Ultra partisanship and a willingness to be Trump's lackey destroyed Rudy Giuliani's legacy as "America's Favorite Mayor." Chuck Grassley's legacy is eroding for similar reasons.
You are right on! The newspapers in Iowa just publish Grassley’s press releases and puff pieces. I wonder how many Iowans are aware of the real Chuck Grassley. Thank you for doing such an important newsworthy column in today’s misinformation age.
It is exactly the methodology, Marcy. You are absolutely right about that. You are also right about there being a plethora of other examples of Grassley’s outrageous, fawning, ultra partisan and destructive behavior.
I was writing a column, not a book, so I had to make some choices, narrow them down, and list just a few. Feel free to list others that come to mind for you here to remind readers just how long his list is in reality.
Iowans who follow politics know that Grassley has been horrifically partisan on any number of issues for decades. The past decade of behavior is a five-alarm inferno of egregious toady-ing and perhaps mental decline at best, as illustrated by your noted examples. At worst, which is where I think we are, his actions are a conscious effort to dismantle the checks and balances system of our Constitution and ramrod our country into a grifting, bullying, frightening dictatorship. What is the pay off for him and our other so- called representatives? It’s certainly not a lovely legacy.
Thank you for this significant post, Barry. Other comments ahead of mine accurately communicate the angst I am currently feeling.
As an older person myself (not Grassley vintage, but seeing those years hopefully on the horizon) I have started to consider what my life will have meant to others after I am gone.
It’s surprising Grassley or his family have seemingly not even thought about this!
Thank you, Jim. It’s a real puzzle to me why he doesn’t think more about what he’s doing to his legacy - especially given what he does for a living, in a place filled with monuments and statues and portraits. Constant reminders that people do leave legacies behind when their work is worth remembering and celebrating.
He could have left big footprints at one time. Now? He’s become more of a cautionary tale.
Great summary. He’s been awful for a long time. His whole career in my honest opinion. What’s particularly worrisome is that I believe he’s stayed this long to hold the seat for his grandson Pat Grassley (IA House Speaker) who is just as bad, if not worse, than Chuck. Grassley should have retired about the same time that Harkin did. I really miss being purple!
Grassley’s seat won’t be available until after Reynolds leaves office barring any unforeseen changes in his health status so there’s hope. My biggest concern is that he will run and the uninformed will see Grassley (R) and assume it’s Chuck and pull the trigger. Pat is much younger and Iowa cannot afford another 30 years of a Grassley in a national leadership position representing corporations and not Iowa voters.
Thank you, Suzanna. BTW, I loved your comments Friday in the Zoom “Office Lounge” gathering about “Fast Poetry” and “Response Poetry.” I really enjoy reading your poetry here on Substack!
Grassley was and is an imbecileic, ignorant, unserious moron, who spoke the conservative line pre-Trump, and jumped on the Mindless-Train-to-Nowheresville so he can collect his fat pension.
An addendum to your point about Grassley shamefully denying President Obama the right to nominate Merrick Garland to SCOTUS: Grassley vociferously said at the time (and I, as a constituent, have his response in a letter to prove it) that presidents shouldn't be allowed to nominate for this office in a presidential election year. "Let the people decide."
So, what nominee in October of 2020, a couple weeks before a presidential election, did Grassley vote to place on SCOTUS? Trump's nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, to succeed the deceased Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Of course, Grassley had plenty of Republican companions in rank hypocrisy. Here's PBS's list:
I emailed Grassley last week and told him he should resign over his votes to confirm Trump’s boot licking cabinet nominees. I told him he and Trump make it hard to be proud of our state and nation.
You are right on! The newspapers in Iowa just publish Grassley’s press releases and puff pieces. I wonder how many Iowans are aware of the real Chuck Grassley. Thank you for doing such an important newsworthy column in today’s misinformation age.
Thank you, PJO22! Your comment is much appreciated.
One just runs out of words to discuss this man’s reprehensible behavior.
I could likely find a few more; however, in all seriousness, it IS truly exhausting, but that’s part of the methodology, isn’t it?
It is exactly the methodology, Marcy. You are absolutely right about that. You are also right about there being a plethora of other examples of Grassley’s outrageous, fawning, ultra partisan and destructive behavior.
I was writing a column, not a book, so I had to make some choices, narrow them down, and list just a few. Feel free to list others that come to mind for you here to remind readers just how long his list is in reality.
Thanks!
Totally appreciate your calling him out. The push to negate judicial rulings is very scary stuff.
Very true, Kathi. And it’s been going on a very long time. It seems to be accelerating to “warp speed” lately, too, sadly.
Iowans who follow politics know that Grassley has been horrifically partisan on any number of issues for decades. The past decade of behavior is a five-alarm inferno of egregious toady-ing and perhaps mental decline at best, as illustrated by your noted examples. At worst, which is where I think we are, his actions are a conscious effort to dismantle the checks and balances system of our Constitution and ramrod our country into a grifting, bullying, frightening dictatorship. What is the pay off for him and our other so- called representatives? It’s certainly not a lovely legacy.
Keep at him. If asked about your columns, he will say, "I probably won't read them." Master of deflection....and neglect of his constituents.
Exactly. Thanks for your encouragement!
Thank you for this significant post, Barry. Other comments ahead of mine accurately communicate the angst I am currently feeling.
As an older person myself (not Grassley vintage, but seeing those years hopefully on the horizon) I have started to consider what my life will have meant to others after I am gone.
It’s surprising Grassley or his family have seemingly not even thought about this!
Thank you for keeping us aware.
Thank you, Jim. It’s a real puzzle to me why he doesn’t think more about what he’s doing to his legacy - especially given what he does for a living, in a place filled with monuments and statues and portraits. Constant reminders that people do leave legacies behind when their work is worth remembering and celebrating.
He could have left big footprints at one time. Now? He’s become more of a cautionary tale.
Great summary. He’s been awful for a long time. His whole career in my honest opinion. What’s particularly worrisome is that I believe he’s stayed this long to hold the seat for his grandson Pat Grassley (IA House Speaker) who is just as bad, if not worse, than Chuck. Grassley should have retired about the same time that Harkin did. I really miss being purple!
I hope Iowans don’t allow it. Pat Grassley will likely have to go through Governor Reynolds to get it, though, don’t you think?
Grassley’s seat won’t be available until after Reynolds leaves office barring any unforeseen changes in his health status so there’s hope. My biggest concern is that he will run and the uninformed will see Grassley (R) and assume it’s Chuck and pull the trigger. Pat is much younger and Iowa cannot afford another 30 years of a Grassley in a national leadership position representing corporations and not Iowa voters.
From govt watchdog to Cheeto lapdog. Sad, bigly.
Excellent way to put it and some up his sad journey.
Excellent piece.
Thank you, Suzanna. BTW, I loved your comments Friday in the Zoom “Office Lounge” gathering about “Fast Poetry” and “Response Poetry.” I really enjoy reading your poetry here on Substack!
Grassley was and is an imbecileic, ignorant, unserious moron, who spoke the conservative line pre-Trump, and jumped on the Mindless-Train-to-Nowheresville so he can collect his fat pension.
But then, dude could keel over 2morrow.
An addendum to your point about Grassley shamefully denying President Obama the right to nominate Merrick Garland to SCOTUS: Grassley vociferously said at the time (and I, as a constituent, have his response in a letter to prove it) that presidents shouldn't be allowed to nominate for this office in a presidential election year. "Let the people decide."
So, what nominee in October of 2020, a couple weeks before a presidential election, did Grassley vote to place on SCOTUS? Trump's nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, to succeed the deceased Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Of course, Grassley had plenty of Republican companions in rank hypocrisy. Here's PBS's list:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year
Excellent point. They have no principles. They believe in whatever works best for them at the time.
You are exactly right! Thank you for speaking truth to power. Obviously, Grassley doesn't care that he is destroying his legacy.
Thank you. It is, indeed, very strange.
I emailed Grassley last week and told him he should resign over his votes to confirm Trump’s boot licking cabinet nominees. I told him he and Trump make it hard to be proud of our state and nation.
It takes Barry Piatt to point out what all Iowans should understand about 91-year-old Senator Chuck Grassley. Thank you 🙏
https://substack.com/@lyz/note/c-103637566?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=2f3t0