Who knew?

Perhaps it is because Republicans need access to Fox News, such that they will appear on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace even though they are going to get drilled with direct questions about some of their more insane beliefs, far more so than on Meet the Press or This Week with George.

Today it was Indiana Congressman Jim Banks’s turn. Wallace wanted to hone in on two related issues. Why the GOP needed to oust Liz Cheney over the fact that she won’t accept the Big Lie and, obviously, why the hell won’t Jim Banks accept that the Big Lie is a big lie. Banks didn’t want to discuss either issue, very few of them do. But very few are nearly forced to do so. They are on FOX News, after all, and there are few good choices.

Wallace started off easy, asking about Cheney:

“I’ve asked you two questions, Congressman. Why are you unwilling to discuss her criticism of President Trump?”

Banks had a very disingenuous answer:

“I’m not. I know the belief that I have, that a majority of our conference have, that she has lost focus on the single mission that we have in winning back the majority, to push back against the radical Biden agenda, is the reason that she needs to be replaced.”

No. Liz Cheney is among the most conservative members in the GOP caucus and is more than ready to push back on the Biden “agenda.” The only difference is that Liz Cheney doesn’t believe that Trump needs to be elevated to “GOP God” and Liz Cheney won’t go along with the Big Lie. Banks’ answer, of course, is a big lie.

“I’m just asking a question. Liz Cheney is saying it’s a big lie to say the election was stolen. Liz Cheney is saying that, in fact, Donald Trump contributed to the riot. I’m asking you for your opinion on those issues. Is it a lie that the election was stolen? Did he contribute to the siege on the Capitol?”

“I’ve never said that the election was stolen. I’ve said I had very serious concerns with how the election was conducted last November because of COVID rules that loosened voter identification laws. That’s why I objected on January 6th. I’ll never apologize for that.”

Banks avoided the “contribute to the Capitol siege” question entirely because of course, he did.

His very serious concerns begin and end with the fact that Donald Trump didn’t win, nor was Trump able to bully his way into a win. He objected on January 6th. Those objections went nowhere because they had nowhere to go. All recounts, all precautions, all lawsuits, all of it, pointed to Joe Biden winning. Period. Make no mistake, Banks is – again – lying. His problem is that in his heart of hearts, Republicans win elections and Democrats are good sports. He is angry that some Republicans will admit that they lost.

To top it off, Banks said Wallace was “distracting viewers” from what was needed to save the country. What is needed to save this particular country – as it was founded – is that we all settle upon the fact that we agree to continue on as a democracy. One party refuses.

Watch:

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Peace, y’all
Jason
[email protected] and on Twitter @JasonMiciak