Remembering
James Robison

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Al’s Afternoon Tea: The GOP Will Control the Senate … But Will It Be Establishment or MAGA?

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) is fighting to become Senate Majority Leader against veteran establishment Senators John Thune and John Cornyn.

By Al Perrotta Published on November 11, 2024

Welcome back in for Al’s Afternoon Tea this Veteran’s Day 2024.

Once again, a huge and hearty thanks to all who have served. This includes VP-elect J.D. Vance, who amazingly enough, according to military.com, appears to be the first Marine Corp vet to win on a presidential ticket. Semper Fi.

First Up for Trump, Securing the Border

Signaling he’s dead serious about protecting our border, President-elect Trump has named former ICE director Tom Homan as “The Border Czar.” The hardcore Homan will be in charge of securing the border and in charge of “all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.”

On Fox News this morning, Homan had a simple message: “If you don’t want to help us, get the h*** out of the way, because we’re coming.”

https://twitter.com/WesternLensman/status/1855967989050360098

Rep. Elaine Stefanik (R-NY), a longtime staunch Trump ally, has accepted Trump’s offer to be UN Ambassador. Kinda like the idea of having a tough New Yorker as U.N. ambassador. “Hey, I got your diplomatic immunity right here, pal.”

The Battle for Senate Majority Leader

You’d think with the massive mandate won by Donald Trump, and the stepping down of Trump-hating Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the most logical thing in the world would be for GOP Senators to pick as their incoming Majority Leader someone who is actually on board with the president-elect. That would ensure the smooth enacting of Trump’s agenda.

But logic is scarce in The Swamp. The job was set to be a battle between two McConnell-lites: Sen. John Thune and Sen. John Cornyn, both with a history of trashing Trump, both with a history of embracing Democratic causes, both creatures of the establishment.

However, Florida’s Rick Scott, who just won overwhelming re-election, is making a strong bid for the gig, with Trump insiders, Elon Musk, state GOPs and senators like Marco Rubio throwing their support behind him.

McConnell has scheduled a secret vote for Wednesday. So much for transparency. Where does Trump himself stand? We’ll see. Thune warned Trump to stay out of it, which is a good way of guaranteeing Trump will throw himself in the middle of the fight.

Trump did post what he wants to see out of Senate leadership.

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Crazy celebrities and petulant Karens are one thing when it comes to post-election hissy fits. How about current Senate Majority Leaders? Chuck Schumer is refusing to invite Pennsylvania’s Senator-Elect Dave McCormick to a Senate orientation because McCormick’s opponent Sen. Bob Casey has refused to concede.

Sen. Mike Lee is not putting up with it.

McCormick’s team says he’ll be there for the orientation, daring Schumer to kick him out.

Should Kamala Get the Presidency for a Few Weeks as a Participation Trophy?

Some Democrats have begun pushing the idea that Joe Biden resign so Kamala Harris can become the first female president. (Not, you notice, because Joe Biden is unfit.) Former Harris Communications Director Jamal Simmons pitched the notion on CNN this weekend.

It is hard to imagine a worse idea. First off, a majority of Americans have shouted loud and clear they want no part of Kamala Harris as President of the United States. In fact, we had an election, so I hear.

Second, it would be very condescending to women to have the first female president be handed the job, rather than earn it.

We mentioned this morning there was talk of pushing Justice Sotomayor out so Biden can appoint a younger radical justice before leaving. What I didn’t mention was some talk on CNN of naming Kamala Harris to the Supreme Court in Sotomayor’s place.

Meanwhile I want to apologize to Kamala Harris. The other day, I referred to her as the “Daniel Jones of politics.” I believe this was highly unfair to the Vice President.

Yale Psychiatrist Urges Harris Voters to Cut Off Friends and Family

A Yale psychiatrist told MSNBC’s Joy Reid Harris voters need to cut off their Trump-voting friends and family members this Thanksgiving and beyond. Dr. Amanda Calhoun says it may be “essential” for their mental health.

She wants them “to say, ‘I have a problem with the way that you voted because it went against my very livelihood, and I’m not going to be around you this holiday. I need to take some space for me.’ I think you should very much be entitled to do so, and I think it may be essential for your mental health.”

On one hand, how awful to discard loved ones because of a vote. (Using worries about fights over politics as an excuse because you really don’t want Aunt Marian’s dry turkey, that’s a bit more understandable.)

On the other hand, perhaps Harris voters staying away from holiday gatherings is a good idea. Some of these liberals are a few drumsticks short of a turkey. Here’s John Zmirak’s guide to winsomely dealing with politically obsessed family members through holiday dinners.

Here’s a mother calling her sons “ignorant” or “evil” for voting for Trump. Thanks for the Cruella da Ville vibe, ma’am.

According to a new survey, 54% of Harris voters want to move, either to a blue state or another country. Look at the bright side, sad sacks. If you do move to another state, the gas will be cheaper for the drive.

The Trump Effect, International Version

The Washington Post reported Sunday that Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin, and advised him not to escalate the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin is saying no call took place. “It is completely untrue. It is pure fiction; it is simply false information,” Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said. “There was no conversation.

Putin has publicly congratulated Trump for his victory, and announced Russia won’t be abandoning the dollar for international trade. Russia had been threatening to join the “de-dollarize” movement, which would see the U.S. dollar replaced from its powerful position in world trade and international transactions.

Meanwhile, they’re celebrating Trump’s victory in Greece.

Funny from Scott Adams

We leave you with this wry observation from Scott Adams.

On the Stream Menu

A fascinating Conversations with Christians Engaged: “Congressman Lance Gooden & Bunni Pounds Discuss Their Journey from Being Political Opponents to Friends.”

Vet Brandon Olsen writes a poignant piece for Veteran’s Day: “We Veterans Face Struggles After Service: Faith, Community and the Classroom Made the Difference.”

Al Perrotta is The Stream’s Washington bureau chief, coauthor with John Zmirak of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration, and coauthor of the counterterrorism memoir Hostile Intent: Protecting Yourself Against Terrorism.