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Editor’s note: Former attorney Dean Obeidaler is the host of SiriusXM radio’s daily program, The Dean Obeidaler Show.follow him @DeanObeidallah@masto.aiThe opinions expressed in this commentary are his own.opinion more opinions on CNN.
CNN
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The longest battle for House Speaker in 164 years finally ended early Saturday morning, culminating in the election of Republican Kevin McCarthy on the 15th ballot. It should have been the most moving moment after days of Republican struggle in the House, but it wasn’t.
Far more memorable was the speech that followed, in which House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered before handing McCarthy the gavel to mark the peaceful transfer of power.
After paying tribute to former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and touting the outcome of the last Congress, Jeffries turned to the most memorable part of his speech: ABC. He began each line in succession with his letter from A to Z, passionately championing American values of democracy and compassion over fascism and hatred.
But it wasn’t just the use of this literary device that was so extraordinary, even though it was a big part of what made the speech go viral.
No, Jeffries’ words were very impressive. Because the new Speaker of the House should have told you.
Instead, McCarthy vowed that House Republicans’ “first bill would end funding for 87,000 new IRS agents.” Speaking later to reporters in the halls of Congress, he praised former President Donald Trump — the commission’s final report on Jan. 6, calling it “the core cause of the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.” ” concluded that.
Jeffries has consistently responded to his first name, Hakeem, which is translated from Arabic to “wise” or “learned” person seen as a fountain of deep knowledge. is a Baptist, but as a Muslim, I wish he was a Muslim!) His speech early Saturday morning was the latest example of his wisdom.
“We believe diversity is a strength, not a weakness, in America,” the first black leader of a major party in Congress told the House. He also offered Republicans “a hand in our partnership,” saying, “We will try to find common ground for the American people whenever and wherever possible.” .
Still, Jeffries vowed that Democrats would “never compromise our principles.” Following this pledge, the newly inaugurated Democratic leader literally listed each principle from A to Z in the most memorable part of his speech.
He began by making clear that Democrats reject many of the things that have come to define Trumpism. Hope over hate. …”
When he reached the middle of this poetic passage and dug Trump into stating, “Mar-a-Lago’s maturity,” derision erupted with applause in the House.
Jeffries continued with an alphabetical reading of what Democrats defend and reject.
He sent Google the definition of one word when he got to the letter X and said, “Xenial against xenophobia.” (In this context, xenial means “warm, welcoming, and hospitable.”)
Jeffries ended the passage with the line “Eager Representation for Zero-Sum Opposition,” and shortly thereafter by vowing that Democrats “always do what is right by the American people.”
But these are the words McCarthy has to deliver, making it clear that he condemns dictatorship, fascism, and the grave threats facing our democracy by Trump and the Republican MAGA branch.
House Republican leaders are not unaware of these threats. Just one week after his Jan. 6, 2021 attacks, McCarthy took to the floor of the House of Representatives to declare without question Trump: When he saw what was happening, he should have condemned the mob immediately. ”
But fast forward to the day after the two-year anniversary of the January 6th attacks. Minutes after leaving the House, the newly elected Speaker paid tribute to Trump.
“I want to especially thank President Trump. I don’t think there should be any doubt — everyone should doubt his influence,” McCarthy said, adding, “He’s been with me from the beginning. … So thank you, President Trump.”
“Thank you” to the man whose words and actions inspired his supporters to attack the Capitol? Not what the Speaker of the House should say.
After receiving the speaker’s gavel, McCarthy had some great moments, like when he told Jeffries: We promise our debates will be passionate, but never personal. ”
Finally, the speaker included these commendable words: …our future is worth fighting for. ”
But those are meaningless words and have flip-flopped on major issues such as McCarthy standing up to Trump on Jan. 6 and staying silent about the lies of the new Republican congressman, George Santos. Given his track record, he desperately needed his vote in the presidency. .
In his speech, Jeffries defended American values and the Democratic Republic without defending them.
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