Dysfunction Junction: Hostile climate drives retirements, paralysis
Email By Rick Klein: So it was that, in a single week in President Obama’s second February in office, everything basically broke down, or at least froze in place. Tracking a chaotic couple of hours… A former president was hospitalized for a heart procedure… The Kennedy political dynasty moved toward a quiet close… A blizzard sparked a climate debate… Health care reform waited out another week… Glimmers of bipartisanship were promptly extinguished in the Senate… And we filled our snow-stuffed days with visions of Sarah Palin and David Paterson and John Edwards… This is Washington at its most dysfunctional — leaving aside the monstrous snow piles cutting down on the parking spots. The prospects of actual governance emerging in this environment have rarely seemed bleaker. And yet — doesn’t someone have to be the grown-up around here? A public that’s basically soured on everybody: “At a time of deepening political disaffection and intensified distress about the economy, President Obama enjoys an edge over Republicans in the battle for public support, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll,” Adam Nagourney and Megan Thee-Brenan report in the Times. “The poll suggests that both parties face a toxic environment as [they] prepare to face voters in November,” they write. “The percentage of Americans who approve of Mr. Obama’s job performance, at 46 percent, is as low as it has been since he took office.” Eight percent of respondents said they want members of Congress reelected. Eight. You don’t have to go far to find the frustration: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s increasingly public disagreements with President Barack Obama are a reflection of something deeper: the seething resentment some Democrats feel over what they see as cavalier treatment from a wounded White House,” Politico’s Mike Allen and Patrick O’Connor report. “Though Pelosi and other House Democrats have made it clear that they’re angry with the Senate, they’re also frustrated with the president, upset that he hasn’t come to terms with the problems of getting legislation through the upper chamber — or done enough to overcome them.” Out of the wreckage — anything? “The original Obama project, the third Democratic wave, is dead,” David Brooks writes in his column. “The next challenge is to find a new project, a new one-sentence description of what this administration hopes to achieve. It is obvious: President Obama will show that this nation is governable once again. He should return to the other element in his original campaign.” Peggy Noonan, in her Wall Street Journal column: “Mr. Obama is left with America, and he does not, really, understand it. That is why he thinks moving to the center would be political death, when moving to the center and triangulating, as Bill Clinton did, might give him a new lease on life.” Washington is a hostile place right now. That may be the biggest factor driving the recent round of retirements — not necessarily fear of reelection, but a calculation about whether it’s worth it to try to come back for … this. “Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, the last member of his famous family still serving in elective office, has decided not to seek a ninth term in Congress,” John E. Mulligan reports in the Providence Journal. ” Kennedy’s surprise decision spells the end of an era in American politics, instantly raises the prospects for the congressman’s Republican opponent, state Rep. John Loughlin III, of Tiverton, and may spur a fight among Democratic contenders for the seat.” Says an emotional Kennedy,in a TV ad airing in Rhode Island Sunday weekend: “Illness took the life of my most cherished mentor and confidant, my ultimate source of spirit and strength.”
“I’m not going to be afraid to leverage my political value,” Kennedy tells Rhode Island Monthly’s Mark Arsenault. “I just won’t have to do it twenty-four/seven.” “Rep. Patrick Kennedy's decision not to seek re-election will leave Washington without a Kennedy in political office for the first time in more than 60 years,” Andrew Miga and Michelle R. Smith report for the AP. “The decision comes less than a month after a stunning upset by Republican Scott Brown in the race for the Massachusetts Senate seat his father held for almost half a century. Last week, as Brown was sworn into the seat, Patrick Kennedy called Brown's candidacy a ‘joke’ and predicted Brown would betray his union supporters.” But is the retirement story on the other side? Ten percent of House Republicans are now choosing not to run for reelection in 2010. “A trio of House Republican retirement announcements over the past 10 days have sparked a debate between the leaders of the two major parties over whether the GOP is losing momentum in its quest to score major gains at the ballot box this fall,” The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza and Paul Kane report. “With the three latest lawmakers choosing not to seek reelection in November, Republicans will have to defend 18 open seats and Democrats 13.” One retirement that makes actually two, with one brother giving up his seat to run for the now-open one next door: “Lincoln Diaz-Balart, the passionate defender and architect of measures to strengthen the Cuban embargo, said Thursday that he won't seek reelection to Congress, setting off a political scramble that reached from Tallahassee to Miami,” per The Miami Herald’s Lesley Clark, Luisa Yanez, and Beith Reinhard. Coming Sunday — when veeps attack: Jonathan Karl hosts ABC’s “This Week,” with exclusive guest former Vice President Dick Cheney, in a rare Sunday appearance. The roundtable: George Will, Peter Beinart of The Daily Beast, Paul Gigot of The Wall Street Journal, and the New Yorker's Jane Mayer. Sorry, Mr. Holder: “President Obama is planning to insert himself into the debate about where to try the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, three administration officials said Thursday, signaling a recognition that the administration had mishandled the process and triggered a political backlash,” Anne E. Kornblut and Carrie Johnson report. “Obama initially had asked Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to choose the site of the trial in an effort to maintain an independent Justice Department. But the White House has been taken aback by the intense criticism from political opponents and local officials of Holder's decision to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a civilian courtroom in New York.” On the Hill — bipartisanship, briefly: ABC’s Z. Byron Wolf: “Democrat Max Baucus of Montana and Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced their draft for a bipartisan $85 billion jobs package earlier this morning. By this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he was going to break that package up and move smaller parts of it. … Republicans were scratching their heads as to why Reid would break up the Baucus-Grassley bill since it had, for now at least, bipartisan support.” Said Reid, D-Nev., unappetizingly: “I have a long list of disappointments where we start out holding hands and end up pointing fingers. The proof is in the pudding.” “His decision to embrace only portions of the bipartisan plan developed by Senators Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, and Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, caught some lawmakers by surprise and threatened to undermine Republican support for the proposal even as members of Congress and the White House sought ways of working together across party lines after months of deep partisan division,” Carl Hulse and David M. Herszenhorn report in The New York Times. Washington Times headline: “Reid puts his bill before bipartisanship.” Speaking of job preservation: “The Senate jobs-creation package that was unveiled Thursday and hailed by President Barack Obama may do more to help politicians who want to be seen trying to help the economy than it does to shrink the nation's unemployment rate,” McClatchy’s David Lightman and Kevin G. Hall report. Victory laps? “House Republicans won their televised debate with President Barack Obama last month, according to a GOP document distributed to lawmakers on Thursday,” The Hill’s Molly K. Hooper reports. “The document, obtained by The Hill, notes that Obama’s job approval ratings have dipped since the Jan. 29 meeting while Republican numbers have soared.” Stand-off defused — for now: “President Barack Obama dropped his threat to bypass the Senate and install nominees to their positions through recess appointments — at least for now,” Laura Meckler reports in The Wall Street Journal. “Recess appointments can be made while the Senate is out of session and are a way for presidents to get around the need for a confirmation vote. The president said in a statement Thursday evening that he is encouraged by confirmation earlier in the day of 27 high-level nominees.” Big Scare for the Big Dog: “Former President Bill Clinton was taken to a Manhattan hospital late this afternoon and two stents were installed in one of his coronary arteries,” ABC’s Emily Friedman and Brian Braiker write. “His prognosis is excellent,” Dr. Allen Schwartz, chief of cardiology at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, said Thursday night. “Within two hours of the procedure, Mr. Clinton was up and walking again, and Dr. Schwartz said he planned to send him home on Friday and allow him to return to work on Monday,” The New York Times’ Peter Baker and Angela Macropoulos report. ABC’s George Stephanopoulos reported that Clinton was released Friday morning, and is headed home to Chappaqua. “Literally they were taking him into the room, hitting the double doors that open, he was on a conference call regarding Haiti,” Terry McAuliffe told Stephanopoulos Friday, on “Good Morning America.” “That’s just who he is.” Will he slow down? “Not going to happen. … If anything this will get President Clinton more energized. … To him, sleeping is taking time away from something he could be doing to help somebody.” Transitions: “Billy Tauzin, the chief lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry who forged a private deal with the Obama administration to push the healthcare overhaul forward, will announce his resignation Friday, further complicating the outlook for passage of comprehensive legislation this year,” Tom Hamburger reports in the Los Angeles Times. “He has come under increasing fire as the health initiative stalled on Capitol Hill following the Republicans' surprise Senate victory in Massachusetts last month that denied the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority.” The New Republic’s Jonathan Cohn: “Tauzin's sudden departure, at a time when reform's prospects are shaky, has the look and feel of an ouster at the hands of these executives–and perhaps a prelude to something more drastic, like PhRMA turning around and opposing reform.” A chance for a thaw? All eyes turning to the bipartisan health care summit: “At best, it gives Democrats and Republicans a venue to find common ground on the issue that both sides say is most likely to break the deadlock: reducing costs,” Gail Russell Chaddock writes in the Christian Science Monitor. “It’s also giving House and Senate Democratic leaders a window – and a deadline – to negotiate differences between the Senate and House reform bills, so that the president comes to the Feb. 25 televised bipartisan meeting with a coherent plan to discuss.” From the OFA annals: “The grass-roots arm of the Democratic National Committee is stepping up its efforts to back lawmakers who support health care reform — and pile more pressure onto moderates still on the fence,” Roll Call’s Jennifer Bendery reports. Some Sarah Palin truth-telling, from Politico’s Jim VandeHei and Jonathan Martin: “Fox News has been making a serious charge about mainstream political reporters: They hate Sarah Palin. This is not just wrong, it’s absurd. The reality is exactly the opposite: We love Palin. And if Palin does not exactly love us, she’s smart enough to recognize how quickly reporters devour every provocative remark she utters.” National Journal’s Ron Brownstein sees Palin bringing beer and wine tracks to a GOP primary: “Palin, through cultural imagery as much as policy proposals, is positioning herself as the tribune of beer-track Republicans, who tend to be populist, socially conservative, and profoundly antagonistic toward Washington.” Gov. David Paterson, D-N.Y., still swinging back at shadows: “Gov. Paterson has a new scapegoat for the breathless rumors of womanizing and drug use that have dogged him the past few weeks – Eliot Spitzer,” the New York Daily News’ Glenn Blain and Kenneth Lovett report. “Nearly two years after Spitzer abruptly resigned as governor amid a hooker scandal, Paterson told CNN's Larry King on Thursday night that his recent problems are ‘a carry over from that situation.’ ”
The Kicker: “I hope he comes on your show tomorrow to dispel the latest rumor, denying that I had anything to do with his heart condition.” — Gov. David Paterson, inviting Bill Clinton onto Larry King’s show. “I have smoked pot. I don’t smoke pot now because it’s a decision that I’ve made. I think the country would be a lot better off if no one were allowed to drink, but we tried that, right?” — Former Gov. Gary Johnson, R-N.M., on ABC’s “Top Line.”
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Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
The Republcians has sought out to destroy the very institutions that they say they respect….More “filibusters” than ever in the history of Congress. Why? Because of this President, and the only thing they want to do is to Regain power….Not!
Posted by: sara | February 12, 2010, 9:12 am 9:12 am
The reports the the Obama presidency is dead are greatly exaggerated. He still enjoys relatively solid approval ratings and Republicans are seen as no more capable to handle the country’s problems than he is, or even Democrats.
Posted by: matt | February 12, 2010, 9:28 am 9:28 am
Could bo be getting a message from the REAL Messiah??? When this many people are praying to shut bo and his flunkies down……looks like God listens! Thank you God! I Pray for bo daily! Pray he is gone very very soon! And how’s that Global warming working for you lefties………..just like the hopey ~ changy ~ thingy going for yall?????
Posted by: watchinbo | February 12, 2010, 9:43 am 9:43 am
Goodbye, see ya’, chao, adios, asta la vista JACK, and don’t ya’ come back no mo, no mo, no mo, no mo…………
Posted by: ksdavid1 | February 12, 2010, 10:02 am 10:02 am
Those who approve of Obama either are ideologically biased or not paying attention. Biden calling Iraq , Obama’s greatest success tells you who these people are. Three more years will be tough.
Posted by: Ron | February 12, 2010, 10:03 am 10:03 am
Keep only blaming the Republican you idiots.
We the people are fed up with all of them. It doesn’t matter if they have a R or a D after their name. We want them all gone.
I just love how Dems thank they are blameless in all of this. Keep it up morons.
Posted by: freaksloan | February 12, 2010, 10:04 am 10:04 am
This last year has been an amazing thing to watch; all talk and no solid actions from the President, his administration and Congress, everyones to blame, especially Bush, except for the people making the decisions. Unemployment is still around 10%, higher in some places, the deficeit is out of control, we’re giving terrorists our Constitutional rights and we’re still spending money we don’t have. So far, not a good year.
Posted by: toledofan | February 12, 2010, 10:05 am 10:05 am
The Lord watches over our nation. Thank You Lord! They will have to listen to you or else…
Posted by: SYLQUIN | February 12, 2010, 10:05 am 10:05 am
The Lord watches over our nation. Thank You Lord! They will have to listen to you or else… REALLY? This so called Lord has been watching over our nation? Still stuck in that arciac book of fables and fear I see. Just what is the “else” that your dear Lord may do?
Posted by: Jackson | February 12, 2010, 10:14 am 10:14 am
“Mr. Obama is left with America, and he does not, really, understand it.
**********
This is what happens when a President that went to school overseas is elected.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | February 12, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am
Barack Obama remains the same angry black man who sat in Reverend Wrights “church” all those years. During the Healthcare debate I saw videos showing him to be an absolute liar who will say and do anything to get his way. I do not like him and certainly don’t trust him on any issue this nation faces, the best thing would be for him to resign.
Posted by: ronniebegood | February 12, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am
History of the Filibuster in the Senate
Our founding fathers envisioned a Senate where 100% of the members were allowed to have their say before any Bill could be voted upon.
For more than 100 years after the founding of our nation, no vote was ever taken in the Senate until every member either spoke for or against a Bill or waived their right to speak upon that Bill.
In other words, to ever have a vote, 100% of the Senators had to agree or keep speaking (a filibuster) until they literally ran out of things to say.
Passing legislation in Washington is not supposed to be easy. The purpose of opposition is to make sure that enough Senators agree that a Bill is good for the country BEFORE it is passed.
The filibuster is one of the checks and balances we have built into our government to PROTECT the people — all of the PEOPLE — from having bad laws and rules forced upon them by one party gone mad with power.
In the 20th century, Senate rules watered down the filibuster to 2/3 (66%) majority and then to a 3/5 (60%) majority.
In other words, originally you needed 100% of Senators to agree to vote — 1 Senator could keep talking until the Bill was either dropped or the Senator dropped the filibuster.
In the 20th century, that was first changed to (1) you needed 34 Senators to oppose a vote on a Bill (cloture) to scrap the Bill; to (2) Now, when you need 40 Senators to oppose a vote on a Bill (cloture) to scrap a Bill.
We’ve already gone too far away from the protections our Founding Fathers gave us. Making a simple majority the rule is not enough protection against one-party rule.
Someday the Democrats will not be in power again. When that happens, do the Democrats really want a simple majority vote to rule in the Senate? I doubt it.
Posted by: Soylent Green is US | February 12, 2010, 10:28 am 10:28 am
In the 20th century, that was first changed to (1) you needed 34 Senators to oppose a vote on a Bill (cloture) to scrap the Bill; to (2) Now, when you need 40 Senators to oppose a vote on a Bill (cloture) to scrap a Bill.
Correct that 40 Senators to 41 Senators — oops.
Posted by: Soylent Green is US | February 12, 2010, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Soylent Green is US – Looks like you’re trying to filibuster this blog!
Posted by: Jackson | February 12, 2010, 10:32 am 10:32 am
Hostile, or racist? Let’s be sure.
Posted by: Gerald | February 12, 2010, 10:35 am 10:35 am
maybe its time to go after these senators and congress peoples retirements. I think they get to much and the president needs to step in and regulate their pensions. I think they should drop all social security claims for them. They are all mostly millionaires.
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 12, 2010, 10:51 am 10:51 am
I don’t for a minute believe NOBOMA Hussien approval rating is that high,EVERYONE I know who voted for him says they regret it, and now wish they had not been swayed by the media. As far as politics go who has had control of the House and Senate,,,,THOUGHT SO!!! You lefties ought to check facts before you start pointing that finger of blame you like to point. You ought to be pointing it at yourself for being so stupid in the first place.
Posted by: Andrea | February 12, 2010, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Mr. Klein’s assertion that no one in Washington is behaving as an adult is in error. The Tea Party movement (made up of responsible adults who deal with the reality of life in America daily) is demanding we replace all the children currently in Washington with responsible adults who value our constitution, national sovereignty, personal freedoms, unlimited opportunity to succeed or fail, and last but not least a say in the decisions our representative legislators make on our behalf, the things men and women have given their lives to preserve for the last 234 years. These are the fundamental values our current leaders apparently weren’t taught. They seem to think anyone who clings to these core values are suckas. This sucka and many more like me won’t be re-electing those suckas come November or in 2012. Won’t you join me?
Posted by: gollywiggle | February 12, 2010, 10:55 am 10:55 am
Obama gained a major new defensive weapon last night while many of you were sleeping at 8:44 p.m. PST (11:44 p.m. EST) Ronald Reagan became a technology prophet.
They made fun of him using the term “Star Wars” as a joke. But now our freedom from incoming missiles is his lasting legacy.
Posted by: rongcapsfan | February 12, 2010, 10:59 am 10:59 am
One wonders if Congress will ever regain its purpose, and get its job done.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | February 12, 2010, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Obama: You Lie!
Posted by: John Q Public | February 12, 2010, 11:07 am 11:07 am
We need to repeal the 17th admendment. That mistake made Senators DC centered and no longer representatives of the states. Once elected, they act as national representatives, not accountable to the states. If they were appointed by the states, they would be accountable to the states and the states’ ledgislators. They also wouldn’t be in office for so many years, they would be turned out regularly as the appointements would change based on local state elections. That would remove the national influence and lobbyist effects.
The founders had it right, we just messed it all up.
Posted by: Jimi | February 12, 2010, 11:19 am 11:19 am
We have to come to a resolution here. The country is not a Tea Party, a news article, and certainly is not Washington. People have always thought Washington was dysfunctional and that it didn’t work. It’s not about what’s happening there but here in the rest of America. How base can we be and weak as well. We face troubles in this country but not ones we can’t overcome. I for one am not willing to throw in the towel and quit. I think we have a great President but I don’t think many people’s criticisms are rooted in reality. It’s not about a headline or one person’s perspective on a situation they surely don’t fully understand. The center is NOT the middle between Liberalism and Conservatism ( 2 concepts that most don’t understand.) The center is where practicality lies. What people forget is that the Congress is as strong as the President by the constitution. You can’t blame it all on him. This kind of stuff is happening in California and other states where it’s becoming incredibly hard to govern. Voting them out won’t solve the problem because most of the people wanting the seats currently held are making populist promises that distort reality. If people would just listen and try to do what’s best instead of this old blame game we could do better. But of course I’m talking to people who become enraged simply by seeing the letter R or D…stupid.
Posted by: Mikzy | February 12, 2010, 11:20 am 11:20 am
WOW! There goes the left front fender.
Posted by: jjj | February 12, 2010, 11:26 am 11:26 am
OH JEEZ There goes the engine.
Posted by: jjj | February 12, 2010, 11:27 am 11:27 am
watchinbo Said: “When this many people are praying to shut bo and his flunkies down……looks like God listens!”
====================================
LMAO! …… and the brainless “right-whiners” really think that God cares which political party is in office. “Man”, what fools some can be!
LOL!
Posted by: God | February 12, 2010, 11:30 am 11:30 am
Folks ,The wheels are coming off this idiots administration and they know it. It won’t be long now and almost every Dem will distance him/herself from the “Messiah” BO numbers will be lower than Bushs in 2-3 months.
Posted by: jjj | February 12, 2010, 11:30 am 11:30 am
Hows that blaming Bush for all of your mistakes thing going dumBO? Seems odd that you would take credit for Iraq, but everything else is Bush’s fault. Incompetent egomaniac. Anyone that voted for the midnight porkulus should be gone in November!
Posted by: Todd | February 12, 2010, 11:32 am 11:32 am
The problem is Obama. He has no respect for your Founding Fathers.The American people should remember how your great nation was founded! “Fundamentally transform”America?? Obama does NOT like that “shining city on the hill”
Posted by: liz from canada | February 12, 2010, 11:36 am 11:36 am
It’s the senate. The democrats better grow a spine and get their act together quick. Take the pencil away from baucus. His bills are a waste of time!
Posted by: rightbehind | February 12, 2010, 11:43 am 11:43 am
I thought Obama was gonna change the tone and make Washington a more civil place. That he’d end the partisanship and be transparent like he said he would. That he’d listen to both sides and be open to ideas from both sides. That his presidency would heal the racial divisions, that honesty and integrity would be restored to the White House.———-NONE of that occured. Just the opposite has happened. Rahm Emmanuel, David Exelrod, Valerie Jarrett and a huge cadre of socialist/marxist thugs followed Obama into the White House and they locked the doors and told their opponents, “We won. Shut up”.
Democrats and Independents who put Obama in office are shocked at his arrogance and lies. He will be rendered impotent in November and he will be voted out of office in the biggest landslide in US history in 2012. Americans are just waking up to the coup that is occuring and we will take to the streets to stop it. Ive been hearing the word “impeach” when I speak to co-workers and friends who voted for Obama. These are historic times.
Posted by: Lisa | February 12, 2010, 11:45 am 11:45 am
Eight percent want Congress reelected. If I were in Congress I would retire too. It’s better to bow out gracefully than to be beat badly in an election.
The American people are fed up with politics as usual. If you don’t get that you are seriously out of touch.
Maybe the government is starting to fear the people – which is how it should be.
Posted by: WyoWhy | February 12, 2010, 11:46 am 11:46 am
Long live King Bushie and Queen Cheney.
Posted by: Jackson | February 12, 2010, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Mikzy; Good post! I agree with nearly all of your post and am considering giving it a 100% grade. However, there is one small problem in Washington. That problem is party politics. Re-election is every politician’s goal once elected. The way things are now, re-election is nearly impossible without the monetary support of one of the major parties. So the Republicans play to their party and the Democrats play to their party, all the time talking out of both sides of their mouths when they face their constituents who elected them for representation. It’s truly not about the president. He’s mostly a talking head whose only input is a signature when it comes to legislations. The really bad ones will also issue executive orders to get their way. Our congress and senate, however are relevant. They make the laws that appropriate our money and effect our freedoms. The parties are the problem ultimately, not the legislators. That’s why I personally become enraged when I see D or R next to a politician’s name. By the way I’d like to see more statesmen and less politicians in Washington. It’s easy to spot the difference. Statesmen offer ways for the people to help our country when they speak. Politicians offer to give things to the people in exchange for their vote. In reality how can they give us anything when the only thing they have to give is what they’ve taken from us.
Posted by: gollywiggle | February 12, 2010, 11:52 am 11:52 am
It might be a good time for the crowd on the hill to admit their arrogance and mistakes and return to the concept of leading by “serving” as opposed to “ramming” their agenda!
Things are looking up. Just when in the natural it appeared hopeless, we began to pray that God would use current events to change the nation. Prayer warriors had done the same thing with the USSR and Chernobyl became the chink in the armor.
Th chink in the armor of Obamamania was Scott Brown (ironically back where the American Revolution began)!
Now we keep praying and working the chink to widen the gap!
Posted by: Ed Taylor | February 12, 2010, 11:52 am 11:52 am
When a government that wants to make new laws and remake America in its own image is stalled, we, the people, come out winners. I hope the snow stays in Washington for 3 more years.
Posted by: DaTruth | February 12, 2010, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
The GOP is not the only ones at fault here. However, they have proven that if one Party can round up at least 40 votes in the Senate and wants to shut down the government and bring the country to a standstill, it can be done. The founding fathers never envisioned that one Party would have as its core principle the desire to see a new president, and thus the nation, fail.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | February 12, 2010, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
hopesprings52; You obviously see things through colored lenses. Both parties refuse to budge and neither can gather a consensus among themselves. National polls and playing to special interests both in the pursuit of voters and in the pursuit of campaign funding are the things that have brought legislative process to a halt.
Posted by: gollywiggle | February 12, 2010, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
The GOP filibusters everything. That is an abuse of that rule. Wanting America to fail and to regain power at all costs is not a worthy organizing principle for any political party. To my knowledge it’s unprecedented in American history. Repub. Senators voting against the establishment of a Deficit Commission THAT THEY CO-SPONSORED is just a case in point.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | February 12, 2010, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
If only BOTH sides would stop the criticizing, arguing, etc. like a bunch of two year olds and sit down and discuss everything like rational grown ups our country would be better. But instead the Republicans slam the Dems and have been since day one, and the Dems are arguing among themselves. This president is trying but they are tying his hands. When will Congress grow up? I think we should elect one dem, one repub and one independent for each state and stop the majority nonsense. We must stop term limits and lobbying..othersie nothing will get done.
Posted by: Barb | February 12, 2010, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
The problem with Obama is that his ego gets in the way of common sense. He thought that he could bend everyone here and around the world to his will simply because of his speaking skills. His lack of administrative skills prevents him from extracting himself from his self-made mess.
Posted by: Ron | February 12, 2010, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
“More “filibusters” than ever in the history of Congress”
A Senate rule that Democrats have benefitted from in the past. Stop whining.
Posted by: Robert V | February 12, 2010, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
Everyone needs to just get high!
Posted by: Jackson | February 12, 2010, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
Hey Ron, when did being confident, educated, and well speaking define a person as having an ego. I guess after 8 years of a bafoon it’s difficult to get back on the right rack with how a president should be.
Posted by: Jackson | February 12, 2010, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
Your article had NOTHING new to say. You are a waste of time. You are like yesterday’s newspaper, with a twist to the far left. No thank you.
Posted by: Fred Taber | February 12, 2010, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
Many Independents voted for ‘change’, but we voted for one who was not known, who had no real record to go by, and who hinted at a centrist administration. What a liar and deceiver! He turns out to be ultra leftist beyond our wildest imagination. He surrounds himself with people who are socialist, communist, Maoist, black liberation theology, domestic terrorists and one who isn’t even sure of their own identity. Millions of us love America, and we don’t want someone who has no real American experience and who did not grow up in America to dismantle and destroy our nation. We are mad, and in spite of the northeastern elitists who believe we are too stupid to come in from a “global warming caused” nationwide snowstorm, we are intelligent and informed, and we are fighting back at the ballot box. To all you ultra libs who have lost touch with reality, if you knew how to listen you would have heard our voices in New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts. We spoke loudly and clearly, and we will again in 2010 and 2012. Democrats and Republicans better learn to listen to the people again. No deaf politicians are safe. Independents will determine who is in office, and as The Who sang at the Super Bowl, “We Won’t Get Fooled Again!”
Posted by: Pat Riot | February 12, 2010, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
Sara with all due respect name one filibuster???. When did it happen and on what bill??? How did the Dmes controled congress and dem controled senate allow a filibuster to happen?? No logic to your bolstering claim
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 12, 2010, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
It would be amusing if it weren’t so tragic that the fickleness of the American electorate has been so manipulated by the message of the media.
The United States of America, the largest economy on earth, the strongest military know to man, and the best political system for mankind is “said to be” in a state of disarray. Fickle American public believe it! Fickle American public can’t see the positives of our nation because the headline grabbing, 2 minute reporting “news” pundits have told you what to think and you think it! You’ve been told your President is a Communist, Socialist because he followed through on the bank bailout and stopped the bleeding of the economic gash left by his predecessor. He attempts, by developing a healthcare system for all Americans, to prevent our nation from becoming one of have and have nots like so many others on earth, but we don’t like that! Now the healthcare providers raise rates 40% and we follow on like sheep led to slaughter! Wake up! Take your head out of your rear and face the facts. If this man is doing anything he is trying to maintain and save our democracy!
Posted by: Stephen Russell | February 12, 2010, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
I think we can all agree that Congress is just sooooo corrupt. The people believe they only work for special interest groups and keeping their wallets fat. The problem isn’t with our president the problem is with Congress.
Posted by: justayreal74 | February 12, 2010, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Sara (inexplicably) said: “…The Republcians has sought out to destroy the very institutions that they say they respect….More “filibusters” than ever in the history of Congress. Why? Because of this President, and the only thing they want to do is to Regain power….Not!”……ROFLMAO!!!!!Hhey brainiac, the Republicans have not filibustered squat…they did not have the numbers to do anything to the pitiful Dems. The Dems imploded all by their little lonesomes!!
Posted by: RUSerious? | February 12, 2010, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
“Today President Obama told Senate Democrats that they had faced “enormous procedural obstacles that are unprecedented..”
“You had to cast more votes to break filibusters last year than in the entire 1950s and 1960s combined. That’s 20 years of obstruction jammed into just one.”
Not exactly. A filibuster is the successful blocking of legislation in the Senate by forcing a failed cloture vote. How many failed cloture votes occurred in 2009? Hugh Hewitt had to get his abacus to count them all up:
This is astonishing. A filibuster is the successful use of 41 or more votes to prevent the closing of debate. There wasn’t a single filibuster in 2009. Not one.”
From Hot Air
Posted by: Bill | February 12, 2010, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
1. A government shut down is supposed to be bad right? Not from where I sit it means those thieves in DC can’t steal anymore of my devalued dollars.
2. No Kennedy in office is GREAT! that entire clan is a continuing criminal enterprise.
3. That “bi-partisanship” lasted what 5 hours? Nice job future former senator Ried.
4. Future former speaker of the House and BAD Plastic surgery aficionado Nancy Pelosi is N-U-T-S.
Posted by: RicardoCabeza | February 12, 2010, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
And so we will say goodbye to Obama in 2012 and departing do not leave behind you, the MSM. Take them with you.
Posted by: Cujo47 | February 12, 2010, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
“a new one-sentence description of what this administration hopes to achieve.”…..How about one word, IMPEACHMENT!
Posted by: milttuckby | February 12, 2010, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Obama won’t lose in 2012. He’s too smart for that. The hope of the minority that they will climb back into power this fall is just that, hope. American troops returning to American soil from Iraq this summer and an improving economy, if messaged correctly will be enough for the current Congressional majority to continue. Remember we are a fickle people!
The tea party movement is about a tempest in a teapot!
Posted by: Stephen Russell | February 12, 2010, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
“a new one-sentence description of what this administration hopes to achieve.”…..How about one word, IMPEACHMENT!
Posted by: milttuckby | Feb 12, 2010 2:27:41 PM
______________________________________
You can impeach him and get a new President after President until the end of time but if Congress isn’t willing to cooperate it’s just useless.
Posted by: justayreal74 | February 12, 2010, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm
Let me refrase that and yes I’m pulling the race card because it’s true….If we were to impeach Obama and get a new white president than Congress might budge…Sorry I struck some nerves.
Posted by: justayreal74 | February 12, 2010, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
sara…you need a history lesson obviously. This isn’t even remotely close to “most filibusters in the history of Congress”. Maybe try laying off the Kool Aid or something…
Posted by: TxBoB | February 12, 2010, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Well I think we should definitely put Global Warming legislation on the back burner.
Posted by: Buckrol | February 12, 2010, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
Maybe both parties will implode…what a blessing!
Posted by: Sandi | February 12, 2010, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
If the dems have all the answers then why are they bailing???? Is there more to come out that happend behind closed doors??? Obama could have been a great president if he did not let Pelosi and Reid take over. but now its to late. Pelosi and Reid used Obama to get their personel agenda done. Problem is’ the dem controled congress and senate back a year ago did not pass their bills??? Wonder why?? They had the majority for a year? So now the dems are dropping like flies.
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 12, 2010, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
obama has caused the disintergration of the democratic party.
Posted by: speedy | February 12, 2010, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
McCain was the candidate who stressed bipartisanship. He understood how important it is, and he has a lot more CLASS and experience working with the people on the other side of the aisle.
Posted by: tm | February 12, 2010, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
SARA: The Democrats had complete control. So whats the problem? Why couldn’t they get anything passed….HELLO! No fillibustering by republicans…they just voted NO…the Dems are the party that can’t agree. At least the Reps totally agree. LOL
Posted by: Cathy | February 12, 2010, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
No Kennedy in congress after 60 years. We can quit holding our breath and gulp in some air.
Posted by: Rick O'Shea | February 12, 2010, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
It’s time for a state to call for a constitutional convention, closed to all proposals except,
1. Require a balanced budget.
2. Two terms in the house and senate.
3. Define the second amendment, no state can ban a law abiding citizen from owning firearms.
4. Restore “regulated commerce” to it’s original meaning.
5. Require all bills passed by congress to require a statement that describes where the constitution permits the congress to pass such legislation.
Posted by: Rick O'Shea | February 12, 2010, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Too late the hero BHO.
Posted by: divinewind137 | February 12, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Know what they call 3 days without Washington being able to pass new spending bills and restrict our personal liberty? A good start.
Posted by: wantingbalance | February 12, 2010, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
The current administration and congress are ineffectual and irrelavent. Let them spend their time playing the blame game and blathering about who is doing what. I want no laws bills passed that they have come up with, so let them fillibuster, until their terms are up. That way they can stay out of my business.
Posted by: averageamerican | February 12, 2010, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
I strongly disagree with Soylent Green in US
The constitution is very clear that it will take a 2/3 majority to amend the contitution, impeach the President, expel a member, override a veto or in the case of the Senate ratify a treaty. The 67% and further the 60% rule was created by the Senate and not the framers. The framers empowered the two chambers to create certain rules under article 3 section 1.
I do agree abeit losely, that the framers wanted all members of the Senate to have their say before an issue came to vote, however, it is my opinion that the framers expected after such debate, all issues would be voted upon and either pass or fail on a simple majority.
Now both parties have abused this Senate parlimentary rule but if you are honest with yourself you must conclude that it has never been used to such a degree and more importantly as a tool to deny the majority party a straight up or down vote.
Posted by: Lou-NH | February 12, 2010, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
There was never a need (and capability0 for a party of no, when the democrats are a party of corruption and not getting anything done.
Posted by: jonny | February 12, 2010, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
obama is an idiot
Posted by: Anti liberal | February 12, 2010, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
What you are seeing with the impossibilty of getting anything done is what I see on a small scale every day in DC. The dominance of conflicting agendas, the egos of powerful, old and middle aged men, the inability to move the ball down the field in any productive manner, the sheer juvenile stubborness displayed by some of these aging dinosaurs, the high school mentality and the complete lack of will to get from red to green on the country’s PERT chart, suggests a comical level of stagnation that will only get worse until a mensch steps up and cracks heads. Don’t look for Obama to do it. In a city where it takes seven months to produce a twenty page plan on anything, why should we expect anything less on a larger stage? Sending all these people home may make us feel good but won’t solve the problem. As the Italians, say, we live, despite the government.
Its all pap and a yard wide.
Posted by: Horse Badorties | February 12, 2010, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
Obama needs to resign. He is a joke; the worst president in a lifetime. And the most dangerous.
Posted by: BertoGem | February 12, 2010, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
Let’s see, why is Obama crashing? Could be buyer’s remorse, maybe? To discover that you voted for a radical Marxist who wanted to turn this country into an Orwellian One State? To discover that the man is absolutely incompetent pompous leftist, an empty suit with a TOTUS to speak for him? And finally, to discover that he is systematically destroying, in ten months, everything our forbears have built in the past two centuries? Maybe we’re not as stupid as he thinks.
Posted by: burningtree | February 12, 2010, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
Obama supports terrorists. He wants them to have American civil rights and free legal aid and benifits. But Obama Still gives no real support for Jobs for Legal Americans. He has been in office Long enough for us to see his actions. Dump the Dems ASAP. Hillary got thrown under the bus, now it is the American people.
Posted by: BornintheUSA | February 12, 2010, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
Obama is a idiot! He was a brand sold to the American people like Pespi and Nike! He is a talking suit, nothing more than someone else’s talking dummy. His voice projects and he sounds intelligent when speaking from a teleprompter, but we he leaves goes off the prompter people cringe listening to this idiot!
Posted by: Morris Berry | February 12, 2010, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Morris Berry Said: “His voice projects and he sounds intelligent when speaking from a teleprompter, but we he leaves goes off the prompter people cringe listening to this idiot!”
=======================================
LMAO! Morris, you sound just like George Bush and Sarah Palin (both idiots). Sure takes one to know one… LOL!
Posted by: GeorgieBushie | February 13, 2010, 1:13 am 1:13 am
Obama–the only person on Earth who needs a teleprompter to talk in his sleep.
Posted by: Robb | February 13, 2010, 1:43 am 1:43 am
ALL OF THEM-OUT. DO THEY UNDERSTAND? As a voter, and employer, I am blessed that there was a BIG blizzard in D.C. Perhaps, less spending bills were passed! DECREASE TAXES AND SMALLER GOVT.! No more govt. take-over by BO, Reid, and Pelosi. VOTE THEM OUT WHEN THEY COME UP FOR ELECTION. GIVE $ TO NEW CANDIDATES!
Posted by: stevemb12 | February 13, 2010, 2:01 am 2:01 am
BTW- BO, Reid, Pelosi,ect.- don’t let the doorknob hit you on the way out! JUST LEAVE!
Posted by: stevemb12 | February 13, 2010, 2:21 am 2:21 am
its a message from G-d. Stop screwing with individual liberties, and the economy
Posted by: Tu Madre | February 13, 2010, 2:51 am 2:51 am
“The Tea Party movement (made up of responsible adults who deal with the reality of life in America daily) is demanding we replace all the children currently in Washington with responsible adults…”
______________________________________
With a spokesperson like Sarah Palin, who couldn’t even serve out the term she was elected for, you better take a second look at said “adults”. When one of your leaders has a tendency to take her ball and go home and blame everyone else for her problems I’d say it looks like more of the same. The Tea will get cold as quickly as it warmed up…..hopefully!!!!
Posted by: dk | February 13, 2010, 2:52 am 2:52 am
It’s pretty humorous to see the Obama administration desperately trying to turn over every possible stone to advance their wrong-headed agenda. First, it was tough talk and demands, then it was pleading, then it was trying to shame the GOP into action, and now it’s trying to abuse executive privilege to enact their agenda. Here’s a suggestion: Move to the center, Obama. Stop trying to reward your hacks and flacks in the unions, MoveOn, Greenpeace, ACLU, and other whacked-out leftist organizations. Your agenda is finished. Stick a fork in it.
And for those of you on the left who keep complaining about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow corporate campaign donations, you’re a bunch of HYPOCRITES. You don’t mind it when the unions give millions to your leftist candidates; but, somehow, it’s not fair to give corporations the same leverage? What’s the difference between a UNION and a CORPORATION influencing an election? It all comes down to special interests. The difference, of course, is that the Democrats want to keep protecting the union thugs, so they’re trying to neuter the right.
Here’s another suggestion: Maybe you should consider courting corporations, rather than trying to make them constantly bear the cost of your ridiculous income redistribution schemes. Try balancing America’s interests by giving equal weight to the unions AND the corporations. Losers.
Posted by: Tom | February 13, 2010, 3:31 am 3:31 am
“More “filibusters” than ever in the history of Congress.”
What ignorance. Not ONE filibuster in the last year. Not ONE!
Posted by: Daniel | February 13, 2010, 3:34 am 3:34 am
The article concluded its initial thoughts with “The prospects of actual governance emerging in this environment have rarely seemed bleaker.”
And I thought to myself, if only we had a REAL leader in the White House, instead of an inexperienced “community organizer.”
But hey, it was FAR more important for this generation of voters to “make history” by putting a black man in the White House, regardless of whether he was actually the RIGHT black man.
Obama will go DOWN in history, all right. As a FAILURE, setting BACK the progress of African-Americans, rather than moving them forward.
Oh well… just another 262 more days…
Posted by: Laughing_All_the____Way | February 13, 2010, 4:12 am 4:12 am
Since Nancy and Dems took over.
Unemployment 4.8 to 10%
Deficit 180B to 1.4 Trillion
National Debt 12T to 18T
Gov share of GDP 22 to 24%
TARP, Bailouts,
All in three years!!!
This column is pro govt.
Kick them all out.
Posted by: Ron 8200 | February 13, 2010, 8:33 am 8:33 am
Americans are so spoiled that they dont know how well they have it even in a recession. Apparently, the 90 percent that are working dont have enough work to keep them occupied, so they rant and rave, nitpic, tweet, moan and groan, about every move Obama makes with alittle pundit push. Childish to the point it has further opened the rift in Washington; Republicans are the sorest losers and candy thieves while Dems are trying to refill the candy jars back up again with empty wrappers. This exodus may lead to needing a big change in Washington. Maybe, one day we all will wake up and “Hal-9000″ will be in charge saying: “Good morning, America….sorry! I cant do that…..”
Posted by: tendergroins | February 13, 2010, 9:48 am 9:48 am
My reply Posted by: sara | Feb 12, 2010 9:12:42 AM
This is the stupidest comment ever the Republican PARTY has not had enough members to filibuster anything Scott Brown was just sworn in. May the filibustering start NOW.
How do you make the insane claim that the republican party is responsible for more filibustering in the last 13 months then any other time in US history????
Do you know anything about US history of the form of Government we have??? If you do know anything please explain to me how a Party with 40 or less votes conducts a filibuster!!!!!!!!!
The answer is they do not unless the Party in Charge allows them to!!!!!!!
YOU are and idiot and the reason why democracy is a dangerous form of Government. People who do not understand that a minority without the numbers to conduct a filibuster can not be accused of filibustering should have to take an IQ test before they VOTE.
Maybe the idea of a super majority having the ability to end all debate totally confused you but that is how the Government was run all last year.
NO republican votes where needed or required for anything this Government has done. No records for the filibuster where set!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please return to high school and take a US Government class before voting or reading news about politics.
Posted by: Jacob | February 13, 2010, 10:00 am 10:00 am
Obama speaks of the “holy quran”, has he ever called the Bible holy?
Check Obama out on YouTube for his Bible criticism and mocking!
Posted by: Ed Taylor | February 13, 2010, 11:45 am 11:45 am
Despite all the talk about Scott Brown bringing an end to the Democratic Senate supermajority, the truth is that Senate Democrats never had a filibuster-proof supermajority. They weren’t even close.
A look at Senate voting habits shows that it takes only 54 Republican Senators to reach 60 votes for conservative legislation, while it takes 72 Democratic Senators to reach 60 votes for progressive legislation. While the last sentence sounds like snark, it isn’t). Democratic Senators vote with Republicans significantly more often than Republican Senators vote with Democrats, making it much easier for Republicans to pass the kind of legislation they want.
Bottom line – Democrats are far more bi-partisan.
Posted by: secondlook | February 13, 2010, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Let me be clear….this is Bush’s fault….
Posted by: Rocco Seffredi | February 13, 2010, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Nahsty…totally nahsty….
Posted by: Rocco Seffredi | February 13, 2010, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
With a President hell-bent to shove a liberal agenda down our throats, the best thing for this country at this time is gridlock.
Posted by: Jay | February 13, 2010, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
“Jackson” asks:”Just what is the “else” that your dear Lord may do?”.
Sit tight Jackson. You are about to be amazed and witness how HE works in mysterious ways. There will be NO bills passed that may attempt against our nation, whatever those may be. Our nations domestic enemies will NOT succeed in anything they may try to accomplish. The Lord watches over our nation and continues to bless and protect it.AMEN!
Posted by: SYLQUIN | February 13, 2010, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
There is arrogance in the D’s and R’s that comes of the smug, incumbent security they find amongst special interests who coddle and feather their their nests in DC. They then apologize to their paymasters that they must ever venture outside their comfort zones and curry favor with the great unwashed constituency. They no longer even see them as their true constituency. The Incumbent Party must be freed of their corporate chains. Two or three grinding Novembers and they will change from being the Incumbent Party to being representatives of the People, or not, and then we lose either way, anyway.
Posted by: justanotheropinion123 | February 13, 2010, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
Isnt that strange? I just finished watching an old western that involved an evangelist held up in a cabin with a woman and a couple of children. Outside were the indians deciding how they were going ravage the place and occupants. The evangelist went out so brave to convince the indians that they meant no harm to the indians and started to recite passages from the bible when all of the sudden a spear found its way right throw his heart and out the back. As he dropped to his knees with a perplexed look on his face, he said; “why” then, fell over.—– Considering, the Muslims feel the same way about their god and home too,does that mean there is alittle polytheism going on or are we just fooling ourselves into believing all will be just fine as long as we keep the praises on our banners and money. I think not.
Posted by: tendergroins | February 13, 2010, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
I meant through vice throw.
Posted by: tendergroins | February 13, 2010, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
Don’t blame the Republican’s for bill’s not passing. The Democrats have had the majority to pass bill they wanted.
The Republican’s have been slapped down with every filabuters they tried. Place blame where it belongs and face reality. They couldn’t stop the health bill or anything else. It was the Democrats who didn’t want to pass it.
(Thank God)
Posted by: Wright On | February 13, 2010, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Yet the same watchdogs who blasted Obama’s Administration this time last year for not getting the highest price possible for stock warrants sold back to the banks — Is Now saying that the Government is now ranking in higher returns thanks to Obama’s actions.
Dysfunctional? I beg to differ.
Posted by: Meredith | February 13, 2010, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
A significant problem with those currently representing us on the “hill” is our lack of access to them as constituents. With the technology of today it would be easy for them to poll constituents via our email or by their websites prior to voting on any issue. Instead they accept comments via their websites then offer their somewhat lame response often well after the floor vote.
From responses received it seems that the mere fact that they have garnered enough votes to place them in the house or the senate makes them somehow think they are smarter than me. The tone of the responses suggest that I am merely uninformed, yet they are voting on something they haven’t fully read or fail to completely understand.
I am ready for citizen representation rather than those that owe the “party machine”!
I am going to ask candidates, “If elected in 2010 would you implement a means to use current technology to make constituents’ input a basis for your floor votes?”
Posted by: Ed Taylor | February 13, 2010, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
Just as well. They never did much anyway..
Posted by: LongT | February 14, 2010, 10:33 am 10:33 am
Looks like the tea party has voted in the first candidate in New York of all places. I think you dems better fact check obama and durbin in regard to fillibusting. Didnt they both praise the move in 2005? I think so! obama himself said without the fililbusting process it prevents a party in power from dictatorship. He went on to say without that ability it would create tyranny in this country. I agree with him so why are these two now not supporting this process? They are liars and hypocrites and trying to push their agenda that the american people are rejecting.
Posted by: Stanley | February 14, 2010, 11:46 am 11:46 am