
We reported earlier that Senate Republicans this week are blocking committee hearings from taking place, and Sen. Claire McCaskill this afternoon excoriated the GOP for "taking game playing to a whole new level."
McCaskill (D-MO) had to cancel a hearing she'd had planned about police contracting in Afghanistan. She said the hearing was to examine a "very important" element of the war, and detailed the top officials expected to participate.
She asked the chamber, "So what do I find out this morning? The Republican Party is not going to let us have the hearing? What in the world?"
"Why in the world are we not able to work this afternoon," McCaskill said on the Senate floor. "The idea that I called to call these witnesses and say go home because the Republicans won't let us have a hearing? Somebody has got to explain this to me."
She said the Senate was sent to Washington to work, and told Republicans they should feel free to vote "No" on the bill, but "let us work! I implore you, let us work."
mike from Arlington
March 24, 2010 3:32 PM
How does this NOT bite Republicans in the ass is beyond me.
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mcrose68
March 24, 2010 3:57 PM in reply to mike from Arlington
because their voters only watch Fox News.
The only way this does not bite the Republicans in the ass is if the Republicans appeal the election results to the Supreme Court asking that they simply over-ride the will of the people. They've done it before in 2000, and it requires 2/3s majority in the senate to impeach a Supreme Court Justice. so it seems entirely feasible to me.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
March 24, 2010 5:31 PM in reply to mcrose68
And because the MSM will give them a pass and even portray it as some kind of principled, tough-guy, Chuck Heston/Chuck Norris manly man kind of thing instead what it really is: Veruca Salt throwing a tantrum.
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mcrose68
March 24, 2010 6:27 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Almost -
Initially, they will simply report the facts, then Fox will report the "tough guy" story : after that everyone else will be reporting, "some people say it's just a tough guy stance"
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enough already
March 25, 2010 8:58 AM in reply to mcrose68
I watch cnn and cspan fox and msnbc i still think the health care as written is wrong something elxe not this.
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condew
March 25, 2010 12:27 PM in reply to enough already
Be specific or STFU
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mamamarti
March 24, 2010 5:49 PM in reply to mike from Arlington
I want a video mash-up of McCaskill, and Boehner's "Hell No You Can't" temper-tamtrum on the House floor.
It will tell voters all they need to know about the Republican party.
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tiowally
March 24, 2010 3:33 PM
Calling it a new low is like yelling "How low can you go?" at a limbo contest after the pole is already laying on the ground.
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rosebowl
March 24, 2010 3:39 PM
The Party of No = The Party of New Low = The Party of Childishness.
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twoviragos
March 24, 2010 3:56 PM in reply to rosebowl
Nice! You should send this to the DNC to use in a fundraising pitch: The Party of "No" is becoming the Party of "Low."
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cazart
March 24, 2010 5:36 PM in reply to twoviragos
The Party of WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
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TheOtherWA
March 24, 2010 4:06 PM in reply to rosebowl
The GOP likes to work banker's hours. That's what the DNC needs to say.
Credit to RMJ, a commenter at Eschaton.
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enough already
March 24, 2010 3:40 PM
well lets see executive orders, unconstitutional grounds for what is propsed in that bill, violations of what the people want, increased amount of water for areas that vote yes THose are illegal. THe dems are whining as usual. no fair no fair. well seems to me Gop is doing nothing illegal. how bout then dems
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nova voter
March 24, 2010 3:49 PM in reply to enough already
ladies and gentleman, today's republican voter.
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condew
March 25, 2010 12:38 PM in reply to nova voter
IOKIYAR
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chimpale
March 24, 2010 3:50 PM in reply to enough already
I believe that's a felony.
"You stand accused of not giving a bunch of noisy, ignorant, racist assholes what they want. How do you plea?"
I'd throw myself at the mercy of the court.
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enough already
March 25, 2010 8:51 AM in reply to chimpale
im hispanic im not a racisest nor rich
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condew
March 25, 2010 12:35 PM in reply to enough already
I see you have real problems with capitalization and punctuation. Are you really that ignorant, or trying to ape Bush's "style".
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agio
March 24, 2010 3:50 PM in reply to enough already
You are doing an excellent job of representing the Republican party. Keep it up.
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slb
March 24, 2010 4:00 PM in reply to enough already
Presidents have been issuing executive orders since 1789, genius. Why is is that you guys suddenly see them as illegitimate?
From your demonstrated ignorance on the above point, forgive me if I don't put too much credence in the rest of your claims.
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enough already
March 25, 2010 9:07 AM in reply to slb
no kidding didnt know that
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mcrose68
March 24, 2010 4:02 PM in reply to enough already
Oh no!!!!
People wanted free health care.
They wanted their Medicare without having to pay taxes. . .
Oh no, the people aren't getting what they wanted.
I can't wait to see Bohner laying on the Senate floor throwing a tantrum.. . waaa waaa waaa, I want to win. I'm really sad.
You're damn right enough already. We are sick and tired of Republicans bankrupting our Nation and then crying that we won't let them start more wars and spend more borrowed money. Just get the hell out of the way and let the adults get some work done.
After we've balanced the budget again, for some stupid reason, we'll let you back to borrow and spend again our country into debt again.
But for the time being, Go to your room! The adults have work to do.
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enough already
March 25, 2010 8:55 AM in reply to mcrose68
so how is texas bankrupt big republican state hows california economy
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Brownbagger
March 24, 2010 4:05 PM in reply to enough already
Are you typing with one hand again?
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statusquomustgo
March 24, 2010 6:40 PM in reply to enough already
you are showing your ignorance... and you're an ass
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agio
March 24, 2010 3:44 PM
That's a funny thing to say... is that quote accurate?
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MC Scared Of Bees
March 24, 2010 3:44 PM
"Republicans say they're working for you. But they'll only do it before 2pm. It's time to send some adults to Washington."
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Duck Stab
March 24, 2010 4:00 PM
Good lord, what a bunch of sore loser crybabies. I am so glad they decided to go this route. Nothing would worry me more than a GOP that realized their mistakes and their errors. But thankfully I can take comfort knowing that will not happen. They will not have their moment of clarity to step back and think about why they keep getting their asses kicked. Instead, they will go even crazier and act more petulant than before, if that was actually possible.
Keep it up, GOP. They are in for such a rude awakening in November. What will it take for them to realize that the teabaggers and talk radio and Fox News aren't doing them any favors at all? How much more badly do they need to get beaten before someone with a brain and a sense of the future says, enough!
Is there not one rational conservative leader in the country who isn't afraid of what Rush Limpballs will say about him?
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mans_best_friend
March 24, 2010 4:02 PM
Why can she not have the hearing anyway? If they don't show up, no great loss.
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calbearinillinois
March 24, 2010 4:10 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
She can have a discussion, but not an on the record hearing with an official record or any effect. To make a record to then support the bill or action that flows out of it, she'll have to have a hearing at some point - ironically, in part so the GOP can't claim a violation of the rules.
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terje
March 24, 2010 4:13 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
Senate Rules
Under Senate rules, holding any committee hearings after 2 pm requires agreement by the entire Senate as it takes up the orders of the day each morning.
Because of this technicality, the Republicans' crybaby tactics make it impossible for any committee to go ahead with their business - no use of committee hearing rooms, no transcripts, no staff support, etc...
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WaitWut?
March 24, 2010 4:14 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
I was kind of wondering the same thing. If I don't show up for work...I don't get paid. I also don't get to vote on what goes on the pizza for Friday.
Tell them they can take an indefinite leave of absence. Imagine the possibilities.
Seriously...they're holding our country hostage. Isn't that an act of terrorism, under today's standards?
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Weeferdog
March 24, 2010 4:08 PM
Shut up, Claire. Maybe the GOP is just going 'too far, too fast,' as you said about your own party on HCR.
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Brownbagger
March 24, 2010 4:08 PM
It's very simple Clair. Repugnicans have no interest in governing, not interest in work, just in politics, in regaining power to loot the treasury.
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WakeupandStandup
March 24, 2010 4:11 PM
This is part of what the Coffee Party is trying to get rid of
please join and stop this
http://www.facebook.com/coffeeparty
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mcc
March 24, 2010 4:14 PM
What I don't get-- can't the Democrats just start scheduling everything for early in the morning?
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Ironcomments
March 24, 2010 4:44 PM
Where is the MSM on this? Oh right, that conservative meme of the "liberal mainstream media" is another outright lie to get the morons to follow and believe in their twisted sense of reality.
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LFC
March 24, 2010 5:12 PM
Everybody repeat after me, over and over again.
Interfering with the stabilization of Afghanistan during a time of war is TREASON!
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threegoal
March 24, 2010 6:43 PM
Old McCain: "Country first!"
New McCain (and GOP) "Tantrum first!"
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enough already
March 25, 2010 9:15 AM
i should not haveto be forced to pay for insurance i pay out of pocket i get billed and pay it either payments or upfront I avoid hte middle man who is driving up cost oh yeah there is no intrest either so to me it s a viloation of my rights becasue ill no longer be able to do that
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enough already
March 25, 2010 9:16 AM
i should not haveto be forced to pay for insurance i pay out of pocket i get billed and pay it either payments or upfront I avoid hte middle man who is driving up cost oh yeah there is no intrest either so to me it s a viloation of my rights becasue ill no longer be able to do that,or with others who havechoices which is now limited
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enough already
March 25, 2010 9:25 AM
i buy organice food use alterantive medicine adn try to stay health im not going to be able to afford organic fodd do things to keep me healthy and afford this insurance as well so whats going to happen other peoplke are in differnt situations which and different needs . do i go to jail for this where inturn people will have to support me anyway? also what happens if crime goes o up because of this we already have over crowded jail . and cant keep up with that either. now what or we will be fined with no jobs how is that going to work with soaring unemployment. Im thinking whats going to happen now
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enough already
March 25, 2010 9:42 AM
so how do you know i dont have one hand yu guys are unbeleivable. So now yur doing hate agaisnt rebublicans and the handicap. I didnt say anythig derogatory to anybody and seems some of you cant help but cuss. and hate like i said before i love you anyway coming from a republican thats racistadn rich and white and one handed brainless and what ever other lable you can put . THought democrats are loveing and forgiving peole. well thats confusing. LOve thy fellow man ? and all that stuff you want health care becasue of the love thing weeellllll whats all this ? this is funny and sad
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enough already
March 25, 2010 10:07 AM
those are my concerns with all of this . how many people are goingto get sick becasue of this .
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condew
March 25, 2010 12:37 PM in reply to enough already
And how many lives will be saved? Probably a lot more.
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