Pelosi and Corker — Which Side Are You On?
Both Beltway politicos made statements this week that will have implications for the 2018 midterms.
Among those Beltway politicos who are most helpful to Republican midterm election prospects would be House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
Responding to the latest greatest economic news about job creation and declining unemployment, Pelosi, who is doing everything she can to undermine the considerable economic achievements of the Trump administration, offered this spin: “Hip hip hurray, unemployment is down. What does that mean to me in my life? I need a bigger paycheck. … This isn’t just about the unemployment rate; it’s about wages rising in our country so that consumer confidence is restored.”
As you recall, Pelosi insisted that Republican tax cuts would be “Armageddon” and then dismissed them as “crumbs.”
For the record, headline unemployment dropped to 3.8%, the best since 2000. U-6 unemployment is at 7.6%, the lowest since 2001. Black unemployment hit a record low of 5.9%. Female unemployment is at 3.6%, the lowest since 1953.
About wages and consumer confidence: Paychecks are growing at a record pace. Consumer confidence is at an 18-year high and small business optimism has been higher only one time since 1983.
As for Pelosi’s comment, “I need a bigger paycheck,” she already draws almost $200,000 per year from taxpayers (on top of her enormous office budget), and Pelosi’s net worth is $29.35 million. But like most limo-liberals, abject hypocrisy is the most treasured character trait!
While Pelosi’s comments help advance the conservative agenda, some Republicans just can’t get on board. One of those is my friend, Bob Corker, a native to our hometown whom I have known for many years.
Bob started off strong in Congress, but with Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton, he has repeatedly used his Senate standing as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations to malign Trump — and unfortunately, he’s also insulting grassroots Americans across the nation.
This week, Corker observed of Trump supporters: “We’re in a strange place. I mean, it’s almost, you know, it’s becoming a cultish thing, isn’t it? And it’s not a good place for any party to end up with a cult-like situation as it relates to a president that happens to be purportedly of the same party.”
It is unfortunate when capable political leaders get to Washington and, after drinking Potomac Kool-Aid every day, turn on their political base. Notably in Bob’s case, he is not running for re-election this year because he would not have survived a primary challenge from a strong grassroots conservative, Rep. Marsha Blackburn. He has yet to endorse Blackburn as his replacement, and by all appearances, is siding with her inept Democrat opponent, a washed-up former governor, Phil Bredesen.
