Yesterday we all got to see our wonderful Speaker show Donnie Moscow who’s boss when she disinvited him to the State of the Union. Of course, some hand wringing ensued among the punditocracy, with some speculating this move was politically dangerous and potentially costly. But today we got to see that Speaker Pelosi knows exactly what she is doing, because Donnie Moscow’s response was so lame and childish — canceling an overseas trip by a House delegation Pelosi was part of — that it immediately established two things.
First, Donnie really has little leverage here; while Speaker Pelosi may be inconvenienced personally by this, this was not a politically important trip. The State of the Union is one of the most watched speeches a President gives. So Donnie just showed that where Speaker Pelosi brings a bazooka, he brings a pea shooter.
Second, as we’ve all known for some time, this act shows that Donnie Moscow really is nothing but a giant manchild. This is so nakedly petulant and stupid that only the most diehard of Red Hats will think it as a reasonable response. Speaker Pelosi is very smart — the folks who would be securing the SOTU are indeed impacted by the shutdown — many are on furlough and are not getting paid. This particular trip was being organized by the military, and specifically not the Coast Guard, so these folks are getting a paycheck and they definitely had the funds to do this.
In short, the SOTU move was pure political brilliance, and this initial response by Trumpland shows just how out of their depth they are in this game. They are amateurs, where she is a political grand master.
What’s more, the big picture really shows that this Presidency really could be going down the toilet fast, in no small part thanks to Nancy Pelosi. Within 2 weeks of assuming the Speakership, she’s shown to be more than a match for our vulnerable Ego in Chief. She constantly tweaks him, forces him to react, and exposes him for the child that he really is.
Have you noticed a shift in tone in the media, because I sure have. The seemingly indestructible armor is gone, and we are quickly seeing Donnie Moscow for what he really is: a petulant child. And the media are taking notice — show after show is calling him childish, laughing at him, and generally showing the disdain, mockery, and disrespect a clown like him deserves.
For the first time in two years, I can see how we are going to get out of this, and it is in no small part thanks to the brilliant leadership of Nancy Pelosi. So happy she is the Speaker!