GOPers Take Credit For Stimulus Law They Opposed
Displaying unexpected care for "the welfare of congressional Dems," as TPM alum Greg notes, the National Review suggested yesterday that President Obama was hogging the spotlight by signing the stimulus bill into law alone, sans Senate and House Democrats.
The notion that conservatives watched yesterday's bill signing and asked themselves, "Why aren't Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid getting their moment in the sun?!" is pretty hilarious. But here's something even funnier: Four House Republicans have come out in recent days taking credit for the passage of an economic recovery plan that every single member of their party opposed.
Here's a list of the GOPers in question and their faux-victory laps, courtesy of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee:
Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO) - "Luetkemeyer said the project is considered 'shovel ready' and that's what the economy needs. President Darrell Krueger and Luetkemeyer discussed the educational benefits of the economic stimulus package." [KTVO-TV, 2/17/09]Representative Don Young (AK) - "Alaskan Congressman Don Young won a victory for the Alaska Native contracting program and other Alaska small business owners last night in H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. [Congressman Don Young's Press Release; 2/13/09]
Representative Ken Calvert (CA) - "All of us in the Inland Empire will do what we can to direct as much money as we can." [The Press Enterprise; 2/13/09]Representative John Mica (FL) - "I applaud President Obama's recognition that high-speed rail should be part of America's future," [Congressman John Mica Press Release; 2/13/09]
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
I don't see opposing it and then accepting the money as hypocritical. They voted against it because they thought they had a better way, a better idea. Their way would have given states money as well - it's not like their no vote was a vote for no stimulus.
February 18, 2009 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope. No pass granted. Accepting the money is one thing. Running around talking about the benefits of the bill you just voted against to your constituents is another.
February 18, 2009 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
So saying..."We opposed it because we wanted more taxcuts and direct economic stimulus, insead of STD research, but we are glad that we could get the cuts in there that we could..." doesn't cut it?
February 18, 2009 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because tax cuts have brought us the economic prosperity we enjoy today.
February 18, 2009 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
so that quote conflicts with the argument that Obama failed at being bipartisan or didn't listen to the GOP suggestions.
February 18, 2009 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. They wanted ALL tax cuts. Tax cuts would have done nothing to get those shovel ready projects done.
2. There was no money for STD research in the final bill and they still opposed it.
GOP = Greedy Old Pervs!
February 18, 2009 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, everyone opposes STD research -- until they get the clap!
February 18, 2009 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
It seems extremely hypocritical. They opposed it so vehemently, according to them, on principle. They believe the Government should not intervene. By now accepting it, they are going against their principles. At least that is the way I see it.
Rather than these jokers complaining about targeted stimulus they should have been suggesting ways to have targeted spending stimulus.
They are clearly trying to have it both ways.
Their hypocrisy should be noted.
But, also, it should be noted if they are now praising Obama. Let the public know of this. Let the public see those that opposed it now see the good it can do.
February 18, 2009 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I recall correctly, the Republican "better way" was almost entirely tax cuts, which would have netted states almost zero money. The spending projects that they're now trying to take credit for are precisely the parts of the bill that they opposed.
February 18, 2009 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
They wanted the benefits of a stimulus bill for their state, they just didn't want to put their political future on the line for it, or go against their party. Democrats should put an ad out against these guys for voting against it.
February 18, 2009 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is part of the benefits of being in the minority. You can vote for any damned fool thing you want, knowing that the majority will never go along and you'll never have to suffer the consequences of the damned fool thing you voted for.
February 18, 2009 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, voting against it was a no brainer. They could throw red meat to their narrow constituents and still get it passed. My guess is that if several Red votes were needed so it cost something to vote against it there would have been several there. Of course that would not describe my Representative, Chafitz, who is an economic dunce.
February 18, 2009 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Say what you will, there has been a change in tone since Obama took over. He's not winning over any votes but at least the two sides in Congress are back to good 'ol smarmy hypocricy rather than the vicious, rabble-rousing, hateful, over the top craziness that had become the Congressional-GOP's standard communication style. (Of course talk radio and the Tennessee state GOP are going to stick with the vitriol, because, hey its still workin' great for 'em.)
February 18, 2009 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I got a fever...and the only prescription is more tax cuts!
February 18, 2009 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
They’re clearly trying to take credit for specific appropriations that they didn’t support. If that’s not hypocritical, then it’s two-faced.
February 18, 2009 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's laughable is Don Young is the 'King of Pork', if there were ever a title like that. this man never let a single taxpayer dollar go undirected toward Alaska, a state that has for many years taken more dollars than its put in.
February 18, 2009 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink