What's The State Of Play For Zhou?
Obviously from our distance we can only speculate, but rationally it's hard to see how he can continue to occupy the White House--in fact, there are reports that he doesn't even want to sleep there anymore. That sounds like a dementia case who can't think past his next meal and a comfy place to sleep. Can you imagine how weird things are in the regime right now? He was given a couple of tries at blustering through, but blew them--including a shambolic performance whiffing at Stephanopoulos soft balls.
On top of that we're getting truly disturbing reports from the UK that Zhou refused or--more likely--wasn't allowed to take calls from Boris Johnson for something like 36 hours. I assume that whenever Zhou disappears for a few days he's under intensive medical care. He probably wasn't in a condition to take those calls.
Think about that. A vote in the UK parliament to condemn a White House occupant? That's how low we've fallen:
Two remarkable lines in today’s papers from @Steven_Swinford@benrileysmith
— UK military left in the dark by the US about timings and pace of their withdrawal… UK official confirms this is the case
— Biden ignored Boris Johnson’s attempts to speak on the phone for 36+ hours pic.twitter.com/HSBqBhfeGh
— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) August 19, 2021
The part about the US military leaving the UK military in the dark is just as disturbing. We heard yesterday from the buffoonish pair of Austin and Milley that the US isn't in a position to extend outside the airport in Kabul, to reach out for stranded Americans (I forget the military jargon, but that was the gist). Today we learn that British paratroopers are doing exactly that:
British Paratroopers Bravely Entering Kabul to Save UK Citizenshttps://t.co/5K1OG5vP6F
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) August 19, 2021
Key paragraphs from the article:
While the British government is telling its citizens that “help is on the way,” Biden is telling American citizens that they are on their own.
The UK is sending paratroopers to Kabul to rescue the 4,000 stranded Brits and Afghan allies in Kabul. The paratroopers were told to “prepare for face-to-face combat.”
Obviously the firings should have already begun in DC--starting with Austin and Milley but moving on to Blinken, Sullivan, and more. But that can't be done--not yet, anyway. They need these guys in place in case it comes down to the 25th Amendment scenario--there's not enough time to get replacements.
So what's going on? There has to be some end to this. The 25th scenario should be a no brainer (pun intended!) at this point, but it could get very messy. Super majorities are required in both House and Senate. Would the GOP make demands and gum up the works? We don't now because we've haven't been there before, but the Dems are in crash and burn mode and the GOP would be fools (I know, I know) not to take advantage--for the good of the nation.
The alternative I'm sure the Dems would greatly prefer would be to talk Dr. Jill into allowing Sleepy Zhou to retire in place--he's in Delaware right now, isn't he? Just don't come back.
The fly in the ointment is Kama Sutra--and the colossal mess that would ensue.
Even if the establishment can reconcile themselves to Kama, the first thing that would have to happen would be to sack most of the NatSec establishment. It would be the right thing, but beyond that Kama would demand to have her own people anyway.
You're talking there of pretty much starting up a new regime, with a notoriously dysfunctional person at the head of it. And there's no guarantee that any of her picks would get confirmed. And it could get even uglier if the election audits start being released.
This is the constitutional crisis that the Establishment brought upon the nation when they practiced to deceive We The People with their electoral coup.