’)So long, don’t let the door hit you. These Republicans, I swear. They should just adopt “Party First” as their official slogan, its the principle they operate under. His reasoning makes no sense. It’s like he’s saying (to paraphrase Condi): “Who could have known that a Democratic president would have Democratic positions on the vital issues of the day?”
UPDATE: MSNBC does some checking and shows that Gregg just doesn’t meet the smell test.
Despite citing the economic stimulus as one of the reasons behind his withdrawal to be President Obama’s Commerce secretary, Judd Gregg had been saying some very nice things about the plan, even though he recused himself from voting for or against it while being considered for the Commerce post.
On Feb. 4, the day after Obama officially nominated him for the job, Gregg told CNBC’s Larry Kudlow that a major stimulus plan made sense. “I think a major stimulus package … makes a lot of sense, and the Senate is still working its will and I expect it will come up with an even stronger package than the package that left the House. If we don’t get this economy going, the numbers that represent this stimulus package are going to be small compared to the loss of revenue to the federal government.”
He must have paid his taxes. No way a guy like that would fit in Obama’s cabinet.
steno…Are you serious or just stupid!
Hopefully Obama will say, ‘Fuck the Republicans. No more attempts at bipartisanship, it’s getting us nowhere.’
Hey Steno, were you this pissed off when Bush authorized torture or illegal wiretaps?
His reasoning makes no sense
“I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me.”
Why is this statement so difficult for you to comprehend?
He gave examples of specific things he had issues with. There was nothing there even close to your strawman about “Democratic positions… oh my!”
He disagrees on the stimulus. Yes, I know that’s high treason to the Left, but deal with it. A lot of people disagree. Even on the left (see Democrats, Blue Dog).
And the reference to the census is obviously regarding Obama’s recently announced plan to move the census from the Commerce Secretary to instead put it under the direct control of the White House. Nope, no politicalization going on there!
I don’t blame Gregg for saying “thanks, but no thanks” to that job offer.
These Republicans, I swear. They should just adopt “Party First” as their official slogan, its the principle they operate under.
This is hilarious coming from you and the party of President “I Won”. Tell us again, Oliver, how were Pelosi, Reid and Obama demonstrating bipartisanship by drafting the Stimulus bill behind closed doors with ZERO, ZIP, NADA, NYET, NEIN Republican input?
Hopefully Obama will say, ‘Fuck the Republicans. No more attempts at bipartisanship, it’s getting us nowhere.’
Damn right! Those get togethers at the White House for cocktails and Wagyu steaks aren’t cheap. No more bipartisanship! From now on, in addition to shutting them out of legislation like we’ve been doing from day one we’re also cutting off the free food and the personal visits.
Hey Steno, were you this pissed off when Bush authorized torture or illegal wiretaps?
Hey CS, were YOU this pissed off when Obama reauthorized torture and illegal wiretaps?
>They should just adopt “Party First” as their official slogan, its the principle they operate under.
Dave already beat me to it, but I have to also say that that is pretty funny charge coming from the mouth of Mr. Party First himself.
Hey CS, were YOU this pissed off when Obama reauthorized torture and illegal wiretaps? –Dave in SoCal
Most excellent rejoinder, Dave. h/t to you.
Gee, what could have changed between when Obama offered Gregg the position and now?
Well, for one, how about the unconstitutional plan to place the census (and all it entails) in the hands of Obama’s Karl Rove?
(Let’s head off the stupid arguments: the mandate for the census is spelled out in Article I, Section 2, under duties of the legislature, and Congress created the Bureau of the Census within the Commerce Department. It is simply not within the power of the president to set aside the law and strip the Commerce Secretary of his or her legal authority and duty to oversee the census.)
The upshoot of this is that Obama now has to find another lickspittle (hopefully, who has paid their taxes and not under criminal investigation — there have to be SOME Democrats out there who qualify) who he can trust to make sure the Census comes out the “right” way — no matter how many career Census workers have to be silenced or shoved out the door in the process.
The real question is whether or not Gregg can or will retain his Senate seat. I didn’t vote for him in 2004, but I might have to in 2010.
J.
Gee, what could have changed between when Obama offered Gregg the position and now?
Well, for one, how about the unconstitutional plan to place the census (and all it entails) in the hands of Obama’s Karl Rove?
Are you saying Gregg didn’t know about this before he flipflopped on taking the job?
Hey CS, were YOU this pissed off when Obama reauthorized torture and illegal wiretaps?
I can’t virtually speak for CS, but we in the Reality Based Community were pretty livid when Obama caved on FISA and rendition. See Greenwald, Glenn for more.
But whatever, we know were Dave in SoCal and his ilk stand on torture and illegal wiretaps. Shame on them.
Well, Quaker, Gregg accepted the nomination on February 2.
The news about Obama’s power grab over the census came out February 6.
So I’d say that it’s fairly probable that Gregg didn’t know about the move before taking the job.
Speculating, I’d say that he held off withdrawing to see if he could talk the Obama administration out of castrating his office in a flagrantly unconstitutional move, and finally accepted defeat.
Of course, on your calendar, February 6 might come before February 2, but it’s more like Obama tried to pull a bait and switch — offering the job to Gregg without telling him that the biggest part of the job was to be taken away and given to some political hack — and Gregg told him to shove it.
If you have proof that Gregg knew about the census ploy before accepting the nomination, let’s hear it. If not, feel free to STFU at any time.
J.
If you have proof that Gregg knew about the census ploy before accepting the nomination, let’s hear it.
Okey doke!
If not, feel free to STFU at any time.
Right back at ya, tough guy.
Jay Tea: (Let’s head off the stupid arguments: the mandate for the census is spelled out in Article I, Section 2, under duties of the legislature, and Congress created the Bureau of the Census within the Commerce Department. It is simply not within the power of the president to set aside the law and strip the Commerce Secretary of his or her legal authority and duty to oversee the census.)
The upshoot of this is that Obama now has to find another lickspittle (hopefully, who has paid their taxes and not under criminal investigation — there have to be SOME Democrats out there who qualify) who he can trust to make sure the Census comes out the “right” way — no matter how many career Census workers have to be silenced or shoved out the door in the process.
Hey JT, were YOU this pissed off when Bush declared himself not bound by the laws Congress passed and politicized the Justice Department?
Jay Tea: Speculating, I’d say that he held off withdrawing to see if he could talk the Obama administration out of castrating his office in a flagrantly unconstitutional move, and finally accepted defeat.
Not commenting on the constitutionality of anything here, but do you really think the census makes up such a large part of what the Commerce Secretary does that without it the office would be “castrated”? Go hyperbolic much?
Tell us again, Oliver, how were Pelosi, Reid and Obama demonstrating bipartisanship by drafting the Stimulus bill behind closed doors with ZERO, ZIP, NADA, NYET, NEIN Republican input?
Like every Republican, you are a lying sack of shit. F
Quaker, Gregg said that he tried to dissuade Obama from politicizing the census. Obviously he failed. And I read Gregg’s statement as saying he’d heard rumors, but nothing concrete — and took the nomination in hopes he’d be able to make sure that didn’t happen.
He failed. He found out that the rumor was absolutely true, and not going to change. So he said “I’m outta here.”
Martin, you got anything ELSE the Secretary of Commerce has to do? Anything else nearly as important as a Constitutional mandate?
The Census will reshape the very membership of Congress — likely shifting quite a few seats from Democratically-controlled states to Republican-dominant ones. With that possibility, it’s no wonder the Obama administration wants to make sure the numbers come out “right.”
Maybe they plan to outsource the census-taking to ACORN?
J.
All of a sudden you guys are pearl clutchers about the census?
Mr. Tea: “If you have proof that Gregg knew about the census ploy before accepting the nomination, let’s hear it.”
Gregg: “Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences”
Mr. Tea: “I read Gregg’s statement as saying he’d heard rumors, but nothing concrete — and took the nomination in hopes he’d be able to make sure that didn’t happen.”
“We discussed these issues” = “he’d heard rumors”
Where do you buy your great big shoes, Mr. Tea? Same place you get your selzter bottles?
Nothing changed significantly in the stimulus between when Gregg accepted the job he had offered himself for.
And unlike Gregg, the country comes before the party for me. Luckily for me, my party gives a shit about America.
Jay Tea: Martin, you got anything ELSE the Secretary of Commerce has to do? Anything else nearly as important as a Constitutional mandate?
Oh, I dunno. How about
for starters.
The Commerce Department contains the following Bureaus:
You mean to say the Commerce Secretary has NOTHING else to do but work on the Census?
For FY 2008 the President’s Budget request for the Commerce Dept was $6.55 billion in discretionary funds of which 1.23 billion was for the Census Bureau. So, yeah, I do think the Secretary of Commerce has other things to do than focus solely on less than 20% of his budget.
I know, I’ve got those pesky facts on my side. What you got?
Jay Tea: Maybe they plan to outsource the census-taking to ACORN?
Oh, right. That old long-discredited chestnut. You keep running with that.
Let’s head off the stupid arguments …
In other words, “I actually bothered to read the relevant section of the Constitution this time so there.”
And good for you, Jay Tea.
But since you referenced the exact section of Constitution, Jay Tea, I’m sure you’ll be able to reference the exact citation for where you read that Obama is going to “set aside the law and strip the Commerce Secretary of his or her legal authority and duty to oversee the census.”
Then, maybe you can provide some kind of date for this odd little factoid:
The Census will reshape the very membership of Congress — likely shifting quite a few seats from Democratically-controlled states to Republican-dominant ones.
Likely? Really? Where did you get that idea?
Like every Republican, you are a lying sack of shit. F
Then prove me wrong. Otherwise, fuck off douchebag.
ZERO, ZIP, NADA, NYET, NEIN
Hey Dave in SoCal,
Don’t mean to pile on here, so please just take this as a friendly language lesson:
“Nyet” and “nein” mean “no” as in “the opposite of yes.” They do not mean “no” as in “none,” “zero,” or “zip.”
So, would you have preferred that Gregg have not withdrawn his name if he felt he couldn’t agree with the Obama Administration on a couple of very important issues?
And, remember, this wouldn’t even be an issue if President Obama had gotten it right the first time. This would have been a moot point if Secretary Richardson had been confirmed.
Me: “Hey Steno, were you this pissed off when Bush authorized torture or illegal wiretaps?”
Dave in SoCal says: “Hey CS, were YOU this pissed off when Obama reauthorized torture and illegal wiretaps?”
Are you talking about the Senate votes on FISA, then yes, yes I was pissed off.
Dave in South Cal: “Then prove me wrong. Otherwise, fuck off douchebag.”
Obama met with Republicans repeatedly. That’s more than zero input, wouldn’t you agree?
First off, it was Gregg who let it be known he wanted the job. Obama was going to play nice and nominate a Republican as a good-faith gesture, even going so far as to make sure that New Hampshire would replace Gregg with a Republican.
Honestly, no skin off my back. Republicans have put their party first once again, and Obama is realizing that bipartisanship with ideological hacks is not truly bipartisanship. He loaded the stimulus bill with billions in tax-cuts to appease Republicans, and this is the thanks he gets.
It’s not going to happen again. Republicans are pretty much letting America know that they’d rather see Obama fail (which he won’t) than see America come out of its current economic crisis (which it will, and all of the credit will go to Obama and the Democrats, which it should).
Honestly, any Republican who can’t see what a dangerous line they’re walking deserves to be kicked to the curb, forever.
This is not a zero sum game. It is entirely possible that Obama can be a failure as a president and that America will recover from its current economic issues. As a matter of fact, I guarantee that America will recover, regardless of what the stimulus package does. All that the stimulus package will do is determine just how many generations are paying for the debt.
“It is entirely possible that Obama can be a failure as a president and that America will recover from its current economic issues.”
No, it’s not. America is in the worst recession since 1982, and the bad news might not be over yet (i.e., things could get worse and comparisons to The Great Depression won’t sound like hyperbole). If the Obama administration presides over a recovery that lasts less than, say, two years, how could he possibly be viewed as a failure?
Barring another 9/11 security and intelligence failure, it’s all about the economy, stupid. It usually is.
Republicans _can’t_ hope America recovers from this recession, because it would spell political doom for them. Simple as that. Torpedoing Gregg as a cabinet member was simply making it clear to all Americans that the Republican party hopes Obama, and therefore America, fails.
As for future generations paying off debt, I agree that it’s a problem. Under George W. Bush we went from having a surplus to having the greatest debt ever. A pity you didn’t show much concern about this issue until a Democrat was elected president.
All of a sudden you guys are pearl clutchers about the census? –Oliver Willis
Seriously, Oliver, by the same token it’s rather curious that all of a sudden liberal bloggers don’t seem to have a problem with these sorts of abuses. Or to be fair, potential abuses.
Witnessing your apparent infatuation with all thinks Tom Delay in just the short time I’ve peeked in here, seems you’re being a tad inconsistent in applying your own standards to Democrats, country first-er and all.
Btw, to answer a couple questions up above thread, here’s a New York Times article written two days after the Judd Gregg announcement, cautioning Obama on appointing a Republican to head Commerce, where he would be the direct overseer of the Census Bureau.
What About the Census?
–NYTimes Feb. 4, 2009
…An easier question to answer is what Mr. Obama wasn’t thinking about when he chose Mr. Gregg. It seems safe to say that the 2010 census was not weighing on the president’s mind, though it should have been…
{snip}
…The census is used to allocate federal aid to states and draw electoral districts. Given all that, one would think that the White House would be paying more attention. It isn’t.
—————————————-
In the now famous words of the liberal icon Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry, NC….
“Oh, what a terrible web we weave, when we practice to deceive.”
And Judd Gregg’s exemplary actions yesterday might remind us of Sheriff Taylor’s noble deputy…
“Andy, we’ve got to nip this in the bud. Nip it, Nip it, Nip it.”
So why did Gregg beg Obama for a job in the first place?
Bitch and whine all you want Dennis, it still doesn’t really make sense.
But overall, it’s a net-win for America. Republicans really can’t be trusted to be put in any positions of power. Just look what they did to the country for the past eight years.
America is in the worst recession since 1982, and the bad news might not be over yet (i.e., things could get worse and comparisons to The Great Depression won’t sound like hyperbole).
We have nothing to fear, but fear itself!
Fear, double-digit unemployment, entire families living on the street because they’ve lost their homes, increasing vandalism and crime in neighborhoods where all of the houses are no longer inhabited, people dying because they can’t afford basic medical care since they’ve lost their insurance, people turning to selling drugs since they can’t find a decent job, etc, etc.
Did I forget anything?
Seriously, Oliver, by the same token it’s rather curious that all of a sudden liberal bloggers don’t seem to have a problem with these sorts of abuses.
Because they don’t exist. Republicans are the ones who stage entire platforms based on non-existent fears (Fairness Doctrine, flag-burning, “homosexual agenda,” etc.) because they don’t know how to actually do anything about real problems.
Asked about the census issue, Mr. Gregg said the issue was so insignificant that he would not even address it, though he had highlighted the matter in an earlier statement.
But in his news conference, Gregg played down concerns about the census — calling it a “slight” issue
I guess I’d be concerned too if the census was being “abused” because it was done in cooperation with the White House (like, oh, you know, every other census), but even the “exemplary” Judd Gregg knows you’re full of shit.
“Fear, double-digit unemployment, entire families living on the street because they’ve lost their homes, increasing vandalism and crime in neighborhoods where all of the houses are no longer inhabited, people dying because they can’t afford basic medical care since they’ve lost their insurance, people turning to selling drugs since they can’t find a decent job, etc, etc.
Did I forget anything?”–Jaim
Well Jaim, I have no idea why you’re so hung up on the Jimmy Carter Presidency unless you’re deathly afraid of seeing his second term played out right before your very eyes, but yes, you forgot runaway inflation, 2 mile long gas lines, economic malaise and the hostage crisis in Iran, just for starters.
Yeah, yeah, I’m forgetting a lot, I know. You wanna see links now, I suppose.
Republicans are the ones who stage entire platforms based on non-existent fears (Fairness Doctrine).–August J. Pollack
Tom Harkin?
Bill Clinton?
Bill Press?
These Democrats, Augustus? Not seeing too many posts here lately as this being solely a paranoid figment of a select few conservatives’ imaginations. Or even a retraction of prior posts that claimed as such, for that matter.
It is entirely possible that Obama can be a failure as a president..
I dunno. He’s got some pretty big clown shoes to fill.
Bill Clinton?
Bill Press?
Haha, two posts to right-wing nutjob sites throwing tantrums about two people who are not in Congress as a rationale to claim outrage over a bill that doesn’t exist. Thanks for proving my point better than you ever could.
And seriously, it’s amazing you couldn’t spell my name right in two tries. I mean, copying and pasting is literally the only thing you know how to do well.
And seriously, it’s amazing you couldn’t spell my name right in two tries.I mean, copying and pasting is literally the only thing you know how to do well. –Augustus Macrae Pollack
Gee, Guster, maybe I should’ve just copied and pasted your name then if I’m so good at it.
Sorry I added a ‘c’ in your last name, even sorrier for your being sensitive about it enough to think it matters. I have a last name that very few even come close to pronouncing correctly, let alone spelling, and neither ever bothered me.
So tell me, if the Fairness Doctrine is just Republican paranoia, why is Bill Clinton even talking about it?
He doesn’t have a vote, amigo. He can talk about free beer thursdays, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.
He doesn’t have a vote, amigo. He can talk about free beer thursdays, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.
I’d argue he actually does have a vote, Parthy. I have a hard time envisioning him having tried talking Hilda out of her Iraq War Resolution vote, or telling her she was dead wrong when she spoke out before the war that Saddam had WMD’s, but that’s just me. I’d also argue that Billy Jeff is a lot more influential to the Dem party than Rush Limbaugh is to the Reps, but then that’s probably sacrilege here in this Obama temple.
here’s a New York Times article written two days after the Judd Gregg announcement, cautioning Obama on appointing a Republican to head Commerce,
Full disclosure, Dennis. That was an opinion column, not an article.
Did I forget anything?
Teachers nationwide moonlighting as hookers?
I’d also argue that Billy Jeff is a lot more influential to the Dem party than Rush Limbaugh is to the Reps,
Maybe. But only when the Clinton and Obama camps aren’t (according to breathless press reports) snubbing and slighting each other, goodgodamighty, in vicious power struggles.
That Bill Clinton is just the all-purpose villain for you people, isn’t he?
Full disclosure, Dennis. That was an opinion column, not an article. Duros62
Ok, yes, but I did provide the link (and it actually worked this time!) that states ‘Editorial’ on the front of it. But it doesn’t change the point, which was that this was a mistake to put that function under a Republican. Shortly after that editorial was published, Census was moved to the White House.
—————-
That Bill Clinton is just the all-purpose villain for you people, isn’t he? Quaker in a Basement
And you’ll stop talking about George W. Bush how soon, Quibbie? Clinton was just one of an increasing number of Dems now talking seriously about the Fairness Doctrine. It was Ted Rall wannabe August J. Pollack upthread who first brought it up as a Republican-manufactured smokescreen.
Dennis, nice snipping of the NYTimes editorial. What you left out:
This question raised by the editorial was not, as you suggest, why Obama appointed “a Republican to head Commerce, where he would be the direct overseer of the Census Bureau” but why would Obama put a Republican in the position who is on record as hostile to the whole idea of a census.
And as for these “potential abuses,” you have Jay Tea above stating that Obama is going to strip the whole census from the Commerce department which is flatly untrue. But even your moderated tone isn’t grounded in reality:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2009/02/_sen_judd_gregg_said.html?hpid=topnews
Concern over potential abuses of the system are always warranted but so is at least trying to be honest about what the potential for abuse is.
But it doesn’t change the point, which was that this was a mistake to put that function under a Republican. Shortly after that editorial was published, Census was moved to the White House.
Dennis, the census was not “moved to the White House” and the editorial was specifically focussed on Gregg’s appointment to the position, not any Republican.
Dennis, the census was not “moved to the White House” and the editorial was specifically focussed on Gregg’s appointment to the position, not any Republican. –fafaroo
Good answer, fafa, but that’s not what Allahpundit told me and he’s never let me down before. Let me see if he puts up another post and I’ll have a better response for ya.
It was Ted Rall wannabe August J. Pollack upthread who first brought it up as a Republican-manufactured smokescreen.
And it’s grownup-wannabe Denis who suddenly seemed to want to keep braying about it instead of the subject of the thread as soon as he got schooled on his bogus talking points. You’d think the three or four comments he’s now farted out about a non-existence piece of legislation would be enough to completely prove my point about how the wingers would rather talk about the irrelevant than the actual subject, but I guess little Denis wants to go for extra credit in humiliation class.
(Thanks for the Ted Rall compliment, by the way!)
(Thanks for the Ted Rall compliment, by the way!)– Gus J. Pollack
Ted Rall is a disgusting, despicable maggot of a human-being, Gus. If I’d even give him that much credit.
If he’s your mentor, you’re committing career suicide. But maybe that’s a lesson better learned the hard way.
Best of luck.
Wow. Dennis is trying to step in for Jay’s shoes and makes us all realize he’s only a more retarder version.
Jimmy Carter? Wha?
You got nuthin. Your party has nuthin. Honest question: Why do you hate America?
Good answer, fafa, but that’s not what Allahpundit told me and he’s never let me down before. Let me see if he puts up another post and I’ll have a better response for ya.
ROFL. Oh, wait. Are you joking?
And you’ll stop talking about George W. Bush how soon, Quibbie?
I have no idea what you’re referring to. Do you?
“America is in the worst recession since 1982, and the bad news might not be over yet (i.e., things could get worse and comparisons to The Great Depression won’t sound like hyperbole).”
SaveFarris: “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself!”
So stating the facts is fearmongering, but increasing the terrorist threat warning without due cause (as said by the former head of homeland security) that just happens to coincide with political events is perfectly acceptable.
Is that your position.
Gregg left town for one reason: he realized that his Confirmation Hearings were going to be a bust up because his party found out that the Obama people were taking control of the Census.
You know, the way Congressional Districts are apportioned for House Elections and…Electoral Votes.
Now combine this skullduggery with the five billion dollars being voted to line the pockets of those graverobbers at A.C.O.R.N. . The A.C.O.R.N. money scam allows people like the late Mr. Jimmy Hoffa, a resident of the Meadowlands, to vote for President Obama in the next election cycle. You begin to see why Republicans are concerned.
Oliver Willis is not concerned, because it’s Democrats doing the hustling.
Expect to see lots of charges of “Treason” and “Hating America” from the Sturmabteilungen who support Obama over the next few years.
Liberal Democrats were never truly concerned with any of the so-called “crimes” of the Bush-Cheney Administration. It was all bullshit and smoke and mirrors. Liberal Democrats were merely concerned with gaining the levers of power so that they could get the opportunity to wiretap, engage in secret rendition flights, sign off on waterboarding when necessary, and skim the cream off the top of various federal contracts for their friends. IOW, government by patronage: the Chicago Way.
Dennis, you forgot to mention I’m a big poopy-head.
Man, they’re getting stupider, aren’t they?
Now combine this skullduggery with the five billion dollars being voted to line the pockets of those graverobbers at A.C.O.R.N. . The A.C.O.R.N. money scam allows people like the late Mr. Jimmy Hoffa, a resident of the Meadowlands, to vote for President Obama in the next election cycle.
Dude! Wrong at least twice, maybe more.
1) No money in the bill for ACORN. None.
2) No illegal votes cast as a result of problems with ACORN voter registrations.
As to whether or not Mr. Hoffa cast a vote in the recent election, I’ll just write that off to…um, an attempt at being “colorful”? Something. No charge for that one.
Ok, yes, but I did provide the link
And I thank you for that. It is more courtesy than some of the other trolls provide. However, as Fafaroo pointed out, it still doesn’t make your case for you.
Oh, and section 9 doesn’t exist. At least, not officially.
Just as Conservative Republicans were never truly concerned with any of the so-called “crimes” of the Clinton-Gore Administration. That was all bullshit and smoke and mirrors too. Conservative Republicans were merely concerned with gaining the levers of power so that they could get the opportunity to wiretap, engage in secret rendition flights, sign off on waterboarding when necessary, and skim the cream off the top of various federal contracts for their friends. And they succeeded, for a while, but now that’s over. Time to pay the piper.
What other reasons does he need to have besides, “there are irresolvable conflicts for me”? Also, what is wrong with sticking to party lines if what you hold true is one of the core values of that party?
Lest anyone lose sight of what’s going on here, it is the president offering a hand to the opposition, and the opposition – consistently and repeatedly – punching him in the stomach. How anyone could claim the GOP has an ounce of interest in working together is beyond me.
I’d also argue that Billy Jeff is a lot more influential to the Dem party than Rush Limbaugh is to the Reps, but then that’s probably sacrilege here in this Obama temple.
Hmm… a stretch. He’s stepped on some toes, especially during the campaign. I hear as much bad mouthing of the big dog as I hear good. Contrasted with Rush – well, I don’t recall the last time anyone kowtowed to Clinton to atone for some perceived insult, and who hasn’t insulted Clinton at one time or another?
Sully’s got it right, I think:
“I have to say even I am a little taken aback by the force of the Republican assault. Even in a downturn as swift and alarming as this one, even after an election that clearly favored one approach over another, even after the most conciliatory efforts by an incoming president in memory, these people have gone to war against the president.”
Lest anyone lose sight of what’s going on here, it is the president offering a hand to the opposition,
“We will extend a hand if you will unclench your fist.”
It’s all-or-nothing for the Republicans now. When the economy picks back up, Obama will rightfully claim that he and his party saved the country despite the efforts of the _entire_ Republican party.
This kind of thing might have worked if we’d gone into recession, say, two years into Obama’s term. But nope — Republicans are betting the farm that the US economy won’t recover in at least _four_ years. They’re hoping and praying people continue to lose their jobs and homes. They’re eager to see Obama, and hence America fail.
The Republican party is doomed before Palin even gets a chance to get wiped out in 2012. Delicious.
Section 9? More like Section 8.
Thank you and goodnight!
>And unlike Gregg, the country comes before the party for me. Luckily for me, my party gives a shit about America.
B frikkin S. After watching you throw out principle after principle when the Democrats do the same thing as Repubs, excuse me if I find your claim rather laughable.
They’re hoping and praying people continue to lose their jobs and homes. They’re eager to see Obama, and hence America fail.–Jaim
Jaim–
You’re nothing more than a little kid cheer leading for his favorite football team. A kid who knows little about the game except who the quarterback is on both teams, one who he hates and one who he has a great big boy-crush on.
You probably have a big Obama sticker on the front of your class notebook and an even bigger one on your lunch pail.
Have some pride in yourself, man.
well, I don’t recall the last time anyone kowtowed to Clinton to atone for some perceived insult, and who hasn’t insulted Clinton at one time or another? –Parthenon
Obama kow-towed to him after he got the nomination, Parthy. Then again in an indirect way when he gave his wife the SOS job. Don’t kid yourself that Dems don’t kowtow to both of them. “Clintons don’t forget.”
——-
Even in a downturn as swift and alarming as this one, even after an election that clearly favored one approach over another, even after the most conciliatory efforts by an incoming president in memory, these people have gone to war against the president.” –Parthy
Tell me again how a democracy is supposed to work, Parthy. Tell me again how the Dems acted these last four years toward Bush. Tell me about the Dems grand strategy in how they cheered, applauded and encouraged Bush in the lead-up to the Iraq War and then their approach to it when it didn’t go well. Maybe I need a history lesson from someone who sees things through a crystal clear and objective lens, one who can help me better sort out these key differences between who were really the good guys and the bad ones.
“You’re nothing more than a little kid cheer leading for his favorite football team.”
Correct. But unlike you and the Republican party, I’m cheering for my freakin’ country, not hoping, in the words of Republican party leader Rush Limbaugh, that “Obama fails.”
Stings, doesn’t it Dennis? Being on the wrong side of history and all that?
And please learn how to read, dipshit. That’s a quotation from Andrew Sullivan, not Parthenon.
As for treatment of Bush vs. treatment of Obama, it’s very simply. Occupying Iraq was a mistake built on lies that hurt our country in the form of billions of dollars and 4,000 Americans dead. If your friend is drunk and about to drive off a cliff, the right thing to do is to take their keys away before they cause more damage. When it comes to the American economy ca. 2009 and the Bush Recession, it’s in our shared interest for our fellow Americans _not_ to lose their jobs and their homes.
But as a Republican, you really need this explained, don’t you? Because you’re blind as a bat and hate your own country.
As for treatment of Bush vs. treatment of Obama, it’s very simply.–Jaim
You’re a simply person, Jaim.
Simply Left Behind.
If your friend is drunk and about to drive off a cliff, the right thing to do is to take their keys away before they cause more damage. –Simply Left Behind Jaim
That is exactly the situation right now, little child.
You probably haven’t read two paragraphs of the stimulus package. As long as it’s Democrats crafting it, you are ok with it. That’s good enough for you.
You probably haven’t read two paragraphs of the stimulus package.
That sort of raises the question of how many paragraphs of it you’ve read, Dennis. Care to elaborate?
Tell me again how a democracy is supposed to work, Parthy.
Well first things first, let’s all thank our lucky stars we don’t live in a democracy. All that going down to the town square to vote on expenditure bills and resolutions would really eat into my weekend.
But assuming we’re talking republics here, in theory I suppose, the country would be divided into sensible, logical regional jurisdictions, and each of these regions would send one of their number who ostensibly best represents their interests – to a communal body.
This communal body – naturally breaking down into various factions we’ll call ‘parties’ – would then have a rational debate on issues that matter, not scoff in the media at lies and distortions like millions of dollars spent to protect a mouse (as if, if the mouse were endangered, this would be a bad thing).
Everyone would act like a mature adult and nobody would march in lockstep with their faction’s community of bloggers and media, each of them repeating the day’s same distortions and outright lies. Members of the opposition would have the onions to stand up and say, “you know, the word ‘mouse’ doesn’t ever actually appear in this bill, and in any case, if it did, we’re going on about less than a percent of the total.” The opposition would understand that they have no chance of defeating the bill outright, and so they would work within the system and try to modify it as they can to best suit the balanced interests of their region and the country at large.
I know, fantasy land.
In other words, opposition = fine. Cheap parlor tricks designed simply to inflame your electorate = not so fine.
Obama kow-towed to him after he got the nomination, Parthy. Then again in an indirect way when he gave his wife the SOS job.
Wait. Mr. Obama offered the post to Ms. Clinton in deference to Mr. Clinton?
Holy catfish, that’s dumb. Did you sleep through the entire primary season, old lad?