All that matters to her is her career.. clearly she has been getting hate messages from her constituents regarding this and she folded. I’m sure Trump threatened her as well. She should’ve realized at that point she isn’t doing any good for her country by selling herself short. Damn straight shame on her😡!
This was their last chance, IMO. Maybe they'll pull themselves together at the last minute, but I think the fact that their votes will be public, not private pretty much explains it all. It is soooo upsetting to realize how few people are able to sell this entire country out. The whole world can see what we're saying about this and other candidates. Pretty sure vlad, xi and others are just leaning back in their chairs laughing and plotting. I don't even feel safe at this moment.
Excuse me: what "career"? When all you do is rubber-stamp whatever Orange Julius tells you to—scares you into doing—what sort of "career" is that?
I guess some would call showing up on the Senate floor in fancy clothes and a stylish haircut every day a "career", but I'm not sure I'd want to spend a whole lot of time with such people. Or have them teaching my children. Or defending this nation.
When she votes for him, not if. She has her marching orders and will help place this sneering bag of excrement in a position of power that will do great harm. If you read Max Boot’s column in the WAPO, you have some idea of the challenges our military faces and the question of how this asshat will “lead” that multi billion dollar organization with people’s lives on the line. We’re in deep trouble. Thanks Ernst et.al.
I am heartsick reading and watching about this hearing. I’m 76 years old and have always been registered as an Independent or a Democrat and voted accordingly as did my family. BUT, there was always respect for the office of the President and respect for the individual in the office. One doesn’t have to agree to respect. There was trust that our leaders would act according to the Constitution and a moral compass that reflected integrity and patriotism.
I don’t think any of that is true of the Republican Party. Their own political careers and the power that comes with their position are their only compass. What will become of our country?
There was one more institution that you and your family respected and that was the Supreme Court. If they hadn't placed Trump (the now convicted felon) above the law he might have received more justice from our federal courts. With all that new power the next four years could end up in a dictatorship.
I don't think it will take 4 years at all. The fact that the two "presidents" have such power already over these senators and others .... one not even elected and the other not even sworn in yet .... says everything, especially when you see how effective they've been. The present senate confirmations are a pivot point, and the outcome will show their puppet master(s?) who is in control. Game over.
Claire Ann, remember, Schumer is like this description as well. ". . . Republican Party. Their own political careers and the power that comes with their position are their only compass."
The Democrats are not immune to the political career path thing.
The republicans of the senate abdicated their responsibility and violated their oaths of office when they failed to impeach Donald Trump, not once, but twice. It’s clear that Republican Senators like Joni Ernst owe their allegiance to something they value more than their oaths, the constitution and the rule of law.
We are not, however, powerless as our nations leadership abdicates to oligarchs and foreign powers. We can vote with out pocketbooks. A national boycott may be our last, best hope to save the nation from the oligarchy.
Now that I've seen the clips of her statements and parts of today's hearing, I can find no evidence she ever had the courage to have been a combat veteran. She, like many others, flaunts her military record as a badge of honor. In fact, she has brought dishonor to that record by bowing down to pressure from the soon-to-be dictator. Shame is not something she can feel. She, and all the other Republicans who support Hegseth, bring dishonor to the Senate.
You'd think that alone would require a certain level of courage many don't have. But she's unable to muster same in order to protect her country with her vote?
God, yes. It’s a despicable sight to see someone deliberately throw away their honor and integrity. And for what? Her employment? A job is more important than her sacred honor? Makes me want to vomit. No wonder Americans think politicians are phony and corrupt. Joni is exhibit 1.
Reality is that the Republicans only care about pleasing 45/47 above National Security, Defense of our Country, it is just what 45/47 wants. I wonder what her explanation will be when it all goes South and people get hurt
Steve, Joni Ernst isn’t the lede. She’s weak. It’s Trump. It’s those that cotton to Trump. Joni Ernst caved. She collapsed. Prosecutor Jack Smith is an example of the opposite.
We are in trouble, Steve. Watergate lives. Nixon lives. Agnew and Mitchel live. The rot is spreading. How do we clean up this mess? Bill Barr was a creep. The DOJ is in trouble.
We are in trouble, Steve. And the evidence is everywhere.
Gary Epstein, you are 100% correct. SCOTUS is a mess - from the Chief whose wife supports them with clients that employ her and support him, to two fascist creeps with no respect for the constitution, fed by wealthy GOP men that bribe justices to get what they want. It’s embarrassing. Time we impeached the offenders.
Apparently, she did not have enough faith in her own record that she could withstand a primary challenge. Much easier to do the gutless thing even if it's to the detriment of her constituents, the country and democracy.
Her vote "for" may keep her from being primaried but in the end, she's at the very same risk ALL of us are in if this all goes big-time south. Do these spineless senators and house reps not see the big picture??? Do they actually think that they will survive an authoritarian state better than the rest of us?
Shameful indeed and easily seduced by Trump's cult. Sexual assault survivors don't have a short memory like the one she's displaying. To side with that monster to lead our troops (men & women) is a betrayal. She has no honor and is a disgrace to the US Senate.
Oh Steve. This has been so painful to observe. The sickness has destroyed the Republican Party for good. Your description of her is perfect and I hope somehow she gets to see it. She supposedly was threatened. And that in itself is horrifying, but cannot excuse her caving in. The deep descent has begun.
I wish that people in this community would stop disparaging pigs. They are not only smarter than dogs, they are gentle and inquisitive animals. Look at the abuses they endure at the hands of humans: https://thehumaneleague.org/article/pig-gestation-crates Please give them a break. Thank you.
I’m with you, I hate humans comparing the worst human traits to animals that they deem to have those same characteristics; the animals do not. Non-human animals do not kill just for pleasure; only humans are that despicable.
She is one of my state's senators. The other one (Chuck Grassley) is no better. You can thank him for not letting Obama make his rightful pick of a supreme court justice. I'm not in the least bit surprised at any of this; the MAGAts have been coming at Joni hard. She is a nice person but she will always back the party line in the end.
Nice people don’t sacrifice the lives of others for their personal gain. I believe that placing this guy in that position will do exactly that and she will have blood on her hands. Not a nice person.
I am truly sorry for you, and the state of Iowa. I didn't think I could come up with a more reprehensible pair of Senators - but there is Alabama (Tuberville and Britt) and Texas (Cruz and Cronyn) who are in the running. Iowa deserves better - hell, any state with two Republican Senators deserves better.
Bingo! She’s Trump’s lackey. Like all the other senatorial Rs. Maybe he has pictures. They probably threatened her that she’d be primaried if she didn’t fold.
Probably? No, blatantly & in public, Elon has said that anyone who didn’t vote to confirm drumph’s nominees for all of these positions, would absolutely be primaried & that he was prepared to spend whatever it takes to make that happen. The control that man is wielding over our govt, especially on the Republican side, is a gut punch & truly frightening. America is in very serious trouble.
All that matters to her is her career.. clearly she has been getting hate messages from her constituents regarding this and she folded. I’m sure Trump threatened her as well. She should’ve realized at that point she isn’t doing any good for her country by selling herself short. Damn straight shame on her😡!
The time for republicans to do anything right has long passed.
This was their last chance, IMO. Maybe they'll pull themselves together at the last minute, but I think the fact that their votes will be public, not private pretty much explains it all. It is soooo upsetting to realize how few people are able to sell this entire country out. The whole world can see what we're saying about this and other candidates. Pretty sure vlad, xi and others are just leaning back in their chairs laughing and plotting. I don't even feel safe at this moment.
Excuse me: what "career"? When all you do is rubber-stamp whatever Orange Julius tells you to—scares you into doing—what sort of "career" is that?
I guess some would call showing up on the Senate floor in fancy clothes and a stylish haircut every day a "career", but I'm not sure I'd want to spend a whole lot of time with such people. Or have them teaching my children. Or defending this nation.
Once you are a service person shouldn’t you always have your fellow members back? She is going to betray them if she votes for him.
When she votes for him, not if. She has her marching orders and will help place this sneering bag of excrement in a position of power that will do great harm. If you read Max Boot’s column in the WAPO, you have some idea of the challenges our military faces and the question of how this asshat will “lead” that multi billion dollar organization with people’s lives on the line. We’re in deep trouble. Thanks Ernst et.al.
EITHER. 1) She's uneducated and unknowingly. supporting fascist Trump and all those fascist people
OR!
2) She's knowingly evil and a fascist like trump
One or the other..
She's a combat veteran but not brave enough to do the right thing now....
I am heartsick reading and watching about this hearing. I’m 76 years old and have always been registered as an Independent or a Democrat and voted accordingly as did my family. BUT, there was always respect for the office of the President and respect for the individual in the office. One doesn’t have to agree to respect. There was trust that our leaders would act according to the Constitution and a moral compass that reflected integrity and patriotism.
I don’t think any of that is true of the Republican Party. Their own political careers and the power that comes with their position are their only compass. What will become of our country?
There was one more institution that you and your family respected and that was the Supreme Court. If they hadn't placed Trump (the now convicted felon) above the law he might have received more justice from our federal courts. With all that new power the next four years could end up in a dictatorship.
I don't think it will take 4 years at all. The fact that the two "presidents" have such power already over these senators and others .... one not even elected and the other not even sworn in yet .... says everything, especially when you see how effective they've been. The present senate confirmations are a pivot point, and the outcome will show their puppet master(s?) who is in control. Game over.
Claire Ann, remember, Schumer is like this description as well. ". . . Republican Party. Their own political careers and the power that comes with their position are their only compass."
The Democrats are not immune to the political career path thing.
The republicans of the senate abdicated their responsibility and violated their oaths of office when they failed to impeach Donald Trump, not once, but twice. It’s clear that Republican Senators like Joni Ernst owe their allegiance to something they value more than their oaths, the constitution and the rule of law.
We are not, however, powerless as our nations leadership abdicates to oligarchs and foreign powers. We can vote with out pocketbooks. A national boycott may be our last, best hope to save the nation from the oligarchy.
Now that I've seen the clips of her statements and parts of today's hearing, I can find no evidence she ever had the courage to have been a combat veteran. She, like many others, flaunts her military record as a badge of honor. In fact, she has brought dishonor to that record by bowing down to pressure from the soon-to-be dictator. Shame is not something she can feel. She, and all the other Republicans who support Hegseth, bring dishonor to the Senate.
Like many others she served in a combat zone but never saw combat.
You'd think that alone would require a certain level of courage many don't have. But she's unable to muster same in order to protect her country with her vote?
God, yes. It’s a despicable sight to see someone deliberately throw away their honor and integrity. And for what? Her employment? A job is more important than her sacred honor? Makes me want to vomit. No wonder Americans think politicians are phony and corrupt. Joni is exhibit 1.
Reality is that the Republicans only care about pleasing 45/47 above National Security, Defense of our Country, it is just what 45/47 wants. I wonder what her explanation will be when it all goes South and people get hurt
They will find some scapegoat, or some other preposterous way to escape any accountability.
Steve, Joni Ernst isn’t the lede. She’s weak. It’s Trump. It’s those that cotton to Trump. Joni Ernst caved. She collapsed. Prosecutor Jack Smith is an example of the opposite.
We are in trouble, Steve. Watergate lives. Nixon lives. Agnew and Mitchel live. The rot is spreading. How do we clean up this mess? Bill Barr was a creep. The DOJ is in trouble.
We are in trouble, Steve. And the evidence is everywhere.
Gary Epstein, you are 100% correct. SCOTUS is a mess - from the Chief whose wife supports them with clients that employ her and support him, to two fascist creeps with no respect for the constitution, fed by wealthy GOP men that bribe justices to get what they want. It’s embarrassing. Time we impeached the offenders.
It is past time to impeach those 6.
Left out the Supreme Court.
Apparently, she did not have enough faith in her own record that she could withstand a primary challenge. Much easier to do the gutless thing even if it's to the detriment of her constituents, the country and democracy.
Her vote "for" may keep her from being primaried but in the end, she's at the very same risk ALL of us are in if this all goes big-time south. Do these spineless senators and house reps not see the big picture??? Do they actually think that they will survive an authoritarian state better than the rest of us?
Shameful indeed and easily seduced by Trump's cult. Sexual assault survivors don't have a short memory like the one she's displaying. To side with that monster to lead our troops (men & women) is a betrayal. She has no honor and is a disgrace to the US Senate.
Oh Steve. This has been so painful to observe. The sickness has destroyed the Republican Party for good. Your description of her is perfect and I hope somehow she gets to see it. She supposedly was threatened. And that in itself is horrifying, but cannot excuse her caving in. The deep descent has begun.
Steve,
How else can she manage to debase herself? She has no honor.
Be safe and watch your six.
Steve Dundas
They are all trash. I am now understanding we as a nation are at the lowest ever. We elected
Trash. We have no other word for people of this caliber; how could we? We had parents who
respected integrity. We instilled this into our children. Where did this trash come from?
I just read a fabulous book called Character Matters. Timely, right?! Jean Becker wrote
this to demonstrate what a leader and citizen should be. It is stunning and made me weep
because courage and honesty are what makes a leader and a great human.
The passages will help get me through a bit of what is to come.
Kindness has now taken a backseat. Now it is crassness, cruelty, self advancement above
nation and it is ignoring hideous conduct for personal gain.
Jimmy Carter's passing exactly at this time... and the extreme contrast...... makes the current situation even sadder.
Joni Ernst is shameful.
She first campaigned for Senator in Iowa with an ad stating she could castrate a male pig.
Maybe she will get her chance again.
I wish that people in this community would stop disparaging pigs. They are not only smarter than dogs, they are gentle and inquisitive animals. Look at the abuses they endure at the hands of humans: https://thehumaneleague.org/article/pig-gestation-crates Please give them a break. Thank you.
They say a dog looks up to its master and a cat looks down at its master. But the pig looks straight across at its keeper
I love it, Gary - thank you!
I’m with you, I hate humans comparing the worst human traits to animals that they deem to have those same characteristics; the animals do not. Non-human animals do not kill just for pleasure; only humans are that despicable.
She is one of my state's senators. The other one (Chuck Grassley) is no better. You can thank him for not letting Obama make his rightful pick of a supreme court justice. I'm not in the least bit surprised at any of this; the MAGAts have been coming at Joni hard. She is a nice person but she will always back the party line in the end.
Nice people don’t sacrifice the lives of others for their personal gain. I believe that placing this guy in that position will do exactly that and she will have blood on her hands. Not a nice person.
She is an idiot.
I am truly sorry for you, and the state of Iowa. I didn't think I could come up with a more reprehensible pair of Senators - but there is Alabama (Tuberville and Britt) and Texas (Cruz and Cronyn) who are in the running. Iowa deserves better - hell, any state with two Republican Senators deserves better.
🎯
I have little patience for those who continually vote against their own best interests.
Bingo! She’s Trump’s lackey. Like all the other senatorial Rs. Maybe he has pictures. They probably threatened her that she’d be primaried if she didn’t fold.
Probably? No, blatantly & in public, Elon has said that anyone who didn’t vote to confirm drumph’s nominees for all of these positions, would absolutely be primaried & that he was prepared to spend whatever it takes to make that happen. The control that man is wielding over our govt, especially on the Republican side, is a gut punch & truly frightening. America is in very serious trouble.