I see Senator Tuberville (R-AL) has quietly joined the House Republicans in advocating, and implementing, nutty political strategies in order to achieve unpopular political goals:
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went on offense Tuesday against one Republican senator’s blockade of 160 senior military promotions, cautioning that delaying the moves will harm national security.
Austin delivered the warning at a Senate Armed Services hearing Tuesday, where he made the case for the Pentagon’s annual defense budget. The defense chief was asked about Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s temporary hold, which is based on new policies aimed at shoring up troops’ access to abortions, and pleaded with the Republican to change course.
Without naming the Alabama senator or citing the abortion policy, Austin called the impact of delaying routine military promotions “absolutely critical” as dozens, potentially hundreds, of general and flag officer picks pile up. He cited a number of tense global situations, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Iran. [Politico]
Tuberville’s anti-abortion maneuver won’t hurt him personally, as Alabama appears to be firmly in the grip of the GOP, but for other members of Congress up for reelection in swing districts, it could be problematic. Threatening national security over a domestic political issue in which most of the national electorate disagrees with Tuberville will do nothing to endear his GOP colleagues to local voters.
The GOP’s forest of prosperity.
Add in their clown car affair with raising the the national debt limit, an irrational resistance to raising taxes, and the general adherence to the Gingrich Doctrine of never giving Democrats a win – in case you’re wondering, it’s the Democrats who are currently occupying the position of ‘mostly sane’ – and the general 4th rate personalities now being put up for election, and the 2024 election is looking dreary indeed for the Republicans.
