Political bloodlust a burden for post-election GOP
With power comes responsibility, and also danger. Eager as they are to reclaim control of the House and possibly the Senate, Republicans in Washington are also quite aware that they face a problem:
How do they appease the political bloodlust they’ve created and fed upon within the GOP base without alienating the more moderate center in the process? And if forced to choose between the two, which way will they turn?
To some degree, this is a uniquely modern problem. In the old days, politicians could feed red meat to the campaign crowds back home, while quietly finding ways to compromise in Washington. But with the rise of ideological enforcers in the media and blogosphere, that has become a much more difficult trick to pull off.
Just ask U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
Last week, in a Wall Street Journal story headlined “GOP House leaders seek to avoid past mistakes,” Issa was quoted to the effect that the House ought to at least try to find areas of agreement with the Obama administration.
“It’s pretty clear the American people expect us to use the existing gridlock to create compromise and advance their agenda. They want us to come together [with the administration] after we agree to disagree.”
“Compromise?” Did he really say “compromise?”
For that sin, Issa was summoned by the pope and forced to publicly recant his heresy. The outrage on the right was so intense that Issa was forced to call into the Rush Limbaugh show that very day to be scared straight by The Mighty One:
“The people that are going to secure the Republican victory look at Barack Obama as somebody who’s destroying their country. Not somebody to be compromised with, somebody who needs to be stopped. They know that you’re not going to have the ability to get him to agree with your legislation. You’re not going to be able to override his vetoes. But the idea that you’re gonna end up working with him is anathema. People want this man stopped.”
“… people don’t care about how the House runs. They don’t care about open debate. They care about stopping Obama and the Democrats! They care about saving the country! They don’t care if Obama goes to jail! They don’t care if Axelrod goes to jail. They want them stopped. They want them to have no power.”
Suitably chastened, Issa promised there would be no compromise of Republican values, and went on to call Obama “one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times.”
“I head the (House Oversight) committee that’s all about making sure that the administration obeys the law, that waste, fraud, and abuse not be tolerated, which obviously is not the case now, but that’s the change that’s going to happen from my position. I’m looking forward to it,” he told Limbaugh.
Placated, The Mighty One dismissed Issa and sent him on his way.
However, in a TV interview a few days later, Bloomberg’s Al Hunt asked Issa about that interview. It was pretty funny, in a sad sort of way:
HUNT: OK. You said Barack Obama is, quote, “one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times.” On corruption –
ISSA: My goodness, you’re listening to Rush Limbaugh.
HUNT: Yes, I am. On corruption, which presidents does he rank with? And what are his most corrupt acts?
ISSA: First of all, when you look at Sestak and Romanoff, this attempt to clear the primary, that’s an example where he’s not the most corrupt. It appears as though presidents have been doing this, even though it’s illegal, for a long time.
HUNT: Right. But where is he the most corrupt?
ISSA: I think the process that we’re dealing with, where insourcing, for example — and this is right on my committee — we have every day in the defense and non-defense community, executives of the government tapping people on the shoulder saying, “You know, your contract’s not going to be renewed. We’re going to insource that. You should take this job now for a pay raise.”
We’ve had example after example. Yes, we plan on investigating it. I want the American people to get products and services at the lowest possible price. I don’t want to determine that it should be in-house or out-of-house.
HUNT: But does that rank with Watergate and Teapot Dome as one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times?
ISSA: Well, that’s the question, is, what’s modern times? Certainly, you’re right. Teapot Dome’s a good example. Look, Andrew Jackson was the most corrupt president probably –
HUNT: Do you think Obama’s more corrupt than any president that you’ve known in the last 20 years?
ISSA: He certainly is playing faster and looser with the rules with very little justification than George W. Bush did. George W. Bush played fast and loose with the rules after 9/11 trying to make us safe. He did what he thought he had to do, and he did it with pretty — a lot of bravado.
It’s very different when you just simply say, “We’re going to insource things,” and all of your government begins insourcing without legitimate justification. The EPA acting without obeying its own rules, there’s a number of parts of government that have been working quickly –
HUNT: But do you still think he’s one of the most corrupt presidents –
(CROSSTALK)
ISSA: I think he has failed to administer his — to oversee his administration in any kind of a meaningful way. Vice President Biden was supposed to be the great overseer of stimulus money.
HUNT: Right.
ISSA: And he was supposed to do all this oversight. Chairman Towns — and I checked with him recently — and I, neither one of us have had a meeting with the vice president, and we’re the House committee of jurisdiction.
The next two years are going to be fascinating, in the same way that watching a car wreck is fascinating.
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246 comments Add your comment
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
9:18 am
Boehner to campaign for SS uniform wearing candidate:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/27/john-boehner-rich-iott-campaign_n_775078.html
Gosh, it looks like Boehner has a ………. deep seated hatred for Jewish people.
I think he might be a …………..fascist.
Turnabout is fair play, no?
ken R
October 28th, 2010
9:18 am
Taxpayer, If our elected officials don’t stop raping from SS there won’t be enough money to pay them, and that goes for both parties.
I would like to know how much in Taxes are you willing to pay? it seems to me that the more you give the more our miserable politicans will spend and then even more, it has to stop, nobody can survive by overspending, nobody.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:18 am
Ken – “Obama made many promises and he has not kept them”
on that, we can agree
we probably just differ on which promises.
Pennsylvanian
October 28th, 2010
9:19 am
USinUK – The details were disclosed in the town hall meeting? You delusional? How long was the HCR bill posted for review? Don’t you have important stuff, like making spread sheets to do?
barking frog
October 28th, 2010
9:19 am
Unfortunately for Republicans a republican House will
almost insure the Obama reelection in 2012. Even if
they take the Senate without a veto proof majority they
will dance to his tune.
TaxPayer
October 28th, 2010
9:20 am
And my Mother died a horrible death, thanks for reminding me, Sport!
People died needlessly as a result of having their healthcare rescinded in the name of corporate profits too, Sport.
sleestak
October 28th, 2010
9:20 am
The problem with compromise Mr bookman is, compromise is what helped the Republicans lose power in the 1st place! The Bush lead Gop congress had the biggest growth in gubmint since LBJ.
It was all done in the name of “compromise” when has your side ever compromised for less gubmint control over the individual?? Please name something! I have had enough of MORE G.D gubmint control
If compromise with your side of the fence means More of it, Then NO I dont want it.
mm
October 28th, 2010
9:21 am
“Like Pelosi who doesn’t know how to share and says “it’s my way or the highway” to everything the GOP suggests?”
And I call “BS” on that lie. Why do think the healthcare bill sucked? Because she allowed GOP amendments to the bill.
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
9:21 am
How dare ANY elected representative disagree with the de facto RNC Chairman?!
Issa learned his lesson.
The Excellence in B&llsh&ter is a disgrace. An inveterate liar, a borderline racist, hate-driven and morally bankrupt. All the while playing the lunatic fringe for the rubes that they are.
And Tom Price, Saxby Chambliss and the rest of the spineless, sycophantic neo-cons will march lockstep to his demogogued commands…
paleo-neoCarlinist
October 28th, 2010
9:21 am
@@, be assured that I respect you enough to know you do not seek my respect. I simply feel it is beneath you to defend those who listen to Rush (and Rush himself). what I find amazing about Rush is; in reality is he the proverbial 300 lbs. gorilla (or turd in the GOP punchbowl), but through his hyper-prartisan delivery; he has become “the spokesman for a generation”. he’s an overweight Howard Stern and nothing more. let’s be honest, I am not one to “disagnose” others, but 4 marriages, a well-publicized drug addiction and weight issues; he’s not exactly a “healthy” person in my book. if people find him (like Stern) to be “entertaining” so be it, but let’s not go nominating him for a Nobel Prize (unless they have one for substance abuse).
Mystified
October 28th, 2010
9:22 am
Political Bloodlust…. Jay ought to write a book with that title.
So it’s bloodlust for a conservative to want to turn Washington around back to a more conservative stance. What was it called when they campaigned against Bush and those congresses? Somehow I don’t think you considered it bloodlust.
You libs are really turning out to be poor sports and sore losers. The election is the debate and you are losing.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:23 am
retired –
let’s see … if I have a choice of voting for a candidate that belongs to a party whose platform is to disenfranchise gays, repeal women’s reproductive rights and basically turn the country over to big business, then, yeah, I’ll vote for the other guy every time.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:24 am
“Don’t you have important stuff, like making spread sheets to do?”
ah, yes … the last bastion of @@ and her minions … “don’t you have something to do … shouldn’t you be working or something …”
of course, they never say that to their colleagues on the right …
Scout
October 28th, 2010
9:25 am
Jay, I know this is going to be very hard for you but you’ll get through it just like we did. What goes around comes around. Don’t despair too much, it concerns us.
Mystified
October 28th, 2010
9:26 am
Uh oh….. Amvet’s off his meds again. Breath…. goose frabah goose frabah..
Jack
October 28th, 2010
9:27 am
Liberals are gettin’ a little testy now, arn’t they?
TaxPayer
October 28th, 2010
9:28 am
I would like to know how much in Taxes are you willing to pay? it seems to me that the more you give the more our miserable politicans will spend and then even more, it has to stop, nobody can survive by overspending, nobody.
Then you shouldn’t mind putting an end to that one trillion dollar annual DoD budget or putting an end to the prescription drug company benefit or the ag bill or free rides for corporations that funnel their money through Ireland and the Netherlands and the Caymans in order to avoid taxes or the people that hide money in UBS accounts in order to avoid taxation or the hedge fund managers that rake in a billion dollars annually by skimming off of pension plans and mutual funds, etc., while avoiding taxation through tax deferrence schemes… Oh Pleeze! Tell me how you will instead eliminate payroll taxes and income taxes in order to save us from ourselves while simultaneously fighting wars around the globe, building fences around the US, etc.
Keep up the good fight!
October 28th, 2010
9:28 am
Carlin…as much as I think Stern is just an testosterone overloaded high school boy, at least he stays away from politics generally so I have to give him credit for that. Rush is just a drug addled bully who has intimdated an entire party.
retired early
October 28th, 2010
9:28 am
USinUK
You just described the Republican Party.
Are you telling me you are a Democrat ?
Bubba Bob
October 28th, 2010
9:28 am
Jay,
“Nice Guy, if I’m wrong, you’ll have the chance to say so.”
We said the same thing about Obama being a community organizer and having no idea how to lead. We are saying ‘We told you so’.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:29 am
Penn – “How long was the HCR bill posted for review?”
for a week. the health care bill was posted on 14 March and was voted on by the house on 22 March.
Bud Wiser
October 28th, 2010
9:30 am
It matters little what they seek or how they will handle the burden.
Considering the socialist track record of Obozo, merely stifling anything he may try to push through for the next 2 years will be enough; it will do until this disaster and embarrassment of a “president’ is voted out of office.
A little gridlock can go a long way, and just like Atlanta traffic, everyone eventually gets home anyway.
Balance in Congress v the WH is a good thing, no matter which party is in control. We have seen the absolute cataclysmic effects of this puppet for the last 20 months.
Nice Guy
October 28th, 2010
9:30 am
Don’t Forget – “Of course we don’t want the R’s to fail, just their policies.”
Left-nut’s most common mistake when debating:
Taking the comments of one Repub/Conservative and painting the entire party with that brush.
Well done, Don’t Forget, well done.
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
9:31 am
…when has your side ever compromised for less gubmint control over the individual?? Please name something
What the ____?
Let’s review, shall we?
WHO suspended the most sacred individual liberty in America – habeus corpus?
Who, through the use of signing statements, allowed American corporations to spy on any American they deemed a threat and pass that information onto the “authorities”?
You rubes wouldn’t know about gubmint control over the individual if they took you away, never presented charges against you and kept you locked up forever.
Spare me the personal freedom BS, please…
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:31 am
retired – am I a Democrat???
I think that one qualifies for not just a “yes” but a “hell yes”
paleo-neoCarlinist
October 28th, 2010
9:31 am
jt, I would not go so far as to call anyone who supported TARP (politicians and citizens) as naive. I think there are many who have simply come to accept the plutocracy always wins – ALWAYS. I noted this on CT’s blog a couple days ago – grab (or go online) the current issue of The American Conservative and read up on the Federal Reserve and the debt-financed warfare/welfare state. TARP was a manifestation of the entitlement mentality of the banking community. in many regards, it was business as usual in DC (a bipartisan demonstration of plutocratic string-pulling, but now being presented/used as a partisan political issue to further delude Americans into thinking elections or political affiliations matter).
larry
October 28th, 2010
9:32 am
From Bloomberg….
Final Weekend Campaigning
There is no clear consensus on which party deserves more blame for the economy’s problems, or how best to fix them, the poll shows. On the economy, Democrats and Republicans are blamed equally for the nation’s plight.
Reflecting how some state-level polls on specific races have tightened in recent days, Democrats are seeing some success in the home stretch. Among those who say they waited until October to make their voting decision, Democrats have the advantage, 52 percent to 37 percent.
Remember last nights World Series game, we were going to see a pitching duel between Lee and Linescum and what happened ? The final score was 11-7.
I wouldnt count the chickens before they hatch .
Gator Joe
October 28th, 2010
9:32 am
Jay,
The Right Wing elite, should their Republican lapdogs secure the House, will hear the loudest complaints comming from their voters, the Fox-brainwashed, middle and lower class whites, who will not think for themselves, and are blinded by their bigotry. President Obama and the Democrats’ mistake was to believe they could reason and work with Republicans. The new crop of Tea Party Republicans are an embarrassment, and will be disasterous for our country.
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
9:33 am
Best ad of 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEPlZYp5-Pk
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
9:33 am
Mystified, grow up.
Pennsylvanian
October 28th, 2010
9:34 am
“for a week. the health care bill was posted on 14 March and was voted on by the house on 22 March.”
Got a link for that?
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:36 am
penn –
14 March –
http://www.fireandreamitchell.com/2010/03/14/health-care-bill-posted-online-2309-pages-bill-includes-language-to-federalize-student-loans-and-is-called-americas-affordable-health-choice-of-2009/
(link to bill leads the first graph)
and
22 March
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8579322.stm
paleo-neoCarlinist
October 28th, 2010
9:38 am
Keep up, I agree with your assessment of Stern, but I think the same of Rush (overcompensating for some self-esteem issues that go way back). the difference is that Stern’s audience sees him for what he is. if Limbaugh has the power to “intimidate” the GOP, whose fault is it? you know, we like to say; “don’t shoot the messenger” but why don’t people ever say; “don’t venerate the messenger”? I think it is because people in general and neo-con Americans in particular are for the most part weak, mindless lemmings, and anyone who presents a base, shallow, intellectually simple world view is appealling. think Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, or the BCS. Stern doesn’t go political because there’s no money in it.
Pennsylvanian
October 28th, 2010
9:38 am
USinUK – Your boss know you don’t have enough to do? LOL
Jay
October 28th, 2010
9:38 am
John Boehner on Hannity’s radio show yesterday:
“This is not a time for compromise, and I can tell you that we will not compromise on our principles,” Boehner said….
As for Obama’s own agenda, Boehner promised, “We’re going to do everything – and I mean everything we can do – to kill it, stop it, slow it down, whatever we can.”
retired early
October 28th, 2010
9:38 am
USinUK
GOOD !!!!!
AmVet
We need more like you
Keep up the good work!!
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
9:39 am
Nice guy
Taking the comments of one Repub/Conservative and painting the entire party with that brush.
Yeah the R’s never do that do they???
TaxPayer
October 28th, 2010
9:39 am
Taking the comments of one Repub/Conservative and painting the entire party with that brush
It’s not the brush. Actually, it’s that new “one coat” paint from Sherwin-Williams that’s called “Big Tent”. They use a variant of an old slogan for it down here in the south to sell it, “It covers Dixiecrats Like the Dew.” Whaddaya think. Catchy, huh.
@@
October 28th, 2010
9:40 am
Paleo:
but 4 marriages, a well-publicized drug addiction and weight issues
All of which I have no interest in.
Tell me…when did progressives/leftists/liberals lose their compassion for the drug addicts and fat folks? I thought it was disease that they and our money could fix.
The marriage thing? Have progressives/leftists/liberals now joined with what they call right-wing extremists? Marriages are to be limited.
Very interesting, paleo.
Has Limbaugh admitted to his own failings? Again, I don’t know ’cause I don’t listen to him.
TGT
October 28th, 2010
9:41 am
As Obama himself noted, “elections have consequences.” This election is going to be a severe rebuke–one of the most severe in American history–of the Obama liberal agenda by the American electorate. This includes the “more moderate center.” In other words, the “center” for the most part has already chosen, and it is with the GOP.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:41 am
retired –
(I’m thinking you’re new here?)
Keep up the good fight!
October 28th, 2010
9:42 am
We will not compromise our priniciples
So which John McCain will be seated in the senate this time and which principles?
Too Rich for Words
October 28th, 2010
9:43 am
I heard Boehner’s gonna be stumping for that Republican that likes to play dress up. Will John wear something complementary while out and about with Rich.
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
9:43 am
Considering the socialist track record of Obozo…
Yes, considering, indeed,
Please do enlighten me to it.
Expound in detail on this “socialism”.
Demonstrate your clear mastery by providing the facts to prove that oft-parroted and obviously inane claim.
Or not.
Just continue to do what virtually all of you cons do, proffer your opinions as though they are statements of fact. And demonstrate that you are utterly incapable of proving it…
williebkind
October 28th, 2010
9:43 am
retired early
October 28th, 2010
9:16 am
Clearly that was your opinion of who was best to run the country! How can murdering the unborn make you a leader. Only a liberal can answer that!
TINSTAAFL
October 28th, 2010
9:44 am
For my short life, the republicans have always turned to the moderate base. Look where it’s gotten us? I hope they turn to the FISCALLY conservative base this time. I’m socially moderate-conservative, but I would be furious if they go off chasing abortion and gay marriage when there are much more important things to worry about right now.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:44 am
AmVet – “Expound in detail on this “socialism”.”
people are going to have to buy insurance from CORPORATIONS!!! my god!!! it’s socialism gone mad, I tell you!!!
retired early
October 28th, 2010
9:44 am
USinUK
That would be true.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:45 am
retired – well, welcome to Bookmania … get to know us, we’re nothing if not entertaining …
Bubba Bob
October 28th, 2010
9:49 am
Jay,
How is Boehner’s quote different than anything Obama, Pelosi, or Reid say? They all talk like that. I don’t think it’s right either but you’re just being a hypocrite if you think Reps are the only ones who say and do that.
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
9:49 am
Ken Buck Senate Tea Party candidate in Colorado
“Will you tell those dumbasses at the Tea Party to stop asking questions about birth certificates while I’m on camera.” He added, laughing: “God, what am I supposed to do?”
Oh perfidious party.
John K
October 28th, 2010
9:51 am
AmVet. Yeah, that socialism rhetoric always cracks me up. These people wouldn’t know socialism if it got up and kicked them in the crotch. If it were truly a socialist plan, the insurance companies would be no more!
Bosch
October 28th, 2010
9:51 am
Good morning folks —
Reading through some of the posts, but this one made me spit Coke:
“Left-nut’s most common mistake when debating:
Taking the comments of one Repub/Conservative and painting the entire party with that brush.”
REALLY Nice Guy? You really wanna go there?
Very rarely to do you see such blatant hypocrisy. I mean, I’m fine with it and all, but damn.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:51 am
Don’t Forget … someone needs to tell Ken that he’s got to dance with them whut brung him …
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
9:52 am
TINSTAAFL
October 28th, 2010
9:44 am
For my short life, the republicans have always turned to the moderate base. Look where it’s gotten us? I hope they turn to the FISCALLY conservative base this time. I’m socially moderate-conservative, but I would be furious if they go off chasing abortion and gay marriage when there are much more important things to worry about right now.
If history is any indication, you are about to be furious.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:53 am
Bosch – see my 6:02 downstairs …
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
9:53 am
retired early, thanks.
Just doing my part to keep the neo-con lies, gross misrepresentations and assorted b&llsh&t to a minimum! (grin.)
Normal
October 28th, 2010
9:54 am
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:24 And the only time they say that is when thyay’ve been backed into a corner. Good job!
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:54 am
John K – “If it were truly a socialist plan, the insurance companies would be no more!”
didn’t you get the memo?
that’s all part of Obama’s Master Plan!!! (mwahahahaha)
williebkind
October 28th, 2010
9:54 am
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
9:43 am
Well, if he is not a socialist, then explain his ventures to improve capitalism and free enterprise without government intervention. I am eager to here this.
Andrew
October 28th, 2010
9:54 am
Jay:
Re: your statesman-like comment earlier…Obama has been the LEAST statesman-like of any president in recent memory, probably since Nixon. Talking about those who deign to disagree with him as enemies, and going to the back of the bus/car, whose ass to kick, jackass comment, acting stupidly…the list goes on. For me, he showed his narcissism by accepting the Nobel. Had he turned it down, it would have said he was serious. He’s not. He’s a failure. A joke. He was unqualified when he ran, and he’s unqualified now.
Re: Boehner and compromise…the voters will speak on Tuesday across the country…I suspect the voters are saying: stop Obama, stop his policies, stop his spending, stop is administration from tearing the country apart. Stop the madness. If there are landslides, remember this Jay, it’s not only “republicans in Washington” who are speaking…it’s the vast unsilent majority of Americans who are utterly sickened by what has transpired in the past 24 months.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:54 am
Normal – hey buddy – the 6:02 downstairs is for you, too
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:55 am
Normal – “9:24 And the only time they say that is when thyay’ve been backed into a corner. Good job!”
ZACKLY my point!
Bosch
October 28th, 2010
9:55 am
Reading through some of the rhetoric here and other places, I get the impression that so many in this country who see it in a crisis, actually are just pissed because we are increasingly diverse and they really just can’t handle it.
They sit around and create crisis when in reality, most of the people who are screaming about the country going down the toilet are actually well off individually. I”m not saying they are well off financially, but they have very little to complain about…..but yet, they still do.
JohnnyReb
October 28th, 2010
9:56 am
The elections next week are just the start. Conservatives know their true agenda cannot be accomplished with Obama in office. The Left, now with Jay’s help, want to paint gloom and doom, make us the villian. No, we won’t self destruct. We can and will wait. This election will stop Obama, at least legislatively. His agenda will still proceed as much as possible through executive orders and agency rulings such as EPA. The 2012 election will replace Obama, and at that time we can do the real work.
Del
October 28th, 2010
9:56 am
How do they appease the political bloodlust they’ve created and fed upon within the Democratic base without alienating the more moderate center in the process? And if forced to choose between the two, which way will they turn?
I changed GOP base to Democratic base and by changing one word in Jay’s commentary it describes exactly what has happened to the Democratic Party. The Dem’s allowed their party to be taken over by the far-left and now we’re seeing the result. They’ve not only alienated Independents and Republicans (the former being their worst miscalculation) but also the moderate center of their own party. Now we even see the far-left in their party dissatisfied with lack of progress in achieving the leftist agenda. The Democratic Party is in a state of fracture and hopefully will re-group, disassociate from the far-left and move back to the center. Until such time as that happens we’ll see grid lock, continued dysfunction in the federal government as well as Republicans moving too far right. America is a conservative center right country and the Democrats have failed to recognize it.
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
9:57 am
ex-pat, we could both easily come up with a dozen major points to refute that “socialist” nonsense.
While the empty-sloganers won’t or can’t provide the first one…
jconservative
October 28th, 2010
9:58 am
Peadawg at 8″20 am – “Y’all have had the house and senate since 2006 and haven’t done any good. It’s our turn again to give it a try.”
This is true. I will not disagree with a single word. But I would expand the thought.
Incumbents under the thumb of the “Lobbying Nation” have been in control for the last 30 years. The last Republican president to sign a balanced budget was Eisenhower. There was a moment when I thought the Tea Party would help us eliminate a lot of Incumbents. But unfortunately the Tea Party has been taken over by the “Lobbying Nation”, see Carl Rove and Dick Armey, and control the vast majority of Tea Party money.
So we will get what we get. On January 2, 2011 the “Lobbying Nation” will once again be in control of the US Congress.
Jay re Issa’s remarks, his sin was not what he said but that he said it publicly. That brought Limbaugh into the discussion. It is what happens out of the public eye that controls the nation. For all of Limbaugh’s hollering and screaming for the last 20 or so years the train for a socialist society has not slowed down a bit.
The Limbaugh’s of the nation entertain. The Issa’s of the nation, at the bidding of the “Lobbying Nation”, actually pretty much control the destiny of the nation.
John K
October 28th, 2010
9:58 am
Apparently everyone was ok with socialist countries helping us in Iraq & Afghanistan.
JohnnyReb
October 28th, 2010
9:59 am
Bosch@9:55, re, diversity. Diversity has nothing to do with, for example, that should Obamacare stand there will be no limit on what the Fed Gov can do. That is completely contrary to the intent of the founders, and the majority of Americans, regardless of race, are saying NO. We don’t want it, and we want a limited Fed Gov.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
9:59 am
AmVet – because most of them don’t remember the bailouts previous administrations have given the defense industry (or, if they do remember, it’s evidently “different”)
Bosch
October 28th, 2010
10:00 am
John K,
AND paying for their health care.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
10:01 am
poor sweet little thing …
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8092390/Baby-elephant-attacked-by-crocodile.html
that pic hurts to look at it!
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
10:01 am
J Conservative
Incumbents under the thumb of the “Lobbying Nation” have been in control for the last 30 years. The last Republican president to sign a balanced budget was Eisenhower. There was a moment when I thought the Tea Party would help us eliminate a lot of Incumbents. But unfortunately the Tea Party has been taken over by the “Lobbying Nation”, see Carl Rove and Dick Armey, and control the vast majority of Tea Party money.
Yup, and one party calls it free speech so don’t expect to change anytime soon.
Randalph on the Right
October 28th, 2010
10:02 am
Gingrich is so much smarter than Barry and Joe, he would run this country much better. Barry said last night that it’s working..WHAT is he talking about? His administration is worse than Jimmy “the peanut farmer” Carter’s!
jm
October 28th, 2010
10:02 am
Corrupt is the wrong word. Obama is not the most corrupt by any standard.
HOWEVER, he has circumvented the rule of law (the GM bankruptcy) and extended the hand of government further than it has been since Roosevelt (or at least Nixon). So maybe Issa should’ve call him the most pro-government President in recent times.
Dumb choice of words.
Randalph on the Right
October 28th, 2010
10:03 am
Someone tell me what in this country is working since Barry and Joe took office? anyone, anyone? Bueller?
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
10:03 am
“Gingrich is so much smarter than Barry and Joe, he would run this country much better”
well, I don’t know about anyone else, but that post gets my vote for funniest post of the day …
… and it’s not even lunchtime
Nice Guy
October 28th, 2010
10:04 am
“Very rarely to do you see such blatant hypocrisy. I mean, I’m fine with it and all, but damn.”
Just telling it like it I – S is. Many on here are very good at that. And once they cite such a quote, they then proceed to pound their chest and say “look at me, I’m so much better than you.” Sigh. It is what it is I guess.
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
10:04 am
Well, if he is not a socialist, then explain his ventures to improve capitalism and free enterprise without government intervention.
No, willie, I don’t play the silly game of allowing people to “answer” a direct question with other questions, endless red herrings and unabashed intellectual dishonesty.
Yes, considering, indeed,
Please do enlighten me to it.
Expound in detail on this “socialism”.
Demonstrate your clear mastery by providing the facts to prove that oft-parroted and obviously inane claim.
Or not.
Here is how the game is played, YOU answer my question and then I answer yours.
This is how cogent discourse works…
Bosch
October 28th, 2010
10:05 am
Reb @ 9:59 —
See, I think that’s a load of bull. No offense. Folks like yourself like to say it wasn’t the intent of the Founding Fathers, but when it comes right down to it, you say that only for your own convenience.
“We don’t want it, and we want a limited Fed Gov.”
So what would YOU cut.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
USinUK,
So, what is the difference between Cottage Pie and Sheppard’s Pie? The Bosches make Sheppard’s pie about once a week during fall/winter — is it the tomatoes?
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
10:07 am
… I take it from Pennsylvanian’s deafening silence that we can finally put this “the Dems didn’t give us any time too look at the bill before it was passed” bollocks.
the compromise bill was posted a week and a day prior to passage.
which is more time than was given to the Patriot Act OR the medicare bill.
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
10:08 am
“Gingrich is so much smarter than Barry and Joe…”
EVEN if that is so, there is one itsy bitsy little problem.
“…he would run this country much better.”
He’s a proven immoral, philandering hypocrite and scumbag.
Not a desirable trait for the President of the United States of America…
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
10:08 am
Bosch – think of the name … Shephard’s Pie … shephards watch over sheep … shephard’s pie should be made of lamb, not beef.
cottage pie is beef or, in our case, usually turkey
Bosch
October 28th, 2010
10:08 am
USinUK,
I hope the mama elephant stomped that gator good. And WHY did you post that?
Bosch
October 28th, 2010
10:09 am
USinUK,
OHhhhhhhhh. Okay, rephrase — the Bosches make COTTAGE pie at least once a week during fall/winter. But I’ve never put tomatoes in it….I will give it a try.
John K
October 28th, 2010
10:10 am
Didn’t ol’ Newt resign in embarrassment?
After the red tide of 1994?
Hmmmmmmm…….
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
10:10 am
jm
October 28th, 2010
10:02 am
HOWEVER, he (Obama) has circumvented the rule of law (the GM bankruptcy)
jm, have you guys forgotten EVERYTHING Bush did or were you just asleep?
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16740.html
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
10:10 am
Bosch – because the herd DID scare that mean crocodile off! and the baby turned out okay … yay!
Nice Guy
October 28th, 2010
10:11 am
“He’s a proven immoral, philandering hypocrite and scumbag.”
AmVet – this fails to prove why he wouldn’t run the country much better. Just another day….
HDB
October 28th, 2010
10:11 am
For those who think that Shelby Steele is on target…..he’s actually OFF TARGET!! Here’s why!!
“Our great presidents have been stewards, men who broadly identified with the whole of America.” It ALSO works in reverse: the WHOLE of America broadly identifies with our Presidents!! The WHOLE of America doesn’t!! Too many people lack VISION…all they desire is to maintain the status quo….and that won’t address the issues!!
“Stewardship meant responsibility even for those segments of America where one might be reviled.” The President IS acting as a steward of the American people…but much of the population isn’t seeing him in that light…especially when they QUESTION his birthright!!
“Surely Mr. Obama would claim such stewardship. But he has functioned more as a redeemer than a steward, a leader who sees a badness in us from which we must be redeemed.” Is it improper to note our failings as a nation…and work TOWARDS creating the “more perfect union”?? You can’t fix the mistakes until you ACKNOWLEDGE that mistakes occurred!! That’s the HUMAN BEING of the nation!!
“Many Americans are afraid of this because a mandate as grandiose as redemption justifies a vast expansion of government.” Not necessarily — it takes a NATION to recognize that we ALL are a pat of this great experiment….and each of us has to step up to the plate!! You can NOT just kowtow to those of means….you must include those who are NOT of means…and get their levels of life to improve!!
“A redeemer can’t just tweak and guide a faltering economy; he will need a trillion- dollar stimulus package.” Addressing the remnants of the previous Administration is what EVERY Administration does — Democrat OR Republican!! To repair this economy’s failures, the government is the MAJOR entity that could address the problems QUICKLY!! Note the hoarding by the private sector; if they were in such a position to fix the economy…why wasn’t it done in 2007-8…..or during a Republican Administration that was deemed to be “pro-business”??
“He can’t take on health care a step at a time; he must do it all at once, finally mandating that every citizen buy in.” Note the timidity of Steele….major national undergoings started as BOLD INITIATIVES!! The space program was a bold initiative…..and Americans walked on the moon!! The America I know WANTS to step up to a challenge….not run from one!! Not everyone bought into the space program…but the results of the endeavor CREATED the buy-in!! It CAN be done again!!
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
10:12 am
Don’t forget …
and then there was this, as well
http://articles.cnn.com/2001-09-22/us/rec.airline.deal_1_airline-bailout-airline-industry-show-of-bipartisan-cooperation?_s=PM:US
Paul
October 28th, 2010
10:13 am
G’morning.
“However, in a TV interview a few days later, Bloomberg’s Al Hunt asked Issa about that interview. It was pretty funny, in a sad sort of way:”
Frankly, I was glad to see it. It’s part of running the gauntlet in the primaries, appealing to the small block/big power element to get thru the election.
Part of what’s going on is the Rep leadership bending to the incoming group – the R’s who may or may not be R’s but who’ve hitched on to the party as the best way to get to Congress. If a lot of them are true believers not swayed by circumstance, ‘train wreck’ doesn’t begin to describe it.
That’s compared to the previous two years, where particularly in the House the leadership was at the farther end of the spectrum and roped in the other Dem Congressmen for support. The result? About half the Democratic losses in the House could be the Blue Dogs – the Democratic moderates, and that’ll make any chance for compromise that much harder, even if the Rep leadership did put out some proposals.
Will Rep leadership learn from the experience of the past Dem leadership? Doubtful.
Read this morning that Reps Boehner and Rep Cantor are meeting to have a plan ready. ’s about time. But the ‘plan’ may not be what many are expecting. Just as Democrats are reeling from the effects of overinflated expectations and some legislation that went past what many in the electorate were comfortable with, well, let the Right put thru the cuts to balance the budget. And not just the paltry $100 billion the new House leadership is talking about. You’ll see the same outrage from the right and middle over “hey!!!! I said cut the waste and the takeover stuff, not my stuff!!!”
Train wreck? That could be a mild description.
John
October 28th, 2010
10:13 am
Bookman:
Let me ask you this because you’re always slamming the GOP. Recently, Obama, while speaking to a Latin crowd, implored them to vote Dem and referred to either the GOP or conservatives as “the enemy.” What kind of crap is that? How in the world can a President refer to a group of Americans as the enemy? It is immature, unprofessional and unbecoming. Just like Clinton’s antics, it cheapens the office. It’s stuff like this that evidences Obama’s lack of experience. It’s also stuff like this that leads many to believe Obama is petty and has no respect for the Country or his office.
JohnnyReb
October 28th, 2010
10:13 am
Bosch@10:05 – asking me what I would cut is off topic. I’m using Obamacare as the prime example of oppostion to Obama’s agenda. There are several aspects of the reform that are attractive, however, the price is too high. Not only in dollars, but – and this is THE point – it allows the Fed Gov to dictate for the first time that a citizen must purchase something, in this case, healthcare insurance. Conseratives are saying no. We don’t want the Fed Gov to have that power.
USinUK
October 28th, 2010
10:14 am
“AmVet – this fails to prove why he wouldn’t run the country much better”
but … but … but, it was YOUR side that taught us that a lie is a lie is a lie when Clinton was in office … and that, if Clinton lied about a BJ, then he was unfit! unfit, I tell you! to hold that sacred office.
AmVet
October 28th, 2010
10:14 am
Given the cowardice evidenced over the past twenty years, I would argue that the once Grand Old Party should change it’s mascot fromm the pachyderm to…
http://tinyurl.com/25mveha
One Nation Under educated
October 28th, 2010
10:14 am
What’s working? Why, the socialist takeover of ‘merka is working quiite nicely, thank you (heheh)
And we have to have someone to run against in 2012 (clowns) thank you, again. All Rush, Boner, Angle, and the Good witch need is a little car and those big shoes…
Don't Forget
October 28th, 2010
10:17 am
Newt’s comments comparing Islam to fascism disqualify him to be president. No way he can work with other countries with that kind of inflammatory rhetoric.
One Nation Under educated
October 28th, 2010
10:18 am
“Train wreck”? Yes, Little Nero with a Cowboy Hat was not qualified to run a pretzel, much less a train.