Congressman Steve Russell writes that while his vote for House Speaker John Boehner has caused controversy, he is at peace with it:
“What has been surprising in the last two days are the attacks (many uncivil) some are fomenting without even having an understanding of my vote. Some reached out not understanding my actions and I appreciated that and the prayers.
“Like Daniel, God controls my heart. Imagine if Daniel had told Nebuchadnezzar what a godless evil tyrant he was who was unfit to lead? What influence then? Instead, the Jews were able to preserve their culture, language and faith and ultimately returned home. All because Daniel listened instead of following some emotion or passion.
“Psalm 1 cautions us to not seek the counsel of the ungodly but it also tells us to be planted in such a way to bear fruit in due season. Romans 13 reinforces the same point.
“I am sorry some feel disappointed but I am very much at peace. There was no leader, no plan and a terrible outcome. If you are going to spring an ambush, you better have superior firepower, violent action and surprise. They had nothing. No one even knew who the supposed leader was to be. Instead of pushing 300 or more pieces of legislation to the president we would have seen upheaval and no vision. Without a vision the people perish.
“Instead, we have already taken the first vote to dismantle Obamacare with the Hire Heroes Act which exempts the mandate on vet hires. It is now on its way to the senate. There is so much more we are organizing and doing but instead all that is being fomented is division and confusion. We must be mindful who the author of that is.
“Again, thanks for the prayers for those who still care to pray for me. I am not worried about the pressure. I have been under far worse than anything going on here.”
Mike, do you have a vote count for the Okies on this?
4-1
Bridenstine the one?
Yes
There are congressmen from Oklahoma and Oklahoma congressmen. Having this vote for speaker after the cramming through of the CROmnibus Bill where Boehner appeared to have rolled over and let Obama rub his belly caused this division. That “deal” didn’t help Boehner’s image with the American people who were expecting the speaker to stand up to the president after the election results and wanted those newly elected congressional members to show Boehner that we expected much better from him. Dance with who brung you!
Their image could not be worse right now. They’ve got 2 years to demonstrate that the GOP can finally get some things done with a decent Senate.
The tea-party philosophy has been the major cause of this bad image. ‘My way or the highway’ is exactly the same as bo’s.
There will be enough Demos who are also fed up to unite with the GOP to get things done. Keystone will be a great example, as will the 40 hour work week.
It would not require the talents of a psychic to see where this vote was going. I am fairly sure Congressman Russell decided not to shoot himself in the foot at the start of his career by putting himself inn Speaker Boehner’s doghouse. Congressman Russell will do more good long-term by working with the man who appoints the committees and sets the agenda than by casting a symbolic vote that antagonizes him.
Rep. Russell is a good, Christian man, and I hope he will be a great leader. He is not in my district, but I am concerned with how they all stand on issues. I was in favor of replacing Boehner, and I just hope Rep. Russell and the others are right in voting to keep Boehner. All we can do now is move forward and pray for our leaders and our country. I wish I could say I had peace of mind for the direction of our country but I definitely don’t have it.
There will be more votes, this one is an unfortunate start to what could become a great political career. Steve was already elected by the freshman class to a leadership position so he was with his peers and at odds with his constituents on Boehner. If that CR vote had been BEFORE the vote gathering for a new speaker—Boehner would be announcing his new consulting gig and explaining how he wants to spend more time with his family after being booted to the door.