There is a reason why Moses and the Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years and why my people are doing the same right now: a deep disbelief in our own long-term power and worthiness.
Less than two days after Scott Colom celebrated his historic senatorial win in Mississippi, the nation’s poorest and perhaps most anti-Black state, and a just a week after the Blue Tsunami swept through both houses of Congress, many of my people have left the Tsunami’s Promised Land of Unity for the desert of disunity and disorganization, once again.
Social-media pundits are calling for an alternative to Hakeem Jefferies, who has been considered the speaker apparent for years. Most of these pundits have named no specific alternative.
The two congresspeople whose names have been raised by those who have taken the precisely one minute to identify them are, of this moment, not interested in the job.
Ayanna Pressley has said “no” through a spokesperson, although a new change.org petition calling on her to run is building steam (one reposted by actor Mark Ruffalo calls for new leadership, period).
Jamie Raskin, the impeachment manager for Donald’s second rodeo, a former professor and mentor to Stacey Plaskett, the first woman governor-elect of the USVI who also served as an impeachment manager, has said the he wants to head the judiciary committee.
It should not be lost on many who voted blue this election cycle that just four days ago the outgoing Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth, the bumbling, racist, self-styled Secretary of War.
Republicans, all of one accord except Massie, voted “no.” Hegseth’s party squashed the articles with no fanfare, no bluster. Maybe the Democrats could learn something from them.
Congressional leadership positions are like herding screeching, rabid cats. They involve a complex cocktail of people skills, vision for the nation, donor management, and a steely SPINE to go up against perhaps the most corrupt, incompetent administration in American history. Someone who presents well in television interviews and on TikTok, “speaking truth to power,” does not necessarily have the cajónes to do these jobs.
As for the Democratic Socialists, yesterday I got a text from Angela Gonzales-Torres opposing Jeffries. Who? I had to look her up. She is a representative-elect from California, on the opposite coast from me. Her ask? “Pitch in $5, $10, or whatever you can afford to help me fight for new leadership and real change.” So much for socialism. And while we are on the topic of raising money, the individual who launched the Change.org petition calling for a change in congressional leadership allegedly stands to make up to $80,000. Who knew grass-roots activism paid?
Chuck Schumer is also under fire, but the process to unseat him as senate majority leader seems much more orderly, less circular firing squad. Chris Van Hollen has put his hat in the ring, giving the couch pundits something to work with other than unresearched opinions, which everyone has, just like butts.
Like anyone else I am smelling myself after the November 3 victories, but unlike the armchair pundits I am willing to admit what I don’t know. Unfortunately, knowledge of who has the best skills for Speaker of the House and Senate Majority leader is insider information, which means that I have to relinquish control to said insiders.
Next week I will call my Congressman Ritchie Torres and ask him 1) for a town hall to discuss this issue, 2) who he believes has all the characteristics that I listed above, and 3) to vote for those politicians.
My senator is Schumer, and I have no problem with writing him to ask him to consider the state of the country over the last decade since Donald came down the escalator. He must call upon his best servant leader instincts, ask if he is the one for a time such as this and do what is right. That would be some legacy.
This is what I can do. Something real. Something actionable. Because the desert is not an option for me.
