On the heels of the Freedom caucus whining about Phil Jensen’s expulsion from the House Republican Caucus, I’ve been hearing about many rumors regarding the defection of others from the private group meeting before session to discuss strategy on legislation.
And maybe nowadays, it’s less about strategy and more about trying to keep the troops in line as the largely Toby Doeden aligned – freedom caucus members are bristling at being told what to do by Jon Hansen, who seems mainly concerned with not having his rule disintegrate into chaos that shows itself on the House floor.
Because too much rebellion – and in a case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend – opposed factions could easily join forces and boot Hansen from being Speaker right in the middle of his campaign for Governor. (And Hansen would have to have that speaker title clipped off of the little embroidered “Hansen for Governor” jacket he wears around.)
So what am I hearing out there from legislators in and out of the GOP Caucus? Cautioning this is a lot of rumor and conjecture..
- RUMOR 1: There is talk that the Democrats will sign a complaint against Phil Jensen, which will start a legal process where committees will be formed & hearings will be held. I’m told It only takes five signatures and there’s five Democrats. Sending the house into 2 or 3 days of public hearing over what a complete dick that Phil Jensen is could be kind of fun to watch. Especially with his wife serving as vice-chair of the SDGOP, and Phil’s control as chair of the freedom caucus. This could ruffle a lot of feathers.
- RUMOR 2: Hearing more about Dylan Jordan getting in trouble over his whiny “Minnesota Education Committee” comment over legislation yesterday. I don’t think this is over, and Dylan’s defiance isn’t helping him.
- RUMOR 3: During the discussion over disciplining Phil Jensen yesterday, I’m told several legislators walked out of caucus. I’ve heard Tina, Ismay, Manhart, Jordan, Aylward.. My correspondents didn’t know if it was purely protest, as there are also people sitting out because of the Capitol Crud going around.
Again, and I would caution you – this is a lot of gossip at the moment, and some tales may be growing as they travel farther down the line. But it all seems to point back to the GOP House Caucus seeming like more zoo-like than anything.
Not really the image that caucus leaders probably want when one of them is trying to keep his bid for Governor afloat.
I’ll pop the popcorn!
ISMAY DID NOT WALK OUT.
That’s too bad. Him the others leaving caucus seems like a net positive.
I’m guessing Ismay does not know how to use the caplock on his keyboard, either.
Like I said, rumors and conjecture.
We all know that’s his wife responding. She has to come behind him and try to explain what he said in complete English sentences. Kind of the joke of the capitol.
This there a roster to help casual observers that identifies Freedom Caucus members, Freedom Caucus adjacent members and who is lined up behind Toby and Hansen? Thanks!
https://sdfreedomcaucus.com/meet-the-team/
That’s the list.. except for the “secret members”
I think the absolutely funniest part of this is that Odenbach (Liberty Tree Pac) funded the campaigns of John Carley, Curt Voight, Bobbi Andera, Logan Manhart, Taffy Howard, Dylan Jordan and Phil Jensen and probably expected some loyalty to he and Jon Hansen/Karla Lems. Heck they even tried to stack committees, House Education comes to mind, to push their tax payer funded and 0 accountability school vouchers. That didn’t work out so good. Now every person that was bought and paid for by Odenbach has flipped support to Doeden.
Except Ismay. He is still in Scott’s pocket. Scott’s pac was the only real donation that was given to Ismay. He doesn’t dare step out of line.
Great job doing the people’s work, everyone 🙄
They can keep walking! End session. Save the taxpayers time, money and trouble. Vote them out.
Phil can walk back to Kansas
Dylan back to his grandmother’s basement.
Doubtful Wisconsin would take Manhart back but he would fit in with the other white suckers from North America who now live in Russia.
Heck! Send them all to Russia!
Let. It. Burn. They’ve earned this and paid for their playtime with taxpayer dollars. Let them all go, there’s a reckoning coming in June!
After they have been voted out of office in June let them join the other Free-Dumb seekers in Russia and be useful idiots. A few can have the opportunity to ride a tactical riding lawn mower, golf cart or horse into battle. If they survive they gain their citizenship and Free-dumb!
‘Anti-woke” dad moved his family to Russia , now forced to fight in Putin’s war. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDSY6f1m6w0
It appears he called out his colleagues questioning their commitment to Christianity. Chutzpah for a Freedumb Caucus MAGAt. They routinely fight against feeding Jesus the poor, caring for Jesus the sick and removing Jesus the stranger.
A “Christian would believe “whatever you do to the least of My people, you do to Me”.
Ismay on the education committee is hilarious just by itself. It’s too much.
Front page article in the RC Journal this morning. “Jensen suspended for 2 weeks from Caucus”.