this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2023
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[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 26 points 1 year ago (5 children)

This is likely going to be unpopular, but McConnell, for all his faults, is one of the last remaining bulwarks of somewhat sane GOP machinery. I don't like the guy, but he's immeasurably better than having a MAGA fuckstick running the Senate caucus.

All that said, when your politician needs to be rebooted in the middle of public appearances, it's time to trade it in for a newer model.

[–] prole@beehaw.org 106 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The first part of your comment may be true, but it's leaving out an important caveat: he's very much directly responsible for the current state of his party, and the rabid base he helped create.

I think that's some important context.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 9 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I'm scarcely excusing his actions on a number of fronts, especially the SCOTUS clusterfuck he engineered. But his support for riling the base up was of the Tea Party, not MAGA, flavour.

[–] EvilColeslaw@beehaw.org 31 points 1 year ago (1 children)

But his support for riling the base up was of the Tea Party, not MAGA, flavour.

That seems like a distinction without a difference.

[–] MrBusiness@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 year ago

I think the point they're trying to make is 'McConnell might be horrendous shit, but at least he's not horrendous diarrhea'.

[–] prole@beehaw.org 21 points 1 year ago

He's literally the leader of the legislative branch of the Republican party. It would be absurd to act like he bears no responsibility for the direction of his party.

[–] Unaware7013@kbin.social 15 points 1 year ago

But his support for riling the base up was of the Tea Party, not MAGA, flavour.

"He wanted a Squirtle, not a Blastoise"

[–] NattyNatty2x4@beehaw.org 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

He doesn't deserve less culpability just because he underestimated how much evil he'd do

[–] LoamImprovement@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago

Underrated comment. Arsonists don't get clemency for the things they didn't intend to burn.

[–] SomeGuyNamedPaul@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago

He's one of the elements holding back the monster he created. MFer vetoed his own bill after Obama came out in support of it.

[–] FoundTheVegan@kbin.social 17 points 1 year ago

The MAGA collective are too busy calling each other pedos to be effective. Kevin Mccarthy found this out the hard way trying to get his votes. That was the only silver lining of Trump, he was too incompetent to actually accomplish his goals. How much of that wall got built?

Mitch however is the reason the supreme court was able to repeal Roe. Not that I would relish someon like MTG getting more power, but it's in our best interest for the self enrichment fools to line their pockets instead of an idealog getting things done.

[–] belated_frog_pants@beehaw.org 14 points 1 year ago

He enabled maga because he wanted to wield it. His whole constituency is poor as fuck in Kentucky because of him.

[–] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Can you please ELI5 what GOP and MAGA mean?

[–] The_Hunted_One@beehaw.org 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

GOP stands for "Grand Old Party", which is a nickname for the Republican Party in the United States.

MAGA is an acronym which stands for "Make America Great Again", and was used by Trump during his run for the presidency. It has since been used to indicate those that follow Trump and his policies.

[–] mnrockclimber@lemmy.sdf.org 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Just to further clarify, MAGA was originally used by Ronald Reagan (and later Bill Clinton).... it's just another thing recycled by the orange guy who has no ideas of his own.

[–] prole@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

To clarify even further, there was a failed painter in 1930s Germany who ran on the same slogan (except "Deutschland" not "America"). Also used the whole "fake news" thing (or "lugenpresse" in that case)

...I wonder how things turned out with that guy.

[–] Can_Utility@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago

MAGA has traditionally stood for "Make America Great Again," but I suspect after this year it might change to either:

Make Attorneys Get Attorneys

or

My Ass Got Arrested

[–] pbjamm@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

GOP = Republican Party

MAGA = Trumpists traitor branch of the party

[–] CraigeryTheKid@beehaw.org 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

To be clear, the GOP is also heavily composed of traitors.

[–] redballooon@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sure, but the GOP is merely a traitor to the American people. MAGA tops that by being traitor even to the GOP.

[–] CalcProgrammer1@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago

But not in an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" sort of way. Not in the slightest.

[–] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 1 points 1 year ago

Got it. Thanks.

[–] KingJalopy@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Grand old party (Republicans)

Make America great again (Trump fans)