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Subscribe to RSS“Senate Republican leaders are considering retaliatory measures in response to President Barack Obama’s decision to use a recess appointment to install Donald Berwick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,” Roll Call reports. Sen. John McCain went to the Senate floor and even mocked Berwick, who was knighted by the Queen of England, as “Sir Donald.”
Roll Call’s reporting on the Democratic Caucus meeting shows a group angry, fretting, and finger-pointing over White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs’ comments on Meet the Press that Democrats could lose control of the House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for one was particularly hot and others accused the White House of not doing enough for them. Pelosi charged that Gibbs was making a “politically inept” statement and that “I don’t appreciate it. I don’t know who this guy is. I’ve never met him before. And he’s saying that we’re going to lose the House.”
(First of all, Gibbs didn’t say that Democrats were going to lose the House; rather he stated the reality that there are enough seats in play that Democrat potentially could lose the House. And then here’s Majority Leader Steny Hoyer: “Do I think he’s right in that there are enough seats in play? Probably close,” Hoyer said, per The Hill. But he added that “the fact that they’re in play does not mean by any stretch of the imagination that I think we’re going to lose the House.”)
Congressional watcher Norm Ornstein: “The Senate’s refusal to drop or overcome a filibuster to extend unemployment benefits and give aid to states that continue to provide a massive fiscal drag on a sick economy -- to demand that they be paid for now, which is just foolish given the weakness of the economy and the danger of deflation -- is simply shortsighted and reckless. I know how tempting it is to keep denying the Obama administration a victory, but there are greater stakes here. The Senate’s agenda in coming days also includes the looming vote on Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court. I have been struck by the reflexive partisan opposition to Kagan -- who by any objective standard is extraordinarily well-qualified by temperament, intelligence and experience for the court. In recent decades, it has become a too frequent occurrence to see knee-jerk partisan opposition to top level nominees. In some ways, I find it baffling.”
Speaking of blocking legislation, “President Obama used Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday for a stealth attack on Mitt Romney, a leading Republican presidential contender in 2012. Obama dispatched Gates to meet Senate Republicans to discuss a U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty and other national security issues,” The Hill writes, adding, “Republicans can block the accord with their 41 Senate votes because treaties require ratification by a two-thirds vote of the chamber.”
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One step forward, and two steps back...
FR: You forget to mention how stupid the "Party Of NO" is.
Beverly,
This is a useless comment with no tangible value. I try for civility in the hope that someone might actually want a conversation, not a diatribe. Try engaging people, rather than venting.
The Party of No IS stupid!
Gibb's statement was the begining of a cordanated Plan by David Phloufe to bring Democratic voter's Alive!
Plain & Simple!
Yeah and I have ocean front property in Arizona.
You give this guy Phloufe too much credit.
Gibbs is a damn idiot.
"Senate Republican leaders are considering retaliatory measures in response to President Barack Obama's decision to use a recess appointment to install Donald Berwick"
They block every piece of legislation that the Dems propose, how exactly are they going to retaliate when they are already using every dirty trick in the book to stop any legislative progress?
w bush
Retaliatory strike, what have the Repubs been doing for the last year and a half? Its the same song and dance, "We want to work w/ the administration" but do they? Scott Brown and the 2 Senators from Maine are really the only ones honest enough and I'm being extremely generous when it comes to Brown who actually consider getting the People's work done. No they would rather score political points and if they take the House, more deregulation, ITM should love that, more tax cuts, unpaid for at that for the Rich and for corporations, and more pi**ed on economics for the rest of us.
Death Panels?
HCR was passed despite the will of the majority of Americans and bipartisan support against the legislation. Obama attributed the American people's opposition to not fully understanding the legislation, all those scare tactics about death panels, etc., that once they understood, they would love it too.
So why the recess appointment of Dr. Berwick now? If Dr. Berwick is so great and wonderful, if HCR is so great and wonderful, who better than Dr. Berwick explain it to the American people, clear up that nonsense about death panels and all the other scare issues - so they can love it as much as Dr. Berwick, Mr. Obama and his devotees?
The WH and Obama devotees cry and whine about the Party of No, Dopes of Nope, blah blah, Republipukes, etc., etc., blocking everything the Great One tries to do and they will block Dr. Berwick.
So what! Have the hearings, let the American people hear about the issues and learn about the man that will have the MOST IMPORTANT DIRECT IMPACT ON THEIR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THEIR LOVED ONES. If the Republicans block his appointment, big deal, just do the recess appointment in August.
Makes perfect sense, everyone wins except the Republicans - right?
It does. Unless you are Obama and don't really want the American people to find out more about HCR and Dr. Berwick, especially right before an important election.
Bob,
The only reasons that so many were against the HCR AS WRITTEN, was because they wanted the Single Payer Option included, and since it was not, they disliked what was passed. Right now a MAJORITY of the populace APPROVES of the HCR and that number is growing as more and more people realize that it has NOTHING to do with "death panels'. and that they will actually see many good benefits out of it.
Dr. Berwick has the very strong support from the Medical Community and the fact that the Dems short circuited the Repubs from having a hate fest with him is a very good thing. Too bad that the Repubs have nothing other than hate and the power to say NO going for them.
B. Honest
According to the latest Pew National Journal poll (for one example) - 35% approve.
The Single Payer Option was never anything more than a wet dream of the far left. Anyone even loosely tethered to reality (even Obama, Reid and Pelosi) knows this notion's chances of passage was absurd. The fringe, and even you wanted it, may be upset it is not in there, but they/you still defend and approve of what was passed, as evidenced by the example of your post.
Your response is not nothing more than obfuscation, blame the other guy, factually wrong and fraudulent.
But don't feel bad. Obama and Gibbs haven't been able to do any better.
And besides, according to the polls, people have Obama and this fraud figured out.
bob thank god you had the percentage, I dont know where these demwits get there no,s the H.C. bill has never been popular and never will. and as far as cost wise,it seems like every week we are finding that it is going to cost more. the dems shut the doors on the rep,s and where was cnn cameras like obama promised and the transparency they promised, repulicans had plenty of ideas they just didnt appeal to obuma, so the dems cry the party of no. they are so mad that obama is going down every other week in popularity,why else is the dems running from him and his socialist far left no job money spending no experience race card crying failure.
Actually, the poll here on FR, had some 54% of the populace APPROVING of the HCR, and the number was climbing from previous polls.
B.Honest,
Thanks for the laugh.
Bob, go back through the Archive, it is less than 2 weeks back. Or are you too lazy to do that??
And here is an article that talks about exactly that, Bob: "Health Care Reform Getting More, Not Less Popular" Ezra Klein WA Post June 23, 2010.
Ezra Klein...lol...that dude is about as partisan as they come.
ITM
And Hannity, O'Reilly, and Beck are not right? At least Klein is a true journalists unlike the other 3 nutbags you get your info from.
Phillip:
First of all you don't know me. You don't know where I get my information. I didn't say sh!t about Hannity, etc. Your dumbazz brought them up. The premise of my statement was that Klein is a partisan, I don't give a damn if he was a dogcatcher...his azz is partisan. Anyone on the Huffington Post and constantly on MSNBC, let alone with Olbermann, is a partisan hack.
Speaking of those Fox guys, I don't recall any of them ever stating they were a journalist; Hannity is a self-made political commentator, O'Reily is a journalist, and Beck is also self-made to which he overcame numerous obstacles in life.....
Do some research before you go spouting MSNBC BS.
Phillip: Irony of the day: ITM just said that O' Rielly is journalist. I may laugh the rest of the day.
newday:
Go look at his biography. You will find that you don't know as much as you think.
I told you to come correct when you step to me.
You consider O'Reilly calling himself a journalist making him one? I will laugh the rest of the night!
I said go a boigraphy on the guy. You are one of the stupidest individuals on here. Do you understand ENGLISH?
Geez as if the repugnant ones weren't already retaliating against President Obama for everything, what would be any different about this new whine to retaliate against Presidenr Obama for his wise decision to make a recess appointment because the repugnant ones just want to Stall Baby Stall all of Obama's appointments.
Democrats need to get over what Gibb's said, by the way Gibb's was correct to say that with so many seats up for grabs that the repugnant ones could take over Congress. Instead of infighting the Democrats should seize upon Gibb's truthful comment to scare people away from allowing that to happen.
While Harry Reid has a point saying that Obama needs to be more confrontational with the repugnant ones Barack has to be careful not to be labeled as an angry black man in the White House. Plus Harry Reid has been nothng but a weak leader of the Seante as he allowed the repugnant ones to filibuster without ever calling them on the carpet and forcing them to do the dastardy filibuster deed. Harry Reid is the one who needs to show some backbone not allowing the Insolent Minority to stall everything and water down good legislation with bad conservative amendments.
Eric
Can you imagine what the Teabaggers would do if he became the angry "Black man"? There would be civil war w/ ITM leading the pack.
Wait.....didn't Bush use recess appointments? Yes, I do believe he did. Funny, I don't remember any of the Republicans seeing anything wrong with that at that time.
Yes, Bush used recess appointments, but as always, the Republicans want to cause trouble anywhere and everywhere. It's so important for them to make sure President Obama - and our country! - fails, no matter what.
Yes, President Bush made recess appointments, as have many recent presidents. The difference here is primarily that this appointment was made without the candidate being subject to a Senate hearing. John Bolton, whom President Bush appointed in his second term, was filibustered, and refused a vote, which President Bush then used as an excuse for a recess appointment. Donald Berwick wasn't afforded the opportunity for a hearing, which is the reason for the Republican outrage.
President Bush made 171 recess appointments, Living in L.A., of which John Bolton was only one.
Micheal:
All POTUS's make 100's of recess appointments but it will be met with disapproval on major appointments. This goes both ways.
Michael,
I agree that President Bush made a great many recess appointments, Bolton was the one I chose as an example, primarily because Bolton was a divisive figure to Democrats. But you will have to agree in turn that Bolton was subject to the normal process, which involved a hearing, and then the appointment after a failure to be confirmed. The issue here is substantively different, no hearing, no discussion, recess appointment. Perhaps Berwick would have been confirmed, perhaps not, but no hearing is the point of contention for Republicans.
All right. I misinterpreted the crux of what you were saying. I tend to dislike recess appointments in general, but that is mainly because I don't like the necessity for any president to have to do them. If a man is elected to the office, he has the right to appoint anyone he chooses to a given position in his administration.
I wasn't particularly wild about Bolton. I really didn't understand the logic in appointing a man who was anti-UN to be the UN ambassador, but President Bush was the president. If that was his choice, that was his choice.
Michael Thompson, Charlotte, NC
Bolton was an embarrassment, we can agree on that. The reason the Dems wouldn't confirm him was because he was extremist who should be representing our interests in the United Nations. Bush installed him anyway w/ the recess appointment. Yes the Repubs have a right to a hearing on this man, but can you actually say it would be a fair and not a witch hunt. The Repubs have been embarrassing themselves w/ everyone that is nominated and have come off as Racists especially that Kebler elf from Alabama Sessions. The economy is in freefall right, the unemployment benefits need to be paid for or else it creates more of a deficit, but they are campaigning now on NOT let the Bush tax cuts expire and do NOT want to pay for them. Unless my math is wrong wouldn't tax cuts create more of a deficit than the unemployment benefits that actually have a stimulative effect on the economy? Their hyprocisy is unbelievable, but the Dems aren't much better either.
The Repubs actually already HAD their discussion on Dr. Berwick, they made it very public with their denouncing him by twisting what he actually said into their own lying soundbites. Considering what was already in the press, President Obama made a GOOD decision to use his recess appointment powers and seat him. Personally, I find it hilarious that the Repubs are in an apoplexy over it, mebbe they will all do a Steinbrenner and have massive heart attacks...Oh Yeah, they don't have hearts so heart attacks are out of the question, mebbe their heads will explode like in the old movie Scanners, that would be a sight to see in the House and Senate....
What else is the party of No going to do? They say no to everything already. Everything that the repubs say they have an issue with they have done themselves. Reconciliation to pass bills, recess appointments etc. If you look up hypocrite in the dictionary you see pictures of Bone Head and McChuckles.
Gibbs did not say anything that we all did not know. Maybe he is trying to get the troops together here and get out and vote. The one big complaint I have had about my party is the lack of backbone in many cases. Seems we are starting to find some but we need a whole lot more to fight against the lies, misinformation that is coming from across the aisle. They say they want to lower the deficit, so what do they proposed? Stop the unemployment funds to over 1M people and keep the tax cuts for the very rich. How does this lower the deficit? It does not. it in fact will increase it for.
In short the rebublicans are going to continue to do erver underhanded thing thay can to try and make President Obama fail. Period. This is their sole function in life today.
If they had a back bone, then they would be a Republican...
That's right! It takes a BRAIN to be a Democrat. lol lol lol
John McCain is looking for any publicity he can get to remain relevant and he would be kissing the Queen's ass to be called "Sir" if he got the opportunity. The poor guy is suffering from short term memory loss and political battle fatigue. First he forgets he was a maverick and now he "disremembers" that Dumbya took full advantage of recess appointments to get his cronies in office (Bolton, etc.). The bottom line is these Washington Republicans are like the idiot bullies in the class who belittled those smarter than them. The problem is that no one dared tell them how truly stupid they really are. So here goes: JOHN, YOU'RE A DUMB ASS! RETALIATE THIS!
After all, the Repubs are not hurting financially, they are sitting on tons of money.
No Morals = No Brain = No Pain!
I guess the Repugs are gonna take all their toys home and whine and cry saying the Dems and Pres Obama are playing be the Rethugs rules and that ain't fair...Of course the rethug golden rule is "NO" even if it is good for the country........I remember way back when the saying was "My Country right or wrong"...I think the Repugs motto is "My party - no, nope and nope" or may be "My party, wrong and wronger"
It was alright for Bush to do but not for Obama! Again, the Republicans demonstrate their total focus on their political ambitions, without conscience and at any cost, and as always offered with arrogance and stubborn set as if they can use any subterfuge they want to manipulate the people. Their continual self-serving irresponsibility is disgusting and has cost us greatly - with Bush-Cheney and now with obstructing and faulting everything instead of providing bipartisan cooperation to get things resolved for the people (instead of just for their political interests including placating Special Interests and the select few, their strong supporters)
The Repubs supporters want them back in power so that they can continue to rape America without fear of taxes or regulations that would make it an even playing field for all of us. Look where the past Repub rulers got us into, that we are working so desperately to get back OUT of now!
Rightards would rather see the country fail than see Obama and the Democrats help the unemployed. They would rather see the economy tank than improve. To put it plain and simple, they put party over country. Why do rightards hate America?
Not everything. The elected Repugs have pretty much supported Obama on Afghanistan.
And, I didn't hear much opposition to the appointment of Bo as First Dog.
After that I guess, yea - it's pretty much nope.
No, Bob, there were people put out because Bo was not a rescue or shelter dog.
newdayDawning,
You got me. You are right.
I forgot about Obama making the "mutt like me" analogy and the politically correct "rescue / shelter" statement only to go with the elite, pure blood.
Thanks.
BoB-1805084
Yep, your right the support Obama on the war, WAR. They will support anyone that will continue to carry on wars. But in actually handling them, McCain himself said that Afghanistan could muddle through. How many Repubs parroted "Saddam has WMD's" and some to this day still say that, while other like Karl Rove are trying to rewrite history. The Only war that has helped the American economy was WW2 and we all had to SACRIFICE for that war. GWB tells us "Go shopping" Cheney and Busg both admit to sanctioning waterboarding, and are not on trial for warcrimes. Soldiers in Afghanistan are imprisoned because orders came down from on high for the mistreatment of prisoners.
Question for you, would you want your kids fighting in that hellhole? And if they are, I hope they come home safely. But if they aren't, would you want to send them to a place where the troops weren't supported and didn't have the resources that we're needed because they we're sent to another hellhole for oil. Here's something I think we acn all agree on, If we have a war, reinstitute the Draft and make that politician can't shield their children. They would have to serve like everyone else. No deferrments like Dick Cheney, rich and poor alike must serve. Then we'll see how many of these people are so quick to pull the switch.
But, nice to know Bob, that you join those people who pick on two little girls who wanted a puppy. I am getting an elite bred pup next month, does that mean that I don't like rescue animals, or does it mean that I am looking for a specific dog for a specific purpose? HINT: I am on a farm with livestock, and I am getting a Collie.
newday,
I wasn't picking on two little girls who wanted a puppy. I was mocking the narcissist who feds us his common man crap.
Good look on your search for a Collie. Sounds like your new addition will have at least two things Obama that lacks - ability to focus on a job and papers.
PS I wasn't picking on puppies, I was mocking the narcissist again.
I already found my Collie. I will go and get him in five weeks. Let me be very clear about one more thing. I am always truly resentful about people like you who use a term like "Narcissist" when they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. That is a clinical term, it has a specific definition, and you minimize what families go through when they have a member with that disorder.
I did forget to mention that the reason the Obamas picked the dog they did, was they wanted a specific dog for a specific reason. Bo is a breed that does not produce the dander that kicks up allergies. One of the Obama girls has some allergies. I really think that we can agree that she shouldn't have to sneeze and wheeze just to please people who try to find any possible reason to pick on her daddy.