Democrats Save the Clown Caucus (again)

Last evening the House passed a Continuing Resolution to keep the government functioning through March. Almost all Democrats voted yea, saving the U.S. from a government shutdown over the holidays and saving Republicans from their pitiful selves. Ben Cline did the right thing this time voting for the CR.

The mess erupted a couple days ago when shadow president Elon Musk objected to a bipartisan CR. He was then joined by President-in-waiting Donald Trump and that negotiated deal collapsed. Musk (and Trump) notably demanded an increase in the debt ceiling now rather than in mid 2025 when Republicans will have control of the White House along with the House and Senate. That demand was NOT included in the CR that passed setting up an interesting and bitter intra-party fight next year. Chaos averted for Christmas but it isn’t gone for long!

The CR that passed did cut a small amount of dollars from the budget… not budget busting items but very real programs that help the American people. All of this to appease Elon. A few examples (from Bryan Tyler Cohen):

• GABRIELLA MILLER KIDS FIRST RESEARCH ACT 2.0, which provides funding for pediatric cancer research.

• The GIVE KIDS A CHANCE ACT, to provide studies of new cancer drugs

• ACCELERATING ACCESS TO CARE ACT to streamline out-of-state treatment for medically complex kids

• SUPPORT ACT promoting Opioid recovery and treatment

• PANDEMIC AND ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS ACT

• Restrictions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, who often overcharge patients

Some Republicans (like Bobblehead Ben) will boast of the dollars saved, but in reality the savings is small and the hurt is real. This is foreshadowing the mess we are in for the future… an eccentric billionaire able to control a weak minded (actual) president while corralling a herd of House cats.

We have gotten the government we deserve… chaos theory 101.

Bobblehead Bob and the Clown Caucus

House Speaker Mike Johnson just got punked by the incoming president and his chaos crony, Elon. Give Johnson some credit… he tried to keep the government’s Christmas lights on by working across the isle with a continuing resolution funding the government through early spring. He’d been juggling his clown caucus, which includes the Valley’s own Bobblehead Ben Cline.

Enter President Musk… oh I mean Trump… oh I’m not sure who I mean anymore. They tanked the bipartisan plan that Johnson had juggled over the past weeks and insisted on a new CR that included, among other atrocities, a demand for extending the debit limit. Perhaps this should give all of us pause that, in spite of musk’s and Ramaswamy’s DOGE, the incoming administration will run up the federal debt. Oh yes, the twin sons of different mothers, will try to cut programs that mean much to Shenandoah Valley residents… farm aid, Social Security, Medicare, etc… and call it savings, but their giveaways to the  top tier and their cronies will more than offset any savings. I predict the deficit/debt will soar!

What will The “budget hawk” Bobblehead Ben do? Nothing because when it comes time to stand on principle against Trump, Ben is a chicken hawk. 

Trump and the little devils sitting (shitting) on his shoulders have no plans for fiscal austerity or responsible governance. They offer only chaos, shutdowns, retribution. And Bobblehead Ben concurs. 

Be afraid, very afraid

Donald Trump spoke to the Turning Point Action Believers’ Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 26. During his speech Trump made his plans to become an authoritarian strongman clear to the extreme Christian nationalist group: “Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians…. Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”

Holy crap… certainly sounds like Trump is promising a second term would be a Christian nationalist dictatorship where elections don’t matter and our representative democracy dies. What do you think Ben Cline? Are you okay consigning American constitutional democracy to the dust bin of history? But of course you are… you still think the 2020 election was stolen and celebrate the January 6 insurrectionists. Ben you are bobblehead who only knows how to genuflect to the dear leader of your bankrupt party. 

Bobblehead Ben and Ken Mitchell on healthcare

Bobblehead Ben Cline has repeatedly voted against improving healthcare measures that offer huge benefits for constituents. In 2019 he voted against covering preexisting conditions, sustaining the Health Insurance Exchange, and the ability of government to negotiate drug prices. In 2020 Bobblehead Ben continued voting against measures for improving healthcare opportunities for when he voted NO to fund adequate coverage in the ACA.

There is a better way! Ken Mitchell believes healthcare is a human right. Ken supports maintaining the Affordable Care Act, coverage for preexisting conditions, keeping children on parents’ insurance until age 26, no lifetime limit on coverage, and the ability of government to negotiate lower drug prices.

Voters in the 6th District of Virginia… there is a better way! Support Ken Mitchell this November.

Republican Hung Cao is a chicken

Republican Senate candidate Hung Cao bailed out of the Virginia Bar Association debate with Senator Tim Kaine at The Homestead… an event with a long tradition in the Commonwealth’s politics. One wonders why since he should be desperate for name recognition. It appears Hung 🐓 Cao is terrified to answer questions from Virginians like:

Why does he support plans to sunset Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare? These are essential programs for millions of Americans. Yes, they need bipartisan “repairs” the assure future funding and reduce fraud… but you apparently want to end them entirely! 

Why does he support bills that would ban abortion, reduce access to contraception, and interfere with fertility treatments? Wow… the government intruding in women’s health and our bedrooms sounds like a dystopian future for Americans!

Does he support Project 2025 that is designed and promoted by a shadowy network of Christian nationalists and fascists. Project 2025 would take rights from Americans and many see it as a blueprint if Donald Trump is elected

Many speculate the Cao doesn’t want to leave NOVA to visit what he considers to be “podunk” parts of Virginia. He has made it pretty clear that talking face-to-face with Virginians in all parts of the state isn’t a priority for him. That stands in sharp contrast to Senator Kaine who relishes meeting and listening to constituents. Kaine visited Staunton last Saturday and met with an enthusiastic crowd.

Bobblehead Ben calls for President Biden to resign the office

Bobblehead Ben Cline, the inept guy representing the 6th District of Virginia, is marching in lockstep with the Speaker of the House by calling for Joe Biden to resign the presidency. Even Ben is smart enough to know that won’t happen (or perhaps he isn’t smart enough). It is partisan posturing because Trump and his cult were caught flat footed when Joe Biden ended his quest for the nomination and Republicans are in panic mode. There is absolutely zero evidence Biden cannot competently complete his term.

Hey Ben, how about asking Donald Trump to step down as the nominee of the Republican cult? After all, his performance at the convention is at best questionable… he occasionally appeared to be dozing and then gave a super long speech that, after a short nod to “unity,” veered off into deranged and frightening ramblings that were a mix the Big Lie and a scary American future if his platform, Project 2025, is enacted. The old guy ain’t right! 

While we’re at it, Ben why don’t you resign? After all, you regularly put party above county and constituents!

If you are a voter in Virginia's 6th Congressional District there is a much better choice than Bobblehead Ben. Ken Mitchell is running a positive and inclusive campaign. Meet Ken:

Bobblehead Ben’s Republican Party is a Mess

Congressional Republicans, including Bobblehead Ben Cline, achieve little unless you count blocking progress and policies favored by a majority of Americans. Over the past few months Republicans…

Blocked aide to Ukraine for a long time thereby endangering the nation that is struggling against a vile dictator trying to expand his influence. Fortunately a bipartisan deal and the leadership of President Biden and other western leaders got the aid in the nick of time.

Blocked a strong bipartisan border security bill at the urging of the former president and felon. He, and Republicans like Ben Cline, would rather toss red meat to the base than actually make progress on solving problems.

Blocked legislation to protect the right of adults to obtain birth control.

Blocked legislation requiring a stronger, more transparent ethics code for the Supreme Court.

Blocked legislation to protect IVF. 

On a mostly party line vote, House Republicans did manage to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over the videotape of the special counsel questioning President Biden about retention of classified documents. Congress has the transcript so they absolutely do not need the video. The President has claimed executive privilege so this contempt resolution is pretty meaningless. Republicans were even too dense to see the irony of three of their own… Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs, and Scott Perry… ignoring subpoenas from the House committee investigating the Trump led January 6 insurrection and attempted coup.

Bobblehead Ben Cline marches in lockstep with this ship of fools. He should be voted out of office this November.

Podunk Local Paper

Republican Hung Cao, who is seeking the nomination to run for U.S. Senate against incumbent Tim Kaine, recently referred to the Staunton News Leader as a “podunk local paper” and doubled down by adding “you wouldn’t even wrap your fish with that.” According to the Cardinal News, Cao also deems it a waste of time to travel to the 6th and 9th congressional districts to debate his opponents.

How is the News Leader even on Cao’s radar. Well, being part of the Gannett USA Today media network, the News Leader picked up a story about Cao’s Unleash America PAC not benefitting any Republican candidates for state and local office as promised when he created it in 2023. That story was picked up by the Virginia Public Assess Project news aggregator which attributed the story to the Staunton paper… that’s where Cao apparently learned about it.

A few observations…

Cao should research more before sounding off and belittling a newspaper and, indeed, an entire region. It does not speak well of his depth or temperament. He should at least have been aware that the article was actually from a respected national media organization and not some “podunk local paper.”

Maybe Mr. Cao prefers to campaign from his desk in NOVA via zoom, but most folks like to meet the candidate in person and take the measure of the man or woman. Tim Kaine knows this and visits the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest Virginia regularly. So Mr. Cao, take a tour down I-81, meet some folks, and maybe learn about the region’s transportation and infrastructure needs along the way. Plus, the scenery is great!

From where I perch in the Shenandoah Vally, Hung Cao’s candidacy appears to be “ridonkulous.”

Ben Cline a hypocrite when he says he supports law enforcement

In his recent Sixth District Perspectives, Representative Ben Cline touted his support for National Police Week and stated that he wants “ to improve officer safety and help those who protect our communities.” Hum… what a crock of bullshit!  He saw nothing wrong with the January 6 insurrection when Donald Trump’s treasonous thugs stormed the United States Capitol, violently attacked police officers, and chanted hang Mike Pence. Wonder where Ben was hiding that day… probably shaking in fear behind a scummy mop in a janitor’s closet. He continues to support Trump’s “Unified Reich” where red ties have replaced the brownshirts of Adolph Hitler but the violent authoritarian filth remains. Yes, it is abundantly clear Bobblehead Ben supports the MAGA jackboots who care little for legitimate law enforcement officers who protect our communities and the rule of law.

The Sixth District of Virginia deserves so much better than the not-so-smart loser Ben Cline. Check out Ken Mitchell. He served over two decades in the military and in the White House under both parties. Ken will get things done in a bipartisan spirit, unlike the hyper-partisan and unimaginative Bobblehead Ben Cline.

Lowlife Supremes

QUESTION: How did the highest court in the land become infested with biased and unethical lowlifes like Sam and Clarence?

ANSWER: Republicans. 

Cline the Appeaser

Bobblehead Ben Cline, again mis-representing the best interests of the 6th District of Virginia and the United States, joined the pro-Putin appeasers in the House of Representatives by voting against aid for Ukraine. If you can judge a man by the company he keeps, then Ben is wallowing the crazed right wing ignorance along with Bob Good, MTG, Chip Roy, and others of the so called “Freedom Caucus.” Most members of that “esteemed” cabal failed freedom by siding with the Russian dictator’s aggression. 

Fortunately there is an alternative this November… Ken Mitchell of Rockinghsm County is running for Congress. Mitchell has 24 years of military service and has worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He understands the threat that Putin and other authoritarian thugs present to democratic nations and world peace… something Bobblehead Ben repeatedly fails to comprehend as he is lead by the isolationist wing of the GOP. Check out Ken at his website and at this article in The Winchester Star. 

Bobblehead Ben votes to shut down the government

On the evening of January 18 the House passed a continuing resolution to keep the government running through early March. It required a 2/3s vote since the speaker suspended House rules in order to fast track it. 107 Republicans joined with 207 Democrats to avoid the shutdown. Bobblehead Ben preferred to follow the lead of such “stellar statesmen” as Lauren Boebert and Bob Good in support of tossing federal employees out of their jobs and denying important services to citizens. He’ll play it up in his next Perspectives newsletter bashing Democrats while conveniently forgetting the growing deficit under tRump. Up next for the Bobblehead… opposing any compromise on the border reached in the Senate. He’d rather have a red meat issue than a solution.

Bobblehead Ben Endorses Twice-Impeached Criminal

It came as no surprise that Bobblehead Ben endorsed the twice-impeached, many times indicted Donald John Trump for president. The Bobblehead, who supported all attempts… legal court challenges and the violent and illegal insurrection… was delusional in citing tRump’s “global leadership” and great economy as reasons for the endorsement. Guess Bobblehead is okay with the Trump organization receiving at least $7.8 million from nearly two dozen foreign government with the biggest chunks coming from authoritarian China. Bobblehead Ben is apparently sipping Kool-Aid… or bleach!

This endorsement comes at the same time that the former president’s lawyers argued for complete immunity for anything he did during his miserable term of office. Reminds me of President Nixon’s famous statement that “when the president does it, that means it is not illegal, by definition.” Laughable then and highly unlikely the appellate court will uphold anything close to that absurd argument. But, I imagine Bobblehead Ben buys this hook, line, and sinker. Dumb cluck.