a kick in the Rear to .Team McConnell if they did it.
Regardless of Thune’s THREATS TO President Trump – the .President can absolutely speak to Senators NOW, as can J.D.
They can Temperature Check and make their positions known. Leave the Public announcements to Tucker, Elon & others.
Right NOW is when President Trump & sitting Senator J.D. Vance have the most Leverage.
I’m sure they know that.
Have to concur with you here, SD. Much as I hate it. The Senate, more than the House, was always going to be the speed bump or roadblock to implementing the MAGA agenda. I was thinking last night that perhaps Trump could put out a “neutral” statement to the effect that all 3 men would be “great choices” and that he hopes the “beautiful new Republican majority” would listen to the MAGA movement which helped them gain their majority. As fragile as egos are in the Senate (as a former talk radio host in my city used to say, “100 people who get up every morning and see a future president in the mirror), even that is likely to bruise Thune’s ego and cause him to make mischief.
That doesn’t mean, of course, that MAGA voices can’t *independently* make their voices heard to their respective senator. Even if it doesn’t keep a RINO from being Majority Leader, it will put that body on notice that we are still awake. Still watching. And still want the results we voted for.
I have said for a long time: Trump cannot do all of this on his own. Even with a fantastic team around him, they are greatly outnumbered by the Swamp. We, The People, are the great equalizer. It does no good to be awake, if we don’t act upon the knowledge of that awakening.
Want Scott, but ANYONE BUT CORNYN. “I don’t answer to the mob.” He said this after he voted for gun control. F. him.
Yes you do, you POS.
A reoccurring theme at TheConservativeTreehouse: “The Republicans (RNC) want money, the Democrats (DNC) want power. The Republicans use power to get money, the Democrats use money to get power.
…… … The donor activity of the Republicans drives their agenda. The agenda of the Democrats drives their donor activity. It is a subtle nuance, but once you really understand it, everything falls into place.”
The Great Donald J. Trump wants to Make America Great Again. … Trump wants Americans to prosper, he wants less war in the world, and prosperity for everyone else in the world too! … The MAGA agenda differs from the typical goals of politicians in our country and the world.
[As a note: People >opposing Trump’s MAGA agenda are generally LUNATICS.]
I watched Charlie Kirk the other day and it was floated that Vance could / should be the leader of the senate. He would have to suffer through all the meetings and process, but he would be able to push trumps agenda. And it’s legal. I think it is a brilliant idea.
One, but not the only path: work from the bottom up. Initiate advertising campaigns and political/legal initiatives in respective RINO states that constantly undermine public support for these apostates.
Increase the time they have to allocate to fighting local battles: escalate the heat.
Or lay out the mechanics of the threat to determine individual Senator breaking points.
In the Senate, there will be measures these people need support for. Quid Pro Quo dealmaking.
In short, if they want a fight, show them that it will not be costless. Exercise real power using all the arrows in the quiver.
The sausage is made ugly. As long as KEY members of the Senate are in KEY positions to reform, let the one with Vanity have his “leadership” position. Trump however needs to be prepared with a hidden hammer in case he gets stabbed in the back by these clowns. Reform must be SWIFT, FAST and without much huddles as the plotting is underway to make these 4 years be naught. We JUST STARTED this war.
That’s the problem…
Once the person is in the position, I don’t believe the Executive Branch would have a hammer, we’d be stuck with the RINO leadership.
“The number of MAGA senators is around ten, not really enough to block any organized leadership challenge.”
Really?
True, for closely contested legislation – as well as empowerment to block.
Which implies the fight is really against the aligned DS/IC forces in the Senate. But that has been evident all along.
If war it is, then war it must be.
Only about 10 US Representatives ejected Kevin McCarthy, so the 10 Senators would have a bigger impact on 100 Senators than 10 would have with the house.
If the 10 hold strong, there will be no Thune or Cornyn Majority Leader.
Call your Senators tomorrow and tell them Rick Scott or fall back on JD Vance.
China Mitch needs to stay off the Senate Floor.
Somewhat different.
House has the SoH role that all parties vote for – wielding power is more fluid. A bit different from the Senate where the majority leader is da dog – President of the Senate is the VP who only engages in tie votes.
What you are asserting is true, but it is a double edged sword for decisions beyond majority leads. We have seen this many times: the Dems vote as a block in the senate – it only takes a few RINOS (say one from Maine and her few friends) to sway legislation one way or the other.
I’ll do you one better.
Trump needs to call them.
He has near absolute power over this situation right now.
I always remember coming to the conclusion that DC is the center of corruption – probably of the world – simply because of the massive amounts of money flowing through there.
And the center of corruption in DC is, of course, the US Senate.
Always think about how The Big Game is played at that level. That is the only way things make sense.
Optimal solutions. Thanks Sundance for recalibrating my thoughts. PDJT will need every edge he can get. And politics is politics, first, last, and always.
Sadly.
“We should potentially anticipate President Trump to endorse Thune; generally, that would indicate terms have been agreed and we can be optimistic.”
Sundance, What leverage or recourse might Trump have if Thune reneges on any “agreed terms”???
None. And be guided by that answer.
EXACTLY!
Therefore why even play with the match if you wont be able to control the fire!?
“We should potentially anticipate President Trump to endorse Thune; generally, that would indicate terms have been agreed and we can be optimistic.”
I have been holding off a response. But …
I completely disagree with this statement, and with this entire line of compromise thinking. This is not compromise. It is an invitation to a political fleecing.
President Trump will never be as politically strong as he is RIGHT NOW. He just won a major landslide victory less than 7 days ago — a national mandate victory. PDJT is at his ultimate political apex at this very moment. He is technically a lame duck already.
PDJT’s window for implementing major change will be very short. Not 100 days. And likely not even 60 days. More likely, he will get a blank political check for 30-50 days. That’s how it works there. Once they regroup and the glow of the mandate fades, they will be back to protecting themselves against the People.
And he will get only one chance to get it right during that window. Who and what he wants. Once the window closes, it is done.
These people do not honor agreements or understandings. They are snakes. You don’t cut deals with snakes; they will backstab you after you have honored your end. With Trump, all you have to remember are all the endorsements he has made in the past to these people, who promptly backstabbed him once they reached DC.
And if that is not example enough, then just look at California today. That was the result of Ronald Reagan’s ‘deal’ on mass immigration there in the 1980s. Tip and the Swamp never honored their end of the bargain.
These people once in will promptly block all of Trump’s cabinet nominations.
Trump has all the national power right now. They don’t. And right now is all that matters to the latter.
This week, and continuing for the next 65 days, it must be pedal to the metal. He must exercise the power he has right now. It is all fleeting.
At an absolute minimum, Trump needs to declare that all voting for Majority Leader be open and public. That alone will expose many to cowardice and backtracking. Expose the decepticons, all of them.
Ideally, he should express exactly who he would like to see as Majority Leader. And hopefully, it is someone much closer to the Patriot Ten then these snakes.
Many so exposed by open voting will flock to that pick, if only to save their own disgusting skins. And that follows Rule No. 1 in that town.
And he should make his statement on these things on Tuesday. And ignore McConnell and Thune and Cornyn, and their hissing.
And that’s my take on this situation.
I’m with you. And who the hell does Thune think he is, telling PDJT to stay out of it? Seriously? The Senator snakes are conducting business as usual, and screw the citizen mandate of Nov 5. Nope. Screw THEM. If we’re upending everything in that fetid swamp, why would we ever settle for Thune or Cornyn?
Oldersoul, I appreciate your comment and agree with you 100%. I hope you don’t mind, but I am going to repost your comment. Thank you.
Agreed on the POTUS very short “grace” period and most of your other points. Therefore, President Trump MUST Nomimate VP Vance and let ALL of the MAGA Senators secretly know in advance that HE EXPECTS THEIR TOTAL SUPPORT TO COMPLETE THE MAGA AGENDA.
“Trump needs to declare…”
He can declare all he wants, the senate doesn’t follow orders from the president.
None of the senators are going to suffer at the moment because the election is over. They have 2 years grace period before Trump can out them to their constituents. And only 1/3 are up in two years, so depending on who is up will determione how much leverage the president has.
All of President Trump’s power resides in us and the power of elections.
President Trump is the leader of the GOP now. And fully invested with a clear mandate of that Party’s national electorate.
He can declare and demand what he wants. And he should. On behalf of the Party electorate that empowered him. Now.
And he can create severe consequences for those Senators who defy him. It’s called political pain.
A Trump endorsement is now worth 20-25 primary points.
Starting with the sunlight of an open vote. That whip leak already has them scrambling like cockroaches.
Trump’s FAVORITE SONG/POEM: “YOU KNEW I WAS A SNAKE BEFORE YOU TOOK ME IN.”
Trump will NEVER make an “arrangement” with loony thune. Way too wicked.
33 Senators come up for re-election every 2-years. That means 66 will come up for re-election while Trump is in office. All of the R’s coming up for re-election need Trump’s endorsement. That is Trump’s leverage for putting his finger on the scale for the next Senate majority leader.
You are reading my mind.
Work with us or goodbye
It might take a while but trust we have a good memory.
MAGA 🙂
If Thune or Coryn get in, POTUS’s hope for term limits legislation is dead in the water.
Patriot in Texas 🙂
Cornyn will be gone hopefully.
Will not get our votes.
🙂
Another option: Figure out the blackmail on Thune and Cornyn, and let them know you know.
The Epstein and P Diddy files might just come in handy before being released.
It’s appalling, but that is how power politics is played.
We need to call our senators….especially Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee to begin to be vocal and stand up to these RINO’s. Let them know we elected Trump and we contributed to their reelections and “we the people” will not be ignored! Mitch McConnell is controlled by the Chinese and so will thune carry his wishes. Clean the senate !
He is up for being voted out in 2 years and is still whipping for Thune…both of Oklahoma’s senators need to be replaced.
I love you, Sundance, but I think you are wrong as hell about this appointment. Either Thune or Cornyn is a perpetuation of McConnell and is the kiss of death to DJT.
It sounds to me like this senate can do whatever they want right now. The insurrection/war has begun. It is only fitting that the initial shots are being fired by RINOs. 01/20/25 is different, however. I like the idea that J.D. Vance be both president and majority leader of the senate.
The optimal solution is for Trump to endorse an attitude, a philosophy, an eagerness to help turn the country around, a commitment, and finally, an endorsement of MAGA.
Ummmm…..
Who has the nation wide mandate…..
and is the leader of the party…..?????
Trump45/47…..let Trump45/47 pick.
Oldersoul
November 10, 2024 9:47 am
“We should potentially anticipate President Trump to endorse Thune; generally, that would indicate terms have been agreed and we can be optimistic.”
I have been holding off a response. But …
I completely disagree with this statement, and with this entire line of compromise thinking. This is not compromise. It is an invitation to a political fleecing.
President Trump will never be as politically strong as he is RIGHT NOW. He just won a major landslide victory less than 7 days ago — a national mandate victory. PDJT is at his ultimate political apex at this very moment. He is technically a lame duck already.
PDJT’s window for implementing major change will be very short. Not 100 days. And likely not even 60 days. More likely, he will get a blank political check for 30-50 days. That’s how it works there. Once they regroup and the glow of the mandate fades, they will be back to protecting themselves against the People.
And he will get only one chance to get it right during that window. Who and what he wants. Once the window closes, it is done.
These people do not honor agreements or understandings. They are snakes. You don’t cut deals with snakes; they will backstab you after you have honored your end. With Trump, all you have to remember are all the endorsements he has made in the past to these people, who promptly backstabbed him once they reached DC.
And if that is not example enough, then just look at California today. That was the result of Ronald Reagan’s ‘deal’ on mass immigration there in the 1980s. Tip and the Swamp never honored their end of the bargain.
These people once in will promptly block all of Trump’s cabinet nominations.
Trump has all the national power right now. They don’t. And right now is all that matters to the latter.
This week, and continuing for the next 65 days, it must be pedal to the metal. He must exercise the power he has right now. It is all fleeting.
At an absolute minimum, Trump needs to declare that all voting for Majority Leader be open and public. That alone will expose many to cowardice and backtracking. Expose the decepticons, all of them.
Ideally, he should express exactly who he would like to see as Majority Leader. And hopefully, it is someone much closer to the Patriot Ten then these snakes.
Many so exposed by open voting will flock to that pick, if only to save their own disgusting skins. And that follows Rule No. 1 in that town.
And he should make his statement on these things on Tuesday. And ignore McConnell and Thune and Cornyn, and their hissing.
And that’s my take on this situation.
Last edited 2 hours ago by Oldersoul
Agreed 100%
President Trump just posted that anyone who wants to be Senate majority leader has to agree to recess appointments. I’m glad he’s bringing this to light before the public. He should’ve put Mitch on the spot in his first term by explaining this to the public. Too many people don’t understand he could only get the people in his cabinet McConnell would permit.
I posted the X ‘tweet’ you are referring to just below.
I hope he demands even more. He is entitled to more at this point.
The Boss chimes in:
Rick Scott…..Cornyn and Thune are both weak sisters and anti DJT!
Trump will allow Thune as a trade for confirmations without blocking.
Having a secret ballot now rather than in January suggests that McConnell is worried that he may not have the number of votes in January needed to seal his pathetic legacy. A power play on the surface, but fear just underneath.
While the need for regaining aspects of the Constitutional operations, a point of contention concering the methodology of the rejection of the 17th, which in fact has created the “House of the Rising Lobbyist” or parliment of wealth whores.
This is the question: Article V Convention final and why not: http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/41085340
Formost historical scholar on use of both the Federalist Papers and Founding documents
the 10TH Amendment, is also a powerful tool the Left tries to disparage. We must trust, but insure success.
Someone needs to get word to PDJT to preempt the two Johns. Cornyn and Thune. Trump did great by sending out a message that Nimrata Haley and Pompous Mike Pompeo are not invited to join the administration. Trump needs to say something along the lines of he is looking forward to Rick Scott becoming the next leader of the Senate.
Sen Scott is gaining traction! Elon Musk has endorsed and running a poll on X. Like Mike Lee’s poll, Scott is trouncing Thune and Cornyn.
As opposed to Thune and Cornyn being “Trained like Dogs” by McConnell (H/T Benny Johnson), This is Scott’s platform for Majority Speaker:
https://x.com/ScottforFlorida/status/1855702902846943340
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1855647150144995639
Musk pinned a poll about Senate leader.
Scott in front of “other” by big margin
To believe either of these two RINOs would not follow in the footsteps of McConnell and Ryan is simply a step too far. These RINOs have their own agenda. One only need realize that the Senate’s foreign intelligence committee was a key player in Trump’s woes to understand that Trump wither puts his supporters in leadership roles or repeats the disasters of his first term.