Senate Democrat Fail

by: Zappatero

Tue Feb 07, 2012 at 09:53:29 AM MST

Senate Passes FAA Authorization Bill with Anti-Union Elements
Despite fierce opposition from major transit unions, the Senate yesterday gave final approval to the FAA Authorization bill, a five-year extension that removes uncertainty from the FAA, approves a next-generation air traffic monitoring system and, in Harry Reid's telling, creates hundreds of thousands of jobs. But unions were unhappy about changes to labor law insisted upon by House Republicans, and they expressed betrayal at the hands of Senate Democrats. (Ho hum. -Ed.)

But 37 Democrats supported the bill, including Commerce Committee chair Jay Rockefeller, Majority Leader Harry Reid, and top leadership members Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin. Here were the 15 Democrats who opposed it:

Akaka (D-HI), Blumenthal (D-CT), Brown (D-OH), Cardin (D-MD), Casey (D-PA), Franken (D-MN), Gillibrand (D-NY), Harkin (D-IA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Leahy (D-VT), McCaskill (D-MO), Merkley (D-OR), Mikulski (D-MD), Sanders (I-VT), Stabenow (D-MI)

But the pattern is clear and well-established with our 2 Democratic senators. And it is nothing to write home about. Though Mark Udall writes, and tries, he continues to be a milquetoast who compares quite poorly to his blood-relation senator from New Mexico. Bennet, like his political benefactor Bill Ritter, has shown a complete disregard for labor and unions.

This was yet another failure of Democrats in the Senate. Failure is the only way I can describe Bennet and Udall's unrequited bipartisanship, their double-dealing against the base, and downright tepid attempts at legislating. And if they think constantly playing the "middle" against everyone else is the safest way to win reelection, then there's a quarterback in Denver who can explain how that really works to these veteran politicians who currently represent us.

In case you don't trust this Cheetoh-stained blogger, take a peek at Ed Schultz, former Republican and expert on Upper Midwest values, discussing on the tube:

Senator Michael Bennet renounces Lobbyists/Lobbying

by: Zappatero

Thu Feb 02, 2012 at 20:09:28 PM MST

Not to be outdone, freshman Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) offered an amendment that would impose a lifetime ban on lawmakers ever becoming federal lobbyists.

Or, this could be just another P.R. move by a senator who has learned the broken ways of our capital well enough to denounce them at the same time he uses them to his political advantage. I certainly hope it's the former and not the latter....I fear he would be a much better lobbyist than senator.

The Do-Nothing, Hate-Everything Republican Congress

by: Zappatero

Wed Jan 25, 2012 at 11:30:22 AM MST

• Ministry of Truth at Kos:

  My friend told me after the State Of The Union that the Republicans looked like a bunch of "miserable old sourpusses."

  "How so?" I asked.

  "He is talking about uplifting stuff and they look miserable."

  I wasn't even planning to watch, but happened upon it as it was just starting. The terminal, chronic negativity of the GOP was on full display. They were not moved by any rhetoric and were not inspired by any of The President's ideas. If the DNC wants some ideas for TV spots, they should just take the closeups of Republican leaders during that speech and run them in an infinite loop.
• Colorado's sublimely daft Doug Lamborn decided he had to stand up for something besides killing the EPA and Big Bird, so he played the ignorance card and skipped the address. Let's imagine the reaction to a Democrat doing that to President Bush. Unfortunately, the voters in CD-5 will never look back on their decision to choose Lamborn over Jay Fawcett in '06. (Hi, Jay!)
• Despite Mark Udall's continuing, lame attempts to foster bipartisanship (God Damn it, Mark, it's Dead, and you're the Last to know! (Even the Supes couldn't contain their pettiness and only a quorom of them showed up. ) If Udall has put this much effort into condemning the automatic filibuster used by Senate Republicans on almost every vote they take, no one would ever know it.
• And despite his late, and most likely futile, efforts to retake the debate on the budget and taxes, Obama's invitation to the speech of Warren Buffet's secretary (who pays a higher tax rate than her Billionaire Boss), showed that Republicans couldn't manage just 1% Solution of Sympathy for that tax dilemma. The result was heapings of scorn and derision for the hard-working woman.

Anything less, and they are all frowns - exactly like last night.

(* - Apologies if I was a little harsh. - Z)

Setting The Record Straight on Romanoff v. Bennet, and why Obama Should Listen

by: peacemonger

Tue Dec 13, 2011 at 14:26:27 PM MST

Last week, before Andrew Romanoff endorsed Joe Miklosi in CD6, there was a diary comment on Pols which stated "Romanoff's Senate campaign was a disaster". That comment got under my skin, so I will set the record straight, for the sake of the tens of thousands of his supporters, as well as for the 2012 elections in Colorado. That may sound incongruous coming from one of Senator Bennet's earliest and most ardent supporters -- please hear me out.

First, a fast review of what happened, for those living under a rock, or out-of-state, from 2009-2010. Romanoff's Senate campaign was a study in contrasts. There were epic mistakes made, but in many ways, it was wildly successful considering  its tiny fraction of financial resources. The vast majority of activists and staffers who worked on it have every reason to be proud of what they accomplished.  

Bennet's Bipartisan Budget Buddies: Orrin Hatch of Utah

by: Zappatero

Fri May 06, 2011 at 07:47:17 AM MST

So, who shall this inexperienced Senator be bi with on the budget?

Let's try Orrin Hatch of Utah, one of the Senate's most accomplished liars. Hatch goes after the Middle Class directly with this latest attempt to free the rich from any of their worldly obligations to the nation that made them so:

Gang of Six Budget talks fail - will Bennet finally start to lead?

by: Zappatero

Wed May 04, 2011 at 10:27:07 AM MST

The Gang of Six simply didn't finish the job, and indeed, it was built to not finish the job, with Republicans desirous to drag out talks so Senate Democrats looked like they didn't have a plan. In this sense it was no different than the Max Baucus-led Gang of Six on the health care law.

Bennet seemingly couldn't resist another shot at bipartisanship despite its repeated failures. It's just as likely he doesn't have the fortitude to take a real stand in the debate. Or maybe he just doesn't want to do anything that could piss anyone off.

Fat chance of that in this day and age.

Bennet shouldn't think his opponents will change a 100% successful strategy of PNK'ing D's and perverting democracy in the budget and deficit discussions. Why would they? Yes, Senator Bennet is green, but he's been in the Senate long enough to see the dominant pattern. He shouldn't trust Republicans on the budget and shouldn't be allowed to pass off his decisions to another round of dysfunctional bipartisanship. Time for Bennet to lead for once and show voters at least some of what they voted for.

Supreme Court deals setback for Environmental Activists and Refugees

by: wade norris

Sat Apr 23, 2011 at 12:59:48 PM MST

On September 21, 2009,
the Second Circuit made an important decision on a case known as
Connecticut vs American Electric Power.
Without going into too much detail, this was a case several groups like the Audubon society were trying to stop coal plant emissions because it was harming the value of their land trusts. The lower court ruled as other courts have, that Climate Change was part of the political realm, not the courts.
However, the appellate court overturned this decision on the grounds that the Energy company were causing a public nuisance, and nuisance cases have been heard by courts for decades.

"Nowhere in their complaints do plaintiffs ask the court to fashion a comprehensive and far-reaching solution to global climate change, a task that arguably falls within the purview of the political branches. Instead, they seek to limit emissions from six domestic coal-fired electricity plants on the ground that such emissions constitute a public nuisance that they allege has caused, is causing and will continue to cause them injury."

Unfortunately, as of April 20th, 2011, it seems that even the 'liberal' judges on the Supreme court are going to side with the Utilities :

   Justice Elena Kagan also questioned the scope of the case, refuting Underwood's argument that public nuisance pollution suit was like any other pollution suit. "All those other pollution suits that you've been talking about are much more localized affairs. One factory emitting discharge into one stream-they don't involve these kinds of national/international policy issues ... I mean, there's a huge gap, a chasm between the precedents you have and this case, isn't there?"

   Justice Ruth Ginsburg, meanwhile, questioned the court's jurisdiction in setting standards for emissions. "Asking a court to set standards for emissions sounds like the kind of thing that EPA does," she said. "The relief you're seeking seems to me to set up a district judge, who does not have the resources, the expertise, as a kind of super-EPA."

Breaking News: Eric Cantor And Jethro Bodine Separated At Birth!

by: Bill Egnor AKA Something The Dog Said

Thu Mar 31, 2011 at 06:30:40 AM MST

Bondeism started as a way for me to highlight the nitwittery of the Republicans in the 111th Congress. They say and do really gob smacking things and I post about comparing them to that gormless but loveable hillbilly Jethro Bodine. But I have to wonder if I have actually, through some unintended and accidental sorcery called this disease into reality (I'm probably taking too much on myself with that, still)?

It is one thing to misinterpret the Constitution, it is open for interpretation and people can be honestly wrong, but it is quit another for a Member of Congress in a leadership position to propose action that is completely outside the boundaries of the Constitution. Which is exactly what Eric Cantor is doing.

He is proposing and will force the House to bring to a vote a measure he is calling the "Government Shutdown Prevention Act". What this Act will say is that if the Senate does not pass a budget measure by April 6th, then HR 1, the Republicans draconian and job slaughtering bill (which, by the way the Senate has already voted down) will become the law of the land.

I hear you all going "But, but, but... Doesn't the Senate have to pass a bill and the President sign it for it to be law?" Why, yes, yes it does. It seems that the raven haired, square jawed Virginia Republican who is the House Majority Leader does not understand how the body he has been part of for a decade now works.

If there were an "All Time Jethro Bodineism Award" it is certain that Rep. Cantor would be earning himself a place in the nominees. It is easy to dismiss this as insane and a stunt, but I see a bigger picture emerging among Republicans nation wide.

The lawless behavior of Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin has shown that he and his Republicans have a shocking disregard for the laws of their state. They have broken and bent the rules to pass their union busting bill and have even defied a court order in the implementation of the law.  

Udall faults our contnuing dependence on foreign oil

by: Zappatero

Thu Mar 03, 2011 at 09:35:03 AM MST

Events that continue to unfold in the Middle East and Northern Africa have once again exposed our country's Achilles heel -- an addiction to foreign oil.

We really are addicted to any and all oil - not just foreign. Even Bush 43 knew that. While Neocons wants us to engage in another Arab country (two wars aren't enough?) to ensure that ever-flowing I.V. solution, Senator Udall lays out some other simple solutions - once again, because we really don't seem to get the point - that can reduce our need for that nasty Black Tar and its equally harmful derivatives:

Bullshit Artists II

by: Zappatero

Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 13:15:32 PM MST

They did:

"To be able to invoke the constitutional option, a resolution has to be placed on the Senate calendar and to place something on the calendar you need unanimous consent," a Senate aide said. "Unanimous consent was rejected last night."

When they are fired for dereliction of duty by Colorado's voters they should know the primary reason is they were too cowardly to take on the most dysfunctional institution in DC: The United States Senate. They instead chose to bullshit their constituents and pretend they were going to do something about the filibuster.

They didn't.

Memo to Senator Bennet: Lobbying firm specializes in Filibusters and Secret Holds

by: Zappatero

Tue Jan 04, 2011 at 19:00:12 PM MST

"Washington's broken ways yet again have allowed the voices of ordinary Americans to be drowned out by the distorting influence of special interests."

Think Progress today reported that there is a DC lobbying firm that specializes in urging United States Senators to abuse their Filibuster and Secret Hold privileges for the benefit of the firm's Clients. These lobbyists had the unmitigated gall to actually be seen in public and were hosted recently at The Heritage Foundation.

Consummate Republican Hack Lamar Alexander is against filibuster reform, and even had the nerve to threaten us with actions by a theoretical Tea Party Senate, which in theory is scary enough, though most Tea Party members haven't had much time to read the most esteemed United States Constitution until now.

Let me know if you need more information on how to act with regard to filibuster reform.

Sincerely,  

Republican Anarchy: sterioid-induced attacks on our friends, neighbors, family members on the way

by: Zappatero

Sat Jan 01, 2011 at 15:23:06 PM MST

The next set of blame must also be laid at the feet of Bush/Cheney as well as Tom Ridge and Karl Rove, who implemented TSA protocols for political reasons, who've kept the pay scale down, and who surely intimidated and influenced management from Day 1 to always keep TSA wanting for resources and as a target of anti-worker sentiment.

Republican Congressmen and Senators like Jim DeMint also played that game.

If anyone thinks the procedural mixups and hindrances to our travel are all due to TSA workers, and only those workers, they could only be an incoming Republican Committee Chairman who loves privatization, hates your friends and neighbors and family members, and who wants to privatize yet another key public safety function of government:

"If you look at [the TSA's] performance, have they ever stopped a terrorist? Anyone can get through," Mica said in an interview. "We've been very lucky, very fortunate. TSA should focus on its mission: setting up the protocol, adapting to the changing threats and gathering intelligence."

On How To Honor The Brave, Or, Why We Hate Republicans

by: fake consultant

Wed Dec 22, 2010 at 04:06:41 AM MST

And yet there is one important bit of legislation that is still being blocked by Republicans, and, amazingly enough, it's a bill that would provide health care and compensation for those people who ran down to the World Trade Center site on September 11th, and for months thereafter, in the effort to rescue and recover victims, and to restore normal operations in the city after the attack.

Yes, folks, you heard me correctly: the Party of waving flags and "Second Amendment solutions" and tri-cornered hats and Rudy ("noun, verb, 9/11") Giuliani is now engaged in a desperate battle to screw over the very 9/11 first responders that you would think they would be...well, putting up on a stage somewhere next to Rudy Giuliani.

Sen. Kyl Plays Politics With Nuclear Safety, And We Suffer For It

by: Bill Egnor AKA Something The Dog Said

Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 07:00:29 AM MST

All sarcasm aside, this is exactly what the Senate Republicans led by John Kyl of Arizona are doing. The importance of the New START treaty is not in the number of strategic arms it reduces (the number is pretty modest) but in setting the stage to talk about tactical nuclear weapons and how to reduce this stock pile.  

Justice Scalia Says 17th Amendment Was Mistake For States Rights

by: Bill Egnor AKA Something The Dog Said

Tue Nov 16, 2010 at 06:50:31 AM MST

This opened the door to other conservative interests and saddled us with Justices that talk about nonsense like "original intent". I've written about how this is really a veiled attempt at case law nullification, as going to the original intent allows Justices who are so inclined to ignore stare decisis (settled law) and take a weed whacker to our understanding of the Constitution based solely on their impression of what the original intent of the Framers was.  

Where's Michael Bennet's signature?

by: Zappatero

Thu Oct 14, 2010 at 13:08:08 PM MST

The foreclosure crisis, the outright fraud by banks and mortgage processors, and the virtual powerlessness of any one homeowner to fight back even compelled the ever-timid Mark Udall to speak out.

So here's a chance for Bennet to speak out, too. His signature on this would tell me more about Michael Bennet than any of his ads could:

U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Mark Begich (D-AK) today sent a letter to Obama Administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, urging action following recent news reports of widespread improprieties and mistakes in the foreclosure processes employed by mortgage servicers.

...

"The emerging details of mortgage servicers' abusive and fraudulent practices are just one more example of large financial institutions taking advantage of hardworking families who are trying to make ends meet.  I encourage the Administration to use its authority to stamp out these abuses and to do all it can to protect American families from these kinds of abuses," said Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.

There's time for Senator Bennet to make up for that horrible cram down vote, too, before voters make their last decision about who will be Colorado's next U.S. Senator. How long can it take to sign a letter, Mike?

After Bathtub Accident, O'Donnell Changes Position

by: fake consultant

Wed Oct 06, 2010 at 09:35:48 AM MST

Spike Fromula, O'Donnell's press secretary, explained to the press gaggle today that O'Donnell now realizes that it is possible to "masturbate without lust in your heart" after Saturday night's revelatory event, which Fromula described as a "slip and fall episode".

"It wasn't exactly 'The Passion of the Showerhead'" said Fromula, in a reference to her former work as a marketing consultant to the Mel Gibson movie of a similar name, "but there is no doubt that her thinking on the issue has evolved".

Senators In Gangland

by: Bill Egnor AKA Something The Dog Said

Wed Sep 22, 2010 at 06:23:01 AM MST

Not much of value comes from gangs. Oh sure there are some rap artists who started as gang members and I am not going to minimize the art that they have created, but really they are the exception not the rule. Gangs in history and in contemporary America are generally associated with criminal activity.

Given this basic premise it is hard to understand why a long time United States Senator would want to form a gang, but Sen. Lieberman really has a bit of a chubby for them. It was eons ago in blog time, 2005,  but there was a show down between Democrats and Republicans over judicial nominees. The Dems where holding up 11 applet court nominees and the Republicans were talking about the "nuclear option" of ending the filibuster.  

No Exceptions Caucus - Will They Imprison Women For Having An Abortion?

by: Bill Egnor AKA Something The Dog Said

Tue Sep 21, 2010 at 06:15:19 AM MST

It all seems to be part of their toughness shtick. Where everything is a life and death fight and they will take any position to the maximal and then declare that it is main stream. I love  this tactic when it is my seven year old nephew and he insists he is a super-hero just because he says so, but it is more than a little frightening in someone who could be a United States Senator and be one for the next six years, at least.  

"Punishing Democrats" A Bad Move All The Way Around

by: Bill Egnor AKA Something The Dog Said

Tue Sep 14, 2010 at 06:31:06 AM MST

Then there are another group of angry folks, this time on the Left. They were the ones who suffered through eight years of Republican lawlessness and were inspired by the promise of change the Obama campaign offered. Many feel betrayed by the fact that change has not been as intense as they imagined. They point, with good reason, to the promises made by the President on issues like Health Care reform and the reality of what the legislative process gave us. No public option, lots of compromise and a bill that while it does good things for some is not the kind of transformational change that the Left (myself included) wanted.