Too Funny
For all the Republicans moaning and groaning that the stimulus bill was not bipartisan. I find this little nugget to good not to share.
"President Obama even met with House Republicans more times in two weeks to discuss this legislation than President Bush did with House Democrats in two terms.." Rep Louise Slaughter via DKos
Advertisement
Yeah, how 'bout that? The House Repoops, led by General Boner, are a devious bunch with little connection to the world most of us inhabit. How are Dems supposed to work with these people when they (Reps) don't know the meaning of "good faith"?
February 12, 2009 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
But, that would mean we all rely on facts, not political spin that distorts and denigrates. Hmm.
Now this is a new and distrubing concept.
Thanks.
Rec'd.
February 12, 2009 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for sharing!
February 12, 2009 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well the amphibians sure like the Fox!!!!
The best that the reps can hope for is that they can keep all their senators in line to halt all action.
The house reps are irrelevant and Gramma Pelosi knows it.
The problem is that the good Senator from Penn State and two more from Maine, actually care about their constituencies as well as issues.
All the party of the dark side can do is cry in their beer, work on a new propaganda message and hope the numbers change.
Meanwhile, the New President really could not get higher numbers in the polls and look more 'above it all'.
February 12, 2009 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Well the amphibians sure like the Fox!!!!"
This place is a zoo! Ribbit!
February 12, 2009 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you give Specter and the daring duo from Maine too much credit. While I assume they do care to some extent about their consituents, what they really care about, what comes first and foremost and what they would probably send their own relatives to the gallows in order to save is themselves. Remember, almost without exception they went with the Republican herd on every reactionary policy, every unconstitutional action, every rotten judicial appointment, and every special interest favor during the Bush years. They are useful to our side right now, and I'm glad we have their votes but they are the worst sort of opportunistic politicians. So let's not give them any more credit than they are due.
February 12, 2009 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just when I figure I am the only angry Democrat.
Between you and me, it is fun to listen as that poor Collins tries to speak.
Specter does have to toe the line with his constituency or he is out on his ass in two years.
February 12, 2009 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
You operate under the assumption that Specter could lose a general election in PA.
Read my lips: It will never happen. And here's why.
Specter generates very good crossover numbers (20-30 percent of PA Democrats vote for him consistently). He's stood for re-election four times, and the closest anyone's gotten to him is 11 points.
The ONLY way to get Specter out is to beat him in the GOP primary. The reason is that no constituency in PA hates Specter more than the far right. So, if you can get a fundie type to run against him, you have a shot of knocking him off in the primary, with the bonus that the fundie will lose almost all of the crossover support in the general.
Otherwise, you're running against a guy with a big state machine of his own, who will get lockstep Republican support regardless of his opponent, and who will be able to sell himself as someone who has shown he's willing to be "bipartisan" (pointing to the Holder hearings and the stimulus negotations as proof of his "independence").
February 12, 2009 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's why I may be compelled to make a contribution to his campaign come primary time. Assuming I have a job, that is.
Arlen's brush with death last time will make him stronger. Don't know why the Club for Shrinkage believes that retreading Toomey will produce better juju the second time around.
February 12, 2009 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Specter is finally too old. He will not be reelected under any circumstances.
February 13, 2009 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll gladly place a wager on that right now. Name your stakes.
BTW, if you think Specter is too old, try these names: Lautenberg, Inouye, Byrd.
February 14, 2009 1:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Arlen Specter has cancer and while he is currently in remission, it will not last, particularly at his age. The other old guys you mention have all been blassed with extraordinary good health and none have a terminal illness. No reelection for Specter. No way.
February 14, 2009 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good health? Pardon my Swahili, but who gives a damn? Clean health history is NOT a requirement for being re-elected to the Senate (see: Kennedy, Edward M.; Biden, Joseph R., Jr.; Thurmond, Strom; Johnson, Tim).
Specter has been VERY active - and VERY conspicuous - since he started his cancer treatment. Besides, any candidate who tries to make Specter's health an election issue is too stupid to file his/her candidacy papers properly, so they won't even make it on the ballot.
If Specter wins the GOP primary (and, as of yet, he has no challengers, though the wingers are certain to get someone to run), I'll see you again for that wager.
Friendly advice, though: save your money. Specter will not now, nor will he ever, lose a GE in Pennsylvania.
February 15, 2009 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is one *possible* Dem who *could* beat Specter: Ed Rendell. That would certainly be the marquee matchup.
But Rendell, at the moment, is not expected to run. It would certainly be the toughest election Rendell's had since he ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination against Bob Casey, Sr.
February 15, 2009 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're dreamin and ignoring the obvious. There will be no need for anyone to make his health an issue it will be one in the minds of voters. They aren't stupid. His age and heatlh combined will defeat him without an opponent having to lift a finger in making either an issue.
February 16, 2009 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
I gave you specific examples of numerous people who have been repeatedly re-elected to the Senate (in VERY recent times, even) despite age/health concerns.
In response, the best you can do is, "You're dreamin and ignoring the obvious"? If you're being intellectually honest, then either produce some facts/figures to back up that ludicrous observation, or retract it.
In order for his health to be an issue, the opposition will need to raise it. If they do that, Specter points to the volume of his current workload and produces a trolley full of records saying he's in great shape. Can you say "boomerang"? I knew you could.
I'm going to try, just one more time, to pull the scales from your eyes on this issue. That same reputation is what makes him vulnerable in primaries. In 1992 and 2004, he just barely survived the primaries. Doing things like backing off Eric Holder and supporting the stimulus will make neocons find another Pat Toomey-type to run against him.
However, those very same actions make him almost unassailable by Democrats. It's MUCH easier for a Republican to run a negative campaign against Specter than it is for a Democrat.
Quick, name three things a Democrat can use against Specter in a campaign. (When making that list, remember the following: Specter's solidly pro-choice, he's generally supported all of Obama's cabinet picks, and helped pass the stimulus...all in front of as many cameras as possible since his cancer treatments.)
Even the state's top Dems are not talking about Specter in 2010. Michael Nutter? He's happy in Philly, and has no profile outside of there. Dan Onorato? Wants to be governor. Jack Wagner? See Onorato. Bottom line: If Specter survives his primary, pray that Rendell's running.
February 16, 2009 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is 79 bucko. He's got a virulent form of cancer. He is not going to be in remission forever and there's a damn good chance it will recur prior to the election in which case he will have no chance at all. Your arguments about other old people being elected are simply not relevant. You ignore the obvious and continue to make the dillatory point. You're simply not being realistic. None of the others has any bearing whatsoever on Specter's case.
February 16, 2009 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
(Sorry for the delayed reply; dashboard wasn't working for a few days, so I couldn't follow along.)
So, it's as I suspected then. Your entire worthless theory about Specter is based solely on your hope that his cancer comes out of remission. (If that happens, Specter is likely to not run again anyway.)
In the meantime, you present absolutely no credible political argument. No personal or policy missteps. Not a single negative point to hang a reasonable campaign on. Just your version of "hope" and "change". I sure hope Bob Menendez has a tighter grip on reality (and DSCC dollars) than you do.
February 18, 2009 11:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is!!, out on his ass in two years.
February 12, 2009 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I rec'd it, simply for the Obama statistic vs bush!
February 12, 2009 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
And in truth that is all the diary was about ;)
February 12, 2009 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
This Fox, Rawks.
=D
February 12, 2009 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
If your contribution to the conversation can be written on the back of a postage stamp, you'll likely not be seen as the life of the party.
Maybe next time they'll come up with something innovative. Like replacing Social Security with personal savings accounts.
February 12, 2009 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you imagine the devastation there would have been if SS was sold out? We have to credit those lame Dems for that. We have to reevaluate our criticism when it comes to that.
February 13, 2009 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
True that. Props to the AARP and the unions too. Beating back Social Security "reform" was one of those gut-check moments that helped turn the tide on the administration.
February 13, 2009 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink