Lobby Stops Bill To Fund Entire US Government to Block Obama Policy Change
Anyone who thinks the pro-Israel lobby is too domineering should take a look at what the Cuba lobby is up to. This goes farther than anything the pro-Israel lobby has done or contemplated doing.
The vote was scheduled for Saturday. It was on the omnibus spending bill, which funds our entire government -- but the Democrats could not get the 60 votes to thwart a filibuster,
From the Politico: Senate Majority Leader Reid "was forced to delay a pivotal vote on the measure.... The most stinging defection: Reid's own senatorial campaign committee chairman, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J), who told Democratic leaders that he'd be voting 'no' over his objections to the House bill's easing of the embargo against Cuba.
A Senator is holding up funding for the entire government over a House provision supporting his own President's position on Cuba.
He is also holding up Obama's nominees for science advisers. He has no problem with either but he wants to show his displeasure over Obama's tentative moves toward modifying the Cuba embargo.
As I said, the pro-Israel lobby has never even dreamed anything this big and this parochial. And I won't even mention (!) the Bay of Pigs or the Cuban missile crisis, which were the direct products of an insane Cuba policy pushed by that lobby. The Israel lobby has a lot of catching up to do!
By the way, what is the Spanish word for chutzpah?
MORE NEWS: Scarlett Johannson worries if a Jewish girl like herself can play a gladiatrix.
It's cojones andMenendez has big ones. Now I hope Obama cuts them off and hands them to him on a silver platter.
March 9, 2009 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
You beat me to it. En espanol es cojones.
I don't fully understand the 60 vote super-majority always being the rule. If they want to filibuster then make them actually filibuster. Shit or get off the pot. What are we paying these jerks for?
March 10, 2009 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Some nerve, and I'll be sure to call my Senator to tell him so. Menendez needs to worry more about voters in New Jersey and less about those in Florida.
But I do give him some credit for showing independence. Anyone who voted for Jon Corzine in his Senatorial bid based upon the supposed independance his wealth would bring and saw his cameo appearance in Farenheit 911 found out how well that worked out.
Off to find Menendez #'s
March 9, 2009 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is NO WAY 40 senators (a clear minority)should have the power to always and perpetually thwart the clear will of the American people, as expressed via the 60 senators, a majority of the 435 Representatives in the House, and the President.
For me, this is one more episode demonstrating the ridiculous, non-Constitutional, clubhouse like rules governing the Senate. I wish the GOP had used the nuclear option so that this whole 60 vote, filibuster proof majority, BS would have been killed.
March 9, 2009 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Walt & Mearsheimer are working on their new tome as we speak: The Cuba Lobby. Meanwhile, we pay the price in "blood and treasure."
Is this a nod from MJ to the commenters? Either way, it's a welcome change of subject to another lobby we can all agree on.
March 9, 2009 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Cuban lobby is different in one important respect: They are not routinely lobbying for the United States to sanction/attack Cuba's neighbors.
March 9, 2009 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, in some respects you're right, but - look at what the sugar lobby has managed to inflict on other Caribbean nations via US policy, to maintain their oligopoly. Much as they'd like to do in Cuba, if they can get their hands on all the property that they were deprived of when Batista's regime fell.
They would be very happy to re-establish their little feudal realm.
March 10, 2009 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
More Scarjo as a gladiatrix please.
March 9, 2009 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Scarjo
I'm half hoping you originated that, and half hoping not...
On the substance, however, word
March 10, 2009 1:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Cuban Lobby and the Israel Lobby -- now that's one post I would be interested in.
... and the "logrolling" that goes on between them.
March 9, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Geez, MJ....you're three days behind. Get WITH it, man!
PS: :-D
March 9, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
The lunatic Cuba Policy continues, this time aided and abetted by a northern Senator, instead of the Cuban House Reps from Florida.
This is what happens when you're owned by lobbys that seem, at times, to care more for a foreign country than the U S.
March 9, 2009 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
From Mondoweiss:
Somehow... I doubt the Cuba Lobby can leverage that kind of trained-doggie response from our spineless "leaders", as Nancy Pelosi so pompously refers to the collection of corrupt gas-bags soiling Captitol Hill. We'll see if Sen. Menendez can keep this up. Most Americans see Cuba, quite rightly, as a relic from another age - a hardscrabble backwater, the Caribbean capital of failed economics and embalmed American cars. It's simply not on the radar... it matters not at all. I think the senator's brave, silly stand will be squashed quickly.
March 9, 2009 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not true. Al Gore supported the Cuban-American position on the Elian Gonzalez case for one reason. He was scared.
I think the Cuba lobby is more powerful than the Israel lobby.
March 9, 2009 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJ,
I'm not sure I agree with you. I think Gore may have supported the Cuba Lobby because of Florida's electoral votes in what he saw was a close Presidential race. This Cuba lobby's strength is Florida centric. AIPAC's reach is much more widespread, geographically.
March 9, 2009 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
March 9, 2009 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and AIPAC has gobs more money to challenge incumbents if they don't tow the lobby line...
In fact they have gobs AND gobs more money now.
March 9, 2009 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the basis of one vote by one senator holding up a crucial measure, it may seem more powerful. But the Cuba Lobby derives its power because it has no opposition - there is no issue over Cuban policy in America. Most Americans (cigar afficionados excepted) simply don't care whether or not the embargo is lifted. The Cuba Lobby is the only wheel squeaking.
March 9, 2009 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe dumber and more unreasonable.
More powerful, no.
March 9, 2009 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJ your entire argument regarding the Cuba Lobby being stronger than the Israel lobby is predicated on the fact that ONE Senator defected on a filibuster measure. You then go on to say that the "Cuba lobby is more powerful than the Israel lobby" because Al Gore supported the Cuban-American position on Elian Gonzalez. These are thin threads you're weaving with.
I think it is a stretch to attempt to equate overwhelming US support for a country that provides no benefit and high financial and political costs (Israel) with its isolation of and disconnection from a developing, communist nation. There is no major upside to being in Cuba, because we can't control its natural resources and it's not an "emerging market" who can partner with our corporations or buy our services. Sure United Fruit wants in, but so what? If there were oil in Cuba I might agree with you, but there isn't.
Furthermore, there is NO debate in the US Congress over whether or not to provide unwavering support to Israel. However, even Bush held meetings with United Fruit and others early in his first term and there is regularly discussion of altering our relationship with Cuba, especially since Raul Castro has taken over from Fidel. There haven't been comparable statements made or discussions held (at least not publicly) on US policy toward Israel and that is because of the Israel lobby's unmatched power.
March 9, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
One difference, among many, between the Repubs and the Democrats is the solidarity of the Repubs on virtually everything, especially on stopping any activity at all by the Obama administration. That makes the squabbling Democrats individually very important, because they can always stop the Senate cold, just by manipulating the Senate rules, with the full backing of the Repubs.
As new10 said, above, the real problem is the absurd rules the Senate follows, which are rooted in the needs of the Southern Democrats many years ago, to stop any government action that might make them give up their racism. It is long past time to bring the Senate rules into the 21st century.
March 9, 2009 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
i agree. these people should remember that america comes first and if thy want to set policy then become president.
surly under mccain israel would have had another bush.
and while Obama doesnt go far enough for my tastes at least he is drawing fire from the israel first-ers(if thats a word).
and far as the cuban lobby they are just as absurd and i agree maybe in this case even more so for not only has the policy towards cuba been a total bust but no one besides them gives a rats ass.
to hold up the presidents people and his policy is revolting.
sometimes retribution can be a great thing.
lets see some Obama!
March 9, 2009 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess, for some, the only lobby that matters is the Israel lobby. Fine. And when the Israel lobby produces debacles like the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile crisis, I may be ready to concede that it has done as much damage as the Cuba lobby.
Hell, we almost blew up the entire world over Cuba!
Interesting.
March 9, 2009 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are we really that far from actually blowing up the entire world over Israel's interests as AIPAC sees them? About the only way the Cuba lobby is more of a problem than the AIPAC lobby is their pure cussedness. And, all over the Cuban nationalization of the assets of the wealthy class of Cuba a long time ago (as we look at history).
March 9, 2009 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Plus,to ignore the strength of the Israel Lobby as it "now" would mean that we have learned nothing from the history and the power of the Cuban Lobby back then?
March 9, 2009 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you seriously challenging us to generate as much heat over the Cuba lobby as the Israel Lobby? They Cuba Lobby's last real menace to the US was in 1962. That means they haven't dragged us into a conflict since "Love Me Do" was topping the charts; since before Dick Cheney got 5 deferments; since YBD was still an American.
In one sense, you are right to be more critical of the Cuba lobby. Ros-Lehtinen has dipped her noxious toes in both.
March 9, 2009 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's a fair point. I don't see the need to limit oneself to criticizing just one dumb lobby--there are obvious similarities between the two.
BTW, I'd like to chuck the "dual loyalty" meme, however. (Not that you mention it here, but it comes up a lot in connection with "lobbies".) All of us have multiple loyalties--we all tend to think that our pet causes are the right ones for the US to adopt and I doubt too many people who are members of one lobby or the other see themselves as pushing policies harmful to the US. My problem with the Cuban and Israel lobbies is not that the people care about Cuba or Israel, but that the policies they push are bad.
March 9, 2009 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did the Cuba lobby cause the Bay of Pigs? When JFK became President, planning for the Bay of Pigs was well underway. As I understand it, Eisenhower made it clear to JFK that he [Eisenhower] would denounce Kennedy if he [JFK] cancelled the operation.
March 9, 2009 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
But not at the behest of the Cuba Lobby. The Soviey Union was basing ballistic missiles on the island, 90 miles from U.S. shores, and, yes, we were right to make the USSR "blink" and withdraw them.
In the Middle East, we are directed to follow policy intiatives not in the best interests of the United States. That's power.
March 9, 2009 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps a little reading on the late Jorge Mas Canosa would help.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/latin_america/july-dec97/cuba_11-24.html
But thanks for the education. I am consistent in my disdain for ALL lobbies that unduly use their influence. But, for some, there is only one that matters as if the only negative influence in our body politic is AIPAC.
Guess what, folks, our entire government, from top to bottom, is run by lobbies and that is why Obama will have such a hard time getting his program through. It won't be AIPAC or any ethnic lobby that prolongs this depression. It will be the selfish special interests who operate on the domestic side.
I think Washington and Madison would spit if they saw how this country is run.
March 9, 2009 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's all about war...
The exective director of AIPAC is Washington’s sixth most powerful person, according to GQ magazine. With AIPAC routinely ranking near the top of lists [whether published or not] whenever insiders are polled on influence.
Plus, there's stuff like this:
2009: Israel now wants to push the US to strike Iran, what is AIPAC's position?
That's why I'm focused on AIPAC. I don't want WWIII. Especially when we now have 'Clean Break', [possible close] friend of AIPAC Netanyahu back in the saddle.
And then: If the Cuban foreign policy lobby is registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act then why not AIPAC?
March 9, 2009 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
PS JFK's blunders almost led to the end of the planet in 1962. The Cuba lobby (then known as the exile community) was goading him every step pf the way.
JFK and RFK were both terrified of the exile lobby and with good reason.
March 9, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
It misses the point to debate which lobby is more powerful - Cuban exiles or right-wing, "pro" -Israel. The issue, IMHO, is that no one thinks to accuse the Cubans of having divided loyalties. There are players on both sides who believe the interest of their pet cause are synonymous with US interests. Both use their clout to advance what they think US policy should be. I don't see anything wrong with that.
March 9, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have Cuban-American friends who seem pretty middle of the road and pragmatic on this issue.
The one complaint/concern they have voiced when we discuss the topic of Cuban tourism is that their children have no guarantee of return to the US.
This sounded pretty odd to me but I'm not steeped in Cuban American policy and it seems this would be an area ripe for review and US-Cuban agreement.
March 10, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
But... with Soviet missiles in Cuba, JFK - and the United States - had a lot more than the Cuban Lobby to worry about. It was a big chess board, the U.S. removed its missiles from Turkey, and the Cuba Lobby fulminates to this day...
March 9, 2009 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not cojones, it is huevos! Doesn't anyone take Spanish anymore?
March 10, 2009 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink