Play the game

It must be very difficult for GOP politicians some of whom are well aware that their party is now a cult, to navigate the landscape these days. Their leader is a rapist and a con man and many must pretend that all is well while most assuredly speaking differently behind closed doors.

Of course there are the lowest common denominators like Marjorie Greene and Lauren Boebert, but the more cunning types like Elise Stefanik have had to become rabid versions of their former selves because of the change in environment. Power corrupts absolutely if you desire it enough and most assuredly not everyone has drunk the Kool-aid to the same extent. It just benefits you to play the game.

What struck me most during the State of the Union speech excerpts is how divided the politicians have become. Whereas in the not too distant past there might have been bipartisan applause for things everyone desires, there was instead dour and cold expressions simply because the enemy cannot be allowed to score any points with the electorate. Hence Mike Johnson's stoic expression and occasional head shaking manifesting his displeasure.

In other words, it is party over country every time.