Blocking votes on Defense, CIA posts unconscionable
Conservatives in the U.S. Senate have refused to allow a confirmation vote for director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
For six years.
They did it to President George W. Bush, refusing to allow a vote on nominee Michael Sullivan. They are doing it to President Obama as well. Their stance has nothing to do with the quality of those nominated — both Sullivan and Todd Jones, Obama’s nominee, were very well qualified. It is instead an effort to cripple the operations of an agency that the gun industry finds annoying.
Again, the Senate is not rejecting the nominees. Using Senate rules, conservative members are refusing to even allow a vote to take place, because they know they would lose it.
For the past 18 months, Republicans have also refused to allow a vote on the nomination of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, created by Congress in the wake of the Wall Street collapse. Initially, Obama intended to appoint Elizabeth Warren to the post, but backed down from the controversial appointment when GOP senators made it clear she would not be confirmed. Obama instead nominated Cordray, who as Ohio attorney general had led successful lawsuits to rein in banking-industry excesses, but the gesture got him nowhere.
Still no vote.
Led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republicans are refusing to even confirmation of a permanent CFPB director unless the agency is first gutted of its independence and authority to monitor the mortage, credit-card and student loan industries on behalf of consumers.
It doesn’t matter that the GOP lacks the votes to force such a major change, just as it lacked the votes to implement when the agency was created. It is using the confirmation process to undercut the agency through extra-constitutional means.
The story is repeated yet again with the the National Labor Relations Board. By refusing to allow even a vote on confirmation of NLRB nominees, Republicans have reduced the five-member to just one member, and without a quorum the board cannot function. When President Obama attempted to get the agency operational by making recess appointments to the board, he was blocked at least temporarily by a federal appeals court.
While the BATF, NLRB and CFPB are important government agencies, their functions are relatively narrow. However, the tactics being used to neuter those agencies are now being implemented to block far more important nominations.
Over the weekend, Republican senators announced they would block votes on the nomination of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense and John Brennan as CIA director. Sen. Lindsey Graham, for example, said that he would put a “hold” on both nomination until he gets answers to questions about Benghazi.
Those jobs cut to the core of national security. They should not be left vacant as a consequence of petty personal feuds.
A group of 25 Republican senators, led by Ted Cruz of Texas, is insisting that Hagel prove that none of the eight private companies where he served on the board of directors — several of them private equity and investment firms — ever received what the senators call “foreign funding.” The apparent implication is that Hagel, a Vietnam War hero, a longtime Republican senator from Nebraska and a member of both the Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations committees, has been bought off by other countries.
No other defense nominee has ever been asked to disprove such claims. And as Hagel points out, the companies in question are private firms and he has no right or authority to ask them to disclose such sensitive business information in response to a partisan fishing expedition.
To hide the absence of actual fire in the effort to block Hagel and Brennan, the right-wing conspiracy machine has begun to generate a lot of smoke. For example, did you know that Brennan, a 25-year CIA veteran and deputy national security advisor, is not only a Muslim sympathizer, he is a secret convert to a fundamentalist Islam sect?
And did you know that according to the crackerjack reporters at Breitbart, who in turn quote “Senate sources,” Hagel has taken money from a front group calling itself “Friends of Hamas”?
Let me suggest that if “Senate sources” actually possessed such information, they would not be leaking it to an outlet with the reputation of Breitbart, but instead would be plastering it across every cable news outlet and newspaper in the country.
Under the Constitution, the Senate is given clear authority to either confirm or reject presidential nominees. But time after time, and for increasingly flimsy and indefensible causes, the Senate is refusing to do either. The practice represents not just an abuse of the Senate rules, but an abuse of the Constitution itself.
Applying such cheap partisan tactics to nominations that are critical to national security represents yet another new low for those in Congress.
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
373 comments Add your comment
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 11th, 2013
11:31 am
Obama and his toadies in the press hid the truth…
The smoking gun is the mushroom cloud.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 11th, 2013
11:32 am
“Elizabeth “Crazy Horse” Warren is a fraud…”
no, the entire con ‘ideology’ is a fraud – but I certainly wouldn’t
dignify them with the name of the great Crazy Horse.
more like ‘buffalo chips,’ or ‘brown spot on the road to progress’
-josef can get you the translation – i’ve got statements to get out.
GT
February 11th, 2013
11:32 am
If the right were held to only the truth they wouldn’t exist. The numbers they come up with out of thin air is comical, like Madoff accounting where the self’s purpose dictates reality and numbers.
With Democrats the purpose is total representation of the citizens of this nation, the moral high ground of human rights, and a respect for education a desire for pushing the envelope to make this country greater. For the Republicans it is the preservation of the white, 40 and over, male, race. No wonder they lie so much, there is not a closet big enough to hide all their lies.
Brosephus™
February 11th, 2013
11:34 am
USinner……
LMFAO!!!!! I was just listening to that over the weekend. That one is definitely a classic.
—————————
dB @ 11:31
You’re pissing in the wind, bro. Those who need to heed that message will interpret that as a blend of Greek and Mandarin Chinese.
Just sayin’
TaxPayer
February 11th, 2013
11:34 am
Poor Republicans are obviously having an easy time staying poor.
Brosephus™
February 11th, 2013
11:36 am
Y’all have fun. I can’t be stuck with the stooopids today, and this blog is chocked full of it.
Later!!!
Peadawg
February 11th, 2013
11:39 am
Jay, when are we going to get the ability to block certain usernames from showing up?
Stevie Ray
February 11th, 2013
11:41 am
Brosephus™
February 11th, 2013
11:26 am
Baby Bro eh? I’m want to recall you have other kids..but my only suggestion is to take it from somebody with 3 kids…2 is a very good number…
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
11:41 am
Reid had a chance to fix thatwhen the senate opened. He could have changed the riles by a simple majority vote. But he chose not to. Don’t complain about it now when it could have been easily fixed.
Now the only thing to do is live with the rules an change them in Janury, 2015.
Look before I leap...
February 11th, 2013
11:43 am
Seems to me that problem is in the Senate Rules.
What is the benefit to allowing either a single individual or small group of Senators to block and entire vote?
Hold the confirmation hearings, publish the findings, hold a vote, repeat as necessary.
As a Senator, if you don’t like or feel that the nominee is qualified, vote no. Pretty simple.
As for Graham, his stated issue is not whether or not the guys in question are qualified. He wants a second by second accounting of Obama’s activities during the initial hours of the Benghazi crisis.
OK – but where were Graham’s demands (and presumed outrage) regarding Bush II’s actions during Katrina where by the way, more than 400 times as many American’s died as did in Benghazi?
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 11th, 2013
11:46 am
Now do you see why cons want the mental health system dismantled?
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
11:48 am
indigo
President and Secretary of State not engaged while 3,000 died on 9/11.
Unconscionable.
After a hearing and oversight those ridiculous accusations were debunked…
That Black Guy
February 11th, 2013
11:49 am
Fly-On-The-Wall
February 11th, 2013
10:01 am
So Repubs, if Hagel and Brennan are not good enough then please give us the names of other qualified people. If all you can do is say no but not provide qualified alternates than you have nothing to offer. You are acting more like a spoiled child than an adult.
…
Oh, and state why those names you provided are considered qualified or more qualified than Hagel and Brennan.
_______________________________________________
Unless you think the GOP or Sen MCConnell monitors Jay’s blog (I wish they would, they could learn something), wouldn’t your questions make more sense if posted at one of these sites:
gop.com
mcconnell.senate.gov
That is IF you really wanted answers to your questions.
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
11:49 am
Fly-On-The-Wall
you have nothing to contribute to this discussion. Your lack of intellect is total proof that you have no clue. This is very much like the current batch of dems in Congress and the White House.
There… I corrected it for ya…
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
11:50 am
Look = The theory is that the senate rules prevent the majority fromdominating the minority and to protectthe rights of the minority.
In reality, the rules promote gridlock and prevent important work from getting done, and prevent votes on appointments.
Rules should be changed . Filibuster was intended to be used to delay votes, never to be used to prevent votes from ever taking place.
TaxPayer
February 11th, 2013
11:50 am
I see many Executive Orders in President Obama’s FOUR MORE YEARS. Poor Republicans.
Common Sense
February 11th, 2013
11:50 am
Common sense would tell you that blocking the nomination of unqualified candidates is a good thing….
F. Sinkwich
February 11th, 2013
11:51 am
It’s been over four years, and still the cries of “Bush” are used constantly to excuse the failures of O’Bozo…
Go figure.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 11th, 2013
11:51 am
“I’m want to recall you have other kids..but my only suggestion is to take it from somebody with 3 kids…2 is a very good number…”
seriously – I’m #3 in my family … let that be a warning!!
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
11:52 am
TaxPayer
I see many Executive Orders in President Obama’s FOUR MORE YEARS. Poor Republicans.
I see many Executive Orders by President obama being struck down by the Supreme Court. Poor dems…
Scuba Steve
February 11th, 2013
11:52 am
“Itchy Finger – President and Secretary of State not engaged while 3,000 died on 9/11.
Unconscionable.
After a hearing and oversight those ridiculous accusations were debunked…”
hahahaha, dude this can’t be a serious response…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 11th, 2013
11:54 am
Good news. Military to extend some benefits to LGBT couples.
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
11:54 am
Common sense — Lettting one or two senators make that decision is not a good then. Right thing to do is let the senate vote and decide whether or not the candidate is qualified.
Arms Akimbo
February 11th, 2013
11:54 am
The only qualifications for cabinet positions in the Obama adiminstration are unquestioned blind loyalty to the President. The Hagel hearing was the most embarrassing political performance since Obama’s infamous debate. Hagel testified that as Secretary, he would NOT be in a policy-making position. Can you imagine where we would be if Henry Kissinger had said that he would not design policy? Periodically, I have to remind myself that the Bookman blog is an “opinion” forum and does not represent unbiased reporting. The Bookman blog is often merely a platform for ideological partisan propaganda. I am sure that the usual suspects will scream Fox, Breitbart, Drudge!!!! Frankly, I don’t have time to read any of those sources and the usual suspects blame the same people and pretty much say the same thing every day regardless of the topic. The bottom line is that cabinet positions are not opportunites for on the job training. Both Hagel and Lew are unqualified for their proposed cabinet positions. Can’t wait to read about the exciting new ideas for job creation Obama presents in the State of the Union address: green energy, more taxes on corporations and the rich, student loan forgiveness, cap and trade, infrastructure “investment”, obstructionist Congress, more spending…. The same stuff he was saying 4 years ago. Life gets pretty dull when you know what someone is going to say at any given moment.
TaxPayer
February 11th, 2013
11:55 am
It’s been over four years, and still the cries of “O’Bozo” (whoever that is) are used constantly to excuse the failures of Bush…
getalife
February 11th, 2013
11:55 am
The gop are working on fixing their party.
Even that is a lie.
Lets bury the gop for good in 14.
GT
February 11th, 2013
11:55 am
Truth of the matter is Democrats don’t need to lie, what they do is for the good of the citizens of this country. The Republicans live a life of a spy, double lives, one that is what they desire and one they have to destroy all that is not theirs. Saboteurs who run from the light of day, for a higher purpose of selfishness, no price too high even the well being of our nation.
stands for decibels
February 11th, 2013
11:55 am
Seems to me that problem is in the Senate Rules.
What is the benefit to allowing either a single individual or small group of Senators to block and entire vote?
Playing devil’s advocate here–the idea is to protect the minority, to enable them to obstruct legislation or appointees they regard as truly harmful to the country.
But the obstruction was supposed to involve some actual WORK on the part of the minority–at minimum, a talking filibuster, not an email saying “do not want.”
I could go on, but as I stated earlier, the Dems don’t have to put up with this. They could get behind the President, and they could get behind their OWN legislation, but they choose not to, out of (I believe) vanity, not principle.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 11th, 2013
11:56 am
It’s been over four years, and still the cries of “Bush” are used constantly to excuse the failures of O’Bozo…
Jimmy Carter says, “What?”
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 11th, 2013
11:57 am
“It’s been over four years, and still the cries of “Bush” are used constantly to excuse the failures of O’Bozo…”
and the lies just keep on comin …
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
11:57 am
I have three kids. Would not have had it any other way. Never a dull moment. They are in their thirties now. F\Great to have so many.
stands for decibels
February 11th, 2013
11:57 am
Can you imagine where we would be if Henry Kissinger had said that he would not design policy?
We’d have fewer outstanding warrants for war crimes, for a start.
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
11:58 am
Another token woman obama cabinet member leaves due to lack of leadership…….
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/11/small-business-agency-head-mills-to-leave-obama-administration/
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
12:00 pm
Stands – Letting a small minority decide something is bad and stop it is inherently wrong. The whole senate should be able to vote.
As I sain, filibuster is to delay a vote and bring attention to the issue prior to a vote, not to prevent the vote.
TaxPayer
February 11th, 2013
12:01 pm
I see many Executive Orders by President Obama being struck down by the Supreme Court.
Out of the 147 and counting issued so far, how many have been struck down.
Poor twitchy fingered con.
комиссар (Occupation)
February 11th, 2013
12:02 pm
Oscar: “Reid had a chance to fix thatwhen the senate opened. He could have changed the riles by a simple majority vote. But he chose not to. Don’t complain about it now when it could have been easily fixed”
Anyone surprised that Reid was just bluffing on filibuster reform doesn’t understand the way that Democrats are just as invested in the apparent systemic dysfunction as Republicans. Democrats get just as much out of it. Without their excuse of procedural obstacles, Democrats would be forced to either vote on the policies they claim to favor or be unmasked as the right wing corporatist party that they are right alongside the Republicans.
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
12:02 pm
What what – it’s all Hoover’s fault. When will the mess he left ever be fixed.
F. Sinkwich
February 11th, 2013
12:03 pm
If O’Bozo was a leader he wouldn’t be having these problems. Instead he whines and gets his fawning MSM and pundits like Jay to cry foul.
Hey Preezy, grow up and act more manly than your wife.
barking frog
February 11th, 2013
12:03 pm
The Pope resigns in another step for the Catholic Church on
its road to recovery.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 11th, 2013
12:03 pm
Recent study has shown that ODS causes 100+ point drop in IQ.
Peadawg
February 11th, 2013
12:04 pm
Looks like “… says, What?” is Kamspam’s new obsession. Bless your heart.
In b4 peapup piddle or whatever.
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
12:04 pm
komm – sadly, you are probably right about that. Otherwise, it would have been fixed.
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
12:05 pm
Does the Pope have a lobbying job all lined up?
GT
February 11th, 2013
12:06 pm
“It’s been over four years, and still the cries of “Bush” are used constantly to excuse the failures of O’Bozo…”
This is symbolic of the damage done by Bush and his bosses including Newt, who could do more political damage with less constituency or constitutional support than any modern politician of memory. It may take another four years to straighten out and if someone doesn’t rein in the losers on Wall Street and stop protecting them to mutate the meaning of capitalism we may never stop blaming Bush. The majority of the country truly wants to forget Bush, but the Tea Party has stubbornly held us to that low bar while representing a dissipating minority of this country.
curious
February 11th, 2013
12:07 pm
Hagel’s testimony was about as pitiful as Obama’s in the first debate.
See how it all worked out for Obama; it’ll be the same for Hagel.
He’ll be confirmed.
The Republicans will eventually bring the Country down, unless people get fed up with them and that seems to be the trend.
Stevie Ray
February 11th, 2013
12:07 pm
USinUK – former Girl Scout
February 11th, 2013
11:51 am
I’m 3 out of 4 and hear you. I have 3 girls. Point being that after 3, it doesn’t matter as its just another plate at the table.
Being the middle kids sucks…in most instances IMO
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 11th, 2013
12:07 pm
Positively Pavlovian
Keith
February 11th, 2013
12:08 pm
Let me get this straight Jay- 1.Americans are killed in the line of duty and our facility is under attack, 2. the Prez is unaccounted for during the attack killing our guys, but doing what is necessary to find the truth is “petty and personal.”
Who in the admin wrote your gem of a talking point?
Bhorsoft
February 11th, 2013
12:08 pm
But, but, but, Republicans are such strict constitutionalists! Never would it cross their minds to abuse the Constitution. That would like being adulterous and stuff, abusing the true word of the Bible.
Common Sense
February 11th, 2013
12:09 pm
Congrats to Gov Deal and the Republican dominated state legislature on doing something the federal gubmint certainly can’t do…….
http://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2013-02-11/deal-january-revenues-104-percent
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:10 pm
Libs continue to cheer on obama supporter Chris Dorner…..
http://www.fiscalconservatives.com/videos/Va62UXPXxl4.html?a=2
stands for decibels
February 11th, 2013
12:11 pm
Letting a small minority decide something is bad and stop it is inherently wrong.
No argument here. Even if you acknowledge a theoretical usefulness of a filibuster, there need to be limits to what 41 determined Senators can gum up.
To fathom just how un-[small "d"] democratic this is, consider how small a percentage of the population, theoretically, might be represented by those 41. I’ve heard, can’t cite, that as small as 14% of the population could be on the hook for electing Senators who pull this stuff.
And just to re-emphasize–it’s not like they even have to be present and debating the measure or the nominee on the floor of the Senate to gum it up. It’s truly outrageous that Reid couldn’t even demand THAT miniscule concession from his good friend Mitch McConnel.
That should’ve been the cue to go nuclear, but of course the senate Dems were never going to make good on that threat.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 11th, 2013
12:12 pm
“We’d have fewer outstanding warrants for war crimes, for a start.”
word.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 11th, 2013
12:12 pm
the Prez is unaccounted for during the attack killing our guys, but doing what is necessary to find the truth is “petty and personal.”
Bush reading The Pet Goat says, “What?”
Wait for it….
That Black Guy
February 11th, 2013
12:13 pm
DannyX
February 11th, 2013
10:05 am
“And to think only 2 more years and the can catch up to the democrats 8 years of Bush derangement syndrome.”
More unskewed Republican reality on display today. The fact is its the Republican party is still deranged. The last four years have proven Bush Derangement Syndrome is actually a more serious condition, Republican Derangement Syndrome.
Instead of showing the country they have solutions they keep doubling down on childlike behavior throwing one tantrum after another. Republicans are on a downward spiral. They keep playing the same game, they will keep getting the same results.
Republicans, please get some help!
________________________________
Danny X, I would have to say, I agree with this 100%
The republicians seen to have a desire to actually lose any gains they made in 2010.
Quite sad to watch.
curious
February 11th, 2013
12:14 pm
Keith
“the Prez is unaccounted for during the attack killing our guys, but doing what is necessary to find the truth is “petty and personal.”
Was the President really unaccounted for?
The truth is:
4 people were killed. The Ambassador should have known better to put himself and his staff in that position on 9/11.
Getting yourself killed doesn’t make you a hero.
TaxPayer
February 11th, 2013
12:15 pm
Where were congressional republicans when they were called on by our President and our Secretary of State, amongst others, to approve the funds needed to provide an adequate level of security for our ambassadors. Where! WHERE! WHHHHEEEEERRRREEEEE! Republicans are such losers.
F. Sinkwich
February 11th, 2013
12:16 pm
“It may take another four years to straighten out…”
Thanks for proving my point.
Rather than accepting the obvious failure of all that is O’Bozo, loonie lefties cry out for more time, dellusionally believing Mr. Heal-The-Planet is someone who can do anything other than read from a Teleprompter.
Mark my words, after another four years of abject failure Jay’s commie cluster here will still be crying “Bush” while lamenting term limits ’cause O’Bozo just needed more time.
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:16 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
the Prez is unaccounted for during the attack killing our guys, but doing what is necessary to find the truth is “petty and personal.”
Bush reading The Pet Goat says, “What?”
Wait for it….
Libs criticize a President that was actually engaged… LOL…
Obama snorting coke says, “What?”
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:18 pm
Libs cheer on the death of a Kindergarten teacher from a botched abortion…
http://www.quintonreport.com/2013/02/11/is-the-martin-omalley-administration-partly-to-blame-for-the-death-of-jennifer-morbelli/
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 11th, 2013
12:18 pm
ObamaBush snorting coke says, “What?”Alex
February 11th, 2013
12:19 pm
@..”frog” (we’ll keep you away from “fly..” .Ok so you’re the only one who actually watched some of the hearings (I watched “some” also) objectively, were you impressed by Hagel. left or right , dem or repub….Cabinet leverl DOD…
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:20 pm
Another sad reminder of what happens when a dem is in the White House….
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/604044_10152553182415494_1191483923_n.jpg
That Black Guy
February 11th, 2013
12:20 pm
Carlos
February 11th, 2013
10:38 am
Irony being all this criticism of Chuck Hagel as a “dunce” when he served 10 years as a Republican senator. Kinda says alot of the republican party.
Point is the republican senators would block ANYONE Obama appoints to advance their own self interest.
_________________________________________________
John Kerry says “what?”
Sotomayor (sp?) says “what?”
Kagen says “what?”
stands for decibels
February 11th, 2013
12:21 pm
Without their excuse of procedural obstacles, Democrats would be forced to either vote on the policies they claim to favor or be unmasked as the right wing corporatist party that they are right alongside the Republicans.
Yep. Just to pick a relatively recent example: Anyone here really think DiFi was ever willing to go to the wall, to risk any of her precious power, to get her assault weapons ban re-instated?
barking frog
February 11th, 2013
12:22 pm
Alex 12:19
I was unimpressed by either but think either will be adequate.
stands for decibels
February 11th, 2013
12:22 pm
So what did [b]Itchy finger use as a screen name last week?
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 11th, 2013
12:23 pm
You can just feel the desperation dripping from the Con arguments.
The world as they know it is changing for the better
But they desperately want to live in the past.
We are winning and they know it.
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:23 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
Obama Bush snorting coke says, “What?”
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes spewing intelligent thoughts says, “What”?
That Black Guy
February 11th, 2013
12:24 pm
MANGLER
February 11th, 2013
10:43 am
The fact that the President hasn’t simply unilaterally used Executive Orders to bypass Congress on every single thing, including his nominees, shows a level of restraint that I doubt most of us would have after dealing with this partisan gridlock for so long.
______________________________________
Executive Orders are NOT like Franks Red Hot Sauce.
In other words…
You CAN’T put that s**t on everything.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 11th, 2013
12:24 pm
Jackie:
“It sounds like the Sheriff in Putnam County has decided not to enforce any law that denies any citizens his right to bear a firearm, given the fact that citizen is deemed to be law abiding by the sheriff.”
Kind of like when the Federal government tell the Sheriffs what immigration laws to enforce and which ones to ignore ??
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:25 pm
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten:
Until the House of Representatives is controlled by dems its best to keep quiet. Remember obama won by many million less votes than he did in 08′. I wouldn’t take that as a sign of overwhelming support. But to an knowledgeable lib I guess you would….
Progressive, Liberal, Lefty
February 11th, 2013
12:26 pm
Lindsay has gone off the deep end. It probably has something to do with his “repression” issues.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 11th, 2013
12:26 pm
I don’t think kids should be allowed to bring toy guns to school ………. but “drones” ?
Well, that’s a different matter !!!
Steve-USA (I don't have all the answer's, I don't even know all the questions)
February 11th, 2013
12:27 pm
“If you think Obama did a good job on the economy, that’s not only dumb but also foolish!”
yep – 3 years of economic growth … and improving jobs market …
there IS someone dumb and foolish in this equation, it’s just who you think it is
*****************************************************************************************
You need to to Google “Ben Bernanke and Fed Policies” to see the light.
[/Drive by, enjoy your day]
TiredOfIt
February 11th, 2013
12:28 pm
kayaker 71
February 11th, 2013
10:32 am
Hagel a “war hero”? Hardly. His decorations include a Combat Infantry Badge, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (which all of us got) and two purple hearts. Would be interested to know if these purple hearts are anything like John Kerry’s. And you liberal whiners are the first in line to deny John McCain’s hero status but quick to trumpet hero status for Hagel. Hagel is probably fit and qualified to be the Defense Secretary but don’t call him a hero. He’s about the same as thousands of others with similar backgrounds.
++
What were Cheney’s qualifications, five draft deferments?
Peadawg
February 11th, 2013
12:28 pm
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:23 pm
Best one yet!
*polite golf clap*
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 11th, 2013
12:29 pm
92 killed at American embassies under Reagan.
33 killed at American embassies under Bush.
4 killed at American embassies under Obama.
President Obama was right. He has the BEST record of defending our embassies !!!
Oscar
February 11th, 2013
12:31 pm
I. Finger – Everyone should know ourcountry is spli about 50-50.dustrialized areas v. the rural and farm areas. And people in those area have different ideas about what our federal govt. shoul be doing. No dispute there.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 11th, 2013
12:32 pm
Until the House of Representatives is controlled by dems its best to keep quiet.
Have you seen the Republican House’s approval ratings ?
Have you seen Obama’s ?
LOL You guys are dying a slow death. If not for Gerrymandering districts your party would have zero power right now.
Personally I would think you guys are getting tired of Obama whipping you at every turn
Mick
February 11th, 2013
12:32 pm
itchy
Yes, so why don’t we bring back republicans so we can have another great recession and gas under $2.00? A lot of good that does while losing a million jobs a month – who needs gas?
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 11th, 2013
12:35 pm
A lot of good that does while losing a million jobs a month – who needs gas?
Exactly. They ran the economy into the ground to the point they couldn’t give gas away.
Imagine where we would be if the Republican Tea Party nutjobs would just get out of the way.
Darwin
February 11th, 2013
12:35 pm
Heck – what Republicans really would like to do is impeach Obama. They just don’t have the Senate. You know Repubs – if they can’t win with votes – try everything else to gain power. Or deny power to the Democrats.
Kitty
February 11th, 2013
12:35 pm
I remember during a Senate confirmation process under Bush the Democrats were blocking things and the GOP called for an up or down vote. If the GOP Senators have a problem with Hagel or anyone else just don’t vote for his or her confirmation. Honestly why is this so damn stupidly hard? Both sides up or down vote and be done with it.
Going without a Defense Secretary is dangerous to the US. US Security should come first to both parties, not winning or losing.
Bruce LeRoy ShoNuff
February 11th, 2013
12:36 pm
Blockinig votes……………unconscionable…..
Applying such cheap partisan tactics to nominations that are critical to national security represents yet another new low for those in Congress.
Is there anyone out there actually SURPRISED by anything the republicans do? Anyone? ??
(crickets chirping in the background)
Dharma Bum
February 11th, 2013
12:39 pm
Nothing but more deflection and playing the blame game from libs and cons. America be damned! It’s about our “football team!” It’s funny and sad to watch grown adults act like petulant children.
Fly-On-The-Wall
February 11th, 2013
12:41 pm
I find it so funny and sad at the same time that the Republican supports on this blog will complain about any/everything Obama tries to do but they cannot submit anything they would do instead….it’s not their job to submit plans, it’s the President’s but we’ll refuse anything he proposes without giving any alternatives or alternatives that are grounded/based in real world facts.
Mr Right
February 11th, 2013
12:42 pm
Granny Godzilla
February 11th, 2013
10:23 am
Mr Right
“f you think Obama did a good job on the economy, that’s not only dumb but also foolish!”
Piffle
Are you still having money problems?
No, I am not having money problems but I’m sure those millions that can’t find a job do . I guess 7.9% unemployrment rate is the new normal so pat Obama on the back and say good job! $16,500,000,000,000.00 debt and predicted to be over $20,000,000,000,000.00 by the end of Obama’s term, yea, piffle, (yawn) no big deal!
Alex
February 11th, 2013
12:43 pm
Thanks for the objective response, I hope your right and I don’t know anyone that may be better, but as we cut DOD, i would like an impressive Secretary, but then look what “the best and brightest” did in vietnam…..
mbtc
February 11th, 2013
12:45 pm
Bear false witnes much, Christian Conservative? Pass along outrageous, untruthful emails to your church friends? You might not be a Christian if………..
TiredOfIt
February 11th, 2013
12:46 pm
I guess 7.9% unemployrment rate is the new normal so pat Obama on the back and say good job!
++
There will low unemployment when citizens are forced to work T China wages. I hope you willing to take a pay cut. Free Trade is such a wonderful thing.
getalife
February 11th, 2013
12:46 pm
The gop are weak on national security.
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:47 pm
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
Until the House of Representatives is controlled by dems its best to keep quiet.
Have you seen the Republican House’s approval ratings ?
Yes I saw them after the election. Republicans easily kept the house…
LOL You guys are dying a slow death. If not for a cheerleading media and creating an entitlement society your party would have zero power right now.
Personally I would think you guys are getting tired of Obama whipping you at every turn
DownInAlbany
February 11th, 2013
12:48 pm
Mr Right
February 11th, 2013
12:42 pm
And, the former Speaker of the House saying, we don’t have a spending problem…
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 11th, 2013
12:50 pm
Bruce LeRoy ShoNuff :
It’s called democracy ………… chirp !
Itchy Finger
February 11th, 2013
12:52 pm
Its looks a little slack today… Are the librarys closed??? Usually the Bookman buffoons are out in full force on Mondays….
Partisay
February 11th, 2013
12:53 pm
“Libs cheer on the death of a Kindergarten teacher from a botched abortion…”
Itchy Finger…you should be banned for posting such a statement. Cheer? Do us a favor and just turn your computer off.
Erwin's cat
February 11th, 2013
12:53 pm
With Democrats the purpose is total representation of the citizens of this nation, the moral high ground of human rights, and a respect for education a desire for pushing the envelope to make this country greater.
how noble
Kitty
February 11th, 2013
12:54 pm
Have the Republicans countered with a different nominee…like in actually telling Obama they would more likely vote for Mr or Ms. X which would also be someone Obama could in good conscience nominate or is this just more foot stomping idiocy which obviously isn’t working as Congress’ approval rating declines and the GOP goes down even more. They (Dems and Repubs) all need to grow the heck up.
DownInAlbany
February 11th, 2013
12:55 pm
Let’s face it. The battle over Cordray’s nomination has nothing to do with the man. It has to do with giving an agency unfettered power, mainly the funding of the agency. Who funds the CFPB? The Federal Reserve!