Not without a fight...
Posted by on June 29, 2006 at 09:09 PM
Republicans seem to have a new favorite tactic, called not lettinig things come up for a vote. They passed their ridiculous excuse for a resolution reguarding the The New York Times coverage of the already-known SWIFT program, but refused to let Rep. Frank's substitute even be considered.
House Dems didn't let it happen without a fight. Here are some highlights:
Leader Pelosi:
"Let's take this resolution for what it is: it is a campaign document...There's never been any oversight of the program. The fact is that because there has never been any oversight of the program, there isn't one person in this body, who will vote on this resolution, who can attest to this statement. They're asking us to vote on something that we absolutely cannot attest to. Not any one of you can attest to this as a fact."
Rep. Maloney (D-NY):
"The Republican party has become masters of cut and run, cutting from the issues so that they can run for re-election in November. This resolution is a diversion. If it was really about condemning leaks of classified information, it would also mention Valerie Plame, Karl Rove, and Scooter Libby. As the Member of Congress representing the district that suffered the greatest loss of life on 9/11, I believe that combating terrorism is a serious bipartisan issue, not a one-sided, last-minute, take it or leave it, Republican-only, political campaign stunt."
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY):
"They've called the disclosure of the swift anti-terrorist program a disgrace, they've accused a newspaper that first wrote it, the the New York Times, of forcing its "arrogant elitist left-wing agenda" on the rest of the country. If all of this is true, I have no choice but to conclude that our President, President Bush himself, is a disgraceful, arrogant left-wing elitist, because it was Mr. Bush who leaked the story."
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA):
"Let's be honest. We are here today because there hasn't been enough red meat thrown at the Republican base before the Fourth of July recess. That's why we are here. So just in the nick of time we have H.Res. 895."
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA):
"Others have said yes, it's true that the terrorists learned from Bush Administration statements that we were tracking their financial activities. But apparently they didn't know that that involved banks. Did they think we were going through their pockets? I mean, how can you acknowledge that people knew that they were being tracked financially but no, it didn't involve bank records."
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
"Maybe it's the devil who makes them do this. We have flag burning, proposal for constitutional amendments, we have gay marriage, proposals for constitutional amendment, yet, when it comes to the basic freedom and liberty of this country, the press, we are presented with a resolution that condemns them, that's all it does, it doesn't sanction, it condemns them, it's our opportunity to vent and say little things about The New York Times."
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI):
"Well, there may be some motive that is political about the selective crying out about information. The swift story bears no resemblence to security breaches, disclosure of troop locations or anything that would compromise the security of individuals."
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI):
"They tell us that they're protecting our civil liberties while they're tapping our phones and spying in our libraries and looking into our bank accounts. They tell us to trust us on everything. They tell us to trust us on -- trust them on everything because they're protecting their civil liberties. Well, I don't think I can trust this administration to protect my civil liberties and those of the people that I serve."
Comments (18) «
This is just a resolution, so no it's not quite as big of a deal as some think. Focus on junk amendments to the consitution such as flag descration and gay marriage. Besides there were some Democrats who supported this resolution.
WELCOME TO THE GEORGE W BUSH KINGDOM FORMALLY KNOWN AS AMERICA...
this is no longer america, it's king bush's kingdom. if this was after the revolutionary war, another George, President Washington would have this self-appointed king hanging from a tree. our forefathers would have brought the rope. and the fledgling press would have made it a major event. i'm sure one hell of a crowd of revolutionary soliders would be willing to bear witness too!
Angry,
How do you want it? wimpy dems? kickin ass dems?
some complain no matter how the party represents....i feel it's about time they start kickin ass!
momoaizo,
I agree that the party is going to have to fight hard, but attacking for the sake of attacking, is not going to win elections; it is going to result in "wimpy dems." In other words it's better to make fewer well targeted attacks that really sink-in, such as attacking an opponent for voting in favor of the marriage amendment or against oversight/investigation into the NSA program. This as opposed to attacking every chance you get.
I realize this is election season and the Democrats need to use every opportunity they get to win, but they need to take into account the political ramifications of doing such, especially if they want to win over any "Disgruntled Republicans." I don't disagree that the resolution was a cheap shot, but the Democrats should be careThis is especially true given that for many candidates National Securtity/Defense can and has been an achilles heel. So to win over Republicans this resolution may not be one to focus on.
Did rick santorum leak classified information to the media? I just saw a clip on the Daily Show where Santorum holds up a piece of paper that he says is a classified document--although I didn't see a stamp on it anywhere. It's classic joe mccarthy. What's worse though is that terrorists could freeze the screen and with enhanced technology get these secrets. Great minds! I was looking around for a clip and the blogger at crooks and liars shares reached the same conclusion!
On the same note
Physicals cues believed to be associated with lying include . . . averting the gaze
watch santorum close his eyes everytime he makes one of those claims.
this eye stuff is confirmed by a scholarly article
angry_idealist,
when murtha was being attacked, where were the democrats to cover his back? not on his amendment, but his credibility. a guy who served this country is now marginalized. not standing up for him, even if they don't agree with his nor kerry's resolution allowed the repubs to play these two as cut' n runners. and, the public forgets the military service or lack of for bush-cheney-rove. that is the ploy the demos should have used on bush-cheney-rove, counter attacking what experience they had to suggest these two were cut'n runners. the demos could have still fought for their ammendment, which did lose, but at least stood up for those in their party that did serve. that was their error. now, all those demos look like whimp cut 'n runners.
america1st,
I'm not sure which case you're referring to, as there is more than one time that fits that description. As you know Representative Jean Schmidt had to take back what she said; she called Murtha a coward. That was awhile ago. Politically, Kerry and Murtha are two different people. The former had his reputation tarnished by the sleazy Swift-Boat Veterans for Truth ads during the Presidential run. How much of it was within Kerry's control; i.e. did he fail to adequetely respond to the attack ads, versus a bunch of half-truths (or lies) perpetuated on gullible populus is a matter of debate. Murtha has been dragged though the mud like Kerry, but has survive d.
Part of the reason they didn't stand up may be the lack of unity within the party in terms of a strategy on that particular issue. And yes I agree it's hypocritcal for Rove and Bush (who lack military experiance) to be calling Murtha and Kerry unpatriotic, but it's difficult to stand up without an alternative strategy.
When are Republican constituents going to wake up and realize that their party has been hijacked by imcompetant APES who are destroying this nation ?
angry_idealist,
i was referring to the recent debate to tie the iraq conflict = war on terrorism. during the lost debate to pass their ammendments, the demos could have agreed to disagree among the demos. but to band together when the repubs attacked with inuendos both murtha and kerry for even considering proposing their own ammendments. rove is so successful in dividing and conquering the demos they now just roll over. maybe they're just oblivious? the demos can no longer afford to be divided and conquered, to then be framed as bumbling stooges with no plan, no agenda, nor any ideals.
great post tracy
thank god, more fighting back!
Someone is falling into the trap of talking about political tactics instead of demanding accountability. Do you really thing voters care about how someone voted on some stupid ammendment?
Voters don't give a damn about politics with their standard of living on the skids. People are sick of the war and wedge issues. Haven't you people learned anything since Katrina?
Voters are furious about the high gas prices, increasing interest rates, lack of action during emergencies, rising inflation, and Bush's stupid war.
The Congressional Reublicans are suppose to be in charge. Attack them on their miserable record not how they conduct business. Whip up support for making them pay for their mistakes.
Why haven't the Congressional Republicans done anything to make life better for the average American? Why haven't they even tried?
This election is about the sins of the Republican Congress.
They are incompetent. They've done nothing while the country went down the tubes. They didn't even try to fix a single problem that affects the poor or the middle class. FEMA is still a mess. The muilitary is weakened.
They are greedy and corrupt. The only things they were successful in doing were lining the pockets of their friends and themselves...and making it easier to suppress the vote.
Challenge voters to throw the bums out....before it gets worse.
It's their crummy record, stupid.
It's their crummy record, stupid.
sandy, i like that...reminds me of what ousted father bush...it's the economy stupid. yet, back to the topic, the demos must frame this more along the lines of censoring and intimidating the press vs repubs spin to protect america from terrorists.
The repugs are a pack of liars and just grandstanding on this issue. I remember distinctly back in 2001 that bush said they were checking bank accounts and putting a stop to funds going to terrorist accounts. How the hell can it be secret now.
Welcome to Nazi Germany folks. McHitler and McHimmler need to go, NOW, along with the rest of the lying repukes in congress. I am sick of them. This DO-NOTHING congress is a disgrace to the memory of those who have gone before us and the memory of ALL past Congresses and we just CANNOT sit and take it any more.
Guess who was in charge of the DO-NOTHING congress, our ahole buddies FRIST and DELAY.
Is ther ever a reason to bash your mom, or Dad or
your Nation and the Democrats working for freedom for all?
The only way we will get out of Iraq is to change administrations. Oddly enough, that would be the perfect out for Republicans. If they were smart, they would vote for Democrats so they can get out of this mess. "If..."
It sure is going to be sweet when the tables can be turned on these people who have corroded our values. And no one (Democratic politicians take note! Except Lieberman, of course.) should be squeamish about doing so!
Of course, our country is in the state it is in because it is being run by a college dropout.
Rally mentioned that the only out for Iraq is an adminstration change. Am I the only one who is afraid that Bush is going to take minimal action on Iraq (under the idea that he's out in two years so why should he care?). Should this happen, we've go a problem. Unless the Democrats run someone like Murtha (or possibly Obama can pull it off) it's highly probable we'll get another Republican in the White House in 2008, due to the perception/attack of Democrats being soft on Defense.
SandyH,
You raise a good point with voting record versus accountability. Earlier I mentioned Murtha versus Kerry, when responding to a post on attacks. I think the main thing that seperates the two is that Murtha has gotten mileage out of accountability while, John Kerry seems to be more concerned (at least he was during 2004) with voting record.
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