So Jim Justice won the race for Joe Manchin’s open Senate seat, and of course the first thing he did was to embarrass the state. Happily Senate rules will keep his dog off the Senate floor, but Justice has a long history of turning up late for everything, and of course he was a no show for the new senators group photo.
You might think that he’d show up for the events of his first fucking day, but not Jim. After all, he’s already decided he’s only going to work 14 days per month, and he won’t be sitting on any committees. What’s missing a few of the first day activities?
Then at a press conference on Tuesday Justice said he might not be turning up on January 3 in DC for swearing-in with the rest of his Senate class because he might need to stay on as governor since the WV governor isn’t sworn in until January 13. I’m not going to detail WV’s succession process, but suffice it to say that there really is no reason for Justice to stay on an additional 10 days.
But given that he doesn’t actually want to travel to DC it’s easy to see how he’s looking for an excuse to delay his start. (And I also have to wonder if he intends to take payment as both a senator and as a governor.) Is it legal for him to hold both positions? Or would the Senate be down a number until he shows up to be officially sworn in? And why do we even need to ask these questions? What kind of dumbass did WV elect?
The other thing Justice announced is that he intends to keep coaching the high school girls’ team he currently coaches, which is bound to conflict with Senate votes, right? So how is that going to work?
On one hand I am furious about this. Taxpayers pay senators’ salaries, and pay them for a full-time position. Justice isn’t going to be a full-time senator—he’s not a full-time governor—and the people of WV absolutely deserve better. Joe Manchin’s retirement marks the end of WV having a senior senator with committee seniority. Now we’re stuck with the useless Justice and with Shelly Capito, who has transformed herself into a generic TFG bootlicker.
But on the other hand I am going to thoroughly enjoy watching Justice continually fuck up Republican Senate schedules. And I will be very happy to make some popcorn and watch him alienate incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
I just wish there were better things to be gleeful about.
In the meantime, it’s time for the best holiday of the year, Thanksgiving; a holiday with no religious or national barriers—just a chance to reflect with gratitude and to eat some good food. I love to cook and I’m trying a new main dish for Thanksgiving dinner, so at least it will be an adventure.
Bing and Rosemary can take it from here. Happy Thanksgiving!
