In an act of feminist heroism, Elise Stefanik boldly protested House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff’s attempts to silence her.
“The gentlewoman will suspend,” Schiff said with the charisma of a robot. “You are not recognized.”
This wasn’t actually an act of sexism or even partisan bias from Schiff. During the designated 45-minute period for the minority, House rules only allowed Schiff, Devin Nunes, or their respective counsels to speak. Stefanik was trying to violate the rules, and she knew it.
But she got her soundbite and, just like that, 10,000 likes and control over the narrative.
Once again, Adam Schiff flat out REFUSES to let duly elected Members of Congress ask questions to the witness, simply because we are Republicans. His behavior is unacceptable and he continues to abuse his Chairmanship. Watch ?? pic.twitter.com/qm9Uj8tiHO
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 15, 2019
In other words, she had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.
Democrats made this bed, and now they’re lying in it. After spending two years devolving into theatrics while in the minority, their own tactics are being used against them. Just like Elizabeth Warren tried to hijack the Jeff Sessions confirmation and every 2020 hopeful hijacked the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, Stefanik just used their own playbook against them.
Not only did Stefanik’s stunt grant the GOP a needed viral moment to distract from impeachment, but it also further delegitimized the Adam Schiff show. As a last-resort check on power enshrined in the Constitution, impeachment ought to be treated with the utmost respect.
But with Schiff, an unlikable liar, at the helm, and Democrats wasting precious questioning time with questions such as, “How has it affected your family?” and, “Are you a Never Trumper?” it’s impossible to sell these impeachment proceedings as anything other than political theater.
Stefanik and the Republicans are just digging in. They have no defense for the president’s actions, and they know it. Luckily for them, Democrats have given them the tools to deflect.
