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Bipartisanship So Rules

By on 28 January 2009

See Byron York: “Overwhelming” GOP Opposition to Stimulus Bill.

… It’s also clear that Republicans, battered after big losses in 2006 and even bigger losses in 2008, are finding their feet on this issue. [...]

About Taylor Marsh

Veteran political analyst and author of "The Hillary Effect - Politics, Sexism and the Destiny of Loss," now available in print at Amazon.com, and 1 of 4 books chosen by Barnes and Noble to launch their "NOOK First" Featured Authors Selection program. Former Miss Missouri, Broadway dancer, & relationship consultant at LA Weekly, produced & wrote one woman show "Weeping for JFK."
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38 Responses to Bipartisanship So Rules

  1. AnninCA 28 January 2009 at 2:19 pm #

    Interesting.

  2. Jane Austen 28 January 2009 at 2:50 pm #

    Moments ago, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected an attempt to restore the notorious Global Gag Rule–a policy rescinded by President Obama only last week.

    The measure, which was defeated 60-37, came in the form of an amendment offered by Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as the Senate debated a proposed expansion to the program.

    All republicans voted to restore the Gag Rule. Only 1 Dem (from NE) voted with Repubs and I expected Nelson to do so.

    I didn’t expect bipartisanship in this but I expect this to be a unifying force for the Repubs and for them to fight anything that Obama tries to do.

  3. doppich 28 January 2009 at 3:03 pm #

    This brought to mind GHW Bush’s comment, “I’m getting sick and tired of hearing these carping little liberal Democrats…”
    Probably because I’m very, very tired of hearing these carping small-minded party-first Republicans.

  4. justlen 28 January 2009 at 3:04 pm #

    Previous political cycles will show you that when the Republicans lose big they tend to swing far to the right. They’ll fight The Dems even as the economy goes down the tubes.

    I think the stimulus will pass, it won’t help and the shit will really hit the fan.

    I’m watching our local politicians line up for the golden teat of the stimulus package, and the projects they are looking at are laughable. Widen a road here, add a sewer there. It’s all chickenshit stuff.

    I am convinced it will take a WPA effort. The housing market isn’t going to recover fully and the losses will have to be realized. Our consumer culture is bankrupt, and we’re not going back to Christmas spending carrying the economy.

    I work for a very large corporation that makes products that are traditionally recession-proof. Our internal numbers are just ghastly. This is nowhere near the bottom.

  5. Lake Lady 28 January 2009 at 3:17 pm #

    Nora O’Donnell just ripped Mike Spense a new one!Asked him if he was so dependent on Rush Limbaugh that he couldn’t denounce the racism in his ‘bend over and grab your ankles comment!’

  6. Lake Lady 28 January 2009 at 3:25 pm #

    justlen…I am deeply worried. I wish we could see this plan on line,because it is not sounding like what we need.Where are the big ideas? Americans are ready for someone to show them the way,they will be willing to sacrifice if they can see the investment in a new future.

    I do not have confidence in Summers or Geighner (probably am spelling their names wrong!) They were both a part of the fall.

    I’m afraid we are going to run out of opportunities to do something big… fast.

    I am also deeply suspious of of how well the Repubs like Obama and his economic team.

  7. kris 28 January 2009 at 3:50 pm #

    LL -

    I thought I heard this a.m. that the plan is, or will be, on the internet. I am not just sure where. Maybe someone else knows.

    The problem is how do you digest 640 pages of HR1 in such a short amount of time.

  8. kris 28 January 2009 at 3:51 pm #

    BTW – justlen I agree with you wholeheartedly.

    OT but did I see jn here the other day?

  9. Iceblinkjm 28 January 2009 at 3:53 pm #

    Supposedly recovery.gov is where you will find it AFTER it passes. Complete bullshit that it’s not already online if you ask me. what are they trying to hide from the public.

  10. Betsy 28 January 2009 at 3:57 pm #

    This bill was written by the Congress, not Obama’s economic team. I think he needs to grab hold and put it in the hands of his economic team. Congress is just being totally petty and ridiculous. Reminds me of kindergarten all over again.

  11. justlen 28 January 2009 at 4:01 pm #

    HR1 is online:

    http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1/show

    recovery.gov is intended to be a site to see where the money is actually spent.

    Wired magazine had an excellent article on Obama trying to open up the government is being hampered in large part by federal regulations:

    http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/magazine/17-02/ff_obama

  12. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:01 pm #

    Thanks Ice. I didn’t realize it goes online after. You’re right – that is bullshit.

    Betsy – I don’t think Congress is being petty at all. Remember that this almost one trillion (sp?) dollar piece of legislation is a “down payment” on more to come. This is debt passed on to the taxpayer is historic amounts. They had better take the time to pick it apart and argue the merits. And in frankly the first round of votes coming this afternoon NONE of them could possibly know all the ins and outs of this legislation.

  13. justlen 28 January 2009 at 4:03 pm #

    kris | 01.28.2009 – 4:01 pm | #

    You’re right. This is a minor trickle of what’s to come.

  14. Betsy 28 January 2009 at 4:04 pm #

    Kris, I agree to some extent. But I do not see where the Republicans are looking at this constructively at all. They just want to whine and make waves. And that’s what really has me upset.

  15. Lake Lady 28 January 2009 at 4:05 pm #

    Thanks justlen…

  16. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:05 pm #

    I know justlen and frankly it scares me. I don’t have any confidence in any of them really knowing what to do. I think they are throwing crap and hoping it will stick.

    Does anyone really believe that Nancy Pelosi is an expert on the economy right now?

  17. justlen 28 January 2009 at 4:06 pm #

    I think they are throwing crap and hoping it will stick.
    kris | 01.28.2009 – 4:05 pm | #

    I don’t think it will, and the crap will hit the fan, then something bigger will come. I truly think the worst pain is yet to come.

  18. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:07 pm #

    Betsy I am sure that it is true of some but not the majority. There are Dems that don’t agree with the package at all and their points are well taken. I wouldn’t charaterize them as whiners or wave makers.

  19. Betsy 28 January 2009 at 4:08 pm #

    OT. Our RE broker just called and he mentioned that Obama’s admin has stopped people from having more than 4 loans with any one bank. Anybody know if that’s true or not. He buys and refurbishes homes and then sells them. I guess he must have 4 loans at one bank.

  20. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:08 pm #

    I believe that justlen.

  21. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:09 pm #

    Betsy – I know something about that. That was true prior to the Obama administration.

  22. Betsy 28 January 2009 at 4:18 pm #

    So it isn’t necessarily Obama’s idea? Reason I ask Kris is because this broker is Repub and told hubby it was Obama that did this.

  23. justlen 28 January 2009 at 4:23 pm #

    It’s a Freddie Mac limit on investment mortgages. It used to be 4, went up for a few years, and last year went back to 4. Obama didn’t have anything to do with it.

  24. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:27 pm #

    Betsy – justlen is correct. Obama had nothing to do with it.

  25. IndyRobin 28 January 2009 at 4:30 pm #

    Off topic but does anyone know who( a congressman?)called Rush today and pert near begged forgivness?

  26. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:34 pm #

    OT but for those HRC supporters – there is a new website for those who visited Hillpac, etc. Evidently HillPac has been scaled back to not much given her new position. Nolimits.org is the new site started by Ann Lewis.

  27. IndyRobin 28 January 2009 at 4:35 pm #

    Blagojevich wants to speak for an hour and a half tomorrow at impeachment trial.

    This should be fun

  28. IndyRobin 28 January 2009 at 4:36 pm #

    Nolimits.org is the
    new site started by Ann Lewis.

    Thanks kris … I’m going to check it out.

  29. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:41 pm #

    IndyR – let me know what you think. I don’t think there is alot there just yet, but it should be interesting in the long run.

    Blago should be a hoot.

  30. Betsy 28 January 2009 at 4:46 pm #

    I didn’t think so. Good grief he’s only been in office a week.

  31. IndyRobin 28 January 2009 at 4:47 pm #

    kris ..

    Soemthing was up fer sure but I’m a bit queasy with how this all is being handled. The dude is innocent until proven guilty period. I love Fitz but was very disapointed when he came out and practically nailed him ( Lincoln turning over in his grave) BEFORE he even arrested the guy. I personally loved it when he sent the guy to the Senate. He’s cracking me up right now as his behavior in bordering on pathology lol

  32. Betsy 28 January 2009 at 4:49 pm #

    IndyRobin that may have been Cantor because he was on with Andrea Mitchell earlier and she brought up to him that he was supposed to be on Rush’s show. He said “yes”. She said “we’ll be listening to you.”

  34. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:50 pm #

    I will give old Rod this – he’s pretty slick. He outplayed everyone with the Burris nomination. I actually find his use of poetry endearing in a weird kind of way. At the very least he is not boring.

  35. kris 28 January 2009 at 4:51 pm #

    Oh oh – the Post Office needs a bailout.

  36. TaylorMarsh 28 January 2009 at 4:51 pm #

    new thread…

  37. IndyRobin 28 January 2009 at 4:54 pm #

    Thanks Taylor

  38. djjl 28 January 2009 at 5:33 pm #

    Betsy,

    Sounds to me like your RE broker voted for McCain and wants to put anything he deems inconvenient to him on Obama. As an investor, and agent he surely knows that this was dealt with in 2008. I think Fannie Mae also changed their limits in January 2009, but I got news of it last August.

    For Freddie Mac investment property mortgages, a borrower may not own more than four 1-4 unit properties that are financed, effective August 1, 2008. Many conventional loans are Freddie Mac loans.

    The bulletin is here:

    http://www.freddiemac.com/sell/guide/bulletins/pdf/bll042208.pdf