MAYBE THE REPUBLICANS DO WANT TO WIN!! maybe there hope after all!and mabe the republicans are STARTING to get the picture of how bad we got our tails kicked in 06 and 08 elections!
I’m glad there was unified opposition to the bill.
But for the record, the Republicans are solely responsible for a HUGE chunk of our $11 trillionish debt, as about half of it was accumulated when the GOP had both Congress and the Presidency, and almost all of it when the GOP had the Presidency at least.
So I’m a bit skeptical that the Republican party is full of born-again deficit hawks. I think they are just being the opposition party.
I looked over the names of the Democrats who voted no. It is of course the Blue Dogs. Those guys are the real deal- deficit hawks whether they are the party in power or not. If the House had 218 of them the past 30 years, we’d be in a LOT better shape right now.
I never saw the point of any House Republican voting for this in the first place. It was going to get passed no matter what they did. They could only provide token opposition at best.
There are only two outcomes: the thing works, or it doesn’t. If it works, the MSM and Democrats will make sure that no Republican got any credit for it. If it fails, it will splatter mud all over whoever supported it. So House Republicans have absolutely no incentive to support it.
Now the Senate is a different matter. If all the Republicans hold firm, the bill must go down to defeat. No token opposition here.
I suspect “moderate” Republicans are finding themselves extremely popular right about now.
“Maybe the same moron Republicans that hopped on the bailout barge have realized their mistakes.”
Doubt it. They are just being the opposition party and the Republican leadership is trying to flex its muscles and show that they control to whole block of Republican votes.
#5“But for the record, the Republicans are solely responsible for a HUGE chunk of our $11 trillionish debt, as about half of it was accumulated when the GOP had both Congress and the Presidency, and almost all of it when the GOP had the Presidency at least.”
True, very true. But people HAVE been known to see the error of their ways. Maybe two straight lousy elections have wised a few of them up. We can always hope.
“If all the Republicans hold firm, the bill must go down to defeat.”
If you are referring to the fillibuster, I’m not sure that’s true. I’m pretty sure that budget items can’t be fillibustered. I’m guessing that this stimuls bill, even if not part of the “official” budget will be considered a budgetary item so it can’t be fillibustered.
I applaud the unified Republican opposition on this and it is also very smart politics. If the economy does not recover and continues to deteriorate by 2012, then Americans will view the Democrat plan as having failed and will believe that the Republican plan of tax cuts and spending cuts would have been a better alternative that would have saved the economy.
“Americans will view the Democrat plan as having failed and will believe that the Republican plan of tax cuts and spending cuts would have been a better alternative that would have saved the economy.”
Maybe. But remember that things were worse when FDR was first re-elected in ’36 than when he was first elected in ’32. Despite things getting worse, it was still Hoover’s Depression, and Alf Landon got pasted in one of the biggest landslides of all time.
That is true but mark my words, our economy will tank into a depression by 2012 with no improvement and the Republicans can tell the American people, “I told you so, Obama’s plan did not work.”
#5 — TARP passed mostly with Democratic votes when a Republican was President, despite extremely heavy lobbying from the White House, and the auto bailout was overwhelmingly opposed by the GOP caucus, again with a Republican in the White House.
How much of the deficit is due to military expenditures?
No deficit is good, but, as with the cold war, if it means America is safer, that the world is freer, or that the country has one less enemy, then it is money well spent.
Make no mistake, I take no joy in predicting the decline of the US economy, but if this bill passes it will hurt the economy and Republicans were very smart politically to oppose it.
Bad move. Except for the narrow base of the Republican party, few will really remember this bill. It’s too wrapped up in the Bush legacy right now, and everyone’s view of it will be colored by that. Also, note that part of Obama’s plan involves tax cuts. For all of their opposition to this plan, what are Republicans offering as an alternative: tax cuts. That’s not exactly a big distinction that they’re drawing between the two parties. The Republican party needs some new ideas if its going to compete over the next few years.
“wo freshman Democrats, Walt Minnick, ID, and Travis Childers, MS, crossed the aisle to vote with 168 Republicans on the failed version.”
Methinks neither will be in office for very much longer – Any Democrat voting against Obama’s first big policy item is either too conservative for a Democratic constituency, or in such danger or winning re-election that they will likely be ousted by a Republican challenger next year.
One of the biggest winners this week was Rush Limbaugh, who I believe has elevated himself to de-facto titular head of the Republican Party. Lawmakers are wise to follow his policy prescriptions and political strategy and this also puts him in a unique position to play “king/queen maker” in 2012. His influence has never been greater and this could indicate good things to come for the opposition Party if it chooses to follow his lead.
If Gallup’s map holds even a little bit, and Obama is even an average President, it looks like the Republican is in for a beating in 2012. A lot of Democrats voted against Obama becuase they didn’t quite trust him … he was too exotic. He won’t be exotic anymore in 4 years, and we could see states like Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and maybe some others (but probably not the rest of the South or Oklahoma) vote to match their color as indicated by party affiliations.
BigS and Freds, any thoughts on what policies the national GOP needs to embrace to make this less of a one-party nation, or are you fellas spent for ideas beyond griping?
THANK YOU, House Republicans! FINALLY, we see some backbone and dedication to conservative principles, even if it is just in the form of showing opposition to the majority party.
Everyone ought to follow suit with the front page of Redstate and send the RNC, or your local GOP House member, a few bucks to say thanks for this amazing vote. Unanimous – now that’s impressive. And joined by a dozen Democrats. Icing on the cake.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
However 11 Democrats voted against the bill. I suppose they were more afraid of their voters than of President Obama.
The only bipartisan side of this debate was the opposition.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
MAYBE THE REPUBLICANS DO WANT TO WIN!! maybe there hope after all!and mabe the republicans are STARTING to get the picture of how bad we got our tails kicked in 06 and 08 elections!
January 28th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
House passes economic stimulus, prodded by Obama
Here’s the link to the roll call
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll046.xml
January 28th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I wonder if any Republicans will vote for the bill that comes out of the conference between House and Senate.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I’m glad there was unified opposition to the bill.
But for the record, the Republicans are solely responsible for a HUGE chunk of our $11 trillionish debt, as about half of it was accumulated when the GOP had both Congress and the Presidency, and almost all of it when the GOP had the Presidency at least.
So I’m a bit skeptical that the Republican party is full of born-again deficit hawks. I think they are just being the opposition party.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Maybe the same moron Republicans that hopped on the bailout barge have realized their mistakes.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
No surprise.
Now, can the GOP PLEASE turn its attention to keeping the dirty islamist killers OFF American soil?
January 28th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I looked over the names of the Democrats who voted no. It is of course the Blue Dogs. Those guys are the real deal- deficit hawks whether they are the party in power or not. If the House had 218 of them the past 30 years, we’d be in a LOT better shape right now.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I never saw the point of any House Republican voting for this in the first place. It was going to get passed no matter what they did. They could only provide token opposition at best.
There are only two outcomes: the thing works, or it doesn’t. If it works, the MSM and Democrats will make sure that no Republican got any credit for it. If it fails, it will splatter mud all over whoever supported it. So House Republicans have absolutely no incentive to support it.
Now the Senate is a different matter. If all the Republicans hold firm, the bill must go down to defeat. No token opposition here.
I suspect “moderate” Republicans are finding themselves extremely popular right about now.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Freds,
“Maybe the same moron Republicans that hopped on the bailout barge have realized their mistakes.”
Doubt it. They are just being the opposition party and the Republican leadership is trying to flex its muscles and show that they control to whole block of Republican votes.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
when does the senate vote on this peice of junk so i can write to my senator to say NO! any one know?
January 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
#5“But for the record, the Republicans are solely responsible for a HUGE chunk of our $11 trillionish debt, as about half of it was accumulated when the GOP had both Congress and the Presidency, and almost all of it when the GOP had the Presidency at least.”
True, very true. But people HAVE been known to see the error of their ways. Maybe two straight lousy elections have wised a few of them up. We can always hope.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
marK,
“If all the Republicans hold firm, the bill must go down to defeat.”
If you are referring to the fillibuster, I’m not sure that’s true. I’m pretty sure that budget items can’t be fillibustered. I’m guessing that this stimuls bill, even if not part of the “official” budget will be considered a budgetary item so it can’t be fillibustered.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I applaud the unified Republican opposition on this and it is also very smart politics. If the economy does not recover and continues to deteriorate by 2012, then Americans will view the Democrat plan as having failed and will believe that the Republican plan of tax cuts and spending cuts would have been a better alternative that would have saved the economy.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I am glad they did this tonight But doesn’t this mean obama will make this back fire on us come 2010 2012 election time?
January 28th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
JA Pruce,
“Americans will view the Democrat plan as having failed and will believe that the Republican plan of tax cuts and spending cuts would have been a better alternative that would have saved the economy.”
Maybe. But remember that things were worse when FDR was first re-elected in ’36 than when he was first elected in ’32. Despite things getting worse, it was still Hoover’s Depression, and Alf Landon got pasted in one of the biggest landslides of all time.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
#16,
That is true but mark my words, our economy will tank into a depression by 2012 with no improvement and the Republicans can tell the American people, “I told you so, Obama’s plan did not work.”
January 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
#5 — TARP passed mostly with Democratic votes when a Republican was President, despite extremely heavy lobbying from the White House, and the auto bailout was overwhelmingly opposed by the GOP caucus, again with a Republican in the White House.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
but mark my words
Pruce, we’ve seen way to many of your words to feel inclined to mark them. Also, your prophecy that the economy will tank is very evil.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
How much of the deficit is due to military expenditures?
No deficit is good, but, as with the cold war, if it means America is safer, that the world is freer, or that the country has one less enemy, then it is money well spent.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
FF,
Make no mistake, I take no joy in predicting the decline of the US economy, but if this bill passes it will hurt the economy and Republicans were very smart politically to oppose it.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Matthew,
“if it means America is safer, that the world is freer, or that the country has one less enemy, then it is money well spent.”
That’s all well and good, but if it’s such a noble cause, isn’t it worth PAYING for?
January 28th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
#20, Money is fungible.
The biggest part of the US budget is entitlement spending.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Here’s the roll call vote:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll044.xml
The following nine GOPers voted in opposition to the ‘stimulus’ bill, but caved when it came to supporting the Camp Amendment:
Cao, LA
Castle, DE
P. King, NY
LoBiondo, NJ
McHugh, NY
T. Murphy, PA
C. Smith, NJ
Upton, MI
Wolf, VA
Two freshman Democrats, Walt Minnick, ID, and Travis Childers, MS, crossed the aisle to vote with 168 Republicans on the failed version.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Bad move. Except for the narrow base of the Republican party, few will really remember this bill. It’s too wrapped up in the Bush legacy right now, and everyone’s view of it will be colored by that. Also, note that part of Obama’s plan involves tax cuts. For all of their opposition to this plan, what are Republicans offering as an alternative: tax cuts. That’s not exactly a big distinction that they’re drawing between the two parties. The Republican party needs some new ideas if its going to compete over the next few years.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
“wo freshman Democrats, Walt Minnick, ID, and Travis Childers, MS, crossed the aisle to vote with 168 Republicans on the failed version.”
Methinks neither will be in office for very much longer – Any Democrat voting against Obama’s first big policy item is either too conservative for a Democratic constituency, or in such danger or winning re-election that they will likely be ousted by a Republican challenger next year.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
One of the biggest winners this week was Rush Limbaugh, who I believe has elevated himself to de-facto titular head of the Republican Party. Lawmakers are wise to follow his policy prescriptions and political strategy and this also puts him in a unique position to play “king/queen maker” in 2012. His influence has never been greater and this could indicate good things to come for the opposition Party if it chooses to follow his lead.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Somewhat off topic: I don’t think that opposition to the bill is going to help much with this…
http://www.gallup.com/poll/114016/State-States-Political-Party-Affiliation.aspx
January 28th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
http://www.gallup.com/poll/114016/State-States-Political-Party-Affiliation.aspx
o_O WOW
January 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
#29
Now go look at Alex’s “Nobody Lives Here” Map from a few days ago.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
haha, i loved that map. or, at least, Alex’s doodles
January 28th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
If Gallup’s map holds even a little bit, and Obama is even an average President, it looks like the Republican is in for a beating in 2012. A lot of Democrats voted against Obama becuase they didn’t quite trust him … he was too exotic. He won’t be exotic anymore in 4 years, and we could see states like Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and maybe some others (but probably not the rest of the South or Oklahoma) vote to match their color as indicated by party affiliations.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Hollow victory: Republicans deliver slap in the face to Barack Obama
January 28th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I agree that they should vote with their hearts, but what happens when the economy turns around in 2010 as everyone is predicting?
Obama will just say it was all the package and good luck in the mid-terms.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
BigS and Freds, any thoughts on what policies the national GOP needs to embrace to make this less of a one-party nation, or are you fellas spent for ideas beyond griping?
January 28th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
The GOP had better hope this bailout doesn’t work, or it may be a long long time on the sidelines.
January 28th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
THANK YOU, House Republicans! FINALLY, we see some backbone and dedication to conservative principles, even if it is just in the form of showing opposition to the majority party.
Everyone ought to follow suit with the front page of Redstate and send the RNC, or your local GOP House member, a few bucks to say thanks for this amazing vote. Unanimous – now that’s impressive. And joined by a dozen Democrats. Icing on the cake.
This is Obama’s train wreck now.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Heath, my thoughts exactly.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:30 am
MarkG
-Embrace fiscal conservativism
-Promote a pragmatic, non-idiotic foreign policy
-Send competent candidates to elections