How Should Democrats Respond to the GOP’s Censure of Cheney & Kinzinger?

I am generally in agreement that Democrats, being the only grown-ups (maybe with a limited number of Republicans somewhat grow-up curious), need to find a way to protect wider republican values here. That includes a system which in some way will have a more healthy opposition problem. Can serious types at least admit only one side is credible? (No.)

The resolution that reads Cheney and Kinzinger out of the national party by the Republican National Committee is somewhat to behold. Usual potshots at "Democrat" party and scare references to the Green New Deal. But, the clear allusion (no matter how they want to deny it) to 1/6 insurrection (the focus of the committee they are on) as "legitimate political discourse" sort of seals the deal, rather officially here.

Barney Frank (remember him?) suggests Democrats bow out and let Cheney run as an independent in her race this year. Make for a clear referendum of sorts. I guess one can dream of a possible three way race, with the Democrat getting 25% last time. Even there, a few Dems would probably vote for Cheney. 

What of other Republicans? This was a Republican National Committee resolution. They OWN IT.  A letter to the NYT from a lifer declares this is the line too far, "The G.O.P. has declared itself the party of mob rule."  We have seen a few people like that, but we saw how many in 2016. 

Another letter is of the "we can't let these assholes get away with it" variety:

The Republican Party should not be able to get away with its usual “bait and switch” tactic — dog whistling to its extreme elements while pretending some benign purpose. The insurrection is a package. The evidence publicly available exposes it as a coordinated campaign of legal maneuvers, abuse of power, appeals to loyalists and, finally, the raw mob violence that took at least seven lives, desecrated the Capitol and defiled democracy.

There can be no mistake. A cabal intended to override the vote of the people, seize power and impose its rule. The Republican Party must wear its defense of that effort like a scarlet letter until saner minds can prevail.

I agree.  As this went on, Mike Pence (again) said Trump was "wrong" to think he had the power to on his own block the certification.  This was not new, though you might think it from the coverage of his remarks at the Federalist Society event.  He said it at the time while also separately rejecting a request to invoke the 25A after the 1/6 events.

But, it's good to say though ultimately only so much. Ultimately, if (even after all the water under the bridge, this just still seems crazy) Trump wins the nomination in 2024 (which is now closing in at being merely two years away, the same distance from his renomination last time), the good bet is not that Pence is going to vote independent.  

He has already gone the "respectful dissenter" route since 1/6/21. The governor of Florida, another leading option for Republican nominee, handwaved the importance of the day.  Now, a resolution of the party as a whole reads out two members who deign to work with Democrats (while refusing to do anything else to help voting rights or anything) for working to investigate and firmly denounce what happened.   

You know the drill.  Various "reasonable" Republicans (like Mitt Romney, the uncle of the leader of the RNC) will from time to time be trotted out. Now and then it will be noted the economy is doing pretty darn good.  If something comes out of it, bipartisan support of the Electoral Count Act will be cited.  A sort of bipartisan happiness, even if it repeatedly is in large part thanks to Democrats. 

But, then "Dems in disarray" will be trotted out again, including their inability to pass certain things.  Republicans winning in November will be taken as expected and some neutral event.  Let's not forget the various Supreme Court rulings, including on abortion, thanks to a packed tainted  Court thanks to Trump and Republicans. And, before you know it, the 2024 election cycle will begin with "Is Biden in Trouble" stories. 

I tweet a lot (though I have taken off Fri-Sun, now trying to completely keep off Twitter those days) and it is partially a means for me to vent.  I fear sometimes I am too one note though try to add "eclectic" content.  But, come the fuck on.  Legitimate political discourse?  

The party is shoving it in our face.  We can't accept them as legitimate.  I know. We can. And, so many continue to, though them talking until they firmly reject this should be heard like adults in Peanuts t.v. specials.  Garbled gibberish.  We SHOULDN'T. 

Meanwhile, with whatever stray Republicans they can get, or whatever Republicans from time to time grant certain limits on authoritarianism (while not being unduly impressed), yes, Democrats have to do what they can to defend republican values.  

The Republican Party just officially as a national statement said what they stand for.