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Culture War Roundup for the week of January 2, 2023

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Well this happened. I see trillions of spending that AOC supported and Republicans opposed there, much of which benefitted her constituents. None of it would have happened with a non-functioning Congress or a Republican speaker. I can also hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth by conservatives who don't like it, and even by Republican squishes like McCarthy. (I also think that the success of the Squad in Democratic primaries and in media noisemaking after their elections has contributed to a vibe shift among Democrats which pushed Biden and Pelosi leftwards in a way that isn't as immediately obvious as a big fight over the Speakership).

If you mean "What goals did AOC obtain that Pelosi opposed then you are asking the wrong question. People don't, or at least shouldn't, go into politics to count coup against their own parties. They shouldn't, but often do, go into politics to induce wailing and gnashing of teeth on the other side of the aisle. They do and should go into politics to pass bills they support and that benefit their constituents.

AOC couldn't beat Pelosi because she didn't have the votes. So she took what she could get, which worked out at more money than you could shake a stick at plus the stick. The same applies to Gaetz vs McCarthy. If he wants more power he should win more votes.