Tillis & Budd: Time to kick Mark Walker to the curb
Yessirree. Politics IS a contact sport. *Don’t forget it.*
You may remember that Republican Mark Walker of Greensboro once represented NC’s sixth congressional district. He left Congress thanks to redistricting. Over the last few years, Walker took his shot at governor, senator AND returning to the US House.
In the last House race, there was a chance of a runoff between Walker and a former Ted Budd aide (a/k/a Ches McDowell’s little brother).
Budd appeared to facilitate a deal with Trump to get Walker an administration job IF Walker would back out of the House race. (Sound familiar, Sam Page?)
Walker did what was asked and we now have the right honorable Addison McDowell ensconced on Capitol Hill.
Well, it appears things have turned sour regarding this campaign-time deal with Walker:
[…] President Donald Trump faced another setback when North Carolina’s two Republican senators said no to Mark Walker’s nomination. Without their support, the Senate “blue slip” rule stops Walker from becoming Ambassador for International Religious Freedom.
Walker is a former congressman and pastor. He hopes to speak for people jailed or harmed because of their faith. However, both Senator Ted Budd and Senator Thom Tillis want a different choice. They followed the long-standing Senate tradition that gives home-state senators power over certain appointees.
How the Blue Slip Rule Works
First, a nominee must win approval from both senators where they live. This approval comes in the form of a piece of blue paper – hence the name “blue slip.” Next, the Senate Judiciary Committee chair decides whether to move the nomination forward. If either senator returns a negative or no slip, the nomination stalls.
The rule started in the early 20th century. It aimed to give states a say in federal appointments tied closely to their interests. Over time, it became a powerful tool for senators to block nominees. Recently, it has focused mainly on judicial and key diplomatic roles.
Senators can use the blue slip to demand details about candidates. They can also push for nominees who better match their policy goals. Yet this tradition faces criticism. Some say it gives too much power to one senator. Others argue it slows vital nominations.
Why Both Senators Oppose Mark Walker
Senator Ted Budd and Senator Thom Tillis represent North Carolina. They have different reasons but share a clear position: they do not back Walker. Budd has publicly supported another Republican for the post. Tillis said the position has been open for almost a year, and it is time to move on.
Tillis told reporters, “We should look for another nominee, with all due respect to Mark Walker.” He stressed urgency over the delay. Meanwhile, Walker used social media to press his case. He argued the delay keeps him from helping people in danger.
Walker wrote, “President Trump prioritized this post because he prioritizes religious freedom. My being delayed from fighting for people imprisoned, tortured and killed simply for their faith is frustrating.” Despite his plea, the two senators did not change their stance.
[…]
What Happens Next
With both senators opposing Walker, his nomination will almost certainly die in committee. The White House must now find a new candidate. Trump’s team may look for someone both Budd and Tillis can accept.
Meanwhile, Walker remains vocal online. He hopes public pressure will change minds. Yet the Senate calendar fills quickly. Even if the White House resubmits him, the process could drag on for months.
If Republicans lose hope of a quick nominee, they may abandon the role altogether. That would leave the post vacant and slow U.S. efforts to defend religious freedom abroad.
At the same time, Democrats could use this fight to push their own reforms. They might seek to weaken or end the blue slip rule. Such moves could reshape future nominations, impacting all presidents.
[…]
Who did Ted Budd want for the spot?
When you campaign on stating that you will not vote for a particular person for Speaker (Beohner) and then vote for them as your first vote; you loose credibility.. He lied to the public:: so I imagine he lied to his colleagues as well.
Lying isn’t a sin in DC/politics.
In this day and time, it’s expected.
We don’t have Jesse’s holding people accountable any longer.
GOP is just as darn bad about lying and deceiving as the dems.
Unfortunately, this is true.
The GOP is a party without honor, hence the growing number of independents.
All of you are dead on right. The GOP is certainly a party without honor. I can understand how this leads to more and more independents. The problems is with the increase in independents leaving the GOP, there are less good people to vote within party organizations. The party organizations are now becoming more and more brazenly corrupt. They don’t even try to hide it anymore. It is utterly disgusting.
Accurate statements. Local county parties are a mix match of conservatives, moderates, gop-light and a mixture of liberal. NONE mesh. NONE agree and the local commissioner, education boards suffer mightily. You can have a majority republican board and have 2 minority dems controls boards with the gop elected joining ranks. And many times, the gop majority elected board votes, governs more left leaning than conservative. The in-fighting is as bad as the national level in some counties. Bottom line, republicans lose. COS in NC is a prime showing of a weakening gop costs NC all the top seats, though president carried the state. Indy’s are controlling the NC voting and as they go, so do the seats, whether local or state-wide.