House GOP fears retirement wave will lead to tsunami

[Cyber Liberty]

Sorry to bust your bubble but when the GOP has 22 up for grabs vs only 12 for the Dems, the GOP is indeed more susceptible.

Only when these seats are up can they be lost.

Quite right.  I looked that up, and we have 22 seats up.  It should be a matter of concern, no matter what happens with the Presidential Election in 2020.

[XenaLee]

Well, @XenaLee is no Trump-worshiper.  It was all I could do to convince her he's not half-bad. 

And you're right about the pie.   

Hell no, I'm not.  Anybody here with half a remaining working brain cell knows that (ooops).  lol

[musiclady]

Your off the charts hyperbole aside....  you're seeing things all wrong.   

Realistically, there is no other GOP candidate that will have a chance of beating the rats next year.   I don't know of ANY GOP candidate that could win.  Realistically, the only "change in leadership" that can occur next year is the rats defeating the GOP.  And realistically, with enough folks like you thinking like you do...

that probability is increasing drastically.

But seriously dude... calling me a Trump worshiper has destroyed any credibility you might have had with me.  We're done.

The only reason that no one in the GOP has a chance against Trump is because of the group of people in the GOP who see him as the Messiah, who cannot be replaced.

If the GOP were wise enough to give us a strong conservative candidate with even a modicum of self-control and decency, we could beat any socialist the left gives us.

As it stands, reasonable people and consistent conservatives have no choice again in 2020.

[libertybele]

To solidify the GOP, we definitely do NOT need to continue electing the same people until they are octogenarians.  Much better to produce new younger talent on a continuous basis.

Step down when that replacement is found.

That is the problem occurring right now with the Dems.  The new younger breed vs the old timers who feel they deserve to be where they are forever.

Yes, we need to STOP electing the same people.  I couldn't agree more.  Problem is, that very often, there isn't a conservative who challenges the incumbents.  Therefore, choices are limited; abstain from voting for the undesirable incumbent, vote 3rd party or vote DEM. 

At this point in time, in the case of President Trump, for myself, I just don't see abstaining or voting DEM as an alternative.  I wish the Constitution Party would actually succeed to where they're on the ballot in all 50 states -- that's never happened -- even as a write in.

So here we sit.  As stated before, I voted 3rd party during the Bammy/McCain election -- and -- didn't make a darn bit of difference, nor did losing that election wake up the GOP.

So again, and I'm just not addressing you in particular -- what is our alternative in 2020??  No one is challenging Trump.

[XenaLee]

The only reason that no one in the GOP has a chance against Trump is because of the group of people in the GOP who see him as the Messiah, who cannot be replaced.

If the GOP were wise enough to give us a strong conservative candidate with even a modicum of self-control and decency, we could beat any socialist the left gives us.

As it stands, reasonable people and consistent conservatives have no choice again in 2020.

Exactly.   We must face that reality... which is.... we are stuck with Trump in 2020.  He is the only one that has any chance of winning against the rats.   It's a sucky thing to face, but better to face it than to do what some folks are doing... ie sticking their heads in the sand (or some other dark, dank place...lol)... and pretending things are not what they are.

[Bigun]

Here's what I know.

1. Nearly three years of this shit has become EXCEEDINGLY tiresome!

2. Almost no one here ever offers any SOLUTIONS to anything.

3. When on that rare occasion, someone DOES do that it gets near zero attention.

 

[edpc]

Here's what I know.

1. Nearly three years of this shit has become EXCEEDINGLY tiresome!

2. Almost no one here ever offers any SOLUTIONS to anything.

3. When on that rare occasion, someone DOES do that it gets near zero attention.

1. That’s the nature of political discourse.

2. Maybe we should vote for joke candidates from the Constitution Party?

3. See #2.

[libertybele]

The only reason that no one in the GOP has a chance against Trump is because of the group of people in the GOP who see him as the Messiah, who cannot be replaced.

If the GOP were wise enough to give us a strong conservative candidate with even a modicum of self-control and decency, we could beat any socialist the left gives us.

As it stands, reasonable people and consistent conservatives have no choice again in 2020.

IF the GOP were to give us a strong candidate??? I can think of several strong candidates, but I don't see any of them running even if asked that would be willing to challenge Trump, or stand up against all the mayhem that the left will undoubtedly throw on them.  Also factor in, it takes millions to run a campaign; which takes getting prominent people with deep pockets who want a conservative to back them.  Who's going to go up against Trump's money and all his connections??  Cruz was the only one who came even close in '16 and obviously we know how that turned out.

The RNC refused to back the most conservative candidate last election, I don't see them changing their tune.  I believe Trump had Priebus in his pocket and a few others; McConnell, Sessions and possibly Hannity.

[jafo2010]

txradioguy
I feel sorry for folks like you that worship Trump like you do.  No room for criticism or rational discussion about the way forward.

The only answer you accept for any question dealing with this country and it's problems is Trump.   Nothing else will be even considered.

I grew up in a union and strong Dem household that worshiped JFK.  JFK was a man whore who accomplished very little while president.  I believe less legislation was passed than any other president during his presidency up to his being president.  Trump on the other hand, has accomplished many things, without a cooperative Congress.  While he has similar behaviors to JFK, he is a business man that knows how to produce results.

The Democrat clown car offers what exactly if not proceeded by the word free?  A big fat nothing.

So, txradioguy, please tell me WHO you would suggest in place of Trump?  Lying Ted?  Please.  He would have been thoroughly defeated by HRC.  And Jeb?  America has had enough Bushes to last a 1000 years.  Little Marko, wet behind the ears Marko, no way.  And last but not least, the postman's boy John Kasich?  He is not the same man he was while in Congress 20+  years ago.  He is a total flake now.  He should switch his party registration, for he sounds like a liberal flake.

Back to the thread subject, retirement from Congress.  You do know they need only five years of service in their position to collect their FULL PAY the rest of their life, with all the increases Congress votes for itself every few years.  So, why stay after five years? 

Not having TERM LIMITS in my humble opinion keeps mediocre life politicians who are more dedicated to preserving their position in life versus actually representing the people that sent them to Washington in the first place.  Every last politician that wants to leave...GOOD RIDDANCE!!!  There is no one in Congress that makes a positive difference for the American people.  They are all expendable!  I would rather risk losing the seat but have the opportunity to get fresh conservative blood willing to make a difference than keep the same self serving POS that has held the position for 20 years. 

[Right_in_Virginia]

Sorry to bust your bubble but when the GOP has 22 up for grabs vs only 12 for the Dems, the GOP is indeed more susceptible.

Only when these seats are up can they be lost. 

Every congressional house seat is up every two years.  A retirement from a house seat presents an open seat.

(Just trying to set the nomenclature for rounds three and four of this great debate.)

[libertybele]

I grew up in a union and strong Dem household that worshiped JFK.  JFK was a man whore who accomplished very little while president.  I believe less legislation was passed than any other president during his presidency up to his being president.  Trump on the other hand, has accomplished many things, without a cooperative Congress.  While he has similar behaviors to JFK, he is a business man tha knows how to produce results.

The Democrat clown car offers what exactly if not proceeded by the word free?  A big fat nothing.

So, txradioguy, please tell me WHO you would suggest in place of Trump?  Lying Ted?  Please.  He would have been thoroughly defeated by HRC.  And Jeb?  America has had enough Bushes to last a 1000 years.  Little Marko, wet behind the ears Marko, no way.  And last but not least, the postman's boy John Kasich?  He is not the same man he was while in Congress 20+  years ago.  He is a total flake now.  He should switch his party registration, for he sounds like a liberal flake.

Back to the thread subject, retirement from Congress.  You do know they need only five years of service in their position to collect their FULL PAY the rest of their life, with all the increases Congress votes for itself every few years.  So, why stay after five years? 

Not having TERM LIMITS in my humble opinion keeps mediocre life politicians who are more dedicated to preserving their position in life versus actually representing the people that sent them to Washington in the first place.  Every last politician that wants to leave...GOOD RIDDANCE!!!  There is no one in Congress that makes a positive difference for the American people.  They are all expendable!  I would rather risk losing the seat but have the opportunity to get fresh conservative blood willing to make a difference than keep the same self serving POS that has held the position for 20 years.

This isn't about who in the past election could have beat Trump or won over Hillary.  That's in the past. 

Again, the reality of the matter is that there is no one challenging Trump.  IF a candidate does challenge him, then I would happily consider that alternative.

IMHO IF we don't win in 2020, there won't be another GOP seated.

[DCPatriot]

Here's what I know.

1. Nearly three years of this shit has become EXCEEDINGLY tiresome!

2. Almost no one here ever offers any SOLUTIONS to anything.

3. When on that rare occasion, someone DOES do that it gets near zero attention.

 

Let me break it down for you, @Bigun

We have the usual suspects here bitching and moaning for FOUR years....not three years that Trump is a loser and a horrible man and candidate.

We have the same usual suspects here complaining that Reps and Senators never give up their seats and leave and on this very thread bemoan the possibility that the GOP will have almost 2 dozen 'retiring'.

We have the same usual suspects claiming that they're not against the POTUS and that they "...will praise him when he does good and criticize him when he screws up"...yet nobody recalls these individuals coming to the defense of the man.

ERGO:  to hell with them.  And the jackasses they rode in on.

[Wingnut]

Let me break it down for you, @Bigun

We have the usual suspects here bitching and moaning for FOUR years....not three years that Trump is a loser and a horrible man and candidate.

We have the same usual suspects here complaining that Reps and Senators never give up their seats and leave and on this very thread bemoan the possibility that the GOP will have almost 2 dozen 'retiring'.

We have the same usual suspects claiming that they're not against the POTUS and that they "...will praise him when he does good and criticize him when he screws up"...yet nobody recalls these individuals coming to the defense of the man.

ERGO:  to hell with them.  And the jackasses they rode in on.

I think that if they act like an Ass they should not be surprised if they are ridden like an ass.
But no  matter.....management says  jackasses enrich the TBR experience and diversity of opinion is welcomed.   

[jafo2010]

Again....libertybele...the defeatism...!

In 2016, Trump was NOT expected to win.  He did.  And to assume that we will never see another GOP candidate as president is defeatist, and just wrong.  The Dems offer nothing and there is no hope for GOP candidates? 

Demographics may be changing, but studies also show that 2nd generation hispanics are overwhelmingly conservative with their vote.  So, you should not despair.

As I indicated, I was raised in a staunch Democrat household.  My mother was a radical unionist, and it was my father in the union.  Until 2008, I was a registered Dem, yet I voted Republican in national elections.  People do get more conservative as they get older.  I used to vote for what I thought was the best candidate.  No longer.

I will never vote for another Dem.  Never.  A large part of the Dems has gone communist and I believe we need to acknowledge that fact and no longer support this lost party.  For me, the notion that the Dems allow Sanders to run as a Dem, when in fact he is a communist, completely destroys the branding of their party.  Fact is they are lost and will remain so for the foreseeable future, and with this, the GOP has every opportunity to win every four years.  They cannot run losers like McCain and Romney and expect to win however.  They have to be smarter than that.  Dole was another candidate destined to lose from Day One.

[Bigun]

I think that if they act like an Ass they should not be surprised if they are ridden like an ass.
But no  matter.....management says  jackasses enrich the TBR experience and diversity of opinion is welcomed.

I have no problem at all with a diversity of opinions.  My problem is with going round and round the same damned bush to infinity.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think that if they act like an Ass they should not be surprised if they are ridden like an ass.
But no  matter.....management says  jackasses enrich the TBR experience and diversity of opinion is welcomed.

That's correct!   

[DCPatriot]

That's correct!   

I think that if they act like an Ass they should not be surprised if they are ridden like an ass.

Thank you so much for giving us the go-ahead, @Cyber Liberty   Please remember that in the future.   

[DCPatriot]

I have no problem at all with a diversity of opinions.  My problem is with going round and round the same damned bush to infinity.

As soon as these cretins begin to show support for the man fighting against odds his entire life...for the GOOD of the nation, we'll move on.

Until then...round and round we go.

[DCPatriot]

I think that if they act like an Ass they should not be surprised if they are ridden like an ass.
But no  matter.....management says  jackasses enrich the TBR experience and diversity of opinion is welcomed.

I completely agree, @The Ghost , so long as MY "principles" are viewed thru the same prism, and are as sacred as @roamer_1 's and his kind.

[Jazzhead]

Exactly.   We must face that reality... which is.... we are stuck with Trump in 2020.  He is the only one that has any chance of winning against the rats.   It's a sucky thing to face, but better to face it than to do what some folks are doing... ie sticking their heads in the sand (or some other dark, dank place...lol)... and pretending things are not what they are.

It is August of 2019.   There is plenty of time to persuade the President not to run for re-election.   That possibility, that conversation must start soon.  (For the record, LBJ did not announce he would not run for re-election in 1968 until March 31 of 1968.)     

This is not about replacing Trump with a foe.   It is about persuading him, like LBJ,  to not run in favor of an ally who can take up the banner and win the war that Trump cannot.   Given number of seats we must defend, the loss of the Senate is almost certain if Trump drags down the ticket with independent and suburban voters.   

[edpc]

It is August of 2019.  There is plenty of time to persuade the President not to run for re-election.   That possibility, that conversation must start soon.  (For the record, LBJ did not announce he would not run for re-election in 1968 until March 31 of 1968.)

It won’t happen, for at least two reasons. First, he would never give up the adulation he receives from campaigning. Also, there is an SDNY indictment awaiting Individual-1.

[Wingnut]

I completely agree, @The Ghost , so long as MY "principles" are viewed thru the same prism, and are as sacred as @roamer_1 's and his kind.

I hear you @DCPatriot.  Since I started my Lithobid treatments I tend to not be bothered by the lunatic fringe.   

[Bigun]

As soon as these cretins begin to show support for the man fighting against odds his entire life...for the GOOD of the nation, we'll move on.

Until then...round and round we go.

Not me!  Had enough!

[jafo2010]

Jazzhead...you keep suggesting that Trump follow in LBJ's footsteps and step down.  That is not going to happen.

Clearly, you were not around or paying attention when LBJ was president.  When he decided to 'not run', I think it was in large part realizing that his decisions regarding Vietnam were completely erroneous, and that  he believed he would not win.

That is not Trump's concern.  You think Trump is concerned about the Dem clown car?  Are you delusional?  He has no worries regarding the present field of Dems.  NONE!  And if you think he is concerned about the media polls indicating Sleepy Joe and a few other Dems would defeat him, again, you understand very little about this man.

BTW, LBJ was a long time politician, who built power in Congress to coerce many to do what he wants.  Trump has none of that, and has proceeded without Congress on almost everything he has done.  He does not see failure.  He just won in court with the ability to use Defense funds to build the wall.  He is no where even close to being where LBJ was in 1968. 

It will be TRUMP vs CLINTON in 2020.  No one in the clown car has a chance against Trump.  NO ONE!  Just because Clinton hasn't announced does not mean she will not in the coming months.  She will, and she will give him a real run for the money.  She still loses.  He takes 40 states.

[txradioguy]

"cretins" "his kind" "lunatic fringe"

Great way to see things from your point of view or at least discuss things with you in a rational way.