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Subscribe to RSSThe New York Times looks at the GOP playbook on SCOTUS nominee Elena Kagan. “After weeks of lying low, Republicans on Wednesday began stepping up their attacks on Elena Kagan, and are laying the groundwork to oppose her confirmation to the Supreme Court by casting her as a partisan Democrat who has spent more time practicing politics than law.”
"Outside groups with a stake in who sits on the Supreme Court are hoping that Senate confirmation hearings of Elena Kagan will energize their supporters and capture the attention of a public focused on other matters," Roll Call writes. "So far, the lead-up to the Senate deliberations, scheduled to begin next week, has been a bit of a snooze, overshadowed by headline-grabbing events such as the BP oil spill and dogged by the perception that Republicans don’t have the votes to block Kagan’s confirmation. But leaders of conservative groups who oppose Kagan, in particular, say that both the Judiciary Committee hearings and full Senate debate have the potential to be a wake-up call by highlighting damaging information that could sink her confirmation."
Roll Call's lead story is on Joe Barton: "Apologizing is en vogue in Washington, D.C., these days. But whether it’s a widely respected military leader or a conservative GOP lawmaker under fire over controversial statements, 'I’m sorry' doesn’t always work out in the end."
The New York Times editorial: "House Republicans had their chance to do the right thing and remove Joe Barton as the ranking Republican on the energy committee. Instead, they applauded him. After Mr. Barton tried apologizing again before his party’s private caucus, John Boehner, the Republican leader, said 'the issue is closed.' Mr. Boehner showed his clear loyalties -- protecting party hacks and the oil industry -- when he decided that Mr. Barton should keep his central role in the Republican Party’s energy policy. Mr. Boehner cited Mr. Barton’s 'poor choice of words,' as if it were an oratorical gaffe and not a glimpse at deeper outrage that government dared to call Big Oil to account."
"If gaffes were a legitimate reason to resign, Vice President Joe Biden would already be out of office, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor said Thursday," The Hill reports. Eric Cantor: "If the standard for resignation was a YouTube moment or an inappropriate statement, wouldn't you think the vice president would be handing in his letters twice a week?" (It all depends on your definition of "gaffe," we suppose; what Barton said was in his prepared remarks.)
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Wow, really? The GOBP is preparing to be obstructionist and block hearings or look to prevent yet another Obama appointment from being reviewed and confirmed. Who would have thought it?
As for Barton staying on as ranking member of the Energy committee, I would just like to thank Minority Leader Boner for allowing the apology for rescinding his apology for making an apology that was sorry to stand and granting us the ability to continue to drive home the point that the GOBP does not give to nits about regular Americans unless you can line their pockets.
Yeah. Shocker, huh?
Geez what a surprise that the repugnant ones are going to oppose Elena Kagan's confirmation, seems the only ones who are surprsied is the media. Ofcourse the Greasy Obstructonist Perverts are going to continue their whining against anyone who dares to speak against them. Talking about playing politics the dopes of nope sure don't whine about their 4 radical subversive conservative supreme court jesters who legislate from the bench playing petty partisan politics for the repugnant ones.
The Greasy Oily Bitching Politicians have confirmed that they are the party bought and paid for by big dirty oil as they stuck up for Jerky Joe Barton and his misconstrued misconstruction of a fake apology. That's okay as now we Democrats can paint them as the party who sticks up for BP OPil instead of the people harmed along the Gulf red states. If Crybaby Boehner thinks that Black Bart Barton's apology to BP Oil is over then he better think again, we Democrats are going to hound the repugnant ones through November about this most sordid episode in American politics.
Bravo Eric!
The Grand Oil Party is in a great position to show the American public exactly how much scorn and derision they hold for the citizens of America. As the summer moves into fall and the Grand Oil Party attempts to spin what will likely be the continuing poisoning of the Gulf while they continue to lobby for BP and apologize to them, the people of America will be busy voting for the party that clearly gives a damn about them.
Please keep singing the praise of Mr. Barton and his other cronies in the Grand Oil Party. This is gonna get fun watching the concession speeches and how the Republican party will attempt to explain how they failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to climb back into control but allowed the truth to seep out of the GOBP much like their precious oil is still spewing into the Gulf.
It is very sad that Boehner and the rest of the Grumpy Old Party still do not realize the power of the internet has to inform people of their every word! They continue to stick up for Big PHARMA, OIL, BANK. Basically every one, but the American Middle Class. Do they think we are so stupid, that we do not see what the old stale males are continuing to do? That they continue to vote against the majority of the American People? As the Older Americans are gone and the internet informed younger voters will continue to vote out any one in office that does not look after OUR best interests! The Joe Barton's will all be retired one by one!
You hit the nail on the head...
The GOP continues to show it has its priorities:
denying the Democrats the chance to help America;
proving its loyalty to the corporations -- in particular the oil industry;
proving that it doesn't give a hoot about anyone who doesn't fill their campaign coffers;
proving that party has the behavior of two-year-olds - no, no, no!!! -
and continuing to wrap themselves in the flag and family values and "Christianity" while its members send off your sons and daughters to die for corporate America and while shagging everyone and anyone who is available -- even if he has to travel to South America to do so or meet up with strange men in airport bathrooms....
GOP = greedy, obstructionist partisans
The GOP has been taken over by robber barons and cross burners. Their TEA shills are nothing more the the new face of the KKK. Perhaps Roberts can tell us how "citizen" corporations can be jailed for their crimes. Kagen is far more qualified than that token Thomas, who has ruled in favor of his wifes direct interests twice. Bush v Gore, Thomas' wife was employed by Bush transition team, and his wife runs one of those groups that benefit from campaign finance ruling. He would be cited for conflict of interest for his actions, even if these where small claims cases, in any other court. The GOP is an unAmerican organization, and should be called-out for it.