In this clip Murkowski acknowledges that we're in an unprecedented situation, and that she's struggling to figure out how to use the power she has to fight what's going on.
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I get what you're saying, I just need to see real action from her before she gets any benefit of the doubt because she's long coasted on being a very tepid version of a "moderate" Republican. Others have up and switched parties for a lot less.
It's not hard. Leave the party and vote against everything that the fascists want. Re-election is irrelevant because of the unprecedented situation. I appreciate your empathy for her, but she helped us get here and she has 1 Senate vote which is an incredible amount of power.
Am I a Murkowski fan? No. She's a GOP senator. But a big part of the story of this moment is the (excruciatingly slow!) mobilization of lots of people who are deeply invested in the status quo—from across the political spectrum—as they realize that status quo no longer exists.
Yeah I think this is potentially an opportunity for actually finding common ground, not in the milquetoast "talking over a beer" sense but in a "mobilizing en masse to stop fascism" sense
Have you considered that maybe it's not that they are "deeply invested in the status quo", but that they're still trying to figure out how to deal with the fascist regime that has sprung into power? At this point, it's smart to walk cautiously and not make any sudden moves.
Yup. A sitting US Senator is deeply invested in a status quo that is gone. Just look at the profound disrespect a tinpot dictator showed one of them yesterday.
(And no, I don't need replies saying all the things Murkowski could be doing that she's not doing. I am, in fact, aware of all the things Murkowski could be doing that she's not doing.)
"all the things Murkowski could be doing that she's not doing" are her job. And the reason she has not done them certainly seems to be deference to Trump and his wing of the party.
When you disagreed with "clearly this is a party-line politician trying to carve out more space for her to do Trump's bidding without being punished by voters,"
She's played this game for a decade. She's lying to you so people don't think she's as evil as the rest
No, I didn't say we should trust her. I said that I had one specific interpretation of what was going on in this clip, and acknowledged that others would interpret it as you did. Nothing in my statement implies she's worthy of trust.
Your party is gone Lisa, destroyed by itself. Either you’re MAGA now or you’re a Democrat or Independent. Make a choice. We are scared too! But we pay you to stand up for us! If you aren’t up to the job, quit and let someone else do it. NEVER EVER give in to bullies. Step up or leave.
yeah i think people are conflating these two things, frustration with how she's doing her job, and a spliced clip at the beginning that appears to rationalize it but she doesn't do that.
Good roundup here, in the three paragraphs after the phrase "Murkowski, who has served in the Senate for over two decades, has distinguished herself..."
If you look at this clip and your response is "clearly this is a party-line politician trying to carve out more space for her to do Trump's bidding without being punished by voters," okay.
But you're seeing something different from what I'm seeing.
I hope you’re right. I am _VERY_ tired of expecting a minimum of decency from these people and getting a flaming bag of poo, let alone expecting the best of them
And if you're going to reply to this thread to correct me, please try to both (1) actually disagree with me and (2) say something I haven't already anticipated as a response. Thanks!
and yet she does *checks notes* fuckall to stop him. I hope she understands what a waste and absolute failure she is until the day she dies, sad and alone like the traitor to her country that she really is.
She was very vulnerable here, in public, on record. Honesty is a first step that few, if any, of her colleagues have taken publicly. Courage looks different for everyone.
I’m not a Murkowski fan either, but I saw a woman calmly and honestly talking to her constituents and wrestling with how best to act in the face of her fears. Acknowledging things are bad. No Trump apologetics. No cops with tasers. We need to allow for road back for people like her and her voters.
One other thing, after some time away from the keyboard: If you don't think Murkowski is actually worried about getting beaten up or shot at—if you think she's lying or stealing valor—you're mistaken.
She's worried, and she's right to be worried, and by SAYING she's worried she increases the risk.
Encouraging political violence of the kind that rightly concerns her is wrong.
But even if one accepts her entire presentation, how do we get past a widespread public sentiment that "now she knows how other people always feel" & "this is just desserts?"
I have no time WHATSOEVER for Republican officials who are supposedly scared of being beaten up or shot at by Republicans but, nevertheless, remain Republicans.
If you're not scared enough about the rise of fascism in the USA to leave the party that's causing the rise, get back to me when you are.
Also, on the question of pure politics, if you don't understand why Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski are operating under different political pressures, you should acquaint yourself with the differences between Maine and Alaska.
Murkowski has long had a strained relationship with the Beltway/continental GOP and while I'm not getting my hopes up I wouldn't be surprised if she makes some interesting maneuvers if RCV stays in place.
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For me, this is an example of how social media has made us dumber because she is CLEARLY saying the opposite of what most are implying she said
"I am often times very anxious myself about using my voice because retaliation is real"
This from Republican Lisa Murkowski.
Senator - how do you think average Americans feel? What are YOU going to do about it?
@5calls
At some point why should anyone trust a republican who says these things and doesn't ac do anything?
When you disagreed with "clearly this is a party-line politician trying to carve out more space for her to do Trump's bidding without being punished by voters,"
She's played this game for a decade. She's lying to you so people don't think she's as evil as the rest
Oh. Ok. Bye. Gotcha. 😉
But you're seeing something different from what I'm seeing.
The truly scary part would come when no politician can say this at all.
She's worried, and she's right to be worried, and by SAYING she's worried she increases the risk.
But even if one accepts her entire presentation, how do we get past a widespread public sentiment that "now she knows how other people always feel" & "this is just desserts?"
That's the undercurrent I feel tugging.
If you're not scared enough about the rise of fascism in the USA to leave the party that's causing the rise, get back to me when you are.