Great summary. For friends who don’t subscribe to one or more of your writers, I try to repost your summary. And speaking of earns if David can travel around the world then we can put more pressure on Ernst— to politically do something less challenging than traveling around the world and that is changing her vote.
Senator Ernst's only child Libby is a West Point appointee. Wonder how Libby feels about the new DOD Secretary? If she grew up in a home with abuse I would think she would have some angst. Her Mom is afraid of 2026 primary retribution by MAGA.
Frankly, Joni performed exactly as I expected. No surprises. None. Set your bar of expectations in the new regime to subterranean level, folks, and strap in. This vote, as upcoming votes will be, was total performative theater and sheer suck- uppery. Watch what they do, not what they say.
I don't believe Joni Ernst was ever a victim of sexual assault or abuse. No woman who truly was would ever support a rapist for president or vote to confirm a man who is obviously a sexual predator and abuser for a position in our government. She has absolutely no integrity or character.
Joni is such a disappointment. You are right, Julie, her actions in this case erase all of her words in defense of sexual abuse victims. I admire her service to our country, but as a civilian leader she is a coward.
Thank you so much Julie. You have been such a great mentor in this process and also a great leader, getting the Retreat, the Collaborative and the Substack platform off the ground and running. Congratulations and I'm honored to be a part of this growing movement. And yes, I'm pissed off about the cowardly Senator Joni Ernst also. She kissed the ring and abandoned women and all our honorable men and women serving this country.
I can hardly find words to express my feelings of desertion by all of my Iowa Senators and Representatives in Washington during these confirmation hearings. Though I am not surprised as they haven't really heard me nor responded in any truthful way to my letters in the past. They know what they are doing. They have the information. I guess they are convinced that character and expertise don't matter in a time when our country is most threatened. Money is too powerful in politics.
The Ernst confirmation vote of Hegseth for Secretary of Defense is by far the most damming betrayal of all the Republican politicians in Washington representing the State of Iowa, so far, in 2025. All of this for the sake of position, power and prestige. Chuck Grassley voted in the same manner. Accepting the bait and switch sandwich offered by the new President and embarrassing himself and his constituents.
Such a travesty. Our Senator has made a mockery of the whole concept of advising and consenting. Even Mitch McConnell voted no! Oh well, maybe Hegseth will flame out in a few months and we’ll see what worse nominee Trump can find.
The J6 defendants must absolutely love having this new Secretary of Defense. All the easier to infiltrate our military with fanaticism.
Mitch only voted no because he knew that JD could cast the deciding vote and “ no foul, no harm”….Mitch could “look” concerned especially since he won’t run again (ditto Susan Collins and her faux concern), and Trump’s Revenge Tour nominee would get in regardless. I do hold a shred of belief that Murkowsi’s vote was legit, but I may be wrong. Anyway, have a good day. At least it’s not snowing or an ice storm here. 🙄
Great summary. For friends who don’t subscribe to one or more of your writers, I try to repost your summary. And speaking of earns if David can travel around the world then we can put more pressure on Ernst— to politically do something less challenging than traveling around the world and that is changing her vote.
Instead of DEI, Trump’s hires are ABB; a**-kissing, boot-licking & brown-nosing.
Senator Ernst's only child Libby is a West Point appointee. Wonder how Libby feels about the new DOD Secretary? If she grew up in a home with abuse I would think she would have some angst. Her Mom is afraid of 2026 primary retribution by MAGA.
Frankly, Joni performed exactly as I expected. No surprises. None. Set your bar of expectations in the new regime to subterranean level, folks, and strap in. This vote, as upcoming votes will be, was total performative theater and sheer suck- uppery. Watch what they do, not what they say.
I don't believe Joni Ernst was ever a victim of sexual assault or abuse. No woman who truly was would ever support a rapist for president or vote to confirm a man who is obviously a sexual predator and abuser for a position in our government. She has absolutely no integrity or character.
Joni is such a disappointment. You are right, Julie, her actions in this case erase all of her words in defense of sexual abuse victims. I admire her service to our country, but as a civilian leader she is a coward.
Thank you so much Julie. You have been such a great mentor in this process and also a great leader, getting the Retreat, the Collaborative and the Substack platform off the ground and running. Congratulations and I'm honored to be a part of this growing movement. And yes, I'm pissed off about the cowardly Senator Joni Ernst also. She kissed the ring and abandoned women and all our honorable men and women serving this country.
I can hardly find words to express my feelings of desertion by all of my Iowa Senators and Representatives in Washington during these confirmation hearings. Though I am not surprised as they haven't really heard me nor responded in any truthful way to my letters in the past. They know what they are doing. They have the information. I guess they are convinced that character and expertise don't matter in a time when our country is most threatened. Money is too powerful in politics.
I’ve never been more disappointed in a human being than I am now with Joni Ernst Her vote is truly pathetic.
The Ernst confirmation vote of Hegseth for Secretary of Defense is by far the most damming betrayal of all the Republican politicians in Washington representing the State of Iowa, so far, in 2025. All of this for the sake of position, power and prestige. Chuck Grassley voted in the same manner. Accepting the bait and switch sandwich offered by the new President and embarrassing himself and his constituents.
Thank you for inviting Dave into the collaborative. I’m a long time fan.
Thank you, Jason. I'm very happy to get going with all you talented, creative people on Substack. Cheers mate!
Such a travesty. Our Senator has made a mockery of the whole concept of advising and consenting. Even Mitch McConnell voted no! Oh well, maybe Hegseth will flame out in a few months and we’ll see what worse nominee Trump can find.
The J6 defendants must absolutely love having this new Secretary of Defense. All the easier to infiltrate our military with fanaticism.
Mitch only voted no because he knew that JD could cast the deciding vote and “ no foul, no harm”….Mitch could “look” concerned especially since he won’t run again (ditto Susan Collins and her faux concern), and Trump’s Revenge Tour nominee would get in regardless. I do hold a shred of belief that Murkowsi’s vote was legit, but I may be wrong. Anyway, have a good day. At least it’s not snowing or an ice storm here. 🙄
Agree! Sad bunch of “leaders”.
Amen
Phoni Joni disgusts me. She has willingly turned her back on the women in the military. She's sold her soul for a few measley $$$.
Reality bites