Feb 10, 2010 8:15am

Relevance vs. Resurgence: GOP Matters Again — And That Cuts Both Ways

By Rick Klein Which party is happier right now that every day isn’t Election Day? (Or, at least, that any of the days in the immediate future aren’t Election Day?) No, this has nothing to do with the weather. No, you don’t need notes on your hand to figure this one out. But attention palm readers: For Republicans, the missing piece is starting to form itself. The new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows that — beyond turning on Democrats — voters are starting to turn to Republicans. And as President Obama’s latest attempt at courtship guarantees, Republicans are relevant again. Yet that actually cuts both ways for a party that’s benefited from being the one on the outside looking in. “The Republican Party has grown dramatically more competitive in public trust to handle the country’s most pressing issues, capitalizing on seething economic discontent and doubt about President Obama’s performance to challenge the Democrats in midterm election preferences,” ABC polling director Gary Langer writes. The poll shows a 48-45 GOP lead in the generic congressional ballot, and the president with a 51 percent approval rating — 46 among independents. “Democrats’ lead in trust to handle the country’s main problems has dwindled to a slim 6 points, 43-37 percent, down from 33 points — a record in a generation of polls — after Barack Obama’s election,” Langer writes. “Disapproval of Congress, at 71 percent, matches its highest since 1994, when the GOP swept to control in a midterm rout of the Democrats. Americans by a 20-point margin say they’re inclined to look around for someone new to support for Congress.” “On the big domestic issues — the economy, health care, jobs and the federal budget deficit — bare majorities of Americans disapprove of the job [Obama] is doing,” the Post’s Dan Balz and Jon Cohen report. “When compared with the early months of Obama’s presidency, the GOP’s overall gains are striking. A year ago, Democrats held a 26-point advantage on dealing with the big issues; that lead is now six points. At the one-month mark, Obama’s lead over the Republicans on dealing with the economy was 35 points; it’s now five points.” As for what this means for Republicans — there is a lot of time to go between now and November. Assuming Washington can dig itself out to get a few things done between now and then, that’s plenty of opportunities for the GOP to either cooperate or obstruct — with uncertain consequences for both paths. President Obama’s push for bipartisanship — at least so far — seems more designed to exploit and highlight the newfound GOP relevance than it does to influence individual votes. Who’s ready for counseling? “Being bipartisan cannot mean that Democrats give up everything they believe in, find the handful of things that Republicans have been advocating for, and we do those things, and then we have bipartisanship,” the president said at his news conference, per ABC’s Jake Tapper. “That’s certainly not how it works in my marriage with Michelle, although I usually do give in, most of the time.” Been here before? “The two-hour session was part of a renewed drive by the White House to create legislation by consensus, regardless of party label. Obama tried the approach after he took office, but it did not take hold,” The Washington Post’s Shailagh Murray and Paul Kane report. Glimmers, on jobs: “Democrats embraced some GOP-backed ideas, including new help for small businesses, which in the past have led the way toward recovering lost jobs,” Janet Hook and Christi Parsons report in the Los Angeles Times. “According to a draft outline of the bill circulated by Senate Democrats, the cornerstone would be a proposal to give businesses that hire unemployed workers this year an exemption from the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax. If they keep those workers more than a year, employers would get an additional $1,000 tax credit per employee.” “But GOP leaders exiting the meeting gave no sign that they are prepared to sign on to a bipartisan jobs bill, support Obama’s call for a debt commission or help jump-start health care reform,” Roll Call’s Jennifer Bendery reports. “At one point, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R., Ohio) argued that Congress’s rewriting of health care, energy and tax policy is creating uncertainty for business and stalling job creation, according to aides from both parties,” The Wall Street Journal’s Laura Meckler reports. “Mr. Obama suggested that Republicans would like to just kill those initiatives, but Mr. Boehner replied that this wasn’t the case.” From ABC’s Jake Tapper’s account of the meeting: “The president also criticized McConnell for statements he made against the bipartisan debt reduction commission, which he had voiced support for in the past. McConnell said he’d said that before the president’s ‘spending binge.’” Look who else wasn’t thrilled: “At a closed-door White House session, [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi expressed skepticism over an administration proposal to offer tax breaks to businesses that create new jobs,” Politico’s Manu Raju and Patrick O’Connor report. “The White House session with congressional leaders was supposed to be a step toward bipartisanship, with a focus on jobs. But Pelosi made it clear that there’s disagreement, even among Democrats.” Actions, not talk: “As if to punctuate that the talk of bipartisanship goes only so far, Senate Republicans subsequently voted to block Mr. Obama’s choice of Craig Becker, a labor lawyer, for the National Labor Relations Board. The move by Republicans served to increase the prospect that the White House would use a recess next week to place stalled nominees in executive branch jobs,” The New York Times’ Helene Cooper and Carl Hulse write. The optics: “The president pleaded with Republicans that ‘despite the political posturing that often paralyzes this town, there are many issues upon which we can and should agree.’ Lawmakers, by way of response, returned to Capitol Hill and resumed the posturing and the paralysis,” Dana Milbank writes in his Washington Post column. (Boston Globe headline — complete with picture of the newest senator next to the pickup truck he drove down on Sunday: “Brown’s first vote not the deciding one.”) And while we’re putting aside matters of party — this from the White House that doesn’t care about cable chatter, per ABC’s Karen Travers: “Oh I wrote a few things down,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said from the podium Tuesday, mimicking You Know Who. (And if you don’t know who, you’re reading the wrong column.) On bipartisanship, Obama “often undercuts his overtures with his own jabs at Republicans. And there’s little indication the GOP is taking his comments as anything but political,” the AP’s Chuck Babington writes. “Both sides’ stances might be summed up this way: We’re ready to cooperate right now. All you need to do is go along with what we want.” Who to blame? More from the ABC News/Post poll: “A substantial 44 percent of Americans say Obama himself is doing ‘too little’ to compromise with the Republican leaders in Congress on important issues. But while that’s hardly ideal, the GOP leaders do worse; 58 percent of Americans say they’re not trying hard enough,” Gary Langer writes. “In that spread, lies a distinct, potential political advantage for the president,” Time’s Michael Scherer writes. On the Wednesday schedule — not a whole lot. Washington is still snowed in, with federal and DC workers getting another day off, and messy roads and delayed transit systems making the week waste away, but slowly. The Hill reports: “Washington’s latest snowstorm forced the House to cancel its voting schedule for the rest of the week, while the Senate voted Tuesday but canceled Wednesday’s votes. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that votes in the Senate this week are unlikely because senators are having trouble catching flights to the Capital.” Planning afoot — on an issue Democrats aren’t sure they want still to be on their table: “Despite the blizzard gripping Washington, Democrats, Republicans and advocacy groups began intense maneuvering Tuesday in advance of the televised health care summit that President Obama has set for Feb. 25 in an attempt to bring new life to what had been his top domestic priority,” Carolyn Lochhead reports in the San Francisco Chronicle. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, asks a really good question: “Why are we going to talk about a bill that can’t pass?” Prediction time: Speaker Pelosi, confident that Democrats will “definitely” retain the House, with “much more than a simple majority”: “I am not yielding one grain of sand,” Pelosi said in an interview with Roll Call. “My responsibility is to protect and preserve my incumbents and that’s what I intend to do… I’m fighting for every seat.” (Massachusetts, Pelosi said, happened in part because of new taxes in the Senate health care bill: “That was not a positive message. … We don’t have that in our House bill, so we don’t have to defend that position.”) Presidential populism, now — or maybe later: “President Barack Obama said he doesn’t ‘begrudge’ the $17 million bonus awarded to JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon or the $9 million issued to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. CEO Lloyd Blankfein, noting that some athletes take home more pay,” Julianna Goldman and Ian Katz report for Bloomberg BusinessWeek. “The president, speaking in an interview, said in response to a question that while $17 million is ‘an extraordinary amount of money’ for Main Street, ‘there are some baseball players who are making more than that and don’t get to the World Series either, so I’m shocked by that as well.’ ‘I know both those guys; they are very savvy businessmen,” Obama said in the interview yesterday in the Oval Office. … ‘I, like most of the American people, don’t begrudge people success or wealth. That is part of the free- market system.’ ” ABC’s Jake Tapper: “As recently as just a few weeks ago, President Obama has called massive Wall Street bonuses ‘obscene,’ ‘the height of irresponsibility’ and ‘shameful,’ an ‘outrage’ and a violation ‘our fundamental values.’ ” More shots in the war on terror wars, from Dana M. Perino and Bill Burck, in National Review Online: “Someone isn’t telling the American public the truth. Either the heads of the intelligence community lied to Congress several weeks ago when they all testified, under oath, they were not consulted, or Brennan is fibbing now. We hope it’s the latter, because the former is a potentially criminal offense.” Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., wants Brennan fired: “A drastic change in policy is needed,” he says. “Our problem now is that we have to wonder whether we can trust [Brennan] after he has been a mouthpiece for the political arm that I thought only came out of the White House press office,” Bond, vice-chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, tells National Review’s Robert Costa. The New York Times editorial: “The Republican propaganda is a distraction from the real issue: that the counterterrorism system is malfunctioning more than eight years after the Sept. 11 attacks. … Congress should be helping the president fix those problems, not piling up sound bites for November and trying to bring that shameful detention system home.” Time’s Massimo Calabresi, with some helpful framing: “The debate over counterterrorism tactics has seen a shift to the right over the past year. Republicans are now criticizing Obama for policies that were embraced by Bush during his last years in office … At the same time, Obama is touting the use of Bush-era tactics he once deplored, like the use of military tribunals, detention without trial and an expansive interpretation of the state’s secrecy doctrine.” A stimulus story with legs — and punch to get things changed: “Despite all the talk of green jobs, the overwhelming majority of stimulus money spent on wind power has gone to foreign companies,” ABC’s Jonathan Karl reports. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.: “It makes people lose faith in government, and it frankly infuriates me.” Keeping the faith — Garrison Keillor, writing for Salon: “It is a large moment for Democrats, learning to stick with a good man through a rough period when the people who crave disillusionment have become disillusioned. It’s like a winter vacation in the Caribbean when it rains buckets and you eat some bad shellfish and a shrieky teenager says you’ve ruined her life forever. You smile, take a shower and organize a volleyball game. You have to work at it.” Losing his faith — former Gov. Doug Wilder, D-Va., in a Politico op-ed: “I am an admirer of Tim Kaine, whom I backed in his current position as one of my successors as Virginia governor and even recommended for the vice presidency. But a spate of recent losses in races that Democrats should have won underscores what has been obvious to me for a long time: The chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee is the wrong job for him.” RNC Chairman Michael Steele plays a card: “I don’t see stories about the internal operations of the DNC that I see about this operation. Why? Is it because Michael Steele is the chairman, or is it because a black man is chairman?” he told Washingtonian, per The Plum Line’s Greg Sargent. The Paterson comeback? Or at least until whatever was supposed to have been published already finally sees print? “A bizarre mix of speculation and innuendo involving sex and drugs has had a surprising effect on New York Gov. David Paterson’s reputation: It has made him a sympathetic figure for perhaps the first time in his troubled 22 months in office,” Politico’s Ben Smith reports. “In his response Tuesday, Paterson was clearly trying to capitalize on the same skepticism of the press, and revulsion at its intrusion into private life, that helped revive Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in February 2008, when the Times, after weeks of similar speculation, reported on McCain’s relationship with a female lobbyist. That story was met with a storm of criticism.” Paterson, D-N.Y., on Tuesday, per ABC’s David Chalian: “The only way I’m not going to be governor next year is at the ballot box, and the only way that I will be leaving the office before is in a box.” Something new to drop? WPIX reports: “PIX News has learned that federal prosecutors are investigating Governor David Paterson’s awarding of a lucrative contract to a politically connected group to run a gaming center at Aqueduct Raceway. The embattled Governor who appears to have dodged the bullet of rumors and innuendo that had been circulating over a purported ‘bombshell’ story being prepared by the New York Times, is now part of a probe by the Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s office in Brooklyn.” House retirement coming Wednesday — a tea party casualty? “Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI 03) will announce his retirement at a 10 a.m. presser,” Tim Sahd and Reid Wilson write for Hotline On Call. “The 2/10 announcement will come a day after state Rep. Justin Amash (R) announced a primary challenge to Ehlers. … Ehlers will be the 17th House GOPer to announce plans not to run for re-election, compared to 11 Dems who have done the same.” The Kicker: “And then I wrote down ‘hope and change,’ just in case I forgot.” — White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, doing his best Sarah Palin. “McConnell and Reid are out doing snow angels on the South Lawn together.” — President Obama, with a proposition we can all get behind. For up-to-the-minute political updates check out The Note’s blog . . . all day every day:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/

User Comments

Most of the “trust” that Republicans have built up is a product of their being out of power for a few years. Americans naturally begin to despise the party in power, so the GOP benefits. But they need to stop obstructing and start governing if they want to build on this for 2012.

Posted by: matt | February 10, 2010, 8:58 am 8:58 am

when the gop gets back, they need to remember the middle class, not big business. cut farm subsidies(why pay them not to grow, or to store food till they get a better price?) some investigative reporter needs to expose ADM. the whole corn for fuel thing is a crime. Go after RX company´s ,curbs on wall street. pork, earmarks. wish we could clone the founding fathers, we have not had honest politicians in years

Posted by: madmax | February 10, 2010, 9:37 am 9:37 am

About the WaPoMickey Poll… It appears people would rather be (ahem) ‘done’ by the GOP than (ahem) ‘etc’ around by the dems in a Hitler made the trains run on time kinda way.

Posted by: kravitz | February 10, 2010, 10:10 am 10:10 am

Posted by: M. Summer | February 10, 2010, 10:12 am 10:12 am

Look you wouldn’t believe this, but I have read about every Sarah Palin story about this palm thing and they pretty much say the same thing. But you wouldn’t believe this article and I thought FOX was bad

Posted by: republicanblack | February 10, 2010, 10:22 am 10:22 am

So for Obama it’s “no millionaire left behind”, now? Somebody, ANYBODY get these people out of office. D or R, we need new blood, NEW ideas that work for the American people, and not big bankers or Wall St. Fire the incumbents while you still have whatever is left…
Otherwise they WILL take it ALL!!!

Posted by: jafo | February 10, 2010, 10:37 am 10:37 am

The Republicans better not get TOO cocky because we are going to be watching them just as closely as we watch the Dems. Incumbents are probably going to be voted OUT, no matter WHO they are. We have had corruption for 10 years now and America is TIRED of it!!! posted by M Summer
———————-
None of them had better get too cocky. If I don’t see some serious bi-partisanship coming out of the White House and the Senate and the HOR, I’m going to be extremely ticked! And corruption in Washington has been around for far longer than 10 years.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 10:43 am 10:43 am

When will you people learn. The next republican president will do the same thing the last republican presidents have done.
1) Tax breaks for the rich while the lower and middle class working man that keeps this country moving will get taxed
2) The deficit will sore as it has with every republican president since Ronnie. (check your facts – repub presidents hold the record for creating the highest deficits.
3)Religion will raise its ugly head and things like stemcell research, education, and free thinking, and of course anything to do with gays will all get overturned and we’ll be right back in the 20th century.
4) They will continue to praise Georgie Bushie and will blame any problems on Obama.
5) He’ll be a christian president and most likely start another war.

Posted by: Jackson | February 10, 2010, 10:47 am 10:47 am

So when will GOP Sen Shelby (AL) be labelled a Terrorist for holding the Federal Govt ranson in exchange for earmark pork ransom?

Posted by: New Wave | February 10, 2010, 10:52 am 10:52 am

So when will GOP Sen Shelby (AL) be labelled a Terrorist for holding the Federal Govt ranson in exchange for earmark pork ransom? posted by New Wave
—————–
How about the same time the Democratic Senators who had to be bribed to support health insurance reform are?
Or all other senators or HOR members of any party who have withheld votes or blocked action to win some sweet heart deal are.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 11:03 am 11:03 am

So the American public has an attention span that’s less than a 5-year old. They trust the Republicans now only a year after they destroyed the country. Australia anyone?

Posted by: Simon | February 10, 2010, 11:05 am 11:05 am

Look who else wasn’t thrilled: “At a closed-door White House session, [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi expressed skepticism over an administration proposal to offer tax breaks to businesses that create new jobs,”
*************Obama wants to blame the GOP for not getting things done, but he can’t even get Pelosi on board.
********
“On bipartisanship, Obama “often undercuts his overtures with his own jabs at Republicans.”
**********
Obama and Gibbs need to stop the childish attacking of individuals, and begin acting professional.
**********
The New York Times reports: Congress should be helping the president fix those problems, not piling up sound bites for November and trying to bring that shameful detention system home.”
******
Did they ever advise a Democratic Congress to help Bush when he was President? Nope, they just bashed.

Posted by: wheresmymoney | February 10, 2010, 11:05 am 11:05 am

So the American public has an attention span that’s less than a 5-year old. They trust the Republicans now only a year after they destroyed the country. Australia anyone? posted by Simon
———————
No thanks, I love the USA too much to live anywhere else. But if you wish, bon voyage.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 11:09 am 11:09 am

malcat: I have not heard that a DEM senator placed holds on appointees (including those crucial for our national security) during the last health care process.
Have you? Please enlighten us.

Posted by: New Wave | February 10, 2010, 11:16 am 11:16 am

malcat: I have not heard that a DEM senator placed holds on appointees (including those crucial for our national security) during the last health care process.
Have you? Please enlighten us.
posted by New Wave
———————————
Not that I can recall. But you do remember a certain 2 Democratic senators that had to be bribed by their own party to vote YES? Hint: Medicaid feebies.
And you do realize that congressional members of both parties have placed holds on appointees in the past..don’t you?
Or is your attention span and memory worse than a 5-year old?
The point is: all members of Congress have held up votes and actions to win pork and appropriations and other sweetheart deals at one time or another.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 11:21 am 11:21 am

The dems could have passed anything, ANYTHING they wanted the past year and they did not. Why? Because they even new they where screwing the American people and wanted to Republicans to take some blame for their (dems)stupidity. Now’ president Pelosi is telling her puppet Obama to bend over a little. Cannot wait to see her kicked out of office and on her lieing face.

Posted by: Jim Rod | February 10, 2010, 11:22 am 11:22 am

Both parties need to help rebuild our country by working together with our President. If they don’t do that then our future generations will be surely be in dumps. I urge every American who is reading this to call your congressperson and senator to stop their bickering and start working to rebuild our nation or you will personally make sure that they are not reelected not even as the local dog catcher. If you want our nation to be rebuilt then all of us have an obligation to step up and be accountable as well as our political leaders. Our future generations needs us to act now.

Posted by: cony647 | February 10, 2010, 11:35 am 11:35 am

Posted by: New Wave | February 10, 2010, 11:42 am 11:42 am

our stimulas bill probably has created more jobs in china than in the u.s. had the main stream media done its job during the election the masses would have known what the true intentions of obama were.i am an independent who probably votes dem more than pug but revrend wright caused me to relly examine what kind of character mr obama really had. nice guy and a great speaker i concluded. however i figured out early on the disdain held by pelosi and obama for america as we have known it for over 200 years and the desire to radically change what has made us so successful.

Posted by: catman | February 10, 2010, 11:48 am 11:48 am

catman you may be right. My cousin works for Sprint and he is headed to India to train people to trouble shoot the network. His job and he is not sure whats here for him in one year when he gets back. Yes’ you are right!! Theay are going oevrseas and this administartion is allowing it to continue even after the state of the union address Obama said it needs to stop.

Posted by: Jim Rod | February 10, 2010, 11:51 am 11:51 am

new wave…get over it and its a good thing holds were placed. many nominees are far to radical and anti business ( pro union)to accomplish anything.

Posted by: catman | February 10, 2010, 11:57 am 11:57 am

jackson…i guess the new neo cons are anyone who has a job.i ve lost a job before and the last place i would look for help is big brother.

Posted by: catman | February 10, 2010, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

17 Congressional R retiring vs 10 Ds and yet all the media fixates on are the D retirements. Interesting.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

malcat: Thanks for admitting that both DEM and GOP members of congress push to earmarks. The storyline from the right has been that the DEM are the only ones that spend and spend.
Yesterday, Washington Times exposed GOP Senate and House members who, while criticizing the stimulus bill, wrote letters asking to the same funds for their districts.
——————–
You’re quite welcome, New Wave. I may be a registered Republican and rather conservative, but I’m not blind to the faults of either party…nor am I blind to the good qualities of either party.
Let’s face it: members of both parties in Congress have their greedy little hands out for federal funding. Wanting to ensure their states/districts get a fair share of federal funding is part of being a member of Congress.
Demanding more than a fair share and/or trying to hide those outrageous demands is a very bad thing.
Ensuring that federal tax dollars are spent wisely and effectively is a good thing. Spending like a drunken sailor just to win votes/elections is a very bad thing. The problem with that is differences in opinion as to what is the right way vs the wrong way to spend. There’s where fair, sincere bi-partisanship comes into play. I don’t think members of Congress nor the President know how to play fair right now.
I just get fed up with posts like yours that point the finger at the other party without admitting that their preferred brand of politicians are just as guilty.
All American citizens need to hold both parties accountable.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

jim rod…sadly i think i am right about the jobs going overseas. most people dont realize we hold the ultimate trump card with china….the ability to default on our debt. who gets hurt when you owe more than your worth…not the borrower.

Posted by: catman | February 10, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

I’ve lost a job in the past also. And I never expected the gov’t to help me. I’ve always helped myslef. I’ve always managed to take care of my own problems.

Posted by: Jackson | February 10, 2010, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

so you refused unemployment benefits from “Big Brother”?

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

jackson…very cool. why cant others? my brother and sister were laid off and have milked unemploymnet for a year unwilling to accept lower paying jobs. i feel for them but they need to work to have self worth and start somewhere.

Posted by: catman | February 10, 2010, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

so your self worth is measured by your employment? that is truly sad.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

malcat: I am usually blown away by the level of hypocrisy from the GOP on every major issue.
I prefer term-limits as we are ALL bogged down my professional politicians and liars in both parties. I wonder why the MSM does not report that a lie is a lie. What we hear is that someone ‘mispoke’.

Posted by: New Wave | February 10, 2010, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

Independent voters are a big threat to this country for their stupidness. It was the Republican party that got us in this mess and all you stupid independent voters want to turn this country back in the hand of the party that brought this country to it knees over the last eight years and you stupid independent voters think after a year later this country should have recoverd. I bet these are the same stupid independent voters that gave us Bush twice.

Posted by: gr | February 10, 2010, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

so you refused unemployment benefits from “Big Brother”? – Absolutely! I happen to take responsibility for myself. I saved for that drizzly “rainy day”. But I will admit, I was able to get another job before I was completely broke. I would have then turned to family, although I’m afraid there would have been little support and I knew the lousy church would not be able to help.

Posted by: Jackson | February 10, 2010, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

you do understand that you are paying into your state unemployment fund whether you collect the money or not. You can also refuse Medicare, SS, the roads you are driving on and the money poured into our military. See nihilism is fun isn’t it.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm

I prefer term-limits as we are ALL bogged down my professional politicians and liars in both parties. I wonder why the MSM does not report that a lie is a lie. What we hear is that someone ‘mispoke’.
————————
New Wave, I find a lot of hypocrisy coming from both parties. And it disgusts me no matter what party does it. I mean really:
EXAMPLE: Democrats keep screeching that Republicans are bought and paid for by big business, special interests and the rich. But when you take a look at who is contributing to them…wealthy people, corporations, special interests and unions.
EXAMPLE: Republicans keep screeching that Democrats want to waste money. But when you look at some of the stuff they want to fund..stupid, stupid stuff.
As for ‘mispoke’, c*r*a*p…the ‘mispoker’ either is guilty of stupidity or lying.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm

Dems could have passed anything if they had been @$$e$ and done it with disregard for the GOP. Instead they offered the olive branch more times in one year than the 6 years the GOP had a congressional majority.
Shame playing considerately is going to bite them on the butt.

Posted by: DewyB | February 10, 2010, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

ira…unprodutive people generally lack self worth. what ever one does to be a productive member of any society is up to them and money does not define productivity.

Posted by: catman | February 10, 2010, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

malcat if Rs are not tilted towards the rich then why do they constantly insist on tax cuts that are heavily weighted towards the top 1% and they screach whenever it is suggested that tax rates for those making over $250,000 not be returned to where they were in 1994? They also insist on a zero cap gains rate even though few investors except for maybe hedge funds have any gains?
———
Ira, I didn’t say Republicans weren’t tilted towards the rich. I did say that the Democrats have wealthy supporters also.
I do know a few people who do earn some capital gains; they aren’t wealthy either..just wise investors.
I don’t agree with all Republican tax views. I do believe that we are becoming a society that considers being wealthy is some sort of crime. And I think that is WRONG!
Being wealthy is not bad; how one lives and interacts and helps others is what defines a person…rich or poor.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

gr…obviously independent voters do not subcribe to your views.this is the best country in the world and has been for over two hundred years. independents do not like to see it bashed and torn down by its own citizens and namely democrats. we wanted change( any one but bush) we didnt not want capitalism destroyed. doesnt mean republicans are better but anything is better than what we have now.

Posted by: catman | February 10, 2010, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm

absolutely there are wealthy Ds, like Buffett, Jobs, Diamond, Kennedy,Gates etc. no question about that. But it is precisely these wealthy folks and the Ds who feel that they should be paying a fair progressive tax while the Larry Kudlows of the world whine and complain that are paying too much in taxes and insist on zero in cap gains taxes and insanely believe that tax cuts are the ONLY economic plan that matters. So if anything Ds should be complimented for doing the right thing even if it is not in their wealthy contributor’s financial interest. Even more impt is that in 2001 Rs insisted on tax cuts which were tilted towards the top 1% and then announced they had absolutely no plans for offfsets so as not to add a trillion to the deficit. Today it is those same R hypocrits who now whine about the size of the deficit. They somehow believe that tax cuts are free money. Its time they man up when they insist on tax cuts and tell us precisely how they intend to pay for them w/o adding to the deficit.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

With public opposition against the “fairness doctrine” (which is an oxymoron) the Obama FCC is poised to force the most comprehensive requirements ever on the broadcast industry.
The question is will the congress permit it and will the broadcast media remain silent on it just because it loves Obama?

Posted by: Ed Taylor | February 10, 2010, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

ed we have heard that Limbaugh/faux news canard for 20 years. Aint going to happen regardless of your party’s paranoid rants.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

For Obama it’s damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
If you regulate compensation for companies receiving subsidies, it’s big government.
If private companies send jobs over seas, he’s allowing it, but I bet if he voted to heavily tax those companies and redistribute the wealth to subsidize health care he’d be a socialist. Oh wait, 63% of republicans already believe he is a socialist who just want to take over 1/6th of the economy, and republicans want us to give health care consolidation a try. Let small businesses group together to provide health insurance, like large companies. Wrong move. Consolidation is not free market. Free choice is free market, and government regulation is necessary.

Posted by: RealNewDeal | February 10, 2010, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

Today it is those same R hypocrits who now whine about the size of the deficit. They somehow believe that tax cuts are free money. Its time they man up when they insist on tax cuts and tell us precisely how they intend to pay for them w/o adding to the deficit.
—————-
Ira, it’s amazing. You can name so many wealthy Democrats who have hearts of gold; but not one Republican.
You assume that all Republicans are cold-blooded, greedy and selfish. You assume that all Republicans voted and/or approve of tax cuts for the wealthy while ripping off the middle- and lower-income folks. You believe that all Republicans think tax cuts are ‘free money’. You appear to be incapable of understanding that Republicans are not all the same.
Do you have any problem at all that Democrats believe that JUST because someone is wealthy, they should have to pay a higher percentage in income taxes? If a person makes $35K and another makes $350K, an equal tax rate of 20% means the wealther person pays more; a lot more ($7000 vs $70000…right? But Democrats think the wealthy should pay a higher rate; that they must be penalized for being wealthy.
To me, that’s not fair, and I make $35K a year. I don’t think my being poorer qualifies me for special treatment when it comes to paying my fair share of income tax. That’s the big difference between most Republican Americans and most Democratic Americans.
I want the Democrats to ‘man-up’ and explain how they are going to pay for all the tax credits and tax breaks and special this and special that without adding to the deficit.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm

it is called the Progressive tax rate; in existence for over 100 years. Actually many truly wealthy have so many deducttions that their effective tax rate is lower than your’s (Buffett’s own words) How is that fair to you? There are millions of working poor who pay tons in sales taxes and work 3 jobs’ they are the one’s I feel for.
Unfortunately if you are a R with a big heart like you, your party leadership doesn’t speak for you.
the rank in file R is not cold blooded or greedy. Just their Congressional reps who oppose progressive taxes, don’t care if banks pay their full bailout, don’t care if you can’t pay your HC premiums and are blocking a consumer protection agency’s creation to stop CC companies from ripping you off. They also would like to defund health and safety inspectors(socialists of course), should I go on. As Reagan used to say you didn’t leave the R party the party has left you.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

Ira, just because something is old…doesn’t mean it’s right. The progressive tax rate…to me…is not fair. I’m a woman; look how long it took to get women the right to vote in this country. By your standards, I shouldn’t be voting.
Now deductions are another matter; some are good deductions and should stay, many need to be eliminated. Many wealthy people quietly donate millions to charities and even individuals that we never hear about. Do you want to kill that golden goose? I don’t; I appreciate it when wealthy people help those in need. I once worked for a charity; I remember seeing those checks with all the zeroes that came in with no fan-fare, no photo-ops.
Since I’m not wealthy, I would like to see some deductions replaced that were removed. But not right now…the nation needs every penny it can get its hands on.
As for whether the party left me or I left it: I’m a registered Republican because I vote Republican more than Democrat. My husband is the opposite. I don’t owe loyalty to a party. I don’t care about the ‘party’ being loyal to me. I expect the person I vote for to represent me, the jurisdiction they serve, and the nation as a whole………in reverse order.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm

Matt – at least you admit that the Dems have been the ones in power the past few years. A lot of people don’t seem to know the Dems were in power of the congress even under Bush.

Posted by: tm | February 10, 2010, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

sorry we just disagree I feel that those who have more should share more and what in the world would that have to do with your right to vote. The so called flat tax would likely be at 25%. For millions who pay at the 15% rate they would get a 50% tax increase while Buffet and Koby Bryant would get a 50% tax cut; just don’t see the logic in that. No one want to pay taxes, no one, but it is how we pay for our roads briges, military, national security, etc. There is no perfect system. By the way many earning less than $30,000 with kids pay 0 in federal taxes. There is no free lunch regardless of what GOP leadership tells you. Anyone wanting tax cuts needs to tell us how to offset the loss of revenue.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm

the Ds were in power under Bush and actually crossed over to vote for some of his legislation unlike this current crowd of Rs who say no to everything even legilsation they co sponsored.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

Obama doesn’t understand when he creates more deficit it affects the job market. The deficit makes it harder for small businesses trying to borrow money to create jobs and consumers seeking credit to buy cars and homes. When the fed. stops printing money and we have to borrow MORE money it will send interest rates up and growth down and cause inflation.We don’t need any more stimulus packages!! Quit spending!!

Posted by: TXAR.55 | February 10, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

actually there were small business tax credits included in their plan. I prefer giving tax cuts to those who need them the most the middle class. PayGo means we pay for tax cuts somethin the GOP is tring to filibuster. Koby Bryant or you? Who deserves a tax cut more? And yes most conservatives constantly complain about paying taxes. Your anaology about your right to vote makes zero sense.You don’t like Progressive taxes you agree that the flat tx is regressive don’t see your point.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm

Bull, where did this poll come from??? ABC personnel???

Posted by: watchinbo | February 10, 2010, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

I am a Tx D. Exactly what should we stop spending on? Medicare, SS, the miltary or should we have just left all the banks to fail so we could all live out of shopping carts under 610? That makes up around 70% of our budget and foreign aid less than 1%
——–
None of those. Though I sure hated to give the banks all that dough considering how they acted afterwards!
The federal government wastes a lot of money through poor planning, poor management. Silliness such as grants to study the sex life of the earth worm. Way too much earmarks for non-vital projects to win votes for the Senator/Representative with the hand stuck out.
President Obama is moving too fast; wanting to get it all done NOW. Sure we need an improved power grid; and high-speed trains would be nice. Trouble is, the US does not have the money for that.
I mean, I would love to have a new computer; mine is 4 years old and doesn’t have all the bells and whistles a geek like me wants. And some of that new stuff would help me be a little more efficient sure. But I can do what I need, and most of what I want, with this one for now. Maybe next year or the next. Right now, I need to pay the mortgage, insurance premiums, put food on the table and keep the lights on.
We as a nation have grown addicted to instant gratification. And the addiction is draining the checking account. It’s just President Obama’s tough luck he decided to be POTUS right now. But the checking account is still too low.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm

get it all done NOW??
you understand that Truman started HC discussions 70 years ago, is that too fast for you? I am not interested in waiting another 70 years like you and the GOP insist on.
So you point out a study of a couple of million dollars you don’t like in a 2 trillion dollar economy. Big Deal, who cares. You want cuts go where the money is and tell us you are willing to slow the growth of the military.right you won’t go there b/c that is around a $500 billion $ item. Billions, not a few million.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm

Posted by: New Wave | February 10, 2010, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm

new wave I am in Texas and listen to the Perry blowhart tell us about our low taxes. Our property taxes are twice as high as Ca, and our schools near the bottom. We brag about being a low tax state but b/w our property taxes and sales tax we are right up there. Its all a shell game, Some states pay income taxes, auto taxes etc what difference does it make what we call the tax?

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm

Ira, I didn’t mention health care in my comments about getting everything done now. Did I?
I want health insurance reform; I believe it is necessary and the right thing to do. I would rather spend tax dollars on that than a lot of other things including…especially war.
The ‘examples’ of government waste was just that…an example. Do you expect me to list every possible idiocy our government has wasted money on? Sorry, ain’t gonna happen; I don’t have the time. But you would be amazed how much that ‘couple of millions’ you toss out so casually can add up to serious dollars.
And back to war. Do not presume to think you know me. I’m former military myself and I would say 75-85% of my male relatives have served in one branch or the other since WWI. I was the first woman to join; I now have 5 female relatives along with 10 male relatives serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Germany. There are another 15 stationed somewhere in the US. We keep charts on the wall to keep up with who is where; and we worry and pray every second they are in harm’s way.
I would love for the US to get out of Iraq NOW. President Obama said he was going to bring that madness to an end and he darn well better keep that promise. I would love for all wars to cease and the world would all join in one giant hug. But that’s not going to happen either. Strong, well-trained, well-equipped Armed Forces are absolutely essential to ensure folks like you and I can safely debate issues.
Now I will gladly debate with you, but don’t assume you know me and can lump me in with some pre-conceived idea of the evil Republican.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm

I see Charlie Wilson has passed away. With all respect if I was dem congress person or senator I would start wondering whats up?? The dems are dropping like flies.

Posted by: Jim Rod | February 10, 2010, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm

For so much talk about TX being a conservative state with low taxes.
Here in TX, we have among the highest number of toll roads in the world. In some places it costs $1 for every 4 miles. Add this to the sales tax. So much about being a conservative state.
—————–
Wow, New Wave, glad I don’t have to drive in Texas. I was so glad when KY took toll booths off our Bluegrass Parkway. Cost me $2 a day to get to work; and I griped about that!

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm

no one wants to cut the military and I am not asking for that but in reality SS, Medicare, and the military make up the largest part of our budget. We can debate around the edges about a pet project we do t like and if we agreed with cutting 100% of them we might come up with 500 million, so what that is not what the deficit is about, its about significant revenue like the trillion dollar unpaid tac cut.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

Ira, that’s why no tax cuts to individuals right now unless we are ready to seriously cut expenses. We have to give businesses a break because we need the jobs. Us individuals are going to have to suck it up.
I would like to see the federal government itself tighten up. Starting with no auto-raises for Congress. Heck, they need to take a paycut back a few years’ worth.
Close that free medical clinic they have…emergency services only.
Put a few aides on layoff; the rest get paycuts; let them feel some of the pain normal citizens feel.
I know that won’t close the gaps…not saying that. But I want Congress, the President and high-paid federal employees to suffer along with the rest of us. Maybe then we will see some cooperation and bi-partisanship.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm

you want business tax cuts. Then call your local R Congressman and ask why they are blocking that very proposal. Enough politics already everything is about one thing and one thing only. Getting a politcal advantage fr the next election. Give me one good reason why Rs threaten to filibuster this bill:
“The Senate bill is likely to expand the tax-credit bond program, which was created by last year’s economic stimulus legislation, so that municipalities could use them for school construction and clean-energy projects, according to a draft version of the bill that was circulating Tuesday.
“The bill is also expected to include a one-year extension of expired tax breaks for businesses, including the research tax credit, tax breaks for the film industry and the active financing exception for firms’ overseas profits, according to the draft.
Senators are also folding in provisions to partly offset the bill’s cost. Those include closing a loophole that could allow pulp and paper firms to claim a tax credit for cellulosic ethanol, anti-tax-evasion measures targeting offshore accounts, and a measure to allow some firms to delay payments to defined-benefit pension plans.”

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

Ira,
A draft version is just that. It’s not even ready for a vote. It was just circulated YESTERDAY. Why would I encourage any member of Congress to vote for something written in ‘pencil’?
I would not want my Senator or Representative to vote for anything til it’s in its final form. Would you sign a blank form for… say a mortgage? Wouldn’t you want all ‘Is’ dotted and ‘Ts’ crossed before you committed yourself to an unknown amount of debt?
This is what so many Americans (Republicans, Independents, and even Democrats) are frustrated with. Democrats want Republicans to rubber-stamp their ‘blank’ forms.
Just from reading what you included, I see a lot of lost tax income that the nation needs. And I am especially concerned about the ‘to delay payments to defined-benefit pension plans’ part. Not sure what plans are included in that, but I believe pension plans are a promise given to an employee that should be kept.
If employees got full value of pensions, there would be less people needing welfare and Medicaid when they retire.
But you are definitely right about one thing. It IS all about the next election. And President Obama and the Democrats are very worried about the next round coming up just as much as any Republican.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

humorous you would make my comment all about how you dislike Ds. Once again the R Senate has threatened to filibuster EVERY single bill since Obama has been elected. And you wonder why Ds are mad as heck. Can’t imagine what your side would be saying had the D Congress tried that with Bush. Oh yes I can imagine. It was called the nuclear option, Up or Down vote we heard ad nausea.
And I wouldn’t bother your R Congressman to bother reading the bill.He/She is not interested b/c it has a D name by it. Bohner has provided them with his version of the rubber stamp that reads filibuster EVERYTHING.
By the way you wanted business tax cuts you got it. Unfortunately I will guarantee you that your R Congressman will once again just say no.
Pensions. Apparently you are unaware that most pensions are going away.
You might read Michelle Bachman’s comments where she urges ending Medicare and SS. Rs oppose both and prefer you rely on your neigbor’s bake sales to pay your medical bills and groceries.
But please don’t bother telling me how bad Ds are. Its getting truly old and a little tiresome. Stick with your Rs they really care about folks like you.
By the way how do you feel about Sen Shelby putting a hold on 68 appointments til he gets his Alabama pork. That certainly has nothing to do with R poloitics.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

Ira, you’re projecting…as in you hate Republicans so you think I (a Republican) must hate Democrats. You’re wrong. I do not base my vote on party; neither do I decide what is right or wrong about a bill based on party.
When I respond to a post…I respond to THE post. You posted about a draft bill just released into circulation yesterday.
I haven’t seen it. And since I know nothing about IT, I will not encourage any congressional member to vote for it. I prefer to be educated before I decide.
I don’t want Republicans rubber-stamping anything; neither do I want Democrats to do that. I want them to be educated about what they vote on. It’s not about party with me…it’s about what is right. And you can’t decide what is right unless you know what ‘it’ is.
You are prejudiced and biased based on party…I am not. Your remarks that you know what I think or will do prove your prejudice. You don’t know me….I’ve stated more than once in my posts to you that I am not party-loyal, but you refuse to believe me.
If you would actually read my posts to understand what I am saying, you would see that you and I agree on many points.
As for pensions, yes I know they are not being offered as much and will soon cease…mine already has. BUT, if a pension was offered at the time a person is hired or was instituted during a person’s employment…that is a promise that should be kept. Notice..I said should…many companies just renege.
Republicans do NOT want to abolish Medicare of Social Security. What is proposed (which I oppose) is allowing younger people to make a CHOICE to stay in traditional plans or switch to alternate forms—their decision. I personally think such a decision would be foolish in the extreme.
Again, I do not support a Republican proposal…again…I don’t support all Republican plans. Neither do I oppose all Democratic plans.
That seems to be where you and I differ; I made decisions based on information and what is best for the nation instead of blinding following the party-line.
As for Senator Shelby….I think he was wrong..but other members of Congress have done the same thing (not for such a large number at one time) but he is breaking no law…Congress makes the rules, don’t blame someone when they use the rules to their advantage. Why don’t you demand your Democrats to change the rule?
By the way: how do you feel about the TWO Democratic senators who had to be bribed with free Medicaid coverage to vote with their own party?

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm

Actually Ms. Bachman proposed to do end Medicaree and SS and claims she will protect it for those over 55 only. So nice of her. Rep Hanserling wants privatized accounts. That certainly would have been an intelligent move at DOW 6500 in ’08. We could have had an additional bailout.
Curious where you came up with the word hate. Don’t hate anyone. Never have never will. Disrespect phony R arguments that is another matter. Like railing against the stimulus then showing up at ribbon cutting ceremonies and with enormous cardboard checks proclaiming what the R delivered to his consituents. Or whining about the deficits(not you) and then passing unpaid trillion dollar tax cuts, 2 wars and an $800 billion dollar Medicare Part D bill, hold the vote open ten hours and then have zero plans how to pay for it. Or folks like Sen Gregg insisting on a bipartisan deficit reduction commission, penning your name to it as a co sponsor and then voting against it. Or having a minority leader who urges his troops to march in lockstep to oppose every D bill whether its read aloud, posted on the internet, or given moths of delays by the opposition to read. Hate no. Disrespect. Absolutely. No one expects Rs to vote for anything regardless of how presented. We get it obstructionism is more impt then governance.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

Ira, Republican members of Congress have made proposals to different bills. They have tried to work with the majority. I know you do not believe that…because you are blind to the faults of Democrats and blind to anything worthy of the Republicans.
It is apparent by how you respond to me that you are incapable of understanding what I’m saying because of that prejudice. I discuss the good and bad of both parties; you respond with exaggerated criticism against the Republicans.
You have actually fallen hook-line-and-sinker for all the lies and rumors the Democrats and main-stream media have fed you. That’s a shame…because you are not alone. People like you on both the left AND the right will distroy this wonderful nation.
I hope one day those blinders fall off and you can see that politics and political parties are not black and white…no person or group are always right or always wrong.
I love to debate; I hate to argue. Good night, my fellow American. God bless..be safe.

Posted by: malcat | February 10, 2010, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm

breaking no law. how lame. is that the best you got?
and actually Louisiana has a real Medicaid problem b/c of its charity hospital systems so the extra money to her state was reasonable; the money to Nebraska not so and I condemn it period. A bribe, give me a break. What Shelby is doing is obscene(what McCain tells us disgusts him) and it infuriates me that neither you nor Sen McCain will come right out and condemn it. Certainly had the shoes been reversed we certainly would have heard the outrage and indignation b/c frankly Rs are great with their outrage and holier then thous. You are a partisan so anything no matter how outrageous gets a pass from you, but this discussion is as much a waste of my time as POTUS Obama trying to reason with Mitch McConnell.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

Rs have been reasonable about HC, right in what parallel universe. That is why Bohner constantly says scrap it, take our version that we would vote against anyway and drag out the debate until Nov 1. Please don’t insult me with off handed remarks that I buy into what the media tells me. Exactly what media is that? What that suggests is that I don’t do my homework like reading the Congressional Quarterly and the Wallstreet Journal regularly. For kicks I also watch Fox News every day to get their partisan drivel as well as 10 major newspapers. You don’t know a thing about me so please don’t come to a public forum and throw out useless insults.

Posted by: Ira | February 10, 2010, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm

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