# GOP House investigation of President Joe Biden follow along thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 18, 2022, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111 "2022-11-18T00:25:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/161 "2022-11-23T16:37:59Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Is the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee part of House Leadership? How about the ranking member of the Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber Subcommittee within Foreign Affairs? They are leaders, yes. As stated, someone made a slight semantic error and said “House Leadership”, rather than “leaders in the house.” Now that that’s cleared up, is that all you wanted to bring up, or did you actually have a point? > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > At that rate, practically half the House would be considered “leadership”, which would then be meaningless. Half the House is a chair or ranking member of a committee? I don’t see how that’s mathematically possible unless they have over a hundred committees, which seems to be about eighty more than they actually have. Now, since you are done with your semantic quibble, I have to ask if you think that the the Chairman of the Oversight or Judiciary committees have nothing to do with what is investigated by the House. If not, then your quibble has been noted for what little it is worth, and the overall point that was made stands. If so, then why do you think that is the case? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/162 "2022-11-23T16:42:28Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > You’re conflated posts by @DrDeth with posts by @D_Anconia. DD made the ‘nothing of the sort’ post. Ahhh. You are right. I was wrong. Apologies! ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/163 "2022-11-23T17:04:56Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > It seems to me that they don’t actually have to DO an investigation. They get plenty of mileage and coverage from announcing that there will be an investigation…starting in two weeks. Following through will be an awful lot of work and plenty of brownie points are racked up among the MAGAts from the ~~threat~~ announcement alone. > [@kanicbird](#): > > I actually think their ability to investigate Biden has put them in a difficult spot which now they have to but I don’t think much will come of it. It was more valuable for them to baselessly claim there were issues then given the ability to find them, and I think they know it and thinking of ways to spin this with the least damage to themselves. Yeah, they’re in a damned if they do, damned if they don’t situation here. If they’re just looking to throw red meat to the MAGA hordes, playing the Trumpian “Two Weeks!” game will work. But that won’t convince anyone else to join MAGA. And this election should be telling them that relying on MAGA alone isn’t enough to win an election. So they need to step up and do more, in hopes of bringing in new voters. But the smarter ones in the GOP have to know that all this stuff they say they’re going to investigate is utter bullshit. If they do actually hold committee hearings to present their evidence, they know a lot of people watching will see that their “evidence” is threadbare, which risks actually turning away the very voters they seek to attract. Of course the Idiot Members of the GOP congressional caucus won’t understand that, but then, they don’t understand much else. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/164 "2022-11-23T17:14:45Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > But the smarter ones in the GOP have to know that all this stuff they say they’re going to investigate is utter bullshit. If they do actually hold committee hearings to present their evidence, they know a lot of people watching will see that their “evidence” is threadbare, which risks actually turning away the very voters they seek to attract. I don’t know about that. What substance was there behind benghazi or the emails or the IRS? Those went on interminably, and did manage to convince many of the ~~rubes~~ Republicans that, with all these investigations going on, something must be going on. Most people don’t read past the headlines, and Republicans don’t think past what they are told to think by Fox News. So, to the base, not just MAGAs, hearing “The House is holding investigations into the business dealings of Joe Biden’s family” is all they need to conclude that the Biden’s are corruption incarnate. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/165 "2022-11-23T17:24:20Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > What substance was there behind benghazi or the emails Benghazi had an actual attack, and the e-mails actually existed. The arguments were over the interpretations of what those things meant to the Democrats’ ability to govern. But look at this list of nonsense: > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > - False assurances to the American people > - Misuse of his public positions to enrich his family > - Potential exposure to being influenced, blackmailed or extorted by malign foreign powers > - Suspicious activities that warrant investigation > - Unanswered questions > - Efforts to obstruct the committees investigation (which is a neat trick since there isn’t a committee investigating any of this yet) > - TV pundits and social media sites not reporting this the way they want (not sure how that is Biden’s fault) > - Abuse of the Executive Branch for personal gain (this one made me laugh out loud) > - Potential violations of the Emoluments clause (another one that made me laugh) None of it is based on anything that actually happened, or that President Biden actual did. The most credible complaint they might have is the mess the withdrawal from Afghanistan became, but that might just get buried under all the chaff they’re piling on with this other nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/166 "2022-11-23T17:37:35Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Benghazi had an actual attack, and the e-mails actually existed. The arguments were over the interpretations of what those things meant to the Democrats’ ability to govern. Right, and Joe Biden does exist, and he does have a son with some potentially questionable business dealings and admitted personal issues. And the argument is going to be over the interpretation of that, and how much corruption he does on the behalf of his son. It doesn’t matter what is actually done in the investigations, it’s the headlines that they want. There will be little moments when a Republican stands up and beats his chest that will be covered on Fox, and there will likely be some moments where a Democrats says something that taken out of context will look stupid or incriminating, and that will be played on a loop with the pundits pointing and talking about how horrible it is. > [@Horatius](#): > > None of it is based on anything that actually happened, or that President Biden actual did. The Republican base already believe all of that. It doesn’t need to be based on reality, it just needs to conform to their pre-existing beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/167 "2022-11-23T17:43:41Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > The Republican base already believe all of that. It doesn’t need to be based on reality, it just needs to conform to their pre-existing beliefs. And that’s my point - the base will believe no matter what happens, investigations or just rumors of investigations. But if they can’t move beyond the Republican Base, they can’t win the next election. And trying to convince people who don’t already believe will be a much harder battle, made harder by the fact that all their evidence will be weak crap. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/168 "2022-11-23T17:49:44Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > But if they can’t move beyond the Republican Base, they can’t win the next election. I don’t know about that, but I can only hope that you are right. There’s a whole lot of people who lean Republican these days. > [@Horatius](#): > > And trying to convince people who don’t already believe will be a much harder battle, made harder by the fact that all their evidence will be weak crap. I don’t think that independents will actually be watching the investigations either, but will instead be informed primarily through headlines and breathless pundits. IMHO, there are very few people who actually pay attention to the detail of governance, not many of us fellow wonks who will actually watch the investigations and read the reports and evidence. Most people just pay attention to the drama, to the “show”. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/169 "2022-11-23T18:26:01Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Read the link in the OP. Comer (who is incoming chair of the Oversight Committee) and Jordan (who is incoming head of the Judiciary Committee) said at the press conference referenced in the OP they would be conducting investigations into the “corruption” they claim is running rampant because of the Biden family. I read the link. A Committee head is not “house leadership”, and if the new Speaker doesn’t like the idea it goes nowhere. McCarthy said "_On Fox News, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is expected to be the next House Speaker, tossed out a range of possible investigations, from Biden’s withdrawal in Afghanistan to immigrants entering at the border. "_ Nothing about corruption, Hunter, or anything along those lines. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > McCarthy and Scalise are part of House leadership, or are you denying that? They have both stated they are all in favor of investigating President Biden for corruption. Cite? Certainly there will be investigations, there always have been. An investigation into Immigration would hardly be surprising. That is different than the sort of radical witchhunt that a couple of MAGAs want. That does not mean it won’t happen, but this thread is premature until whatever investigations occur- since none have. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/170 "2022-11-23T19:03:33Z")
Read the report from the GOP members of the oversight committee. There are two links already in this thread to it. As has already been pointed out they claim to already be conducting an investigation into a wide range of topics they claim show corruption by Biden. And as I previously mentioned, McCarthy, who is the GOP leader in the House and is most likely to be in the new Congress, he is the person who gave these members their positions as committee chairs. Until he tells them to knock it off or removes them from their positions that indicates House leadership approves of their actions. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/171 "2022-11-23T19:51:54Z")
And trumpski said he’d build the Wall and have Mexico pay for it. Pardon me if I doubt any promises made by anyone in the GOP clown car. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/172 "2022-11-23T20:26:56Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > s Kevin McCarthy part of House leadership? As the Republican Leader, (possibly the next Speaker), he is. Past, present, or future committee chairs are not. Why is that so hard to understand? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/173 "2022-11-23T20:31:19Z")
I understand just fine. Comer will be the chair of the House Oversight Committee in the new congress. Jordan will be the chair of the Judiciary Committee in the new congress. Just because you don’t think they are part of the leadership doesn’t mean they don’t report to the leadership and have to answer to them for the investigations they do. And again, you can lay off the hijack. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/174 "2022-11-23T20:38:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Pardon me if I doubt any promises made by anyone in the GOP clown car. I believe their promises when following through with those promises is extremely self-serving, and not doing it is going to be damaging to them politically. Comparing it to Trump’s wall is ridiculous. Trump announced something **impossible**. You think that it’s impossible for the Republicans to investigate Biden once they have control of the House? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/175 "2022-11-23T20:40:28Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I believe their promises when following through with those promises is extremely self-serving, and not doing it is going to be damaging to them politically. At that point, who even needs promises? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/176 "2022-11-23T21:36:12Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I believe their promises when following through with those promises is extremely self-serving, and not doing it is going to be damaging to them politically. If they tell me the sun is shinning outside at Noon- I double check. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/177 "2022-11-23T21:37:30Z")
Fair enough. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/178 "2022-11-23T21:40:13Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Just because you don’t think they are part of the leadership doesn’t mean they don’t report to the leadership and have to answer to them for the investigations they do. It’s not a matter of what I think. To say that the Chairs are House Leadership is factually incorrect. It’s been repeated multiple times, in more than one thread. Did you guys all read the same op-ed somewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/179 "2022-11-23T21:48:52Z")
Again, I’m not interested in engaging with your attempt to hijack the thread. I meant this to be about GOP actions to investigate what I felt were ridiculous non-crimes. I am not interested in arguing with you about who is or isn’t part of House leadership. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111/180 "2022-11-23T22:05:48Z")
**Modding** , not a modnote though But leave off the House Leadership aside. Feel free to start a new thread addressing this and clearing up any confusion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-house-investigation-of-president-joe-biden-follow-along-thread/975111.md?page=10)