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Subscribe to RSSIn an exchange with the Capitol Hill publication The Hill, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that he wanted to work with the Obama White House -- on immigration and the line-item veto -- but President Obama and his team never reached out.
“Let’s get real here,” McCain told The Hill. “There was never any outreach from President Obama or anyone in his administration to me.”
McCain disputes the notion that he has rejected entreaties to cooperate with the White House because he is bitter from his defeat four years ago.
He said he expressed eagerness to work with the president on immigration reform and the line-item veto, but has been left out in the cold.
McCain, the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, also said Obama failed to consult with him on national-security issues.“He never asked for advice on national-security nominees,” McCain said.
But when looking at the major Senate votes over the past three years, it's hard to find a Democratic-sponsored measure that McCain supported, even ones backed by other GOP senators (including McCain ally Lindsey Graham).
Consider:
On the most significant piece of legislation on immigration -- the topic on which he said he wanted to work with the White House -- McCain voted against the DREAM Act, which would give young illegal immigrants who are pursuing a college degree or serving in the military a chance for citizenship. Three Republicans (Bob Bennett, Dick Lugar and Lisa Murkowski) voted for the legislation that failed to get 60 Senate votes.
Despite voting for every other Supreme Court nominee since joining the Senate, McCain voted against both of Obama's picks, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Notably, Grahman and eight other Republicans voted for Sotomayor, and Graham and four other Republicans voted for Kagan.
McCain also voted against the New START treaty with Russia, even though that was supported by 12 Republican senators; he voted against the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which was backed by eight GOPers; and he voted against the financial-reform legislation, supported by three Republicans.
(And as far as the claim that Obama never reached out to McCain, remember there was that inaugural dinner that the then-president-elect hosted in McCain's honor.)
A McCain spokesman tells First Read that McCain didn't vote for those measures because they went against his principles.
"Everyone knows that the president failed to fulfill his promise to reach across the aisle and bridge the partisan divide," spokesman Brian Rogers said. "Sen. McCain was never going to sacrifice his principles to support legislation he fundamentally opposes, but he was willing to work with the president on areas of common concern."
Rogers added, "The president’s outreach has been non-existent –- not just to Sen. McCain, but many Democrats in Congress say the exact same thing."
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Old Man looking at clouds!.......Easy to snub!
So about O's speech today.
Invest in America?
But see gang, we already did that. Stimulus/shovel ready jobs and all the none sense.
See I know this as fact - in my long drive for SD to Monterrey Bay I saw many road constructions signs touting "the American Recovery Act." otherwise know as stimulus 1.
So we tried it, and it failed, as evidence by the hole we are in now.
So what else you got?
Seems to me I heard the same speech 2 years ago.
But by all means, let's talk about John McCain.
Just so long as we don't have to talk about todays "unexpected" Unemployment numbers.
Or last weeks numbers which....wait for it....... were revised to be worse.
Dude - I just saw the MSNBC commentary immediately after the speech.
Jonny Alter and some other guy panned poor O.
If O has lost MSNBC who does he have?
How many times can Amy, Feisty and Bev. vote?
I see Romney getting to 300 electoral votes walking away.
Oh and Obama care drops next week, so bend and spread libbies. :)
Spanky-
God forbid - better to invest in Swiss banks, right?
Romney wants to be GWB. We tried GWB, and he failed miserably as evidence by the hole we are in now
So what else you got?
Sen. McFailure of AZZ.
Don't vote for Citizen McBain in November.
On the air, MSNBC’s Jonathan Alter said it was “one of the worst speeches I’ve ever heard Barack Obama make.” - Politicker
Uh-Oh. This is really problematic for the Blue Team.
Anyone know when the SCOTUS Ruling on ACA is announced?
Guessing that next week may not be much better for the White House than the past 2 have been.
What's with the GOP?
------in 2008, they got McCain, a failure;
------now in 2012, they got McBain, a failure-to-be.
This is why I would just once like to hear how Romney plans on getting accomplished what he has said he would do not only in the first 100 days, but in 8 years were he to be so lucky. There is no chance that the GOP takes filibuster proof majorities in the house and Senate and win the POTUS election. And no D is going to support Romney in his plans for defense spending and reductions to infrastructure and education spending.
Traditionally, the GOP prefers to manipulate interest rates to stimulate the economy. Democrats prefer increasing the amount of public sector jobs to stimulate the economy. Obama is doing his best to improve the economy without the help of congress, but the only tools at his disposal are stimulus packages and increasing spending on more government jobs. Meanwhile, if Romney were to get elected, he has ZERO tools at his disposal because interest rates have been driven to historic lows. What is he going to do to stimulate the economy? Create the first negative interest rate market in history? Obama may be fighting with one hand behind his back, but Romney would be fighting with both hands behind he back and his head in the sand.
The snub goes both ways. Obama doesn’t want to work with McCain because they have no common ground to work with. Vice versa for the GOP. Something needs to get done about the deficit before it reaches critical levels, if it hasn’t already.
What’s my strategy? Gather as much capital as I can and then short the Dow Jones so I can make a killing on the crumbling of America due to a lack of either party being willing to work together. Someone’s getting rich or the destruction of America, why not me.
Unfortunately, you are wrong. If the republicans win fifty seats in the senate, the presidency and keep the house, the entire Ryan Budget including all of the tax cuts can be passed by reconciliation. No 60 votes needed. The vice president could cast the 51 vote in the senate. Just like health care passed by reconciliation.
Interesting. I did not know that. Learn something new everyday, and I am fairly new to following politics so thank you bcemore. Still, the GOP has put on a clinic for how to obstruct a POTUS from accomplishing anything having to do with the economy and the D's will end up doing the exact same thing if by some small chance Romney does get elected.
The old coot yelling at pigeons on the park bench qualifies as news these days?
Well, okay... then...
McNasty never let go of the his bitterness of being smacked down at the polls in November 2008!
I think FR misspelled the word 'rankled',...lol
Headline should read:
Old Man Still Yelling at Clouds!
McCain will NEVER get over losing the Presidency. Remember, like Romney, it was HIS turn! Bitter old man!
Too bad. He used to stand for something.
Obama/Biden 2012
McCain, you need to retire, and spend more time with your lovely Rich wife. And as you sit outside you can yell at the kids to get off your lawn.
So lets talk about the 'leaks from the Obama White House for a bit.
The New York Times says that the national-security leaks that exposed our cyber-war against Iran and how our drone strikes against terrorists operate came from "aides" to the president and "members of the president's national security team who were in the [White House Situation Room]" during key discussions, as well as current American officials involved with the program who spoke anonymously because "the effort remains highly classified." The author of one of the Times stories, David Sanger, writes that some of his sources would be fired for divulging classified material to him.
White House press secretary Jay Carney calls the charges "grossly irresponsible" and attacks Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for making them.
I would trust the NY Times on this one and this may answer the 'snub' issue.... lol
It is Obama who should retire before he gets embarrassed even more!
McCain is history, ignore him..now let's defeat McBain too.
Errr... let's talk about a distraction for a bit... shall we?
Epic FAIL dude!
Go feed your pigeons pal...
carrot top, you must be deep into you afternoon boiler makers.... it is McCain that has been vocal about Barry's 'leaks' and not the leaks when he looks at his dropping poll numbers! Get counseling old gal!
Don't get too excited Uhtred... you aren't the first to catch the 'old gal' in a trap... and not the last. Redwig is a shill for Obama and these days that's a dying breed!
I think feisty has fallen asleep... poor gal can't stay up this late.
You can bet McCain is still working though, lol!
It's a little tricky to claim you've been snubbed when the record shows your consistent opposition to everything the President has done. McCain still epitomizes the "angry old man shouts at clouds!"
I Think McCain's point was that PO did not consult with him. If he had given SOME input, he might have supported the legislation. Maybe the President should try something like that????
Atticus, need to read up. Obama not only consulted McCain on many issues he even invited him to the White House - more than once to talk. McCain isn't ever going to get over being defeated. It is really sad - he has totally lost perspective!
This is just more evidence that obama is thin skinned, and takes issue with McCain's pointed issues concerning the President's lack of leadership... so he snubs him?! I would have to agree that obama's days of avoiding these issues are coming to an end!
You can say what ever you want about McCain, however he is know fro reaching across the isle but not able to do that with President Obama and his Kingdom.
Concern - did you even bother to read the article about his voting against bills he even talked about in the past? You're just like McCain - bitter the GOP lost and to h**l with the country!
Obama/Biden 2012
Seeking, the point Concern Citizen is trying to make is, "I know you are, but what am I?" McCain might have bucked his party in the past (from time-to-time) but not lately which was laid out clearly in the article.
Ursula - I realize that. Before he ran for President and played his trick on the country (Palin) I liked McCain. Then he just became this angry old man who lashed out at Obama every chance he had. He has lost his objectivity and his pride.
to SeekingSanity
Oh! forgive me Master LIB, for I'm just an Independent that know nothing. I can not read or count or write, but that does not stop me from seeing with my eyes that we need a CHANGE and it ain't OBAMA.
Concern - you should actually open your eyes. Mitt Romney will destroy this country. He doesn't really care about the Presidency except he will outdo his late father. Now, that's a reason to run. Wake up - Mitt has no programs for this country - doesn't even know what to talk about. This is the best the GOP can do? That's pitiful!
SeekingSanity
Insane let's agree to disagree. You can belive that President Obama is the best for this country, and I will believe that Romney will be better than Obama. My eyes are wide open and I would imagine that you believe yours are too. If you still don't agree them "esa es la vida" compadre.
Concern Citizen brings dialog... ursula, sanity, and the others with similarly disgusting avitars bring trash to the table.... first read has become a wrestling smackdown site! Can't wait for the trash talk when barry goes back to Chicago... or Hawaii, or wherever....
Gosh, Mark spells almost as well as concern does. No wonder he likes her.
must be that time of the month for you newday! Or are you in your 'wannabe carrot top mode' again, lol!
Is that all you've got, Bennie? Typical Republican misogynist.
Poor old Johnny. Still bitter about getting his butt kicked by a young black man in November 2008. Nothing but the sourest of grapes.
NolimitSoldier50,
dennis might want to buy some pampers while he is at it. lol...... left of left.
Concern - I'm sure you and Nolimit can lend papers to McCain from your stash!
Sorry pampers - not papers!
Nice to see how you treat a POW that served this country with such respect...Typical...
JK1963 - I respected John McCain until his ridiculous Presidential run and his pitiful reaction afterward to our President. He lost all credibility with his petty actions and words. You can't use the POW excuse ad infinitum.
NoLimitSoldier50, thanks for that! McCain is a thorn in Obama's butt... and I'm glad he's there!
No limit,
I couldn't have said it better! McCain endured more than any soldier should have to endure. It's people like seeking that don't have the slightest clue of what a real American is all about...
however he is know fro reaching across the isle but not able to do that with President Obama and his Kingdom.
CC - It was the Teabagger's that kept him from reaching across the aisle, not Obama.......
In McCain's rather dark and narrow world, being snubbed by President Obama means that the President didn't say; "Hey, Johnny, you and Sarah REALLY won. You be President!"
Thank God McCain didn't win. Can you picture him and Sarah going on the hunt, looking for countries to invade? After all, "Battleship" is such a fun game to play.
I take it back dennis is not the only one that needs pampers, we need a bigger package for newday and GT.
The tea party is something like the progressive/liberal party. Except I do not here them think of themselves as the Masters of the Universe.
Concern, if you don't choose to use the spell-check feature, at least re-read your comment before hitting the POST button - your last sentence makes no sense at all.
Get back to me, "concern", when you can write a cogent sentence.
NDD, wasn't Silly Sarah, or her daughter building a new million dollar home near the McCains?
Didn't Bristol buy one? God, can you IMAGINE having those people for neighbors?
Seriously! lol
Nothing like having the Wasilla Hillbillies living next door to ya!
It would be a HORROR show, Feisty.
Cindy McCain would leave and take up permanent residence in one of their other mansions. John would really be lost, since he said he doesn't know how many homes they own.....lol
I would take highly decorated POW soldier that served this country with honor and courage any day of the week as a neighbor over a community organizer...
That so called "community organizer" is your President. Which McCain is not.
JK1963 - what a bigot! So a community organizer who helps the less fortunate better themselves is not a good neighbor. Do tell!
I would take highly decorated POW soldier that served this country with honor and courage any day of the week as a neighbor over a community organizer...
JK - I doubt if either one would ever be living in a trailer park anyway.
to:Ursula-279622
Concern, if you don't choose to use the spell-check feature, at least re-read your comment before hitting the POST button - your last sentence makes no sense at all.
Ursula, are we going to start that again, because if we are I will point out yours. Unlike you this is not the only thing that I do in live. I work, take care of the house and the Kids also. My life does not revolve around FR.
The same happen to
SeekingSanity
Concern - I'm sure you and Nolimit can lend papers to McCain from your stash!
Insanity meant pampers.
I do use spell check but the word here is spell correctly, however it should have been hear. You libs are so perfect that anyone else is just beneath you.
Nah, concern, we just have no intention of trying to get through your rather inane posts if you cannot show us the respect of trying to write a sentence properly.
Once again: brake: stops your car.
break: what you take at work to rest.
Learn the freaking difference.
Hint: Spell check is only a good thing to use if you have some idea how to spell.
newdayDAWNING...RETURNED
Oh another Master of the Universe. Would you want me to write it in spanish? I believe you are getting my point since you are so carfully reading every detail.
Have a good night, time for dinner with my family. I hope you have one also.
Then they wonder why they are referred to as stuck on stupid - this broad gives me a headache, thus the reason she earned a spot on my exclusive ignore list!
Oblivious to the very end, Feisty. I can't be bothered to read what she writes any more. It is just too painful to suss through.
The saddest part? concern has no clue that the current Republican party is after HER job, and HER benefits. She is last person that ought to be voting for them, and is too, ummmm, trying to put this kindly,....intellectually challenged to get that.
And if she speaks Spanish and isn't white? She is the one that they want to get off the voting rolls.
GT,
Your childish insult only represent the best of your political party.
Seeking,
And as for being a bigot, you are the only one that brings up the race card, once again.
newday,
Obama is about as much my president as you probably think George Bush was your president. Only by luck and a lot of sympathetic people, did the community organizer get to be president.
new dog, obama may occupy the position now but will go down in history as the Worst President in history! That will be the guy's legacy. I think then, that town in Kenya will take down the billboard proclaiming it to be Barry's birthplace! .... Hawaii also will quietly remove all references claiming the same too! carrot top, new dog day, and the other trolls will still have barry's back... whether he wants it or not, lmao!
Actually that town in Kenya is happier the village idiot lives in DC now, they're a bit concerned he may soon return. That will be one of Romney's first foreign policy problems... how to keep barry from going back!
Boy, do I love it when the illiterate trolls show up. Instead of wasting time on First Read, Stevie and Sammy, why don't you concentrate on getting your GED's? I am sure that there is a tutor out there somewhere, with enough patience to help you.
Blaming Bush, Blaming McCain, Blaming Republicans. Anything to distract attention from the fact that Obama has been an almost complete failure all by himself.
In your ignorance of what Obama has actually done lies the answer.
So, who knew he wanted to be woken up and asked? Does negativity translate as cooperation offers in his world? The nation rejected his ideas, whatever they were and he has made a war monger out of himself at every opportunity. He wasn't snubbed, just wisely ignored.
In addition, waxy faced McConnell and Boehner the Orange were stupid enough to announce their obsessed campaign against the president's success. Congress hasn't been historically unproductive for no reason. The Tea Party is directly out of the Mad Hatter's Wonderland. History, geography, economics, constitutional law, and the obvious never interfere with their dysfunctional and counterproductive cult.
Such baldface lies...Harry Reid reaches out to McCain regularly. Any why would a Democratic President reach out to McCain, who only blocks his national security nominees.
McCain is working out of the Rove playbook--accuse the other side--lack of cooperation--of what you yourself are guilty of.
Fancy..I believe that is called "Projection." A tactic employed by the mentally unbalanced sociopaths currently in control of the Republican Party.
For entertainment, watch Congressional Republican leadership rush to their media microphones and accuse democrats of something unfair or worse. Within 48 hours they will do it themselves, instead. It's uncanny. Are they too excited to keep their mouths shut, or are they just out to create confusion? The media, out of "balance" and "fairness", upon every Republican misdeed already slips in, "both sides are doing"... whatever, anyway.
I'm pretty sure both sides use projection quite well.
Another tactic they all use is the "the American people believe..." spin.
I heard one ad recently by a Republican that said if he was elected he would make it possible for more schools to be built "for the children"' I laughed.
What kind of suckers do ALL the politicians think we are?
Atticus - They'll build the schools but fire the teachers.
John McCain is trying any and saying anything he thinks will stick to the President and Help Romney.
McCain and Palin are STILL SORE LOSERS from 2008 and both are LOSERS.
McCain is acting like a "doddling old man" and Palin just a Total "AirHead".
No matter how respectful the President is of him, McCain still trys to stick a KNIFE into the President's Back on any little thing and as a Seasoned Senator he knows better and how the system works. He tries to embarass the President every chance he gets on NOTHING.
John McCain criticizes the President on everything he says, and IS Constantly BELITTLING the Presidents efforts when he is overseas talking to other World Leaders. That is all he and the Republicans can do is IRREPARABLE DAMAGE to the Office of the Presidency. Then he goes on a Hannity's Show to Confirm the fact that Hannity is a TOTAL LIGHTWEIGHT and McCain is afraid to disagree with him.
McCain and Palin are STILL SORE LOSERS from 2008 and both are LOSERS.””
I would have voted for McCain in 2000 over Gore. I actually thought he was the better man. Then, Bush destroyed him... And he simmered for 8 years until it was 'his turn'... So Sad...TERM LIMITS!
McCain is an angery old man, and I don't believe a word he says.
Your information is out of date! McCain used to reach across the aisle, but he's changed.
In order to win the nomination, then win re-election in the new, hard right Republican Party, he had to reinvent himself. Remember he was quoted last year saying that he had never really been a Maverick!
The article documents how he has refused to support the President on many important issues, many of which he's supported in the past. He criticizes anything and everything the President does, then cries that they don't invite him over? They don't ask for his advice on foreign policy? Maybe that's because they know his position and disagree.
I don't know if it's because he's still bitter about losing to Obama in '08, or if he's just getting disagreeable in his old age, but John McCain in 2012 is not th John McCain we got to know in 2000.
Why on earth would Obama seek McCain's advice- McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his VP- how's that for a measure of judgement?