TPMDC
McConnell Says Not So Fast - Shelby Released Holds Before Obama Meeting
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and President Obama
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Republicans are questioning President Obama's heroic-sounding battle with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell over the GOP blocking his nominees.
As we reported last night, the White House released a statement detailing what Obama told McConnell about obstructionism. Obama said he told McConnell in a meeting Tuesday if the holds weren't released he would use his power for recess appointments, and noted that 27 of his nominees were confirmed last night.
A Politico report takes it a bit further, detailing Obama's body language and noting the president was "forceful" with McConnell.
A Republican aide scoffed at the reports as White House "spin," adding that the confirmations last night were nothing unusual.
"We clear the nominees that can be cleared before going on a recess. We did it on Christmas eve, too--but that was a larger group than this," the aide told TPMDC.
Obama's statement did not mention Sen. Richard Shelby's blanket holds, but those were actually released Monday - before the McConnell meeting.
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georgecs
February 12, 2010 9:24 AM
My, my but the Republicans sound awfully shrill and defensive. Few things are as pathetic as a bully when he finds out how easily he can be beaten.
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GayIthacan
February 12, 2010 9:27 AM
Yet further evidence that apparently Obama's IS BIGGER Than McConnell's!!! :D :D
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Docb
February 12, 2010 11:18 AM in reply to GayIthacan
Politico and mcconnell--we would believe them why? Look at the politico polls and the questions --never an answer that gives confidence to the Admin...,
I quit reading their articals and just refute in the comments!
Like when the repubs get shrill means a nerve has been struck!
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lousgirl84
February 12, 2010 9:55 AM
It sure is further evidence of how ugly McConnell is and how handsome our president is.
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Marinus van der Lubbe
February 12, 2010 1:14 PM in reply to lousgirl84
Hey, what's wrong with having no lips, two balls of shit for eyes and a neck like the foreskin of an Indian elephant?
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lousgirl84
February 12, 2010 5:23 PM in reply to Marinus van der Lubbe
LOL
I am a little late to the party. I had work to do!!
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George C
February 12, 2010 1:46 PM in reply to lousgirl84
Lewis Black called McConnell a "hybrid from a union between a human and a tortoise". That's pretty cool.
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lousgirl84
February 12, 2010 5:24 PM in reply to George C
Except it diminishes the turtle by the comparison. Actually, I can't think of any animal or reptile I would like to compare to McConnell, as they are all better looking than him.
My friend used to say "He is ooooogleeee"
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Marinus van der Lubbe
February 12, 2010 10:10 PM in reply to George C
Lewis Black is the shit...insanely funny..
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JNagarya
February 13, 2010 6:32 PM in reply to George C
Stop it! Turkles are my favorite animal!
They never start fights, and always ming their business.
They aren't Republicans!
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cybermanekin
February 12, 2010 10:44 AM
and now the President needs to carry out recess appointments of everybody remaining. no negotiating with hostage-takers.
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Michael A
February 12, 2010 10:56 AM in reply to cybermanekin
Cosign. No negotiating with islamo-fascist terrorists. Just do recess appointments and make a big deal about it. Freeing up the senate to GET SOMETHING DONE!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing has gotten done for a year, they need to start working for the american people. They are doing nothing.
I still cannot believe the dems control the house, senate and white house and they cannot get a gd thing done. Un-freaking-believable.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
February 12, 2010 12:01 PM in reply to Michael A
A recess appointment would expire next January. The office would then be open until the next recess unless confirmed. The government has to run, too.
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Kevin Sutton
February 12, 2010 12:24 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Not running at all in the mean time is not superior solution to having to reappoint people during recesses. (Attitudes may have changed after the next election as well)
Still, I think the White House may be finding that use of political and public pressure can force through a lot of the people that have been held up already.
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Michael A
February 12, 2010 12:54 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
True. Couple of points.
1. It's been running like a well oiled machine the last year, not.
2. It will bring light on the issue. The guy was elected a year ago and there are still 60 plus people for his government being held up by repukes?
3. It can be spun to give the senate more time to get things accomplished for the american people. Nothing meaningful has passed, and been signed into law, by the "world's most deliberative body" in a freaking year.
4. They can reargue the same bs in a year. No harm, no foul.
Just appoint them already. Take some action, any action. This stagnation is ridiculous. Get stuff done for pete's sake.
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nova voter
February 12, 2010 11:01 AM
yeah, politico is just a bunch of obama shills. LOL
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Powkat
February 12, 2010 11:37 AM
Oooh, Mitchie got his hands slapped and now he is sticking out his tongue at the teacher. Have any of these clowns matured beyond middle school?
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Joshua the Teacher
February 12, 2010 12:20 PM in reply to Powkat
This is an insult to all the middle schoolers I teach. Take it back!
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Pete Bilderback
February 12, 2010 11:55 AM
Fine, so if by their own account the Republicans want to continue obstructing Obama's nominees, the President should use his power to recess appoint all the remaining nominees with Republican holds on them.
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Darrius
February 12, 2010 12:04 PM
Of course you did Mitch. The Republicans stopped obstructing the President's nominees because they suddenly developed a guilty conscious. Obama's threats had nothing to do with it.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
February 12, 2010 12:04 PM
Well, gee, if a single anonymous "Republican aide" says something, it must be true.
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George C
February 12, 2010 1:48 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Have the led us astray before?
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ohyeathatsright
February 12, 2010 7:17 PM
Hah, they've held them up for a year and are arguing over a few hours. Talk about a missed point.
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