This is priceless. The two hours of Olbermann and Maddow tonight were must see. At least for the segments about John Boehner’s embarrassing budget stunt in which he held up a fancy packet that was supposed to represent the Republican response to President Obama’s budget, but something happened on the way from the calculator. No numbers. That’s right, none.
But what about the promises?
According to a David Freddoso over at The Corner, in a conference call Boehner promised:
For one thing, as Minority Leader John Boehner (R) said in a conference call yesterday, it would replace the $410 billion omnibus bill with a spending freeze for the rest of fiscal 2009. …
The Republican budget also “refuses to assume” additional spending for bailouts, proposing instead an industry-financed FDIC-type program for saving failing financial institutions.
As for health care, Freddosos teases more from what was to be in the Republican response to Obama’s budget, presented by Boehner and other members of the House:
a tax-deduction (or credit) for health insurance, the Shaddegg bill (allows one to buy insurance across state lines), and tort reform for medical malpractice. The first two items would decrease insurance prices and broaden coverage. The third would help contain medical costs.
Taxes and tort reform, that’s the Republican plan for health care?
But that’s not the best part, which comes in an update from Freddosos after Rep. Boehner & Co. paraded out with their fancy, deep blue budget packet:
Update: In fact, we don’t know anything more. I was not the only reporter in the room during the delayed press conference who had expected to see some numbers, at least ballpark. Today’s press conference did not provide further details.
We’ll find out what the Republicans’ numbers are sometime next week before they receive a vote.
So Rep. John Beoher invited a bunch of reporters over to see the Republican response to Obama’s budget, but they didn’t include any numbers, none at all.
It’s hard to believe these people get paid for this.
Boehner looked flummoxed (one of my favorite words)
They have a folder with nothing in between. In the meantime, slowly but surely the administrations efforts are showing dividends and the Treasury auction went well… the Republican’s are seriously lagging indicators and behind the times.
Nate Silver has a wicked take:
3.26.2009
The Real Republican Road to Recovery
by Nate Silver @ 7:13 PM
Although some elements of the proposal are still under discussion — Eric Cantor is said to want to eliminate North Dakota rather than Idaho, while Thaddeus McCotter has suggested using the balance of TARP funds to purchase scratch-off tickets — the final plan can be expected to contain most or all of these components.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/03/real-republican-road-to-recovery.html
They’re in significant trouble on the health care issue. Not that this is a surprise to anyone, but seeing it in print is a killer for them.
Didn’t they suggest the tax cut for the wealthy at 25%. What does that tell us.
OT, but it’s snowing and blowing here. Everything is closed.
They are really flapping in the wind aren’t they. I was talking to a friend today (my hair stylist) and she is married to a real radical right winger. She supported Obama after listening to both sides but was really upset about the Republican’s health care suggestions. She told her hubby that they were clueless, LOL.
Good night all.
“the Shaddegg bill (allows one to buy insurance across state lines), ”
Anyone who knows anything about health insurance will tell you that buying across state lines would be a mess.
The reason there is a variation in insurance costs by region is because there is a variation in the actual medical costs by region. It might be cheaper to buy in a particular state now, but it wouldn’t be for long if people from the more expensive states came in and bought there. Premiums would level out very soon.
Tonight my worst right-winger was terribly upset that Greta “allowed” Hillary to be on her show. His exact words: “I can’t wait for someone to shoot that woman.” He disputed her words about American weapons contributing to the problem, claiming many of the weapons are made in Europe. All I could do was point out to him, “David – AK47s are made here. Did you even *look* at the photos?”
These people exist, my friends. And they get to vote.
I understand the need for our two-party system, but damn, these folks are too stupid to be in office. If they worked at McDonald’s they would be fired.
From Jed over at Kos.
You just can’t make this stuff up. LOL
You know how the GOP promised to propose a budget today, but failed to deliver?
Well, do you know when they’ve repromised to deliver it?
Wednesday.
Wednesday, April 1.
April Fool’s Day.
The GOP is now promising to deliver its budget on April Fool’s Day.
They are gold. Pure gold. Pure fool’s gold.
Betsy says:
26 March 2009 at 10:55 pm
Didn’t they suggest the tax cut for the wealthy at 25%. What does that tell us.
OT, but it’s snowing and blowing here. Everything is closed.
___
is it just me or has this been a weird winter? Seems like spring had sprung and now another blast of cold. Hang in there Betsy and especially Velvet up in ND, they’ve got a rough few days ahead.
from the pot thread:
lust caught this one as I roamed the intertubes:
Albany Reaches Deal to Repeal ’70s Drug Laws
ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson and New York legislative leaders have reached an agreement to dismantle much of what remains of the state’s strict 1970s-era drug laws, once among the toughest in the nation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/nyregion/26rockefeller.html?_r=3&th&emc=th
“lust caught one” ? good thing it’s after midnight….
“good night America”
What amazes me is that anyone can spend any time at all around these butt crack surfers without either hurling or breaking down in uncontrolable laughter?
“pmichael says:
26 March 2009 at 11:32 pm
Tonight my worst right-winger was terribly upset that Greta “allowed” Hillary to be on her show. His exact words: “I can’t wait for someone to shoot that woman.” ”
Sounds to me like somebody ought to be a little more circumspect in their wishing out loud or somebody will end up speaking with the FBI.
And on the same subject. I saw M. Bachman(spelling) the pshyco dark haired repug female saying she thought she was behind enemy lines? Using torturer in chief Presidential orders and signing statements I think she should be labeled an “enemy combatant” and renditioned to a foriegn country for freedom ticking for a year or so before being dumped at Gitmo indefinatly.
tickling
What amazes me is that anyone can spend any time at all around these butt crack surfers without either hurling or breaking down in uncontrolable laughter? SecH
We do have to make a living, Sec. And many times those nutcases are the ones with the dough.
BTW, Sec. I sent this your way a couple of days ago:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081846/
Sure hope you got it.
Second to W’s, Boehner’s is the next voice I’d enjoy not hearing. It pleases me that his “hairdo” is reminiscent of Blago’s.
Totally of topic
But this has me in tears right now:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/stories/032609dnmetcopstop.3e9c080.html
The Party of NO really is the Party of NO. No to Obama, No ideas, No leaders, No morals, No brains, No to the people of this country. The only thing they seem to believe in, is the word NO.
For one thing, as Minority Leader John Boehner (R) said in a conference call yesterday, it would replace the $410 billion omnibus bill with a spending freeze for the rest of fiscal 2009.
There’s a word for that:
http://tinyurl.com/dxko3z
I think they intend to add the numbers. It’s apparently going to be a huge PR effort, where they will track Obama’s numbers against theirs.
Should be interesting.