Crazy at the Bat

On Tuesday, Congress passed a significant, bipartisan bill to make housing more affordable.  It was so popular that it passed the House 358-32.

But wait – the game wasn’t over yet.

“The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:

The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,”

-- Ernest L. Thayer, Casey at the Bat

On Wednesday, Trump announced that he was going to delay signing the bill.  This was because he wants the Senate to pass his unnecessary “SAVE” Act, which among many problems will make it more difficult for millions of women to vote – a bill which the Senate doesn’t have the votes to pass.

In fairness, Trump’s action (or rather, lack of action) is consistent with a billionaire who has said that he doesn’t think “affordability” is a real thing, but a "hoax".

But what leaped out most to me – and hilariously so – was the immediate reaction from his immediate circle and from the MAGA base who were overjoyed at Trump playing “Hardball” with Congress.  Hilarious and (even more) weird for two reasons.

The first is that the bill they’re overjoyed at their beloved Trump for not signing is about making housing affordable, which one would think (“think” being the operative word) his base especially would be thrilled about.  But no, there they are, red-hot furious at Congress for passing a bill -- that would help them.

"’Kill him! Kill the umpire!’ shouted someone on the stand;

And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.”

​-- Ernest L. Thayer, Casey at the Bat

 But it’s the second point that’s most hilarious and weird.  That’s because, for all their cheering about Trump supposedly playing “Hardball” by not signing the bill – if Trump leaves the bill unsigned for 10 days, it automatically becomes law!!!!!!!!!!!

Hardball?  This has more holes than a boxful of Wiffle balls.

It’s not just that a bill left unsigned for 10 days automatically becomes law.

It’s also not even that those in his circle and the MAGA base didn't know this basic fact (which is okay), but chose to laud it with cries of joy for it supposedly being “Hardball”!!!

Moreover, it’s also not, for all we know, that Trump himself was unaware that an unsigned bill becomes law after 10 days.  But even if Trump does know, then that makes his move even more idiotic, since he knew it was pointless and foolish.

But it’s all that - and how delaying an affordable housing bill confirms Trump truly meant it when saying “affordability” was a "hoax" and that he didn’t consider the financial impact on Americans when attacking Iran. That’s quite a banner to wave in the Mid-Term Elections – as leader of his party with a 34% approval.  A banner that will touch even those MAGOPs who voted for the bill, tying them to their leader without pushing back.  Showing how they accept Trump's "hoax" of “affordability” and care little about the public.  And Trump did this to them.  It’s on Trump, with dementia, who they’ve enabled.

"’Fraud!’ cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered ‘Fraud!’

But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.”

-- Ernest L. Thayer, Casey at the Bat

And on top of that, add that Trump has just two options:  one, he refuses to sign the bill and is stuck with a meaningless, but hurtful act since it will become law after 10 days -- or two, if he does sign, he will add to the legend of TACO, that Trump Always Chickens Out.  So, it’s a lose-lose situation.  That he created for himself.  Totally unnecessarily.

Because – and it can’t be said laughingly enough -- after 10 days, an unsigned bill becomes law.

But wait, there's more!  And it's even worse for Trump and MAGOPs in Congress.  And yes, that’s actually possible.  Here’s why:

If after 10 days a bill hasn’t been signed and Congress has adjourned -- then the bill is automatically vetoed, known as a Pocket Veto.  And today the Senate adjourned for the Fourth of July and won’t return until July 13!  So, Trump has risked painting MAGOP senators into a corner (and himself) if the Pocket Veto kicks in.  Because then, they'll have to decide whether to override his Pocket Veto, thereby defying Trump and offending his base before a Mid-Term Election.  And worse for Trump…if they do, then he faces the humiliation of his party rejecting him.  Rock meet hard place.  All caused by Trump on his own.

Often at this point, I say that this is not about Trump, but about the MAGOPs in Congress who enable him.  But no, not this time.  This time, this is not about Trump, but about the complete stupidity – and sorry, but there’s no other word to describe it -- of his base and those in his circle unaware of grade-school civics reality, yet full of hubris cheering that they thought Trump was playing “Hardball!!!”

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.-- Ernest L. Thayer, Casey at the Bat