Tag Archives: State of the Union

Washington Still Fiddling

09 Tuesday Mar 2010

Posted by in Congress, economy, health care, Obama, Politics

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Bob Herbert’s op-ed in yesterday’s New York Times echos what I’ve been thinking lately—it’s time for Congress and President Obama to get past health care reform and move on to jobs. Please.

“The Obama administration and Democrats in general are in trouble because they are not urgently and effectively addressing the issue that most Americans want them to: the frightening economic insecurity that has put a chokehold on millions of American families.

The economy shed 36,000 jobs last month, and that was trumpeted in the press as good news. Well, after your house has burned down I suppose it’s good news that the flames may finally be flickering out. But once you realize that it will take 11 million or more new jobs to get us back to where we were when the recession began, you begin to understand that we’re not really making any headway at all.

…Instead of focusing with unwavering intensity on this increasingly tragic situation, making it their top domestic priority, President Obama and the Democrats on Capitol Hill have spent astonishing amounts of time and energy, and most of their political capital, on an obsessive quest to pass a health care bill.”

“Obsessive quest” is right. But sadly I don’t see it ending any time soon. Now the talk is to have health care done by Easter. Anybody who believes that believes in the Easter bunny. But never mind, Congress. Take your time. The good economic news is that another million people stopped looking for work last month and no longer count in the unemployment statistics. Hooray.

By the way, what happened to “jobs must be our number one focus in 2010″ from the State of the Union speech in January? Just curious.

Democrats Schmoozing the “Fat Cats” They Despise (Allegedly)

03 Wednesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Congress, Democrats, lobbyists, special interests, Wall Street

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The hypocrisy never stops. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in a press release last Wednesday following President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“In the upcoming elections, voters will face a choice between Republicans who are standing with Wall Street fat cats, bankers and insurance companies – or Democrats who are working hard to clean up the mess we inherited by putting the people’s interests ahead of the special interests.”

From Politico yesterday:

“Twelve Democratic Senators spent last weekend in Miami Beach raising money from top lobbyists for oil, drug, and other corporate interests that they often decry, according to a guest list for the event obtained by POLITICO.

Across the table was a who’s who of 108 senior Washington lobbyists, including the top lobbying officials for many of the industries Democrats regularly attack: Represented were the American Bankers Association, the tobacco company Altria, the oil company Marathon, several drug manufacturers, the defense contractor Lockheed, and most of the large independent lobbying firms.”

The guest list for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s “winter retreat” at the Ritz Carlton South Beach Resort doesn’t include the price tag for attendance, but the maximum contribution to the committee, typical for such events, is $30,000. There, to participate in “informal conversations” and other meetings Saturday, were senators including DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez; Michigan’s Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow; Bob Casey of Pennsylvania; Claire McCaskill of Missouri; freshmen Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Begich of Alaska; and even left-leaning Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Nice job, Bob. I’ll sleep better at night  knowing you’re looking out for the “people’s interests” and sticking it to those “fat cats.”

Whatever It Is, They’re Against It

30 Saturday Jan 2010

Posted by in Congress, Republicans

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In response to President Obama’s call for bi-partisanship in his Wednesday night State of the Union address, the Republican reply on Thursday was this:

“The Senate took a vote on extending the federal debt ceiling — without which the United States would go into default. All 40 Republicans voted no.

The Senate took a vote on requiring Congress not to pass legislation that it can’t pay for. All 40 Republicans voted no.

The Senate took a final vote on passing the overall plan. Thirty-nine Republicans voted no. The 40th, Sen.Mike Enzi (R-Wyo) skipped the vote.”

Groucho, you’re on:

A "Deficit of Trust," Mr. President? Here’s Why

29 Friday Jan 2010

Posted by in Obama, Politics

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President Obama in last night’s State of the Union Address (emphasis mine):

“We face a deficit of trust — deep and corrosive doubts about how Washington works that have been growing for years.  To close that credibility gap, we have to take action on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue — to end the outsized influence of lobbyists; to do our work openly; to give our people the government they deserve.”

From The Hill this morning:

“A day after bashing lobbyists, President Barack Obama’s administration has invited K Street insiders to join private briefings on a range of topics addressed in Wednesday’s State of the Union.

The Treasury Department on Thursday morning invited selected individuals to “a series of conference calls with senior Obama administration officials to discuss key aspects of the State of the Union address.”

…Another lobbyist said these types of teleconferences occur “all the time.”

…The invitation stated, “The White House is encouraging you to participate in these calls and will have a question and answer session at the end of each call. As a reminder, these calls are not intended for press purposes.

…A handful of lobbyists told The Hill on Thursday morning that they received the invitations and were planning to call in.

Some lobbyists say they are extremely frustrated with the White House for criticizing them and then seeking their feedback. Others note that Democrats on Capitol Hill constantly urge them to make political donations.

One lobbyist said, “Bash lobbyists, then reach out to us. Bash lobbyists [while] I have received four Democratic invitations for fundraisers.”

A “deficit of trust” Mr. President? I can’t imagine why?