The Normalization of Marjorie Taylor Greene
Plus, introducing Joe Perticone's 'Press Pass'!
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MONA CHAREN: The Normalization of Marjorie Taylor Greene.
During one of Kevin McCarthyās gauntlet of punishing votes, it was striking to see with whom he passed the time. There she was, dressed in sophisticated black, the member hailed as a ākey allyā to the new Speaker of the House: Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Her choice of color (in the past she has donned stark reds, whites, or bluesāget it?) is perhaps a signal of the new Greeneāa mainstream figure, a serious politician. Her status was signaled by a respectful, not to say softball interview with Howard Kurtz on Fox News.
Doubtless Fox would like to sanitize her since she played a significant role in elevating McCarthy to the speakership. She must be a changed person or the GOP will have to ask itself some uncomfortable questions.
Introducing PRESS PASS!
Our colleague Joe Perticone has a great new newsletter, the first edition of which you can read here. Twice a week, Joe will take you into the Capitol and out on the campaign trail to tell you whatās happening in the halls of Congress and those who want to be there representing you.
Trump rarely leaves his āweirdā smelling, moldy mansion, he seems bored and tired, and D-List MAGA are his main loyalists now. Plus, Olivia and Charlie go all in on the parallels to the film, Sunset Boulevard. Olivia Nuzzi joins Charlie Sykes today.
Bulwark+ members can listen to an ad-free version of these podcasts on the player of their choice. Learn more at Bulwark+ Podcast FAQ.
BILL LUEDERS: The GOP in 2023: A Pop Quiz.
What a rousing start to the new year the Republican party has had! Rep. Kevin McCarthyās torturous 15-ballot path to the House speakership. Sniping among members of the GOPās lunatic fringe. The seemingly endless stream of lies from now-Rep. George Santos of New York. The constant jaw-dropping flow of mendacity, madness, and moral turpitude. Hereās a quiz to gauge your command of recent news.
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Our condolencesā¦ to the family and friends of NYT writer and former Politico editor Blake Hounshell.
āA political chodesmith of the highest orderā¦ā A look at who the GOP picked to combatā¦ āweaponizing government.ā (Spoiler: Itās Jim Jordan.)
āWhich obviously didnāt end wellā¦ā Mike Pence with a leading candidate for understatement of the year. Yes, he seriously said this on the Hugh Hewitt show.
Has the House read the Constitution yet? Kevin McCarthy promised!
More shocking Madison Cawthorn newsā¦ He never transferred the district office casework to his successor, effectively giving a middle finger to his constituents before moving to Florida.
A Trump Org. Exec is headed to Rikersā¦ Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to 5 months for his part in a tax fraud scheme.
Sad Tromboneā¦ A brass Mormon band tried to overturn the 2020 election, but SCOTUS said no.
Dismantling Sellafieldā¦ The home of the UK nuclear program.
The Big Wheel of Karmaā¦ Keeps on rolling, writes Matt Labash. (If you donāt already subscribe to Mattās newsletter, no better time to treat yourself.)
The possessive apostrophe in āBojanglesāā¦ Or is it Bojangleās?
A lighter side of lifeā¦ A photo essay.
The end of Pastina? A major supplier discontinued the shape popular in many Italian recipes.
Hockey Islandā¦ A new series on the Marthaās Vineyard hockey kids.
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