Monthly Archives: September 2010

No October Surprise Recess Appointments for Obama

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First, the quick news.  Harry Reid has agreed to hold pro-forma sessions in the Senate to keep Obama from making recess appointments.  In other words, the Democrat Congress just hamstrung a Democrat President.

It may seem unusual, but if you look at Obama’s appointment history and the proximity of the next election, what’s happening isn’t so surprising.  Harry Reid is engaged in electoral self-preservation, and that of his party.  He doesn’t want any October surprise recess appointments.

Can you blame him, given Obama’s track record?  While Congressional Democrats are all out campaigning and attempting in vain to portray themselves as the mainstream guardians of the little guy, the last thing they need is another Berwick.  They definitely don’t need some Joe Schmoe of a czar appointment that everyone quickly discovers has a less-than-mainstream background (like being an avowed Communist, for example) hung around their necks along with the half dozen or so anchors they’re already wearing.

Add to this fact that Reid is likely not happy with Obama now, and this particular political backhand to The One stops seeming so out of whack.  Reid has thrown Obama under the bus in time for November.  After two years of his Presidency, he has plenty of company there.

Democrats Run Screaming From Tax Cuts

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All that bad legislation the Democrats managed to cram into two years, and they can’t even leave Washington with a working budget.  Better yet, they’ve run screaming…uh, adjourned…before voting on tax cuts.  And unlike many Republican leaders, Boehner showed some initiative and zinged them on it.

So far I’m liking more of what I see in him than not.  Still, if all else fails we can always primary him later.  But for now, he deserves some kudos for getting enough votes together to vote the Bush tax cuts through, even though Pelosi successfully managed a 210-209 adjournment vote before he was able to use them.

Now granted, 47 Democrats say they sided with the GOP on tax cuts, but there’s no reason to take them at their word.  They’re a day late and a dollar short on this one too.  Two years of damage, and what they say they want at the last second doesn’t mean a damn thing.  The myth of the moderate Democrat is dead, and good riddance.

Now, all that remains to do is poll for what you think Pelosi’s reaction will be when she’s forced to hand Boehner the gavel next January.  Panic?  Tears?  Complete nervous break?  WWE scene where she starts throwing chairs and has to be dragged to the House well by the seargeant at arms?  Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Chris Christie Remains True to Form

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Chris Christie may not be a solid conservative, but I hesitate to use the term RINO for him.

RINOs are squishy.  RINOs don’t lead, unless it’s to undermine conservatives.  Certainly none of them have any worth as statesmen.  None of this applies to Christie, who while moderate, has hit some very tough problems in his state head-on and without apology.  Maybe I don’t agree with him all the time, but he’s worthy of a healthy dose of respect.

He’s not remotely a garden-variety moderate.  He’s just a worthwhile exception, like Giuliani was during the 9/11 crisis.  Not entirely conservative, but a real leader.

Well, Governor Christie has hit another one out of the park.  He’s basically laid out what the Republicans need to do if they return to power, and true to his usual form, he hits the GOP head on.  In short, he describes the put up or shut up moment they’ll be facing if they manage to return, and he couldn’t be more right.

One more George Bush styled presidency, and there won’t be a Republican Party.  One more massive capitulation, one more major instance of Democrats running rings around them, and they could very well lose it all.  The Tea Parties and conservatives in general have already proven we can fight without them, and in the end, a new good second party is a lot better than a permanently weak dysfunctional one.  Whether that happens with Republican reform or something new rising from their ashes is up to them.

Addendum, 9/30/2010:  I kan haz editur!  Corrected a title error to accurately reflect Governor Christie’s name.

Jim DeMint Is Awesome, Part 1,342,789

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It’s been said before but it bears repeating:  Jim DeMint is awesome.

Jim DeMint.  Acting senior Senator from South Carolina (the one that’s not McCain’s boy).  Man with his own Senate fund, stand-up leader, and annoyance to RINOs everywhere.  He was great before today, but if you thought his very own brand of South Carolinian awesome sauce couldn’t get any better, it does.

DeMint has a plan to deal with the legislative cramdown.

Here’s a quote from his SCF mailer dated 9/28/2010 titled “No More Secret Bills”:

…With just a few days left before the Senate adjourns, he’s [Reid's - addition mine] preparing to force a number of bills through at the last minute. But I’m not going to play along and I don’t care if he or if anyone attacks me. In fact, my staff has notified every office in the Senate that if they don’t disclose their last-minute bills by the close of business today, I will object to their passage.

…

It’s time to stop knee-jerk policy-making and start carefully reviewing legislation to ensure it’s constitutional and supports the principles of freedom that are the backbone of this great country.

No unanimous consent.  In other words, no rushing through bad legislation now, and not during the lame duck session. This won’t stop it all dead, but it will slow it down greatly should the RINOs return to form after November and start voting like Democrats again.

The only minor sticking point is that there shouldn’t be any conditions on this.  Do it no matter what.  The only reason Reid would be forcing this much through Congress is because these bills are a liberal wish list, which guarantees that they’re bad.  Still, there’s no complaining about the fact he’s actually showing some leadership in opposition to this.

Furthermore, if this guy’s nominees make it into Congress, then DeMint becomes a proven kingmaker.  He won’t need a formal leadership title.  If he’s in a position to cause any other Republican Senator to win or lose a primary fight with a high degree of success, he becomes a Republican Senatorial demigod whether they like him or not.

Who knows?  Maybe Graham will be DeMint’s lapdog soon.

So again, Jim DeMint is awesome.  Part 1,342,789.  Just in case you forgot the URL, you can help support his Senate Conservatives Fund here.

Addendum:  Actually, a minor correction.  He’s starting right now, before the lame duck session.  Hopefully, it continues until through the lame duck session until this abysmal Congress is no more, and the new one is sworn in.

Changes made in post to reflect correction.