The ice has broken
It appears that today, the Republican block has just shattered.
In the house, the ANWR oil drilling provison was dropped from the budget. This was one of Bush's reelection platform planks, wasn't it?
In the Senate Finance Committee, the Republican leadership "postponed debate" because it was clear that they did not have the votes to move the $78 billion tax cut package out of the committee. Olympia Snowe was the holdout citing the budget defecit. Wasn't extending and making permanent these tax cuts part of Bush's reelection platform as well?
If you think, like I did, those elections on Tuesday didn't have huge significance, watch the moderates run from the Bush agenda. I was wrong.
My first, gut level interpretation is that the Olympia Snowe's of the world watched that Virginia race closely, and have determined that there is nothing the Bush admin can offer to help their reelection bids. And with Frist so obviously wounded, and Delay in a sinking ship, the rank and file Republicans have broken ranks. There is no longer any benefit to being a party loyalist, in fact, it may be a detriment to those in close races or moderate districts.
Couple that with the Presidential hopefuls who have already broken from the herd, (I'm looking at you McCain and Hagel) and what we have here is an army who has broken ranks in the face of the enemy. A timid, noodle-armed, uncoordinated, democratic enemy.
Actually, I think what has struck fear into these moderates is not the Democrats, although their efforts to crank up the pressure have been hugely successful, but instead the realization that a majority of Americans have turned against them.
Oh, and just to assure you that not all republicans have broken from their base,
Joe Barton has so far recieved $31,500 dollars from oil related PAC's this election cycle, the top recipient. In the last election cycle, Joe Barton received $45,000, the third top recipient. (Source: Political Moneyline)
I'm never amazed that these guys are crooked, but I'm always amazed at how little it actually costs to buy them. I mean, $76,500 really isn't that much money to get a committee chairman.
UPDATE: And even another one.
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In the house, the ANWR oil drilling provison was dropped from the budget. This was one of Bush's reelection platform planks, wasn't it?
In the Senate Finance Committee, the Republican leadership "postponed debate" because it was clear that they did not have the votes to move the $78 billion tax cut package out of the committee. Olympia Snowe was the holdout citing the budget defecit. Wasn't extending and making permanent these tax cuts part of Bush's reelection platform as well?
If you think, like I did, those elections on Tuesday didn't have huge significance, watch the moderates run from the Bush agenda. I was wrong.
My first, gut level interpretation is that the Olympia Snowe's of the world watched that Virginia race closely, and have determined that there is nothing the Bush admin can offer to help their reelection bids. And with Frist so obviously wounded, and Delay in a sinking ship, the rank and file Republicans have broken ranks. There is no longer any benefit to being a party loyalist, in fact, it may be a detriment to those in close races or moderate districts.
Couple that with the Presidential hopefuls who have already broken from the herd, (I'm looking at you McCain and Hagel) and what we have here is an army who has broken ranks in the face of the enemy. A timid, noodle-armed, uncoordinated, democratic enemy.
Actually, I think what has struck fear into these moderates is not the Democrats, although their efforts to crank up the pressure have been hugely successful, but instead the realization that a majority of Americans have turned against them.
Oh, and just to assure you that not all republicans have broken from their base,
Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe L. Barton, R-Texas, had said that he would not vote for the measure unless ANWR drilling is included, and House Resources Chairman Richard W. Pombo, R-Calif., also opposed removing the provision.
Joe Barton has so far recieved $31,500 dollars from oil related PAC's this election cycle, the top recipient. In the last election cycle, Joe Barton received $45,000, the third top recipient. (Source: Political Moneyline)
I'm never amazed that these guys are crooked, but I'm always amazed at how little it actually costs to buy them. I mean, $76,500 really isn't that much money to get a committee chairman.
UPDATE: And even another one.
Acting House Majority Leader Roy Blunt, R-Mo., says Bush and Vice President Cheney have lobbied House Republicans to oppose the amendment, but Blunt stopped short of saying he would urge members to vote no. "It's hard to imagine it wouldn't get a lot of votes," he said. In the Senate, the torture ban was approved 90-9. ....
In the House, the ban is backed by another Vietnam combat veteran, Rep. John Murtha. The conservative Pennsylvania Democrat wrote in a letter to House colleagues that revelations about abuses of prisoners in U.S. custody are "degrading our society and its political and legal systems." He says he has the votes - including some Republicans - to win House approval of McCain's amendment.
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posted by mikevotes at
3:59 PM
2 Comments:
From now on, Bush's brings cement shoes to any candidate he supports. I can see GOP candidates running from Bush before he comes around with the shoes.
By
NEWSGUY, at 12:53 AM
I'm never amazed that these guys are crooked, but I'm always amazed at how little it actually costs to buy them. I mean, $76,500 really isn't that much money to get a committee chairman.
Don't forget all of the flights on the corporate jets, all of the money donated to the leadership PACs these politicians control, all of the "conferences" held in resort locations around the world, etc. The money people donate to the re-election campaign of legislators is just the beginning.
By
Matt, at 12:46 PM
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