After bipartisan rejection of Obama’s latest stimulus, what’s next?
Look on the bright side, Mr. President: At least this time the defeat wasn’t 97-0.
From the Hill:
President Obama received a slap from members of his own party Tuesday as the Senate voted 50-49 to block his $447 billion jobs package.
The jobs plan, which the president has spent much of the last month touting on a cross-country tour, fell well short of the 60 votes it needed to proceed.
The only Democrats to vote against the measure were Sens. Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Jon Tester (Mont.), but a number of other centrists in the party indicated they would vote against the package even though they supported launching a debate on the measure.
So, President Obama’s latest stimulus couldn’t even win the support of all Senate Democrats. But don’t worry: The White House no doubt will pin the blame on “obstructionist Republicans.” How inconvenient for them that the GOP-led House didn’t vote it down first.
Now that we’ve dispensed with the political theater of Obama proposing a bill designed chiefly to fire up his base, only to be quickly rejected by Congress, perhaps the debate in Washington can become more substantive.
…And now that you’ve stopped laughing…
To begin, we’ll see how the president and Senate react if/when House members pass those elements of Obama’s bill with which they agree.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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144 comments Add your comment
Yahtzee
October 12th, 2011
2:22 pm
Obama’s solution to the fire is to throw more gas at it, and Republicans are saying NO! because that will only make the fire bigger. Then Obama tells everyone that the Republicans don’t want to put the fire out.
IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THIS
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 12th, 2011
2:23 pm
“The items in the American Jobs Act are all quite popular with Democrats and Republicans polled.”
Really? Cite the poll taken on all the individual items, please.
“President Obama’s numbers have been slowly creeping up.”
Reality will show you otherwise.
“As long as he continues to fight the good fight against the Republicans and the spineless in his party on behalf of those hit hard by the economy, he will win.”
Once again, electoral maps do not show this.
“Playing obstructionist might have worked in 2010, but it will not work in 2012.”
Don’t quit your day job in order to go into political punditry or election analysis, Truth Squad.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 12th, 2011
2:25 pm
“Can we finally bring our troops home?”
We could have done that 2 years ago. Why haven’t we under this failure of a President?
Fast and Furious Spending
October 12th, 2011
2:31 pm
(anything but) Truth @ 216,
You need your delirium checked by a professional.
The President pays attention to approval ratings, and he is well aware of the jobs issue, as are Republicans who took over the House by a deeply seated disgust in Obama by the American people. The trouble is, why didn’t his first stimulus help —- at all? Why should we trust him with a second? You can’t answer those questions, so don’t even try.
Obama was “playing obstructionist” in 2010? Do you read this nonsense you write, Truth? Just when do you think Congress was wholly democrat?
Obama’s numbers have been creeping up? Among which groups?
http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2011/10/10/gallup-obamas-approval-rating-among-blacks-hits-all-time-low
http://www.rttnews.com/Content/PoliticalNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1729162
You should retitle this previous post of yours: the big Zero.
Junior Samples
October 12th, 2011
2:34 pm
Actually Tibby, that’s a good question. And maybe the next time we decide to blow up another country we’ll have to share the sacrifice. Blank checks don’t work.
Streetracer
October 12th, 2011
2:38 pm
@@ @ 1:18
A lot of people don’t get Cain just like they don’t understand Thomas or J.C. Watts because they don’t want to believe that a black could favor self reliance. Personally don’t really like Watts much, but it has nothing too do with color or politics (those I like). I’m a Nebraska boy and he was an Oklahoma QB. Need I nsay more?
UGA 1999
October 12th, 2011
2:38 pm
Junior….great way to use logic….WOW the mentality of those on the left never ceases to amaze me.
Tommy Maddox
October 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Hey Junior – I saw your earlier post regarding drilling.
Was that you riding the bike on west bound Hwy. 92 in Woodstock this morning?
Junior Samples
October 12th, 2011
2:41 pm
FFS,
Thanks for providing us with links to unbiased sources.
jj
October 12th, 2011
2:41 pm
Kyle, I think the important point here is that your headline was deliberately misleading, if not an outright lie. This is why we the people have got to learn NOT to TRUST the PRESS. You take bits and pieces and fit them into what you want to spin. Maybe one day we’ll have unbiased, honest, sincere reporters, columnist, and journalist who like the greats of the past, actually report the truth, the facts, and leave their opinions out of it.
I do realize this is YOUR blog, so you have a RIGHT to your opinion. However you should realize you have a moral obligation to at least try to tell the truth.
I’m wondering what all you pundits are going to have to say when Obama is re-elected? Which he is going to be if you foolishly put the likes of Perry/Bachmann up to run against him. Trust me, as a woman, neither Republican or Democrat, the women of this country will never elect either of them.
more money!
October 12th, 2011
2:45 pm
borrow more money from the chinese, raise taxes!!! that should stimulate the economy! give out more bailouts to connected companies, give more money to banks!!! Yes–that should do it!!!
@@
October 12th, 2011
2:45 pm
Favorite soundbyte from Republic Presidential Debate comes from Michele Bachmann
I respectfully disagree. Favorite soundbyte (mine):
“Obama issues apologies disguised as press conferences.” — Gingrich
Newt received a lot of applause last night.
UGA 1999
October 12th, 2011
2:46 pm
@@….that was a pretty clever comment.
Tommy Maddox
October 12th, 2011
2:46 pm
Let’s see: when folks from both parties vote for the same thing in Congress, that is usually construed as being “bi-partisan”. I do not believe that the numbers voting relate to the definition.
Junior Samples
October 12th, 2011
2:49 pm
Tommy, I take the train, but thanks for asking. Riding a bike on a busy highway isn’t advisable, and illegal.
So according to your logic, anyone who drives a car cannot believe in changing the way we commute? Or can’t be concerned about the method(s) in which we obtain oil?
Truth Squad
October 12th, 2011
2:50 pm
Spineless Democrats=Senator Tester of Montana and Senator Nelson of Nebraska. Nelson will probably lose and Tester gave his base a big reason to not bother voting for him in 2012 which means that by pretending to be a Republican, he increases his chance of losing.
Some of you cannot read or count. Senators Lieberman and Sanders are Independents, not not members of the Democratic Party.
Lastly, we are not broke. If you don’t believe me, listen to Rep. King and other Republicans who are chomping at the bit to go into Iran right now. This country has man-made crises and thus they are fixable. The idea that we can just write of millions of un- and underemployed citizens and still keep a stable country is delusional. The idea that cutting Social Security as we know it, or Medicaid/Medicare as we know them is the path to prosperity is equally delusional and Republicans are going to come to understand this better in 2012.
Last night, not a single potential nominee would speak ill of Wall Street. According to the some kind of alternative universe, it’s all the fault of Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Freddie and Fannie, and of course, President Obama! As I said before, out-pf-touch!
Eventually President Obama will have no choice but to tell the country what most of it already knows, austerity does not work in a recession-just ask Europe.
Fast and Furious Spending
October 12th, 2011
2:53 pm
Kyle,
If Barack Obama were to do the thing he is most unqualified for, to do the thing that is anathema to modern Democrat politics, to fulfill the latest constitutional requirement that Democrats avoid like the plague, and pass a budget, rest assured the vote would resemble much more closely 97-0, like his last farce-attempt.
The President is just the guy-who-doesn’t-matter anymore when it comes to serious policy. No one wants a part of him unless a campaign is involved and unless he or other Democrats seek to create the mainstream press’ upheld illusion that the President and Democrats have a clue about America today.
Sorry, meant “Amerika”, in their minds.
UGA 1999
October 12th, 2011
2:54 pm
Truth….what is there negative to say about Wall Street?
“It is all the fault of Barney Frank”…..I wouldnt say “all” but most.
Fast and Furious Spending
October 12th, 2011
2:54 pm
Kyle,
Also noted that Kasim Reed is going wobbly on us regarding the Woodruff Park dwellers.
Tommy Maddox
October 12th, 2011
3:04 pm
Hey Junior – if the train ran between Kennesaw & Roswell, I’d be on it.
Fast and Furious Spending
October 12th, 2011
3:05 pm
(anything but) Truth,
Eventually President Obama will have no choice but to tell the country what most of it already knows, austerity does not work in a recession-just ask Europe.
Doesn’t work? You saying that because Greece has had its share of malcontents protesting in the streets, just like we have here?
That’s quite a queer view of reality!
Anything but, your views aren’t unique unfortunately; they’re just completely whacky and out of touch with reality.
You think the woodruff park protesters are or represent some sort of neo-reality, that if people protest then something is wrong with what they are protesting? What of the Tea Party? That wierdy logic doesn’t apply to us, one supposes.
Your point of view is difficult to see and presupposes so many false assumptions that nothing but political defeat for your constituency will do. With someone a deluded as you are, I won’t bother posting facts or figures that show what Greece is doing (austerity) must work, for if it doesn’t, Europe’s last back-stop, Germany will go insolvent too, and there will be no one to bail them out. Banks will begin defaulting all over the place, and we’ll have a global catastrophe. All you need do is look at Obama’s poll numbers. The Wall Street focus-diversion away from bad government policies ain’t working, period. It’s not catching the nation on fire and changing anything like the Tea Party did.
What we conservatives can take heart in reassuring ourselves is clearly this: if you think we are out of touch, then we are probably doing the exact right thing for the good of our own politics and for the good of the country.
Truth Squad
October 12th, 2011
3:09 pm
“The items in the American Jobs Act are all quite popular with Democrats and Republicans polled.”
Really? Cite the poll taken on all the individual items, please.
“President Obama’s numbers have been slowly creeping up.”
Ok, Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
Now we all know that you, like most so-called Conservatives/Libertarians are fact-averse but I’ll play along. Here is the NBC/WSJ poll: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/12/8288026-nbcwsj-poll-despite-defeat-obamas-jobs-bill-is-popular ; here’s is Bloomberg/Washington Post:http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-10/cain-pulls-even-with-romney-on-economy-for-republican-supporters-in-poll.html
Here is a new PPP poll:http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_US_1011513.pdf
You can also check with other sources, the items in the AJA enjoy overwhelming support. Heck, for fun, why don’t you go on over to the Fox News site and check out their polling on the #OccupyWallStreet movement. You might find it interesting.
Junior Samples
October 12th, 2011
3:12 pm
I hear that statement a lot Tommy, now let your elected officals know.
UGA 1999
October 12th, 2011
3:15 pm
Truth….you should check out http://www.gallup.com. Can you say 39% and falling?
Dusty
October 12th, 2011
3:16 pm
Junior Samples @2:20
Are you trying to equate new stimulus cost with that of military costs?
Rediculous. “Stimulus” is a nebulous gesture at making jobs. It failed before. Our armed forces are a part of the American policy to defend our country. In other words, “stimulus” is another costly boondoogle in the making. Drop it and forget it.
Junior Samples
October 12th, 2011
3:17 pm
Truth,
While I appreciate that you present facts, it won’t do any good here. It just annoys them. Kind of like some type of beauty enhancement on a farm animal.
UGA 1999
October 12th, 2011
3:18 pm
Junior…still waiting on facts. BTW…we are not annoyed we are all just very amused.
DannyX
October 12th, 2011
3:18 pm
From a Wall St Journal poll being released today,
“… when the legislation’s details are included in a follow-up question — that it would cut payroll taxes, fund new road construction, extend unemployment benefits, and that it would be paid for by increasing taxes on the wealthy — 63 percent say they favor the bill and 32 percent oppose it.
What’s more, 64 percent of respondents agree with the statement that it is a “good idea” to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations, because they should pay their fair share and can afford to pay more to help fund programs and government operations.”
Rafe Hollister
October 12th, 2011
3:20 pm
Please excuse the change of topic, but after seeing the “skirt” issue on the front page I had to get this out or I might explode. Since Emily Post is dead and can’t make any new rules, maybe a Rafe rule: If the length of the skirt is shorter than the width of your butt, please discard.
Now back to Oblamer. He is in full campaign mode, blame the GOP for everything that is wrong, promise mo money for the dumb masses, start work on lining up the buses to the polls, gather the “walking around money”, coordinate with his union bosses to get out the vote and bring in the dues money, and start going to church. Sounds like his plate is full and we won’t hear many more great ideas from him.
He said he is “heartbroken” about the NBA strike, but he has never said that about the economy. We know where his priorities are.
Truth Squad
October 12th, 2011
3:20 pm
What we conservatives can take heart in reassuring ourselves is clearly this: if you think we are out of touch, then we are probably doing the exact right thing for the good of our own politics and for the good of the country.
Well there you have it folks. Finally a lurch into the truth!
By repeating the same counterfactual talking points to each other, conservative give each other comfort and if they feel comfortable, that is good for everyone!
Of course, if Republicans really felt comfortable they wouldn’t have to go passing laws that make it harder to vote. When you make it so that little 96 year ladies can no longer vote you deserve to lose.Does anyone doubt that we’ll see dogs and men with guns at certain polling precincts?
Road Scholar
October 12th, 2011
3:22 pm
calosgov: I wish someone would ask, no tell the two Democrats that they have 2 days to develop a jobs bill or they have to resign. This inaction by all parties is ridiculous. I will vote for a rock before I vote for any Congressional incumbit!
Rafe Hollister
October 12th, 2011
3:24 pm
DannyX
You are right, most Americans agree with the philosphy of give me some more money, and tax that other guy to pay for it.
Junior Samples
October 12th, 2011
3:24 pm
I will not drop it and forget it.
War should be a shared sacrifice.
In WWI and WWII we all were pitched in, bought savings bonds, recycled and donated metal, etc…
Now we borrow Trillions from China to “tide us over”. Increasing the debt of course, but nobody wants to talk about that for fear of being labled “unpatriotic”? In no way am I stating that we should not defend ourselves, but we have to account for what we spend while doing so, and everybody shares the burden.
Road Scholar
October 12th, 2011
3:26 pm
Hey Kyle, let’s start another war! That is the only jobs program the repubs know, or will pass w/o spending cuts!
Or we could tax the top 1% since they are “gods” and have so much to lose. Let them pay for the past two wars through a surcharge!
BlueMoon
October 12th, 2011
3:27 pm
To Truth Squad…since when has government created demand? When has that been the work of the people of this nation? This is a capitalistic society, although I have seen many that wish govt would just take over and care for them recently.
You do realize that for every dollar taken in by govt in the form of taxes that is a dollar that cannot be spent on the free market correct? I’m sure you knew this as you’re obviously highly educated and a student of history. And this money is forcibly taken from people who have EARNED it. And why do you hate rich people? They pay the brunt of the taxes in this country and many of them own/operate businesses that employ millions of people.
And since 9-9-9 is such a joke, why don’t you enlighten us with why? After all, the plan is only brought to you by a rocket scientist, a fed reserve chairman and a corporate turnaround artist. What the hell does he know?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 12th, 2011
3:27 pm
“Some of you cannot read or count. Senators Lieberman and Sanders are Independents, not not members of the Democratic Party.”
Truth Squad, you’re really going to hand your hat on this statement? Really?
That one is a Socialist (closest thing to a Democrat in this country) and one ran as the running mate of a Democrat probably has nothing to do with their politics, right?
Rafe Hollister
October 12th, 2011
3:30 pm
Road
Oblamer has already started two wars, Libya and the Culture War. Not one job created.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 12th, 2011
3:32 pm
“War should be a shared sacrifice.
In WWI and WWII we all were pitched in, bought savings bonds, recycled and donated metal, etc…”
Junior, don’t you dare even try to equate WWI and WWII to the misadventures we have undertaken in the past 20 years. And don’t even try to trivialize any terminology regarding “shared sacrifice” unless you’ve been in one of those misadventures, or lost loved ones to them.
DannyX
October 12th, 2011
3:32 pm
“one ran as the running mate of a Democrat probably has nothing to do with their politics, right?”
That independent supported a Republican for president in the last election. Sounds pretty independent to me.
Truth Squad
October 12th, 2011
3:34 pm
It really is sad how some people cling to Gallup polling this far out. Their track record this far out is extremely low. I’d show you the data, but it really would do much good.
That said, President Obama’s numbers are still way better than those of the Republicans. With the economy sluggish, and potential Republican nominees enjoying a honeymoon period, one would expect President Obama’s numbers to be much much worse. But they’re not and that is why smart Republicans are still looking for a champion. It is also why Republican legislatures and Governors are screwing around with voter laws and electoral vote rigging.
Republicans know down deep that they have lost young voters, people of color and women. So now they are trying to carve the country up so that only traditional Republican voters get to vote without jumping through hoops.
Truth Squad
October 12th, 2011
3:38 pm
Senator Lieberman lost the Democratic primary in Connecticut. He was a featured guest at the Republican Convention. He killed the Public Option and Medicare-Buy in.
He will be missed, by Republicans.
Dusty
October 12th, 2011
3:39 pm
Well, it does look like we have some liberal bloggers from the down town Occupy Your Park unit. TRUTH SQUAD for one.
Mayor Reed sounds a bit unsure but tired about such people. He noticed that “occupiers” were damaging public property and violating Atlanta laws. VIOLATING LAWS?? And the mayor’s got to think about it?
So the mob unit declares it’s own fanciful “demands”. Rename a city park after Troy Davis, a man condemned for killing a policeman. Then Mayor Reed should spend the night with them. And last, no one camped in a public park (or beseiging banks) should be arrested.
I’m surprised they did not ask for better accomodations at the Ritz Carlton. Perhaps the city jail might be more comfortable when enough is enough.
Rafe Hollister
October 12th, 2011
3:40 pm
Truth Squad
The ole Voter intimidation ruse again? Every election, the GOP is intimidating the poor voters. Yet, never has anyone produced a person who was intimidated or denied their “legal” right to vote. They drag up morons who try to vote in districts they do not live in or use multiple alias and are not sure which one they used to register to vote. Same ole tired bullhockey, anyone who is legal and truly wants to vote, votes.
Junior Samples
October 12th, 2011
3:40 pm
Tibby, trivialize terminology?
On the contrary. Of course you’ve missed my point, but that’s why your here. So I’ll try to simplify this this for you.
Going to war costs money, lots of it.
We have to pay for it.
The end.
BlueMoon
October 12th, 2011
3:45 pm
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/10/12/poll-herman-cain-rick-perry-mitt-romney-all-beat-obama
Here’s a poll showing that Cain, Perry or Romney would ALL beat Obama if the election were held today so I’m not sure why some of you are saying his popularity is still high. It’s just not true.
And why dem’s hold onto Obama when he:
1. Appoints Czars who are known marxists, one of which believes in population thinning through chemical means. (science czar)
2. Believes in forming a national police force (right on youtube)
3. Said on the floor of the Illinois Senate that babies that live through abortion procedures should be left to die (again, on youtube)
4. He, along with Holder, dropped an open and shut case against the black panthers for voter intimidation
5. Appointed Holder, who has openly stated that blackness is more important than policy
6. Has been out giving speeches recently with the head of the new black panther party
There are many more but those alone should make you run away screaming.
Dusty
October 12th, 2011
3:49 pm
Road Scholar
“Let’s declare another war!”. You anti-war people are sadly rediculous. Then you try to make out it is the cost that bothers you.
The truth is you don’t give a snap whether this country has armed forces to protect us or not. You act like it is all “playing war”.
Get some toy soldiers and play your little games. Our military are risking their lives for you right now and you act like they are not needed. PLease go away. You disgrace our country.
Truth Squad
October 12th, 2011
3:52 pm
And since 9-9-9 is such a joke, why don’t you enlighten us with why? After all, the plan is only brought to you by a rocket scientist, a fed reserve chairman and a corporate turnaround artist.
Well there you go. No need to go any further than your own words as to why we should ignore this particular gimmick.
To Truth Squad…since when has government created demand? When has that been the work of the people of this nation?
Have you not heard of the New Deal, the WPA, WW II, the G.I. Bill, creation of the federal highways, Hoover Dam, airports, bringing electricity to rural areas, Medicare, Food Stamps, Unemployment Insurance, deregulation, FDIC, SEC,Social Security, etc…
There is much much more, but some have been brainwashed to believe the government is useless and that if we adopted a more Social Darwinian country, everything would be just great.
WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT! If it’s not working, we fix it, we don’t end it. Some of you really should take time and go read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Read them by yourself without any comment or interpretation by any politician or anyone pimping any particular political ideology. Too many of us have been lead to believe that it is no longer about “we the people”, but “those who have money and connections”.
Truth Squad
October 12th, 2011
4:01 pm
Sorry Dusty, I grew up in a quite Republican suburb of the metro area. I did have sense enough to get the heck out as soon as I could so I could enjoy diversity of people, thought, ideas, political philosophies, etc…
I was raised Southern Baptist as well.
I am politically Independent.
I know this state quite well, and I know it is a purple state. Not liberal, not extreme right, but purple. I have all the faith in the world that voters will not accept incompetent underperforming state government for much longer. The days of getting elected simply because you hate Atlanta are coming to end. We need to get this state moving again and Republicans have had their chance and blown it. Time to take personal responsibility y’all love to talk about so much.
BlueMoon
October 12th, 2011
4:06 pm
Truth Squad…of course you didn’t respond to 999, you have no response.
“Have you not heard of the New Deal, the WPA, WW II, the G.I. Bill, creation of the federal highways, Hoover Dam, airports, bringing electricity to rural areas”
I’ll go with you on these items…as they are an integral part of govt. Giving people a welfare state to live off of is another. The problem with govt entitlement programs is that they NEVER adhere to the original intent and always grow vastly larger than intended. ALWAYS.
But in no way, shape or form will I ever believe that providing retirement and medical care to the masses is a viable function of govt. It is a function of the people. Should we have a fall back for those of us who cannot do for themselves? I believe so. But notice I said cannot, not will not.
Providing a common defense and infrastructure are constitutional powers afforded the govt, what we have now is govt run amok. What you would call for is completely unsustainable. Nearly 50% of all Americans no longer pay federal income taxes. ALL MUST CHIP IN. If you don’t have a vested interest in the game the game doesn’t concern you and votes can be bought much too easily.
That’s not a republic, it’s a democracy where mob rules and a simple majority vote wins. We’re dangerously close to this becoming a reality.
@@
October 12th, 2011
4:09 pm
It really is sad how some people cling to Gallup polling this far out.
Avoid Jay Bookman’s blog then. When he’s not “chartering”, that man DANCES on poles.
His is sovereign territory conferring certain rights and privileges on selective individuals. I don’t happen to be one of ‘em.
Forever exiled.