If I’m being honest, I’m not amused by what has been happening in D.C. the last few days. Not necessarily because I’m a huge Kevin McCarthy fan; quite the contrary.
I don’t believe that much of any of the promises that come out of the politicians on either spectrum of the Republican Party are going to be delivered, regardless of whether the Speaker is Kevin McCarthy or a wet towel.
However, what did tickle my interest a bit was an epic retort from Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida, who was the consensus alternative for House Speaker in opposition to McCarthy.
So who is this guy, and where did he come from? Better yet, what is it about him that is moderately more interesting than his counterparts who no doubt are enjoying the secondary warmth from his recent spotlight?
.@CoriBush, if you see a Black man rise, let the man rise even if you disagree with them.
I’d be happy to sit down and debate our policies one on one whenever you’d like.
As a Black man to a Black woman, I’d never do that to you. It’s a shame you did it to me. pic.twitter.com/ojpEHLhSI4
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) January 5, 2023
Nothing To Worry About
Politics can be a dangerous business where memories can be long, and grudges can last a lifetime. At least, that’s what you should believe if you’ve ever watched an episode of House of Cards.
With McCarthy still firmly holding onto about 90% of the Republican Party for the Speakership, some think the 20 holdouts might be in store for some payback when he eventually wields the gavel.
A reporter asked alternate Speaker candidate Byron Donalds if he was worried about relation.
It was his response that had a lot of people cheering:
“You’ve put yourself in a pretty public position opposing the person that could be the Speaker. Are you worried about retribution?”
Mr. Donalds’ reply was to put it in a word, classic:
“Man, I’m 6’2″, 275, I’m not worried about that.”
Reporter: “You’ve put yourself in a pretty public position opposing the person that could be the speaker. Are you worried about retribution?”
Rep. Byron Donalds: “Man, I’m 6’2″, 275, I’m not worried about that.” pic.twitter.com/UQJIq0G50R
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) January 4, 2023
What a great reply. I’m pretty sure I could take McCarthy in a fight, and I’m only 5’5,” and my weight is considerably less than Mr. Donalds’.
All kidding aside, I agree with Mr. Donalds; he doesn’t have anything to worry about.
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He’s Got A Point
It’s important to note that in the beginning, Mr. Donalds backed McCarthy for the Speakership. It wasn’t until after the second round of voting that he flipped his vote.
When pressed by the media on how this benefits the American people, he struck an optimistic tone and one that I even resonated with, me being a moderate who had been getting pretty bored of this whole schtick:
“These continuous votes aren’t working for anyone. When the dust settles, we will have a Republican Speaker, now is the time for our conference to debate and come to a consensus. This will take time, Democracy is messy at times, but we will be ready to govern on behalf of the American people. Debate is healthy.”
And just like that, I was snapped into finding this process intriguing because he was not wrong. Democracy is not only messy at times but should be messy all the time, because it requires work and a kind of sweet struggle that comes with anything worthwhile.
RELATED: GOP Rep. Crenshaw Attacks Conservatives, Mumbles, Bumbles Through Nonsensical Defense of McCarthy
For too long, D.C. has operated as ‘business as usual’ – everyone stepping immediately into line – and where exactly has that gotten us?
Crippling debt, a broken, bloated federal government, rich fatcat politicians and bureaucrats, and an American citizenry pitted against one another for political amusement and benefit.
Case in point, it didn’t take long for Mr. Donalds to be whittled down to the color of his skin versus the culmination of his career and character.
Not all skin folk are kin folk.@CoriBush is the best example of that.
I still cannot believe the disgusting words she spoke to @ByronDonalds yesterday.
That level of hatred and racism is rare to be expressed so openly and outwardly.
Shame on her. Seriously.
— Lavern Spicer 🇺🇸 (@lavern_spicer) January 5, 2023
Black Is White
When Mr. Donalds was nominated for the role of Speaker as an alternative to McCarthy, Congressman Chip Roy from Texas pointed out:
“For the first time in history there have been two black Americans placed into the nomination for Speaker of the House.”
The other nominee is Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. Personally, I’m wondering when the Hell we can stop highlighting every single time the first black person for a position is the highlight of their achievement; for Pete’s Sake, we’ve had a black President; it’s time to care about the person, not the skin.
But, like clockwork, there was a troll on the other side of the aisle, ready with their thumbs twitching to trash Mr. Donalds on Twitter.
No surprise it came from far-left Squad member Cori Bush, most famous for calling pregnant women “birthing people,” who tweeted:
“FWIW (for what it’s worth), Byron Donalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop. Despite being black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy.”
RELATED: L.A. Times Warns About the Rising Scourge of Black and Hispanic ‘White Supremacists’
Sounds like someone read the L.A. Times article I wrote about yesterday, which boldly stated white supremacy isn’t just for white people anymore.
Again, Mr. Donalds came back with a winning counter tweet:
“FWIW, nobody asked Cori Bush her opinion on the matter. Before you judge my agenda, let’s have a debate over the policies and outcomes. Until then, don’t be a crab in a barrel!”
Who’s the prop now, Cori?
FWIW, nobody asked @CoriBush her opinion on the matter. Before you judge my agenda, let’s have a debate over the policies and the outcomes. Until then, don’t be a crab in a barrel! https://t.co/QF2OubL4mO
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) January 4, 2023
One To Watch
When Mr. Donalds was running for office, one of his political ads described him as a:
“Trump-supporting, gun-owning, liberty-loving, pro-life, politically incorrect black man.”
But I’m not entirely sure he is beholden to the altar of Trump, at least not to a fault. Going against McCarthy certainly bucks what the former President wants, at least what he’s publicly claimed he wants.
Byron Donalds has also yet to endorse the former President in his candidacy to retake his old job in the White House. Congressman Chip Roy clumsily quoted Reverend Martin Luther King during his nomination of Mr. Donalds:
“We do not seek to judge people by the color of their skin, but rather the content of their character.”
According to the New York Times, this was a:
“…nod to Republicans’ resistance to the idea of diversity as a goal in its own right.”
As I mentioned before, I tire of the constant flagging of skin color from both sides of the aisle, but Mr. Roy did bring up a great point during his nomination:
“This country needs a change. This country needs leadership that does not reflect this city, this town that is badly broken.”
This country does need a change. I’m not convinced that Donalds will overtake McCarthy for Speaker. Still, change is on the horizon, and if so, Byron Donalds will be part of it somehow.
Not because he’s black, but because he’s bold.
I think @CoriBush and @ByronDonalds should absolutely debate. https://t.co/Dm5MSfzbNf
— Tiffany Justice (@4TiffanyJustice) January 5, 2023
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