Call it whatever floats your boat: circular firing squad, internecine warfare, intentional implosion, or Republican intraparty politics as usual, but the song remains the same: the Republican Party has a long history of doing more damage to itself than any damage caused by the Democrats and their lapdog media stooges.
In the latest example, the House Freedom Caucus is reportedly discussing kicking Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to the curb over her “unprofessional” behavior.
According to a report from left-leaning Axios, members of the Freedom Caucus discussed MTG’s ouster during a closed-door meeting on Friday morning, three sources familiar with the conversation told the outlet. Two of the sources called Greene’s recent behavior “unprofessional,” while one source said caucus members are becoming increasingly frustrated with the Georgia Republican for a wide number of reasons.
“No decisions were made,” one GOP lawmaker said, adding that the group had a “wide-ranging” discussion on a variety of issues, while three Republican lawmakers said an ouster of Greene wasn’t likely because her removal from the caucus would require an 80 percent majority vote.
This raises a proverbial question: If Greene’s ouster is highly unlikely, why in the hell would a presumed conservative reveal the discussion to the public — and to Axios, of all outlets?
Two possible answers come to mind:
Was the MTG ouster discussion leaked to the media by supporters of MTG in an effort to solidify her membership in the caucus, who also believed they’d create a backlash against the caucus for even considering kicking the unpredictable Georgia lawmaker to the curb?
Or, was it leaked by supporters of the ouster who believed by revealing the ouster discussion, they could not only solidify opposition to Greene but perhaps also damage the support of those who might vote against an ouster?
Either way, it’s not like MTG hasn’t sent mixed signals between rival factions in the House GOP Caucus on multiple occasions.
For example, Greene changed her position on Kevin McCarthy from that of an antagonist against the California congressman’s leadership to a loud vocal ally of the Speaker. She also blew up her BFF relationship with Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who admonished Greene in a bathroom catfight during the marathon session to elect McCarthy Speaker: “Don’t be ugly.”
Then last Wednesday, Greene reportedly confronted Boebert about “statements you made about me publicly” and proceeded to call her “a little b**ch,” which the Georgian later told reporters was “impressively correct.”
“Impressively petty,” in my not-so-humble opinion, but then again, I don’t have a dog in the fight.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of the petty differences between oft-feuding Frick and Frack [sarc], the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) continues to hold considerable sway in the House Republican Caucus.
While some believe the HFC’s demanding tactics amount to little more than holding the majority of the GOP Caucus hostage, others believe the HFC, under the leadership of Chair Rep. Scott Perry (PA) and Deputy Chair Rep. Jim Jordan (OH), is tantamount to a shining beacon of patriotism in a party that no longer resembles its roots.
Either way, there’s next to zero chance that the House Republican Caucus will buy itself a Coke and teach the world — let alone Republican voters — to sing in perfect harmony anytime soon, particularly prior to the 2024 presidential election.
Meanwhile, I’d pay an extra couple of bucks to see Greene and Boebert on the undercard of a Musk-Zuckerberg steel cage match.