TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama Praises Energy Bill, Calls For Senate Passage
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama praised the House of Representatives for passing the energy bill last night, calling it an important component of economic growth and technological development. And he urge the Senate to follow suit quickly:
"Now my call to every Senator, as well as to every American, is this: We cannot be afraid of the future. And we must not be prisoners of the past," said Obama. "Don't believe the misinformation out there that suggests there is somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and economic growth. It's just not true."
Boehner Blasts "Go-It-Alone" Democrats
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) delivered the Republican address this weekend, going after the Democrats on the issues of spending, health care and energy:
"Republicans are offering common-sense solutions that will make a real difference in creating jobs, making health care more affordable, and promoting a cleaner, healthier environment, and reducing energy costs," said Boehner. "We hope our Democrat colleagues will abandon their failed go-it-alone approach and work with us to make these reforms a reality."
Ahmadinejad Lashes Out At Obama
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lambasted President Obama today, in the wake of Obama's condemnation of violence against Iranian demonstrators. "Didn't he say that he was after change? Why did he interfere?" said Ahmadinejad. He added: "They keep saying that they want to hold talks with Iran ... but is this the correct way? Definitely, they have made a mistake."
Jenny Sanford On Mark's Argentina Trip: "It's Tragic"
In an interview with the Associated Press, South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford said she had hoped her husband Gov. Mark Sanford really was hiking. "He was told in no uncertain terms not to see her," said Mrs. Sanford. "I was hoping he was on the Appalachian Trail. But I was not worried about his safety. I was hoping he was doing some real soul searching somewhere and devastated to find out it was Argentina. It's tragic."
Dems Returned From Surgery, Rehab To Cast Votes On Energy Bill
Roll Call reports that House Democrats went to great lengths to get every last vote they could for the energy bill yesterday. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) returned to the House for the first time in weeks, after having undergone heart surgery; Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) has been in rehab for his long-running problems with substance abuse, but he made it to the floor to vote; and Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) who had been confirmed by the Senate for a top position in the State Department, delayed her resignation so that she could cast a vote for the bill.
GOP: Don't Call Our Sotomayor Criticism An Attack
CQ reports that Congressional Republicans object to the idea of people saying that their criticisms of Sonia sotomayor amount to attacking her. "We're discussing matters of substance that directly relate to her role on the court, if she goes there," said Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL). "Frankly, there's some serious issues that have been raised that need discussion."
NYT: Little Hope For GOP To Support Health Bill
The New York Times reports that Congressional Republicans are not giving much reason for Democrats to hope on bipartisan agreement on big changes in health care. "Given the sticker shock, there is not a lot of appetite for it," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who said that if Democrats push ahead, "we may have to stop what they are proposing to get them in a listening mood."
Vitter Preemptively Attacking Melancon
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), the staunch social conservative whose career became mired in the D.C. Madam prostitution scandal of 2007, is preemptively attacking potential Democratic opponent Rep. Charlie Melancon. In a new fundraising letter, Vitter attacks Melancon (who has not officially declared a candidacy) for being talked into running by "President Obama and congressional liberals," and supporting the economic stimulus package and the Democratic budget plan.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
"Republicans are offering common-sense solutions that will make a real difference in creating jobs, making health care more affordable, and promoting a cleaner, healthier environment, and reducing energy costs,"
Could you please give us copies of the reports and specific solutions with the background data so we can make a decision based on REALITY, rather than your talking points?
As for democrats... to give a 3 or 4 hour notice after submitting a 500 page bill before mandating a vote is not what THIS citizen expects from out Washington representatives.
Neither party represents the citizens of this nation when both parties just sit up their on their thrones and play infantile games with each other... and this nation while serious problems (such as our REAL patriots are overseas dying for them) are occurring.
You guys want to support out troops? Vote to take away vacation times during wars and conflicts!!! Stay in session so you can come up with solutions to prevent this in the future!!!
Don't care for those patriots THAT much, do you?
June 27, 2009 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans have clearly signaled that they will do whatever they can to obstruct passage of any meaningful Democratic party initiatives.
The Dems could give the Republicans 3 or 4 WEEKS to read a bill and it wouldn't make any differerence in how they would vote. Why prolong the inevitable? I'm with the Dems on this one.
June 27, 2009 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, John I don't disagree with your statement, "to give a 3 or 4 hour notice after submitting a 500 page bill before mandating a vote is not what THIS citizen expects from out Washington representatives." However I am sorry to say that although this sort of reasoning is what one may expect out of their "congressmen and women" the GOP has shown very little willingness to help pass any sort of reform bill including stimulus packages and the passage of bill's such as the Lilly Lebetter bill which only passed with a handful of GOP Sen and almost no GOP in the house. The GOP has shown very little willingness when given time to look at a bill or budget package to do anything other than complain about the process, their lack of input or the disagree with the issue altogether. Again I don't disagree with your basic reasoning but their is a lack of evidence to support the Dem's or the Presidents ability to get any GOP support for the majority change the american people clearly want, as evidence by the Pres election and the last 2 congressional elections. The GOP simple has to change and admit that it has been deficient in addressing many of the concerns of the American people for at a bare minimum the last decade. I mean come on the American people have been leaning for public health-care going all the way back to FDR, Truman and even Nixon had a proposed national health care plan.
Here is an example of where the GOP is on energy issues. This is a link to their latest release on the issue of energy reform.
http://www.gop.gov/energy
Check out sec 502-503 on pp. 146-148
SEC. 502. GREENHOUSE GAS REGULATION UNDER CLEAN
AIR ACT. 23
(a) INGENERAL.—Section 302(g) of the Clean Air 24
Act (42 U.S.C. 7602(g)) is amended by adding the following at the end thereof: ‘‘The term ‘air pollutant’ shall 1
not include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous 2
oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur 3
hexafluoride.’’
You see this is where they start! Is it not obvious that they are not genuinely interested in better use of our natural resources and the safety of our environment. The science has been against them for decades, even GWB EPA decided that measures were necessary in dealing with Climate change. Yet here we have the GOP taking a step back and to the right of the last presidency. Is it no wonder that many Americans would feel their voices quelled by this sort of approach. I feel that the GOP as very little interest in addressing climate change, I feel that the GOP has very little interest in addressing the issues of our health care and I feel that the GOP has very little interest in changing its positions that it stood by during the presidency of GWB. Therefor I feel I have very little interest in them taking my views seriously and therefor will continue to express to my representatives what issues are important to me.
June 27, 2009 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
My point is that citizens in this nation have elected people to represent our desires and values.
I do not care if every nation in the world does business such as mandating votes before even giving folks the opportunity to read the info... or perhaps having votes without notifying the opposition.. or whatever.
I do not base my morality or ethics on what the other team does. Rather, my values come from within... something which is apparently lacking in many, if not most of our representives in Washington.
I learned early on in life that if you cannot trust a person to be ethical in one area, is is pretty much impossible to trust his judgement in ANY area, sine the problem isn't the situation... it is inherent in that person... who he is.
I for one do not believe folks who pull stunts like this just to harass, belittle, overlord... or whatever... consist of values anywhere near my own. This was important legislation and I prefer my representatives to treat it thus, instead of behaving like ten year old children in a back alley somewhere.
This, though, seems to be pretty much an historical concept which has no meaning in this day and age as our society seems to want to devolve, rather than progress... IMHO
June 27, 2009 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans have made it very clear they will not support Obama and the Democrats in any way, shape or form. They will "hang tough" as a block and do whatever thay can to derail any initiatives that Obama puts forward. We know this. We know this from what they say and distribute through emails, websites and other media. CLEAR?
They have made themselves totally irrelevant to the process of getting things done as we knew it (the "quaint" two party system). The onus is on THEM. They refuse to come to the table. They refuse to compromise. The country is basically is a shithole thanks, in large part, to what the Republicans accomplished in the last 8 years. That they refuse to adjust and admit that, maybe, just maybe, they were wrong and by working WITH the Democrats can they truly get things done for the people just show you how sick and malevolent the Republican Party has become.
The Dems are on their own this time. Not by choice, but by fiat.
June 27, 2009 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, that is where the democratic party has always failed.
By confusing the tools in Congress for the ones with the power in the republican party, the miss important allies in this effort to get meaningful reform accomplished. If we want the GOP to support progressive changes, they constituents need to be bugging their ass everyday about why they won't do what needs to be done. The biggest ally liberals have in this battle right now is the silent majority of center-right conservatives who haven't been given a reason to see beyond the partisan battles to the fundamental issues at hand.
If the democratic party wanted to get these things done the right way, they would figure out a way (after 40 some-odd years of failing) to sell their very common sense ideas to more than the folks on their side of the fence. Given the strength of many democratic proposals, something is being lost in the delivery if the republican grassroots isn't pushing their representatives to change direction.
At a certain point, liberals need to stop blaming the "conservative" members of the audience for not getting the message and seek to solve the disconnect instead.
June 29, 2009 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone dumb enough to say that Democrats have always failed in also ignorant of Social Security passed against Repugnant opposition, Medicare also passed in spite of Repugnant opposition, and Civil Rights Legislation which was also passed in spite of Repugnant opposition. Hurt feelings can be settled as gentlemen.
July 29, 2009 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone dumb enough to use the term "Repugnant" as a metaphor for republican is most likely not worth talking to, but what the heck.
Since you obviously missed the point, let me spell it out for you - The republicans in Congress can be pushed by their constituents to support common sense reforms if the democratic Congress.
Every single one of the programs you mentioned had bipartisan support because the democratic president went to We The People before they went to Congress. The "repugnants" haven't been the reason democrats have failed to accomplish anything of note in nearly fifty years. They have failed because they forgot how to be successful.
Civil Rights Roll Call Vote, since your access to information seems limited:
By party
The original House version:[9]
* Democratic Party: 152-96 (61%-39%)
* Republican Party: 138-34 (80%-20%)
The Senate version:[9]
* Democratic Party: 46-21 (69%-31%)
* Republican Party: 27-6 (82%-18%)
The Senate version, voted on by the House:[9]
* Democratic Party: 153-91 (63%-37%)
* Republican Party: 136-35 (80%-20%)
The votes for Social Security and Medicare and just about every progressive program from the last century had a similar vote tally.
July 29, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
In case the math hurts your head, you'll notice that republican support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act was higher than democratic support for the legislation. There was a reason LBJ had to crack heads in Congress and it wasn't the republican caucus.
July 29, 2009 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whatever, Mr. Perfect.
June 28, 2009 1:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
This dumping of material into a bill at the last minute is nothing new...The repub's have been doing it for years..
They are just having a memory lapse..with no solutions still!
Boneher was attempting a filibuster!
June 28, 2009 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
When republicans (sic) are contemptible and un-American, the Democrats must do the right thing without the thugs.
July 29, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
One word for Republicans on health care: Reconciliation.
Cya suckers.
June 27, 2009 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
More Bad News for the Religious Right: God Admits to Affair!
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=7598
June 27, 2009 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the Republicans have "common sense solutions"--in other words, they're acknowledging there are problems, since they need to be solved--then where were they when they controlled both the White House and both Houses of Congress? Boehner's rhetoric is laughable, and I think he knows it, himself. One of the interesting things about the energy debate yesterday; the vast, vast majority of Republicans slammed the bill for its cost, its effect on jobs, etc. I only heard two who directly addressed global warming, and one of them--none other than Dana Rohrabacher--simply denied it was happening. Eric Cantor, on the other hand, said it's a problem, but the emissions reductions in the bill would not address it. I think you've got the conflict within the GOP right there in a nutshell, the dinosaurs versus the guys who say there are problems, but their approach is preferable.
June 27, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Boehner is aware that his rhetoric is laughable, then he's a bald-faced liar. If, however, he is NOT aware of it, then he's a goddamned idiot.
In either case, he's unfit to hold public office in any capacity and should not be reelected.
June 27, 2009 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Boehner can't pronounce DemocratIC Party, I guess I'll have to continue pronouncing his name in the most appropriate way, Minority Leader, Boner, Sir!
How can he keep pulling stuff out of his ass like the repubs are "creating jobs, making health-care more affordable, and making the environment cleaner?" Is the guy drunk?
June 27, 2009 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I noticed that too. If even when he is ostensibly calling for bi-partisanship he can't help using Democrat as an adjective - well joke him.
June 28, 2009 2:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
About the only things the GOP does well here in my neck of the woods is give tax-abatements to big companies so they can move to my community. They don't do tax increases per se but many of their actions such as abatements can have a direct impact on things like property taxes and then to how much money our state gets for education. They don't necessarily call it a tax increase but somehow every year whether it be a D or R I end up paying a little more in someway.
June 27, 2009 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the GOP's way of thinking, those tax abatements to business help everyone because the businesses use the extra money on hiring people, which in turn gives those people more money to spend on things like cars, homes, electronics, etc., which in turn helps the people who make and sell those things. Reagonomics. Trickle-down economics. Whatever you want to call it. Basically, tax cuts and less regulation to the wealthy and big business solve everything.
June 27, 2009 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Dems need to give up the idea that the Repugs would be willing to support any health care plan that would actually lower costs. They need to pass the right bill, even if it means doing it through the reconciliation process.
June 27, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Totally right Rich, it's a pipedream that they would get all the GOPers to support a publi option health plan or anytype of plan that would lower cost. Did you read Josh's blog yeaturday (I think it was yesturday) where he posted an excerpt from an interview Sen. Rockefeller did with the Charleston Daily Mail in which he flat out said be don't think were going to get full Republican support for this. He said in the past they voted againist healthcare bills like medicare, medicaid and S-CHIP. So it should be no surprise they doing the same shit. I mean you got that and the NYT article Kleefield posted on top of today's roundship. Shit even in all the AP articles i've been reading on healthcare reform, even with the co-op compromise Kent Conrad has been floating aroud, there's no proof they'll support that either. Oh sure the Maine Senators will but that's about as bi-partisan as it will get if you know what I mean.
It don't matter if it's public option, co-op or any other type of proposal, the GOP won't support it so get that notion out of your head. Your right Rich, want to pass healthcare that's meaningful and don't need a varaige of GOP support, reconciliation is that way to be.
Thank you and have a good weekend everyone.
June 27, 2009 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately Rich, I'm not at all sure that the Dems want to do it either. They just talk a little better game.
When push comes to shove, let's see where they really stand. I'll bet donors get preference over voters.
June 27, 2009 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Go it alone," Senator Boehner? Fat cat obstructionist contributors disappointed? On your case?
Energy? Climate?
See it all as *too much progress* in support of the American people?
Overeach THIS!
:)
June 27, 2009 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stimulus a needless extravagance say your campaign's financiers, Senator B.?
Healthy care seem a bridge too far?
Overeach THIS!
June 27, 2009 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
F.Y. Boehner.
If Obama fails his Presidency, I won't blame him. Clearly there are stronger forces resistent to change, the main stars are Republicans and conservative Democrats. As long as the House and the Senate are not in line, nothing, or little, will actually change. But kudos on the energy bill, now to the Senate, where the nightmare really begins...and will someone please sit Al Franken?
June 27, 2009 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's call him BONER until he actually says Democratic Party. Dems are so damn naive. I can't like I was a naive in the beginning. Who can believe that the opposition would ACTUALLY play politics while the country is crumbling. I stopped being naive the day I read an article where they said BONER was telling the Repubs in the house to vote against the bill RIGHT BEFORE OBAMA CAME TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM. I found that absolutely deplorable. You would rather have your party back in power than this country recovering Disgusting. When they learn(hopefully before it's too late) that Repubs don't care about passing these initiatives they actively want you too FAIL then maybe we will actually get some progress.
June 28, 2009 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
... and applauds "Stop-It-Alone" GOOPers.
June 28, 2009 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink