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Let me take a moment to focus on the vote last night by @RepCarlos Gimenez (formerly @MayorGimenez).
The reason I am - as opposed to looking at @MarioDBCamp - is Diaz-Balart’s vote was not a surprise. He was in the Oval when Trump called African nations “sh*thole” countries. 1/
The reason I am - as opposed to looking at @MarioDBCamp - is Diaz-Balart’s vote was not a surprise. He was in the Oval when Trump called African nations “sh*thole” countries. 1/
Nobody expected @MarioDBCamp to break from the President.
But Gimenez does have an independent streak. Sometimes it comes across as arrogance, but he typically charts his own course.
And all of his comments prior to the vote suggested he would not vote to deny reality. 2/
But Gimenez does have an independent streak. Sometimes it comes across as arrogance, but he typically charts his own course.
And all of his comments prior to the vote suggested he would not vote to deny reality. 2/
. @RepCarlos Gimenez talked about there being a very high bar before the votes of the people should be discarded. He said there would have to be clear evidence of fraud. And in earlier statements he talked about lowering the partisan tone and focusing instead on helping people 3/
And so it appeared he was preparing to show, in his first significant vote, that he was independent and that reason and facts would guide him in Washington.
And then came the riot and attempted coup incited by Trump. That gave Gimenez even more cover to do what was right. 4/
And then came the riot and attempted coup incited by Trump. That gave Gimenez even more cover to do what was right. 4/
Over in the Senate, even the President’s most ardent supporters retreated. Lindsay Graham said “enough was enough.”
Mitt Romney laid bare any pretense about what was happening:
“Those who choose to continue to support [Trump’s] dangerous gambit by objecting...” 5/
Mitt Romney laid bare any pretense about what was happening:
“Those who choose to continue to support [Trump’s] dangerous gambit by objecting...” 5/
“...to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy. They will be remembered for their role in this shameful episode in American history. That will be their legacy." 6/
And so it was against this backdrop that I was so surprised @RepCarlos ( @MayorGimenez) sided with a President who we could see was imploding before our eyes and trying to take the country down with him.
Is Gimenez that frightened to face a primary challenge in his district? 7/
Is Gimenez that frightened to face a primary challenge in his district? 7/
He has to remember Trump won’t be on the ballot in 2022 and we saw in Georgia, when Trump isn’t on the ballot, Republicans don’t do as well.
Maybe he thinks folks will forget about the stain of this vote? Or maybe he’ll wear it over the next 22 months as a badge of honor. 8/
Maybe he thinks folks will forget about the stain of this vote? Or maybe he’ll wear it over the next 22 months as a badge of honor. 8/
I texted Gimenez today and invited him to offer an explanation where these questions can be addressed.
We’ll see if he agrees. But one thing I know, nothing @RepCarlos Gimenez does going forward will surprise me.
@CBSMiami 9/9
We’ll see if he agrees. But one thing I know, nothing @RepCarlos Gimenez does going forward will surprise me.
@CBSMiami 9/9
Carlos Gimenez just issued this statement
