What’s The Surrender Caucus’ Plan For Dealing With Democrats?

The usual suspects are very, very concerned that the other usual suspects aren’t willing to roll over for the Democrats on Planned Parenthood.

I give you Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.

“Given the challenges and threats we face at home and abroad, I oppose risking a government shutdown, particularly when it appears there is no chance of achieving a successful result,” Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., wrote to [Ted Cruz] the GOP presidential hopeful from Texas. “Nevertheless, as I understand it, you have been circulating a letter to our colleagues asking them to oppose any government funding bill that continues to authorize funding for Planned Parenthood.”
Ayotte, who is one of the more vulnerable GOP incumbents on the ballot in 2016, makes clear in the letter that she concurs with Cruz on the disturbing nature of secret video recordings about Planned Parenthood, but she offers serious doubts about his tactics.
“How do we get 60 votes? And if for some reason there were 60 votes, how do we get 67 votes in the Senate to overcome a Presidential veto?” Ayotte asks in the missive sent Thursday, which was first obtained by New Hampshire’s influential ABC affiliate WMUR.

Yes, well, that’s a very important question if your main concern is getting Kelly Ayotte re-elected. If however you have greater concerns about the country than reelecting her, it’s the wrong question.

The correct question for Ayotte and her ilk is, what are you willing to do to break the Democrats ability to control the agenda of the United States Congress so long as they can muster 41 votes?

Team GOP will tell you, “if you want anything done you need to elect a Republican president”. Here’s the thing…imagine that everything was exactly the same right now with the exception that say, Marco “Amnesty” Rubio is the president. The Senate Democrats will still have 41 votes in the Senate, so they’d still be able to filibuster any effort to defund Planned Parenthood (or anything else conservatives want done). And of course, they’d be joined by the likes of Mark Kirk and Susan Collins who are siding with the Democrats now.

Do you imagine the Democrats will suddenly be in a bipartisan mood if Rubio or any Republican is elected next year? Or do you think they will gum up the works as they have been in the hopes of increasing their numbers come the 2018 mid-terms?

Yeah.

Well, I’m sure if the GOP wins the presidency the media will stop the “heads Democrats win, tails Republicans lose” coverage of shutdowns.

Yes, I’m sure that’s what will happen.

So what’s the GOP going to do about this? The way things are now, all the Democrats ever need is 41 Senate votes and they will have veto power over things like defunding Planned Parenthood or any other issue. It's a pretty neat trick considering the GOP can't seem to do that with control of the House and over 41 Senate votes or even with the House and the Senate.

Unless the GOP starts fighting now, on things like Planned Parenthood which energize Republican voters, and make the Democrats pay a price for filibustering everything, it doesn’t matter what a GOP President wants to do. They will be held hostage to the Democrats and the inevitable turn-coat Republicans who join them.

So either pick this fight and make the Democrats leery of using the filibuster, end it entirely (which is what I’d do), they could go back to the "talking filibuster" as it existed back in the 60s or stop the charade that there’s ever going to be enough Republican votes, presidents or Supreme Court justices to pass anything and the Democrats win no matter what.

Posted by: DrewM. at 09:16 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Every word of this^^^^^^^^^!

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 09:15 AM (sUJHF)

2 Hold on! First!

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 09:16 AM (sUJHF)

3 Is something wrong here? Has everyone else fled the scene?

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 09:17 AM (sUJHF)

4 I'm gonna *tiptoe* out of here.

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 09:18 AM (sUJHF)

5 Quislings, the whole lot of them.

Posted by: Arson Wells at September 21, 2015 09:18 AM (UnJ7w)

6 And people still wonder why guys like Trump are popular.

Posted by: Arson Wells at September 21, 2015 09:20 AM (UnJ7w)

7 Article V could bypass a lot of this nonsense.

Posted by: Arson Wells at September 21, 2015 09:21 AM (UnJ7w)

8 It's worth remembering that when the Democrats did this to Reagan, he signed and called the bill "blackmail". How the media gets away with pretending that Obama would have no choice other than to veto the bill is beyond me. Fiorina is right. Make him veto it. Make him own it.

Posted by: JohnJ at September 21, 2015 09:21 AM (TH0iO)

9 To my great shame, I was a bit fired up about the election of Ayotte some years ago. Disappointment reared its ugly head early on with that one.

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 09:22 AM (sUJHF)

10 So...again, not the hill blah blah blah.

I hope after they die and reach the pearly gates they're told this is not the gate blah blah blah.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 21, 2015 09:24 AM (NOIQH)

11 On team Burn, Scatter, Salt here.

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 09:25 AM (/Ho8c)

12 I'll I read here is bla bla bla bla. Waaaa. So... bye

Posted by: Mitch the Turtle McConnell at September 21, 2015 09:26 AM (e7T6D)

13 Drew we're expected to hold Go Fund Mes for the Pro Baby Butchery Caucus unless I've misread the last 36 hours....

//Guy "Glee" Benson

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:27 AM (g8Hfr)

14 It would help if they stopped acting like they had to pass one single budget. How many times have they been told to pass bills by department? Fund the military, parks, etc. in separate bills. That they haven't done this means they aren't serious.

Posted by: WOPR at September 21, 2015 09:28 AM (QC4QZ)

15 8 Posted by: JohnJ at September 21, 2015 09:21 AM (TH0iO)

That would be because Democrats are allowed to oppose GOP Presidents...

Ogabe would veto a defunding of the Baby Butchery in a New York minute....

do recall one of his few adamant vocal stands was in defense of the practice of closet babies.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:29 AM (g8Hfr)

16 And there is something else to consider:

With the state of hatred and disgust that exists in the country right now toward politics and politicians at pretty much every level, it isn't hard to imagine that the Republicans could lose the majority in congress the next election, regardless of who is elected president.

And so what if that happens?

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 21, 2015 09:29 AM (BZAd3)

17 Kelly, if you want to know how to get this through, just have McConnell grow a pair and suspend the filibuster rule. While you're at it, invent a perpetual motion device and make the Sahara arable again. Dipsticks...all of them.

Posted by: fairweatherbill at September 21, 2015 09:29 AM (ZoK9i)

18 14 Posted by: WOPR at September 21, 2015 09:28 AM (QC4QZ)

You got it....

the GOP in its current form exists to ensure the conservative right does not get political representation...

our political and pundit class too often quite literally sleeps with our ideological enemy.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:30 AM (g8Hfr)

19 Fuck. You. Pixy. Presume this rant is about the need to have enough votes to break a filibuster.

IT'S NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT OMFG ARRRGGGHHHH

*ragetwitches on ground*

You know what? I just want the GOP 4 EVAs to be honest about what the GOP needs to do anything. Because I can assure you, with deep and abiding certainty, that the bar will ever be raised.

We need the House! There. You have the House.

One half of one third, we can't do anything.

We need the Senate too! There. You have the House and Senate and now have control of one-third, including the part that controls the money.

But Obama can veto and the filibuster! We need 67 votes in the Senate and the Presidency or we can't do anything.

Okay. Thought experiment. Let's say all of that takes place.

The GOP has this House and this veto proof majority in the Senate and this Presidency and this remote. That's all they need.

Bet your bottom dollar that the next response will be but but but judges! And the regulations!

I'm sorry, but based on actual evidence from the last several decades, I no longer believe that the GOP will seek to advance Republican issues, let alone conservative ones.

Spare me the but if you don't vote GOP, the Democrats win. I sure as hell don't see how the Democrats are losing now and the GOP has been handed two historic victories in the last three election cycles.

I thought the GOP was the party of results, not intentions. It's hilarious, by which I mean enraging, that I'm the problem for noting the GOP's utter failure to achieve any results.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 09:31 AM (mf5HN)

20 Why become them, of course.

We consider it unfortunate, but not unforgivable given his past support of the party/era we wish to become, that J. Donald Trump has decided to snooker you plebes with his faux conversion on immigration.

Posted by: El Partido Republicano Legado at September 21, 2015 09:31 AM (cL79m)

21 16 Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 21, 2015 09:29 AM (BZAd3)

The ratchet only goes in one direction....

Nanny Botox and Searchlight get the gavel back and I assure you any shutdown THEY engage in is absolute heroism in the event of a GOP win.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:32 AM (g8Hfr)

22 They could fund whatever department funds planned baby parts with the same funds given to PP and tell them to use it for any organization that only provides birth control, etc.

Posted by: WOPR at September 21, 2015 09:32 AM (QC4QZ)

23 Fuck 'em all with a pogo stick.

Posted by: Killerdog at September 21, 2015 09:32 AM (clc4s)

24 I sure as hell don't see how the Democrats are losing now and the GOP
has been handed two historic victories in the last three election
cycles.

Precisely. *applause*

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 09:33 AM (/Ho8c)

25 19 Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 09:31 AM (mf5HN)

+1000

The GOP exists to prevent non Marxist ideas from ever having advocates on capitol hill.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:33 AM (g8Hfr)

26 our political and pundit class too often quite literally sleeps with our ideological enemy.
Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:30 AM (g8Hfr)

It is political theater meant to garner votes. I'm not a cheap date.

Posted by: WOPR at September 21, 2015 09:34 AM (QC4QZ)

27 Even if we do get a shutdown -and I suspect McConnell will cave and do one- the leadership has no fortitude. It will abandon it as soon as it has a pretext to do so, and use it to 'prove' that we can't do shutdowns.

The biggest problem in America is the joint leadership of Mitch McConnell and John Boehner.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 09:34 AM (PcOiY)

28
*ragetwitches on ground*

Go on.....

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at September 21, 2015 09:34 AM (1QsMy)

29 The article in the Federalist that was posted about the other day that was titled (I think): War Is Coming...

I believe that. Either that or the bill is going to come due for debt and obligations. Or both, given the synchronicity with which all kinds of shit is converging on the fan of history now. Regardless, this mundane political BS could very easily - I believe - be the furthest from anyone's mind before long.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 21, 2015 09:34 AM (BZAd3)

30 Drew hit the nail squarely on the head with this one. To the GOPe: put up, or shut up, otherwise what's the difference between you and the dems?

Posted by: jim at September 21, 2015 09:36 AM (VwhRo)

31
There is no hill to die on. It sunk into the muck when pelosi drained the swamp.

Posted by: Mt Atlantis at September 21, 2015 09:36 AM (q4hvt)

32 19 Awesome.

Posted by: Weasel at September 21, 2015 09:37 AM (6xtq3)

33 Tut-tut. Let's not be uncivil about this.

Posted by: Fritz at September 21, 2015 09:37 AM (UzPAd)

34 *ragetwitches on ground*

Go on.....

Oh believe me. It is spectacular.

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 21, 2015 09:38 AM (JtwS4)

35 Good post and all Drew, but I think I'll wait for Trumpetdaddy's four paragraphs of non-rebuttal.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 09:38 AM (Wckf4)

36
It's lonely up here. You never write, you never call.......

Posted by: The Hill To Die On at September 21, 2015 09:38 AM (1QsMy)

37 36 Posted by: The Hill To Die On at September 21, 2015 09:38 AM (1QsMy)

That's because I'm not into you I'm into the Next Next you.....

//Johnny "Hang Glider to Hell" Boehner

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:39 AM (g8Hfr)

38 You know, things like this thread are why we're planning to replace all you people with third world slaves.

Posted by: John Boehner at September 21, 2015 09:39 AM (PcOiY)

39 I thought the GOP was the party of results, not
intentions. It's hilarious, by which I mean enraging, that I'm the
problem for noting the GOP's utter failure to achieve any results.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 09:31 AM (mf5HN)
The facts that El PRL is no longer the party of results and that the populace prefers liberal loud-mouthed schnooks are why the first 3 people out of the 2016 "GOP" Presidential race are/will be the 3 with recent conservative results.Will the unholy alliance of BurnItDown and El PRL next target the less-accomplished conservative and libertarian in the race or the "accomplished" liberals not named Bush for elimination from the race?

Posted by: steveegg at September 21, 2015 09:41 AM (cL79m)

40 9 To my great shame, I was a bit fired up about the election of Ayotte some years ago. Disappointment reared its ugly head early on with that one.

Much like Scott Brown, you just regret it all. All the money and the effort, wasted on a liberal stooge who only votes to keep taxes low.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 09:41 AM (PcOiY)

41 asking them to oppose any government funding bill that continues to authorize funding for Planned Parenthood.

Serious question.

What do they mean by "oppose any bill that..."? Don't spending bills originate in the House?

Like, can't House Republicans author a bill which funds all of the government but does not fund PP?

Isn't that anywhere in their little bag of constitutional prerogatives?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 21, 2015 09:41 AM (JtwS4)

42 Damn Pixy for fucking up the formatting.

Posted by: steveegg at September 21, 2015 09:42 AM (cL79m)

43 Oh believe me. It is spectacular.

Posted by: Bandersnatch

*eyes jealously*

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 09:42 AM (/Ho8c)

44 The filibuster is a tax on your time, and therefore Constitutional.

Posted by: Justice Anthony Kennedy at September 21, 2015 09:43 AM (/kCHc)

45 Lots of diamonds here. (starts mining)

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2015 09:43 AM (7MWCL)

46 Babies getting their faces cut off to harvest their brains is not the hill to die on folks!

Keep you powder dry. Once we have the House, 2/3rds of the Senate, the Presidency, and a guaranteed 5/9s of the Supreme Court, we can move on these things.

Those hicks in flyover country will believe anything... (is this mic still on?).

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 09:44 AM (LXJ1e)

47 The Redskins are starting to look like the Redskins so can't we have Republicans looking like Republicans and no Baby Chop Shops? Which Dem presidential candidate wants to run on baby parts for profit? I'm asking for a friend.

Posted by: Puddin Head at September 21, 2015 09:44 AM (oDCMR)

48 I thought the GOP was the party of results, not intentions. It's hilarious, by which I mean enraging, that I'm the problem for noting the GOP's utter failure to achieve any results.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 09:31 AM (mf5HN)

And that is the problem. They think because they won big the last two elections, they don't have to do anything. They don't realize that people voted them in to achieve some goals. Most conservatives didn't expect a complete reversal. But some victories would have shown they were going to use what they were given. The McClellan party, always wanting more and rarely engaging.

Posted by: WOPR at September 21, 2015 09:44 AM (QC4QZ)

49 how long before the gope grooms a muslim candidate just to show solidarity with our enemies? i'm not kidding......

Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at September 21, 2015 09:45 AM (0O7c5)

50 There will be no dying. There will be no hill.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 21, 2015 09:45 AM (FGIR8)

51 Does Justice Kennedy think baby parts are Love emanating from the Constitution? Stuff you have to worry about with Cuckservatism.

Posted by: Puddin Head at September 21, 2015 09:45 AM (oDCMR)

52 Oh look,a more depressing thread than the morning news dump.

Posted by: steevy at September 21, 2015 09:46 AM (sPO3u)

53 50 There will be no dying. There will be no hill.
Posted by: Insomniac at September 21, 2015 09:45 AM (FGIR

Well, there will be dying, but it will be in clinics and out of sight, like Republicans want.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 09:46 AM (PcOiY)

54 50
There will be no dying. There will be no hill.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 21, 2015 09:45 AM (FGIR

oh there will be dying on the hill....just no fighting.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at September 21, 2015 09:46 AM (0O7c5)

55 It's lonely up here. You never write, you never call.......

Posted by: The Hill To Die On at September 21, 2015 09:38 AM (1QsMy)

Because we've found hills to lay upon, and they're soooooo much more "comfortable".

Posted by: Jean Bo(eh)ner and MaxiCave McConnell at September 21, 2015 09:46 AM (cL79m)

56 Kelly Ayotte.

Types.
Deletes.

Posted by: @votermom at September 21, 2015 09:46 AM (cbfNE)

57 Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2015 09:43 AM (7MWCL)

This post is a diamond in the rough!

[I'm here 'til Thursday....try the veal!]

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2015 09:47 AM (Zu3d9)

58 49 Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at September 21, 2015 09:45 AM (0O7c5)

Hell I'm amazed Johnny "Hang Glider to Hell" Boehner is not advocating the GOP agree not to enforce the 22d amdmt and let Ogabe run again as a fusion candidate....

the GOP exists as a cherry syrup sweetener to make the Donkey Socialist medicine go down easier...

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:48 AM (g8Hfr)

59 Yes, I've voted to send Americans into combat, but you can't make me shutdown the government. I could lose my job!

Posted by: John Boehner at September 21, 2015 09:50 AM (PcOiY)

60 There is no hill? Am I to understand you are telling me there is no hill?

Posted by: Weasel at September 21, 2015 09:53 AM (6xtq3)

61 >>how long before the gope grooms a muslim candidate just to show solidarity with our enemies? i'm not kidding......

I'm working on that....

Posted by: Grover Norquist at September 21, 2015 09:53 AM (NOIQH)

62 49 how long before the gope grooms a muslim candidate just to show solidarity with our enemies? i'm not kidding......
Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at September 21, 2015 09:45 AM (0O7c5)

I've never heard anything like the pissing and moaning from the MFM over the comment from Dr Carson about his opinion that we should not have a Muslim as president. Holy Shite! They are coming unglued. That is HIS opinion. Yours may differ. Get over it. These people who are all atheist or agnostic anyway, pretend to get their panties in a twist over this remark/thought. They have NOTHING in common with Muslim people. They don't give a flying F*CK about them except as a cudgel to bash in our brains and attempt to shame us. That is all.

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 09:53 AM (sUJHF)

63 This is episode #562 of Drew's Failure Theatre reviews. We all want to know one thing, GOP: if you say this isn't the hill to die on, then tell us which hill you're willing to fight for. If this isn't a principle you'll fight for, which principle will you fight for?

And if you say "lower corporate taxes" or "Ex-Im reauthorization", I warn you, you will experience some good old-fashioned French-style politicking.

So consider carefully before answering, but answer you must.

Posted by: MTF at September 21, 2015 09:54 AM (TxJGV)

64 They're.in.on.it.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 09:55 AM (evdj2)

65 I wonder if the Senate GOPe hungers for the return of Harry Reid so strongly that they are willing to instruct staffers to ignore the screams of little boys in the Senate basement during the night?

Posted by: MTF at September 21, 2015 09:55 AM (TxJGV)

66 60 There is no hill? Am I to understand you are telling me there is no hill?

--

There is a hill. This is the hill. A hill of infant bones and bodies. It is a mountain. And our souls lie buried beneath it.

Posted by: @votermom at September 21, 2015 09:57 AM (cbfNE)

67 maybe, just maybe one of these chicken shit RINOs will look at the polls and realize the 'Base", us, want action and there is a reason the RINO candidates are polling like shit. Can they all be that stupid?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 09:57 AM (gf8BH)

68 Change the Senate and House rules. Reed did it. Why can't we? USe every trick in the books

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 09:58 AM (gf8BH)

69 67 maybe, just maybe one of these chicken shit RINOs will look at the polls and realize the 'Base", us, want action and there is a reason the RINO candidates are polling like shit. Can they all be that stupid?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 09:57 AM (gf8BH)

Yes.

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 09:58 AM (sUJHF)

70 I see Hector has made his usual morning appearance at 51.

Posted by: MTF at September 21, 2015 09:58 AM (TxJGV)

71 " The McClellan party, always wanting more and rarely engaging. "

Spot-freaking-on.

And always leaving you wondering if the problem is just ordinary sacklessness or deliberate treason.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at September 21, 2015 09:58 AM (S0bOl)

72 66 Posted by: @votermom at September 21, 2015 09:57 AM (cbfNE)

Then like me you've invested a lifetime of advocacy to the wrong party.

The GOPe is a lot more concerned with ramming through the "destroy America through wave immigration" playbook than ending what until 10 years ago would have been a Hollywood Horror Script ala "coma"....

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 09:59 AM (g8Hfr)

73 What's worse is that the LGBT lobby and their supporters have, with Kim Davis, essentially said no Christian should hold office. You can hold office and marry gays, or you can resign and have your Christianity.

And what's *really* worse is they don't even confine this to public office - it applied to florists, bakers, photographers, etc..

Talk about a "squirrel" to distract from THEIR religious intolerance.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 21, 2015 09:59 AM (NOIQH)

74 35 Good post and all Drew, but I think I'll wait for Trumpetdaddy's four paragraphs of non-rebuttal.
Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 09:38 AM (Wckf4)

Point of order here.
Will insulting Trumpetdaddy on a personal level get you banned?
Because reading some of the dimwitted dolt's blathering might do that if the fine strategist and tactician jumps into a discussion.

Posted by: jwb7605 at September 21, 2015 09:59 AM (M+9nV)

75 The tits are not calm.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 09:59 AM (evdj2)

76 No one besides Carson has the balls to state the obvious,that islam is incompatible with American values.All Western values in fact.

Posted by: steevy at September 21, 2015 09:59 AM (sPO3u)

77 65 I wonder if the Senate GOPe hungers for the return of Harry Reid so strongly that they are willing to instruct staffers to ignore the screams of little boys in the Senate basement during the night?
Posted by: MTF at September 21, 2015 09:55 AM (TxJGV)

The military will throw out a guy who uses a racial slur, but forces our troops to work with child rapists.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (PcOiY)

78 Conservatives voted for Kelly Ayotte.

How many times does this have to happen before conservative voters get a fucking clue?

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (u5gzz)

79 Burn it down.

Posted by: @votermom at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (cbfNE)

80 Barack Obama is a SCOAMT.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (kff5f)

81 And if you say "lower corporate taxes" or "Ex-Im
reauthorization", I warn you, you will experience some good
old-fashioned French-style politicking.

Posted by: MTF at September 21, 2015 09:54 AM (TxJGV)

This is why we are becoming "conservative populists."

I am so disgusted with the cozy relationship between the Republican Party and their corporate masters that I am willing to go all crazy-Iowa-populist-from-the-1930s on them.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (Zu3d9)

82 Burn it down.
Scatter the stones.
Salt the earth where it stood.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (kff5f)

83 There's also been all kinds of wails from the Left about our Catholic SCOTUS members - they have been saying for a while that a Catholic should not serve of the Supreme Court because their religion interferes with their judgement.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (NOIQH)

84 The military will throw out a guy who uses a racial slur, but forces our troops to work with child rapists.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (PcOiY)

Pretty much

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (gf8BH)

85 75 The tits are not calm.
Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 09:59 AM (evdj2)

John shaved off his long mustache.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (FGIR8)

86 81 Their corporate masters increasingly support the Democrats anyway.Their solution apparently is to say " see,we aren't really any different".

Posted by: steevy at September 21, 2015 10:01 AM (sPO3u)

87 The red rat commie bastards of the Democratic Party are our opponents. The Republican leadership is our enemy.

Posted by: Grump928(c) notes at September 21, 2015 10:03 AM (evdj2)

88 Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 09:31 AM (mf5HN)

I may need a cigarette after that one.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:03 AM (kff5f)

89 I am so disgusted with the cozy relationship between the Republican Party and their corporate masters that I am willing to go all crazy-Iowa-populist-from-the-1930s on them.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (Zu3d9)

This.

Why should we go to the mattresses for people who hate everything we are and stand for?

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:03 AM (PcOiY)

90 I don't recall Harry Reid ever saying, "We just don't have the votes to push for the agenda issues our base wants addressed."

Posted by: V the K at September 21, 2015 10:03 AM (O7MnT)

91 Elections are for ordinary times.

Torches and Pitchforks.

Posted by: Weasel at September 21, 2015 10:03 AM (6xtq3)

92 The point--you stupid fucking bitch, Kelly--is to make the Democrats VOTE!!!

Why in the fuck is this so hard?

You make them VOTE to keep killing babies. It don't fucking matter if it passes--you have them evil son of a bitches on record as voting in favor of killing babies.

If you can't fucking win on that issue, you don't have any fucking business being in politics.

Here we have the fucking Whigs saying, "Most Americans are comfortable with slavery" with today's refrain, "We don't have the votes to stop it, so why try?"

There is no reason NOT to make them vote--unless you agree with them!!!

And I get the feeling--you evil bitch, Kelly--that you do agree with them.

Posted by: RoyalOil at September 21, 2015 10:04 AM (ZvKdv)

93 This is why we are becoming "conservative populists."

"Conservulists"

'Cause I made up that word last week, and I want to see the Horde pick it up.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:04 AM (kff5f)

94 Over at HotAir's surrender caucus they're already trying to blame Cruz for a shutdown that hasn't happened yet. They just don't get that a shutdown is a good thing.

84 The military will throw out a guy who uses a racial slur, but forces our troops to work with child rapists.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (PcOiY)

Pretty much
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (gf8BH)

I found the times story the height of irony. These are the people who've been pushing the gay lifestyle for decades. Why are they surprised at its logical outcome? Its also funny how this story comes out right as Barry announces a gay lobbyist to be head of the army, whose only priority is to ensure that gays don't feel bad while in the service.

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:04 AM (tAYH3)

95 84 Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:00 AM (gf8BH)

Pasrt of why I laughed so heartily at the left WRT "the Catholic Buggery Scandals"...

if the Clergy had beards and practical career experience goat husbandry degrees the left would have demanded "tolerance and understanding"...

we've discussed the Afghani "Boy Day" a decade here at least....

the right lets the left control the narrative, and God forbid anyone on the right express rage at the Marxist/Academic/Media machine

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:05 AM (g8Hfr)

96 Honestly, rather than funding elections I want to donate to some Kickstarter/GoFundMe that will buy television stations. If the GOPe is really so terrified the media will blame them for a shutdown (or pretty much anything else), maybe it's time to buy TV stations, and give up on donating to politicians until we control some of the media. A conservative Univision/Telemundo is probably a better use of our money than electing conservatives at this point.

Posted by: MaureenTheTemp at September 21, 2015 10:05 AM (ePcUK)

97 Something I've noticed in the Ben Carson brouhaha regarding his comment about not electing a Muslim to be president:
The Christian (or Jewish, or pretty much any other) faith encourage you to govern and lead according to your faith but follow the existing law of the country.

The Muslim faith requires you to change the laws of the country to adhere to the tenets of the faith.

But that's probably too subtle of a thing to qualify as a hill to die on.

Posted by: jwb7605 at September 21, 2015 10:05 AM (M+9nV)

98 Populism, Nativism and Protectionism. The three dependables in troubled times.

Posted by: Grump928(c) notes at September 21, 2015 10:05 AM (evdj2)

99 Fine. Lets say we get rid of the filibuster. We still need a Republican in the White House, right? Ayotte is correct when she asks where the 67 votes for overcoming the presidential veto are supposed to come from, when we cant even get to 60, right? So will Mr. Drew do the right thing and vote for a Republican in 2016?

Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:06 AM (4A7iA)

100 Point of order here.
Will insulting Trumpetdaddy on a personal level get you banned?
Because reading some of the dimwitted dolt's blathering might do that if the fine strategist and tactician jumps into a discussion.

Posted by: jwb7605 at September 21, 2015 09:59 AM (M+9nV)

Well, my opinion only, but given that the poster's very nic appears to be mocking the candidacy of Donald Trump, I'd say trumpetdaddy falls more into the category of troll, or maybe paid shill, rather than a regular member of the Horde. He never existed here, until Trump threw his hat in the ring, and basically does not engage on other issues at all, or only to the extent that he can throw in a bash at Trump.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2015 10:06 AM (7MWCL)

101 The only time "we" ever win is when they can passive-aggressive girlfriend the whole thing and give us what we want through inaction.

Any time they actually try and make law, we all get screwed. Seriously, our only wins have been through inaction. If pen hits paper, we get a little more of the Unga-Bunga.

Posted by: Chupacabras at September 21, 2015 10:06 AM (kZVsz)

102 Isn't part of the reason Kelly Ayotte is vulnerable is in 2010 she campaigned as being a conservative and once getting to the Senate went all McCain squishy. Yeah Kelly I'm sure conservatives will be interested in showing up for you after you refused to take a stand against the baby murderers and rapist protectors.

You go have fun hanging out with Scotty-too-hotty Brown.

Posted by: buzzion at September 21, 2015 10:06 AM (zt+N6)

103 68 Change the Senate and House rules. Reed did it. Why can't we? USe every trick in the books
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 09:58 AM (gf8BH)

Oh, they'll do that for something they want.
Fuck all for what we want though.

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:06 AM (tAYH3)

104 94 Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:04 AM (tAYH3)

The overarching goal of the incoming SecArmy is to allow Caitlyn Jenner to serve in comfort...

never mind that Cait is busy killing people with Xer car...

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:07 AM (g8Hfr)

105 ima go with "...the Democrats win no matter what."

#FailureTheatre for $1000, Alex.

Posted by: redc1c4 at September 21, 2015 10:07 AM (HC/uy)

106 Fact: There has not been a conservative bill signed into law on the national level since the 1996 Welfare Reforms. (And Obama phone-and-penned those out of existence.)

Posted by: V the K at September 21, 2015 10:07 AM (O7MnT)

107 Oh, and what's with the Black Diamonds everywhere? Some sort of Ski joke?

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (tAYH3)

108 You are operating under an incorrect assumption. You assume the Republicans want to oppose the Democrats.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (t2KH5)

109 And as others' have pointed out:

Today's Republican's would rather have the issue to run on rather than the victory.

Think about that for a minute: Hey guys, you should support the Cleveland Browns--they're going to fight real, real hard to win the Super Bowl one year. Oh, no. Don't worry about the fact that they never come close--they're a out there a'fightin' real, real hard.

Posted by: RoyalOil at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (ZvKdv)

110 Ayotte is correct when she asks where the 67 votes for overcoming the presidential veto are supposed to come from, when we cant even get to 60, right?

How about we get to the point where Obama vetoes a bill funding child dismemberment? Why the fuck are they protecting him?

Let that asshole veto it. Let people talk about it. Shove it in their faces.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (PcOiY)

111 How fucked up are the priorities (and values) of this country when the whole fucking federal government can be shut down because of a corrupt abortion provider?

Fucking really?

Yes. The obscenities are appropriate.

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (4AVeu)

112 Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:06 AM (4A7iA)

Aaaand right on cue.

We've already discussed that. Nothing Conservative can possibly happen until Republicans have the Presidency, super-majorities in both houses of congress, have appointed a whole new supreme court, and have had a chance to control the regulating agencies for 100 years.

We know.

That's why we don't trust Republicans anymore.

I'm so old I remember when we mocked Democrats for exactly this kind of talk, and pointed to the Newt Gingrich Republicans for proof that it was bologna.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:09 AM (kff5f)

113 Abortion is the Sacrament of the Church of the Left.

Posted by: Grump928(c) notes at September 21, 2015 10:09 AM (evdj2)

114 I thought for some reason you couldn't filibuster a budget bill.

In any case, if we had a normal budget process, the GOP could just refuse to send Obama any budget that included the funding, and pull some trick like doubling the funding for women's health but directing it all to other orgs, to make it crystal clear that this is all about progressives protecting a specific institution that helps them get reelected. But since we don't actually send budgets any more, who the hell knows.

Posted by: cjw at September 21, 2015 10:09 AM (UJ59J)

115 The problem is that Democrats have had the MFM in their back pocket since the 30s. Until the Republican learn how to fight both the media and the Dems they will always lose.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 21, 2015 10:10 AM (t2KH5)

116 If only the Democrats fought as hard for veterans' health care as they do for Planned Parenthood. . .

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at September 21, 2015 10:10 AM (4AVeu)

117 You can't shut down the government because it funds child dismemberment! People could get hurt!!!

Posted by: The Media at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (PcOiY)

118 93 This is why we are becoming "conservative populists."

"Conservulists"

'Cause I made up that word last week, and I want to see the Horde pick it up.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:04 AM (kff5f)

I prefer Consopulists.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (LXJ1e)

119 "The correct question for Ayotte and her ilk is, what are you
willing to do to break the Democrats ability to control the agenda of
the United States Congress so long as they can muster 41 votes?"

This brings up the question: why couldn't the Republicans control the agenda of
the United States Congress when they had 41 votes?

Posted by: iowaan at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (VuJri)

120 How about we get to the point where Obama vetoes a bill funding child dismemberment? Why the fuck are they protecting him?

Let that asshole veto it. Let people talk about it. Shove it in their faces.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (PcOiY)

I pointed this out over at HA. All Boehner and McConnell have to do is call a news conference, run the Fiorina ad, up to the baby kicking in the tray, and say. "We're not paying for this shit." drop the mic and walk away. But they won't.

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (tAYH3)

121 Posted by: Begonia

Stairs.

Posted by: get back under them at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (ZtFr+)

122 Imagine if Planned Parenthood had the same 2 and 3-year delays in patient care as the VA hospitals do?

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (4AVeu)

123 "We will have so much winning that you may get tired of winning." - Trump

Sign me up for that. So sick of surrender.

Posted by: @votermom at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (cbfNE)

124 But since we don't actually send budgets any more, who the hell knows.

I will refrain from pouting that my question was ignored upthread.

Don't spending bills originate in the House?

Why can't the Republican House draft a spending bill that pays for everything but not PP?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 21, 2015 10:12 AM (JtwS4)

125 Until the Republican ~~learn how~~ choose to fight both the media and the Dems they will always lose.

I'm pretty certain they know how. At this point I'm not willing to grant them the absolution of ignorance. They know, they're just to cowardly (or too happy with the current status quo) to fight.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:12 AM (kff5f)

126 113 Abortion is the Sacrament of the Church of the Left.
Posted by: Grump928(c) notes at September 21, 2015 10:09 AM (evdj2)

The price of the sexual revolution.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:12 AM (LXJ1e)

127 OT: Sad news about MKH's husband. Prayers to the family, so sad.

Posted by: Minnfidel at September 21, 2015 10:13 AM (lTSU5)

128 Meltdown is scheduled for this week. Although one wag said Oct 1 which would be next week. I'm ready.

Posted by: Pop Corn at September 21, 2015 10:13 AM (jN+3o)

129 124 But since we don't actually send budgets any more, who the hell knows.

I will refrain from pouting that my question was ignored upthread.

Don't spending bills originate in the House?

Why can't the Republican House draft a spending bill that pays for everything but not PP?
Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 21, 2015 10:12 AM (Jtw

-------------------

I'm pretty sure it is Taxing bills must original in the House. Spending can originate in the House or Senate. I replied to you before but it got eaten by something.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:13 AM (LXJ1e)

130 Funny how nobody ever says out loud that it's TFG who's actually shutting down the government. They could've said that last time, too.

And how can not funding what is essentially a rounding error in government economics result in the whole government being shut down (NTTAWWT)?

No wonder we're in a nosedive as a country.

#WASTF

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 21, 2015 10:13 AM (LUgeY)

131 125 Until the Republican learn how choose to fight both the media and the Dems they will always lose.

I'm pretty certain they know how. At this point I'm not willing to grant them the absolution of ignorance. They know, they're just to cowardly (or too happy with the current status quo) to fight.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:12 AM (kff5f)

Trump is running a master's course on this! All they have to do is copy him. Its amazing.

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM (tAYH3)

132 I pointed this out over at HA. All Boehner and McConnell have to do is call a news conference, run the Fiorina ad, up to the baby kicking in the tray, and say. "We're not paying for this shit." drop the mic and walk away. But they won't.
Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (tAYH3)

It's clear they are protecting Obama. My guess is their paymasters have a mutual agreement with him, where they give him cover and he doesn't interfere with their interests.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM (PcOiY)

133 I prefer Consopulists.

I dunno. I mean, besides the fact that *I* didn't come up with, so it can't possibly be as good as "Conservulists" and "Conservulism" it just sounds... I dunno.

Maybe I could get behind it.

But mine are still better.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM (kff5f)

134 I apologize for voting for her in 2010. Please forgive me. I promise you I will not make that same mistake again.

Posted by: Freedomlost at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM (FzpyA)

135 Anti-Israel propaganda has long been a problem on US university campuses - but now it has trickled down to the elementary school level as well, it seems.

Infamous Palestinian Arab activist Bassem Tamimi spoke at an Ithaca, NY elementary school on Friday to present to third-graders a presentation on the suffering of Palestinian Arab children in Israel.

Tamimis visit to Beverly J. Martin Elementary was arranged via anti-Israel activist Ariel Gold, the current head of the North American branch of Sabeel International - an anti-Israel Christian organization actively working to skew Christian dominations toward divestment resolutions against the Jewish state.

The World has gone mad

Beverly J. Martin has not yet responded to requests for comments on the presentation, its content, and how a controversial political figure was allowed access to young children.

Ithaca, NY has become infamous for its pro-Palestinian, and even Islamist, activities.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:15 AM (gf8BH)

136 132 Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM (PcOiY)

Quite it is how the Communist in the Oval office gets to be President Make a Wish on all non-economic policy...

of course Ogabe gets his way on that too under the auspices of EPA corruptocrat malfeasance.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:15 AM (g8Hfr)

137 120 How about we get to the point where Obama vetoes a bill funding child dismemberment? Why the fuck are they protecting him?

Let that asshole veto it. Let people talk about it. Shove it in their faces.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (PcOiY)

I pointed this out over at HA. All Boehner and McConnell have to do is call a news conference, run the Fiorina ad, up to the baby kicking in the tray, and say. "We're not paying for this shit." drop the mic and walk away. But they won't.
Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:11 AM (tAYH3)

Call it: The Child Dismemberment Elimination Act

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:16 AM (LXJ1e)

138 It's clear they are protecting Obama. My guess is their paymasters have a mutual agreement with him, where they give him cover and he doesn't interfere with their interests.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM (PcOiY)

Oh yeah. I saw the thing on how Boeing was a big promoter of the Iran deal. But seeing how little these clowns actually have done, whose interests are being served? Or is the inaction the service?

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:16 AM (tAYH3)

139 Why are the ficons not leading the way on this potential government shutdown? Is there anything more fiscally conservative?

Posted by: SH at September 21, 2015 10:17 AM (gmeXX)

140 I apologize for voting for her in 2010. Please forgive me. I promise you I will not make that same mistake again.

Posted by: Freedomlost at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM

No worries. We've all voted RINO before because, well shinier turd and all. I am with you and I am in the NMSTC (no more shinier turd club) Won't vote Dem. Won't vote DemLite. Eff them.

Posted by: Minnfidel at September 21, 2015 10:17 AM (lTSU5)

141 Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:15 AM (gf8BH)

I got to school a cow-orker on the real history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict the other day. He was quite amazed that the Israelis weren't the evil, land-dispossessing conquerors that the MFM makes them out to be.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:17 AM (kff5f)

142 What's with the SoCon-emoting melodrama? I imagine some of you paid PP to kill your babies and spare you a lifetime of court-ordered child support. Scrape, scrape. Gouge, gouge.

Posted by: I no longer believe in America at September 21, 2015 10:17 AM (vNchP)

143 133 I prefer Consopulists.

I dunno. I mean, besides the fact that *I* didn't come up with, so it can't possibly be as good as "Conservulists" and "Conservulism" it just sounds... I dunno.

Maybe I could get behind it.

But mine are still better.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:14 AM (kff5f)

---------------

We're working on the wrong end:

Popservative

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:18 AM (LXJ1e)

144 I imagine some of you paid PP to kill your babies and spare you a lifetime of court-ordered child support.

Of course you do, bless your heart.

Posted by: Grump928(c) notes at September 21, 2015 10:18 AM (evdj2)

145 I got to school a cow-orker on the real history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict the other day. He was quite amazed that the Israelis weren't the evil, land-dispossessing conquerors that the MFM makes them out to be.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:17 AM (kff5f)

How old is this idiot and had he been living under a rock?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:18 AM (gf8BH)

146 You know what's truly pathetic about failure theater? That we actually are willing to take a loss on things like this as the ultimate final result, but the GOP still fucks that up! So yeah, we know Obama probably isn't going to sign a bill to defund planed parenthood. So we're probably going to lose it. But take a fucking stand. Show some principle in beliefs rather than just principle in wanting to keep your cushy senate office.

Its like the last shutdown. We knew it probably wouldn't get the final results, but so many of the establishment had to be dragged kicking and screaming into doing it at all. And then predictably surrendered at the first opportunity.

So Obama's going to veto it. So what? That's one of the big reasons all the establishment shill were crying that you need to vote for the GOPe. To actually get things through to the Senate and make the senators and Obama vote against them. And yet how often has that happened?

Posted by: buzzion at September 21, 2015 10:18 AM (zt+N6)

147 If I only I had the keys to the Banhammer of Loving Kindness.

Oh well, Ignore_User it is.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:19 AM (kff5f)

148 From the twat machine:

BREAKING: Israel, Russia decided to form Deconfliction mechanism in Syria, Netanyahu says

Leadership vacuum?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 21, 2015 10:19 AM (JtwS4)

149 How old is this idiot and had he been living under a rock?

The LIV believes what they hear when it's all one voice. I just smile and ask them if they never tire of being rubes and dupes.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:19 AM (evdj2)

150 How old is this idiot and had he been living under a rock?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:18 AM (gf8BH)

Mid 30s.

Hey, at least he was willing to accept that maybe he didn't have all the information. I'll take what I can get.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:20 AM (kff5f)

151 Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 09:31 AM (mf5HN)

Ah, Her Serene Malevolence in full-throated cry. It's a beautiful sight.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 10:20 AM (zF6Iw)

152 maybe, just maybe one of these chicken shit RINOs will look at the polls
and realize the 'Base", us, want action and there is a reason the RINO
candidates are polling like shit. Can they all be that stupid?
===========
They are. Because this is just a game to them.

Money shuffled about the board.

And they are not all that wrong--over and over they have learned they get the money and the power, win or lose.

Think about this: We are a very vocal and very pissed of part of the base. And yet, nearly all of us STILL get mailers and solicitations from the GOPe on a regular basis. Why? Because it is STILL working.
There is a huge chunk of Republican voters who STILL believe the GOPe is going to do what they say the will do.
What's the poll total of the GOPe candidates?
It should be over 70%.

Posted by: RoyalOil at September 21, 2015 10:20 AM (ZvKdv)

153 Fine. Lets say we get rid of the filibuster. We still need a Republican in the White House, right? Ayotte is correct when she asks where the 67 votes for overcoming the presidential veto are supposed to come from, when we cant even get to 60, right? So will Mr. Drew do the right thing and vote for a Republican in 2016?

------

Why do we need to overcome a presidential veto? If he doesn't sign it, then nothing (I know it isn't really nothing) gets funded. If he wants to "shut down" the government over PP, that's on Obama. There is no need for a veto.

Posted by: SH at September 21, 2015 10:20 AM (gmeXX)

154 The "Populative" Party. Sounds...sexy.

The three developing factions seem to be, then, the Shinier Turd insurgency, the Clean Enders, and the ever-popular Shining City on The Hill Not to Die On.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at September 21, 2015 10:20 AM (xq1UY)

155 142 Posted by: I no longer believe in America at September 21, 2015 10:17 AM (vNchP)

We're the world's largest open-aired insane asylum Infant Abbatoir Yector....

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:20 AM (g8Hfr)

156 BREAKING: Israel, Russia decided to form Deconfliction mechanism in Syria, Netanyahu says

Leadership vacuum?
Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 21, 2015 10:19 AM (JtwS4)

Pooty-Poot isn't a fan of the Jihadis either.

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:21 AM (tAYH3)

157 It's pretty weird, on it's face, to veto a budget for what's not in it.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:22 AM (evdj2)

158 what are you willing to do to break the Democrats ability to control the agenda of the United States Congress

Is resign and take the rest of the GOPe with them leaving the field open for new management on the options list. Before Ahnuld hands them the revolver with one left behind the demolished bar.

Posted by: DaveA at September 21, 2015 10:22 AM (DL2i+)

159 Diamonds
Diamonds and ruuuuusst

Posted by: ginaswo at September 21, 2015 10:23 AM (qxNrP)

160 "Conservulists" vs "Consopulists"

Soon to be the new crossbows-longbows.

_

re: Black diamonds: Day three report on experimentation. On Opera browser, I can change page encoding from Unicode-UTF8 to Western (any setting, it seems) and get the intended characters instead of the black diamonds.

But, can only post a comment in UTF8.

Pixy Blogware - reliable technology.™

Posted by: mindful webworker - agin wit the encodin at September 21, 2015 10:23 AM (ApT0U)

161 >>I prefer Consopulists.

I prefer browncoats.

Posted by: V the K at September 21, 2015 10:23 AM (O7MnT)

162 Oh yeah. I saw the thing on how Boeing was a big promoter of the Iran deal. But seeing how little these clowns actually have done, whose interests are being served? Or is the inaction the service?
Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:16 AM (tAYH3)

I suspect everything that is brought up is agreed upon between the big business powers and Obama.

O: "I want detente with Iran."

B: "Okay, make them buy fifty jumbo jets."

O: "Okay."

B: "Alright, we'll tell Mitch to let it pass."

M: "Boy, what a terrible deal. Here, everybody vote for Corker's bill! Oops, it passed, darn."

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:23 AM (PcOiY)

163 157 It's pretty weird, on it's face, to veto a budget for what's not in it.
Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:22 AM (evdj2)

That's how evil they are. They have to tie their shit to stuff that we allegedly actually need, so they can have us pay for their wickedness. Because if it was separate, it'd never get funded in the first place.

Posted by: Iblis at September 21, 2015 10:24 AM (tAYH3)

164 O/T I was shaking my little angry fist at the TV this morning about something that pissed me off. This happens regularly. I mentioned to my husband that I think I have some anger issues. He fell out laughing...."You Think?" "What was your first clue?" Are you just now becoming aware of that?" At least he left out of the house this morning happy that my maturity is making me a bit more self-aware.

Posted by: TX ette at September 21, 2015 10:24 AM (sUJHF)

165
youtuber

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpagev=i2WxM6DkQB4

Posted by: DaveA at September 21, 2015 10:25 AM (DL2i+)

166 I don't give a shit about this fucking non-issue. I want a good man or good woman to vote for who will do to unions, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, what my local abortion doctor does to the unborn.

Priorities!

Posted by: I no longer believe in America at September 21, 2015 10:25 AM (vNchP)

167 So very very boned.

Posted by: $18,158,247,285,866.31 at September 21, 2015 10:25 AM (evdj2)

168 Congress has the same power of the purse as I do at home. Which is in name only but rarely exercised. In my defense I worry more about spousal shutdowns than government shutdowns.

Posted by: SH at September 21, 2015 10:26 AM (gmeXX)

169 I like popservative (sounds young) and populative (sounds fertile).

I also like Con Polloi. Which sounds like food. Nevermind.

Posted by: @votermom at September 21, 2015 10:26 AM (cbfNE)

170 Think about that for a minute: Hey guys, you should support the Cleveland Browns--they're going to fight real, real hard to win the Super Bowl one year. Oh, no. Don't worry about the fact that they never come close--they're a out there a'fightin' real, real hard.
Posted by: RoyalOil at September 21, 2015 10:08 AM (ZvKdv)

Hey! Be fair!

Everyone involved in that scenario knows that such statements are nothing but lies, lies, lies.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 10:28 AM (mf5HN)

171 IT'S NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT OMFG ARRRGGGHHHH

I'm sorry, but based on actual evidence from the last several decades, I no longer believe that the GOP will seek to advance Republican issues, let alone conservative ones.

Spare me the but if you don't vote GOP, the Democrats win. I sure as hell don't see how the Democrats are losing now and the GOP has been handed two historic victories in the last three election cycles.

I thought the GOP was the party of results, not intentions. It's hilarious, by which I mean enraging, that I'm the problem for noting the GOP's utter failure to achieve any results.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up

I give up too :~/

Posted by: Daisy Cutter at September 21, 2015 10:28 AM (myGBe)

172 This is why, like it or not, l'affaire Trump may well be the last stop before shooting starts. Y'all might want to make your bathroom breaks while we're in the station, it's likely to be the last one before we switch to the cattle cars.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 21, 2015 10:29 AM (9krrF)

173 I suspect everything that is brought up is agreed upon between the big business powers and Obama.

O: "I want detente with Iran."

B: "Okay, make them buy fifty jumbo jets."

O: "Okay."

B: "Alright, we'll tell Mitch to let it pass."

M: "Boy, what a terrible deal. Here, everybody vote for Corker's bill! Oops, it passed, darn."
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:23 AM (PcOiY)

------------------------

You know, I would hope that Obama's calculation was that Iran would spend money on American companies. But I'm sure he hates America enough that the thought never entered his mind.

My belief is not that the deal was to give Iran the bomb, but to allow Russia to become the major power in the area (Obamas "more flexibility after the election"). Lifting the sanctions allows Russia to rearm Iran to shift the balance of power. Notice also that Russia has fully entered the Syrian conflict.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:29 AM (LXJ1e)

174 over
under
sideways
down

when will it end? Hey!

Posted by: Harcourt Guggenklamber at September 21, 2015 10:29 AM (OUSZF)

175 172 Rifles are zeroed. bro.

Posted by: Weasel at September 21, 2015 10:30 AM (6xtq3)

176 We've already discussed that. Nothing Conservative can possibly happen until Republicans have the Presidency, super-majorities in both houses of congress, have appointed a whole new supreme court, and have had a chance to control the regulating agencies for 100 years.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:09 AM (kff5f)
_______

Yes, we need the necessary majorities. Breaking News!

Has anyone here noticed that Democrats didnt overreach from 2007 to 2009? They waited till they got one of their own into the White House and then they went bonkers.

You wanna do crazy stuff that endangers peripheral Republicans like Ayotte? Fine, but how about showing some sense of timing and doing it when these things actually have a chance to succeed? Sacrificing vulnerable Republicans for an agenda that is destined to crash against the veto-wall is just plain stupid. You will just make sure that the necessary majorities arent there anymore when it really counts. But I guess folks around here would blame Republicans for that too.

Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:30 AM (4A7iA)

177 The most painless option would be to scrap the filibuster. That's much less politically painful than a shutdown.

Personally, I think the shutdown just plays into Democrat hands, but at this point, there's many conservatives that probably think that's an added bonus.

Posted by: Kal at September 21, 2015 10:31 AM (A3kYV)

178
You can take Ayottes name out of this thread and sub my Senator, Ron Johnson. He was on one of the biggest talk radio shows last week. Uttered the same bullshit. Oh no we can't do away with cloture. The dems will one day have the majority and we will be steamed roll.

Hey Ron fuck you.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, Model Citizen at September 21, 2015 10:31 AM (2wfWs)

179 Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 10:28 AM (mf5HN)

Johnny Football beat the rebuilding Titans yesterday so lots of fans now want him to be the full time starter. Have fun when he plays another real team.

Probably San Diego in two weeks since the Raiders travel across country to Cleveland next week.

Posted by: buzzion at September 21, 2015 10:31 AM (zt+N6)

180 Ithaca, NY has become infamous for its pro-Palestinian, and even Islamist, activities.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:15 AM (gf8BH)

Visit Irvine, CA if you want to see some real Jew-hate.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2015 10:31 AM (Zu3d9)

181 I prefer browncoats.

I like, but too close to "brownshirts" for anything other than a PR Charlie Foxtrot.

I like "Sons of Liberty", but there's a buttload of Daughters out there, too.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 21, 2015 10:31 AM (9krrF)

182 157 It's pretty weird, on it's face, to veto a budget for what's not in it.
Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:22 AM (evdj2)

End result being that it's required to be in the budget?
Can we think of it as a "funded liability"?

Posted by: jwb7605 at September 21, 2015 10:32 AM (M+9nV)

183 You know, I would hope that Obama's calculation was that Iran would spend money on American companies. But I'm sure he hates America enough that the thought never entered his mind.

I think Obama knew it was the price of getting them on board. It's wheeling and dealing.

Obama is bribing big business to go along with the social justice crusade.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:32 AM (PcOiY)

184
Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up

I see you on your soap box. Preach it sister

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, Model Citizen at September 21, 2015 10:32 AM (2wfWs)

185 You wanna do crazy stuff that endangers peripheral Republicans like Ayotte? Fine, but how about showing some sense of timing and doing it when these things actually have a chance to succeed?

Calling the defunding of a murder machine directly funded by my taxes "crazy stuff" rather defeats your point, don't you think?

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 10:32 AM (zF6Iw)

186 What's The Surrender Caucus' Plan For Dealing With Democrats?

That's one of those questions that answers itself, wouldn't you say?

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 21, 2015 10:33 AM (IN7k+)

187 Has anyone here noticed that Democrats didnt overreach from 2007 to 2009?

What would constitute 'overreach' in this scenerio? They got everything they asked for.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:33 AM (evdj2)

188 Ithaca, NY has become infamous for its pro-Palestinian, and even Islamist, activities.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:15 AM (gf8BH)

Visit Irvine, CA if you want to see some real Jew-hate.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2015 10:31 AM (Zu3d9)

Really anywhere there is a large University/College...Rutgers is not better

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 21, 2015 10:33 AM (gf8BH)

189
You have to really love the Well We Cant Override obama's Veto So Might As Well Just Vote For It attitude.

MAKE obama VETO IT, you useless assholes.

Posted by: Soothsayer at September 21, 2015 10:34 AM (Y/e+m)

190 185 Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 10:32 AM (zF6Iw)

History not only repeats itself it giggles while doing so....

"Hey you dumbfucks fuck the slavery issue we need to get our graft through the American System"

//Whigs Whistling Past the Graveyard

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:34 AM (g8Hfr)

191 Has anyone here noticed that Democrats didnt overreach from 2007 to 2009? They waited till they got one of their own into the White House and then they went bonkers.

You wanna do crazy stuff that endangers peripheral Republicans like Ayotte? Fine, but how about showing some sense of timing and doing it when these things actually have a chance to succeed? Sacrificing vulnerable Republicans for an agenda that is destined to crash against the veto-wall is just plain stupid. You will just make sure that the necessary majorities arent there anymore when it really counts. But I guess folks around here would blame Republicans for that too.
Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:30 AM (4A7iA)

-------------------------

Has a government shutdown ever hurt Republicans, EVER?

Is it too much to ask the Repubs to send Obama the Child Dismemberment Elimination Act, even knowing he will veto it?

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:34 AM (LXJ1e)

192 You wanna do crazy stuff

Hilarious.

Not funding murder and dismemberment is "crazy stuff".

Fuck you. Fuck you in your stupid ass.

Posted by: Roundup at September 21, 2015 10:34 AM (ZtFr+)

193 You wanna do crazy stuff that endangers peripheral Republicans like Ayotte?

Endangers? Since I want her shamed, shunned and driven from society into the wilderness, I'm quite sanguine about endangering her chance at elective office.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:35 AM (evdj2)

194 192 Posted by: Roundup at September 21, 2015 10:34 AM (ZtFr+)

"fuck your morals now vote for us with passion and verve!"

//Whigs Whistling Past the Graveyard

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:36 AM (g8Hfr)

195 The problem is that under Boehner and McConnell, Republicans have increased to historic levels in two elections. Their strategy of letting Dems get their way has activated the voters. That strategy eventually backfires with pitchforks and torches, but for Boehner and McConnell, it's been a fun ride so far.

Posted by: Hillary's alcoholic depression at September 21, 2015 10:36 AM (FFIoe)

196
Joe's Law: Trolls believe none of the things they post.

Joe's Corollary: Your disgust is their oxygen.

Joe's Conjecture: All trolls are Average Joe

Posted by: ahem at September 21, 2015 10:36 AM (evdj2)

197 @176 sacrificing vulnerable republicans? Gimme a break. How do you know unless you try? Or have you written off the electorate?

And 2007-2009 I laugh at you and the GOP who was in bed with the dems

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, Model Citizen at September 21, 2015 10:37 AM (2wfWs)

198 Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:30 AM (4A7iA)

Your first sentence didn't seem to apply when Donks were out of the majority in the past, or well...now even.

Your second sentence is demonstrably false. The overreach began in 2006 with...get this...a republican president's help. Third sentence: see previous.

Crazy stuff? Define "crazy". If GOPers who vote like democrats are endangered, tell me precisely what the problem is.

You use the word "succeed". Does your definition of this word encompass legislative results, or simple electoral victories for your team?

I suspect the latter.

Tell every one here what you envision as a scenario that "really counts".

Show your work.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 10:37 AM (Wckf4)

199 183 You know, I would hope that Obama's calculation was that Iran would spend money on American companies. But I'm sure he hates America enough that the thought never entered his mind.

I think Obama knew it was the price of getting them on board. It's wheeling and dealing.

Obama is bribing big business to go along with the social justice crusade.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:32 AM (PcOiY)

--------------------------

There was no need to get anyone on board, he was going to do what he wanted to do, no matter what Congress said or did.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:37 AM (LXJ1e)

200 Kasich played this in the debate. He basically admitted the President is better at politics than Republicans so they can't afford to try.

Posted by: blaster at September 21, 2015 10:38 AM (2Ocf1)

201 I suspect the latter.

Tell every one here what you envision as a scenario that "really counts".

Show your work.
Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 10:37 AM (Wckf4)

If they win big in 2016, the excuse for inaction will be, "2018 is just around the corner, we can't do anything to look 'crazy'."

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:39 AM (LXJ1e)

202 OT but reading the spin they are putting on Bergdahl desertion is making me sick. All of the information that is positive for Bergdahl comes directly from him and they are treating it like its non impeachable. The investigator General Dahl sounds more like a defense attorney .

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 21, 2015 10:40 AM (0XyIg)

203 Posted by: ahem at September 21, 2015 10:36 AM (evdj2)

You missed the most important one.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 10:40 AM (Wckf4)

204 200 Posted by: blaster at September 21, 2015 10:38 AM (2Ocf1)

How's he polling again?

I'm no fan of Donald "Democrat" Trump but there's a reason the only Republicans polling well are taking stands on Islam, baby butchery, or Amigo Grande!

The GOP has quite literally been handed everything but the White House...

time to show they stand for something or get treated as nothing...and by "something" I mean something other than "The Graft Trough"

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:40 AM (g8Hfr)

205 @201 and that nails their silly plans to the wall.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, Model Citizen at September 21, 2015 10:40 AM (2wfWs)

206 You missed the most important one.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 10:40 AM

That one goes without saying.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 21, 2015 10:41 AM (KrAjA)

207 There was no need to get anyone on board, he was going to do what he wanted to do, no matter what Congress said or did.

If the right people opposed him, I think you'd see the GOP suddenly fight rather viciously.

He buys those people off.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:42 AM (PcOiY)

208 You wanna do crazy stuff that endangers peripheral Republicans like Ayotte? Fine, but how about showing some sense of timing and doing it when these things actually have a chance to succeed? Sacrificing vulnerable Republicans for an agenda that is destined to crash against the veto-wall is just plain stupid. You will just make sure that the necessary majorities arent there anymore when it really counts. But I guess folks around here would blame Republicans for that too.
Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:30 AM (4A7iA)

You do know that history began before 2007, right?

And that some of us remember that Reagan had to deal with Tip O'Neill, right?

Not to mention that whole pesky thing about what the Republicans did and did not do when they controlled all three branches of government not too very long ago, right?

You do recall what Lisa Murkowski did when she lost her primary, right?

You do remember Olympia Snowe listening to history and voting Obamacare out of committed, right?

Because those are events that actually occurred in actual reality.

Here. I will assume that you are sincere. Please tell me, exactly and precisely, what offices the Republicans must hold on the Federal level and the number of offices that must be held in order for a Republican, to say nothing of a conservative, agenda to be advanced. That is a serious question.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 10:42 AM (mf5HN)

209 @204 the polls are moving constantly but last I saw Kasich was 4th or 5th.

Posted by: blaster at September 21, 2015 10:43 AM (2Ocf1)

210 Ariel Gold didn't even go to Cornell, she moved to Ithaca because the People's Republic is so welcoming to self-hating Jewish twerps. It is a very weird town.

Posted by: MTF at September 21, 2015 10:43 AM (TxJGV)

211
Dood, you guys seriously need to get a spine, n'est-ce pas?

Posted by: French Surrender Monkeys at September 21, 2015 10:43 AM (1QsMy)

212 Calling the defunding of a murder machine directly funded by my taxes "crazy stuff" rather defeats your point, don't you think?

What I want to know is when the Hyde Amendment was repealed. Was it sunsetted? Get them on record.

Posted by: mustbequantum at September 21, 2015 10:43 AM (MIKMs)

213
I see you on your soap box. Preach it sister

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, Model Citizen

Oh! So that's what that was. I thought it was a ginger mouse with a little set of human clothes.

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 10:44 AM (/Ho8c)

214 208 Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 10:42 AM (mf5HN)

I think the answer is 105% to factor in people with Kronic Maverick Syndrome like Lindsey Graham-McCain, Ayotte, and Flake...

I'm ashamed that I was part of the con for so long.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:44 AM (g8Hfr)

215 You do know that history began before 2007, right?
And that some of us remember that Reagan had to deal with Tip O'Neill, right?

I also remember that O'Neill referred to Reagan as "the evil in the White House."

The Gipper should have spiked that drunken mick's drink and then poured Absorbine Jr. over his shriveled, wrinkled nuts before tossing him out the door.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 10:45 AM (zF6Iw)

216 In 2017....

GOP: "Sure, we have the House and the Senate and now the presidency. But we really need the papacy to get anything done!"

Posted by: PJ at September 21, 2015 10:45 AM (cHuNI)

217 ***"Please tell me, exactly and precisely, what offices the Republicans must hold on the Federal level and the number of offices that must be held in order for a Republican, to say nothing of a conservative, agenda to be advanced."***

How dare you hold the GOP to its own platforms.

That's just "crazy".

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 10:46 AM (Wckf4)

218 What the h3!! does PP have to do to lose support for these ghouls? If video tape isn't enough, what is? That one b!tch was even laughing maniacally although she wasn't rubbing her hands together while blood is dripping out her piehole!

Posted by: Yeah right at September 21, 2015 10:46 AM (2X7pN)

219
So it's paramount that Republicans get reelected, secondary that they actually Do Something Right, and to get reelected the Republicans need to act like Democrats?

If this makes sense to you, keep on voting for Republicans, you sap.

Posted by: Soothsayer at September 21, 2015 10:46 AM (Y/e+m)

220 207 There was no need to get anyone on board, he was going to do what he wanted to do, no matter what Congress said or did.

If the right people opposed him, I think you'd see the GOP suddenly fight rather viciously.

He buys those people off.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 21, 2015 10:42 AM (PcOiY)

I think with the lifting of the sanctions in play, the corporations went to their Congressional lapdogs and told them they better not mess it up for them. No need to get Obama involved.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 21, 2015 10:47 AM (LXJ1e)

221 The problem with a shutdown is at this point, Boehner and McConnell have clearly-and with malice-communicated to Obama that they any shutdown will be a fake all he needs to do is stand firm and after a few days Boehner and McConnell will dutifully as all sensible pragmatic Republicans should.

then it'll be all "shucks we tried fellas" and blame conservatives (esp Cruz) for the failure

And there are still plenty in that party-rube and grifter alike-that will lap it right up.

Posted by: Chico Escuela at September 21, 2015 10:47 AM (a7Dd7)

222 93 This is why we are becoming "conservative populists."

"Conservulists"

'Cause I made up that word last week, and I want to see the Horde pick it up.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 21, 2015 10:04 AM (kff5f)

++++

I prefer populcons.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at September 21, 2015 10:47 AM (IN7k+)

223 209 Posted by: blaster at September 21, 2015 10:43 AM (2Ocf1)

I'm ostensibly still an Ohioan.

Kasich is likely running 5th in Ohio....

RCP has him at 9th....

http://tinyurl.com/pdcjjxq

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:48 AM (g8Hfr)

224
Here. I will assume that you are sincere. Please tell me, exactly and precisely, what offices the Republicans must hold on the Federal level and the number of offices that must be held in order for a Republican, to say nothing of a conservative, agenda to be advanced. That is a serious question.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 10:42 AM (mf5HN)
____

If you get rid of the filibuster, normal majorities and the presidency or two-third majorities without the presidency. We have neither at the moment.

Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:49 AM (4A7iA)

225
Someone please tell us what Jesus said to Peter when Peter started talking like a fag.

Posted by: Soothsayer at September 21, 2015 10:49 AM (Y/e+m)

226 Voters receive more of my anger than the people they elected. The majority of voters are LIV and have no intention of changing.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 21, 2015 10:50 AM (0XyIg)

227 Don't Ayotte and Johnson know that budget reconciliation bills are limited to 20 hours debate - therefore don't require cloture and can't be filibustered? Those bills only need 51 votes - and defunding through the budget would definitely save money and not need any offsets.

Posted by: lymond at September 21, 2015 10:50 AM (58jQj)

228 Someone please tell us what Jesus said to Peter when Peter started talking like a fag.

Your shit's all retarded!

Posted by: Yeah right at September 21, 2015 10:51 AM (2X7pN)

229 That is a serious question.

You do realize you're talking to a plant?

Posted by: DaveA at September 21, 2015 10:51 AM (DL2i+)

230 Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:48 AM (g8Hfr)

Bobby Jindal wouldn't win Louisiana by a long shot.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 21, 2015 10:51 AM (0XyIg)

231 ***"If you get rid of the filibuster, normal majorities and the presidency or two-third majorities without the presidency. We have neither at the moment."***

You realize that Reid got rid of the filibuster, right?

You realize that the Republicans recently passed a bill to lower the requirement for the Iran deal to BELOW simple majorities right?

Given the number of factual inaccuracies you're piling up on this thread, I'm going to guess "no" as your answers to these two questions.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 10:52 AM (Wckf4)

232 224 Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:49 AM (4A7iA)

and yet somehow Granny Botox got everything she wanted short of Ogabecare fudning wise....

*somehow* in 2007-2009 "Chimpy" had less power than the Speaker....

now Ogabe has more...how is that?

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:53 AM (g8Hfr)

233 We need a "You do realize..." thread.

Posted by: Yeah right at September 21, 2015 10:53 AM (2X7pN)

234 I am as appalled as anyone over those hidden camera videos and the selling of body parts by planned parenthood.

And I really hate to inject facts into the discussion that might pour water on the enraged horde.. But do any of you even know how PP gets those $500 Million from the government?

It's not grants.. it's not money the gov't simply hands over to them.

It is payment for services rendered to Medicaid recipients.

Over 75% of the money PP gets from the US government is for payments of Medicaid claims. The rest comes from services provided to Title X poor people.

And, by law, the services they can charge back for cannot be abortions.

So.. can anyone now tell me how you can "de-fund" planned parenthood?

The world is going to hell in a handbaske. ISIS, massive "refugee" migrations, Russia selling missiles to Iran and expanding their footprint into Syria and Ukraine.

But the GOP hill To die on is now taking PP off the list of approved providers of legal women's services. Brilliant! Eff'n brilliant!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at September 21, 2015 10:54 AM (so+oy)

235 230 Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 21, 2015 10:51 AM (0XyIg)

Yup...

the right's coalition wants some fire not Ed "Poppin Fresh" in fairness Judo....

I like Jindal a lot, almost as much as I think Nikki Haley would make sense...

instead we have a Donk, A Cali RINO, and Marcus Welby...

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:55 AM (g8Hfr)

236 If you get rid of the filibuster, normal majorities and the presidency or two-third majorities without the presidency. We have neither at the moment.
Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:49 AM (4A7iA)

To clarify, is it your position that unless and until a party holds both the executive and legislative branches, that party is under no obligation to attempt to pass its agenda?

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 10:55 AM (mf5HN)

237 now Ogabe has more...how is that?

Because that's what the media tells us simps, and we believe them!

Posted by: Derp Williams at September 21, 2015 10:55 AM (2X7pN)

238 Do not go gently into that dark night!
Rage, rage against the dying of the light!

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 21, 2015 10:55 AM (9krrF)

239 To clarify, is it your position that unless and until a party holds both the executive and legislative branches, that party is under no obligation to attempt to pass its agenda?

If history is any judge, not even then in the case of the Republicans.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:56 AM (evdj2)

240 But in fairness, Average Joe doesn't actually have any positions other than pissing you off.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 10:57 AM (evdj2)

241 231 Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 10:52 AM (Wckf4)

My last epic Twatter meltdown was aimed at Bob "Corky" Corker acting as a defacto top cover escort for Bronko Bama's Iran surrender and providing Democrats with political cover...

if the GOP can't punish that literal retard for destroying the Treaty Clause I support obliterating the GOP as much as the commies.

Corky and the GOP lack of punishment taught me not to care anymore.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 10:57 AM (g8Hfr)

242 And, by law, the services they can charge back for cannot be abortions.

Funny, ain't it, how Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of toenail trimming to Medicaid patients?

Look, Jerry. The org is evil, and corrupt. Why would they not "launder" abortions as some other medical service?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2015 10:57 AM (7MWCL)

243 Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at September 21, 2015 10:54 AM (so+oy)

We can deal with foreign and domestic threats at the same time.

You described how PP gets Federal money and in doing so you showed how to stop it.

Nice try though.

Posted by: Positive Waves at September 21, 2015 10:58 AM (MQEz6)

244 I saw Average Joe open for Molly Hatchet at SPAC in '82.

Posted by: Derp Williams at September 21, 2015 10:58 AM (2X7pN)

245 But the GOP hill To die on is now taking PP off the list of approved providers of legal women's services.

No it isn't. The GOP doesn't have a hill to die on, which is the point.

Don't worry your pretty little head, they'll continue to fund your murder clinics.

Posted by: Mengele at September 21, 2015 10:59 AM (ZtFr+)

246 The surrender caucus reminds me of my son. He played his first soccer game yesterday and I could tell he was over-thinking things. I said I'm going to tell you something that will change your life. If instead of figuring out where the ball is going to stop rolling and the other guy is going to be after you watch him get the ball and dribble it for a little while, you run as hard as you can for the ball and treat it like it's yours and he has to take it from you or you have to take it from him as fast as possible, you'll be amazed at how often you surprise yourself and get there before he does or soon enough after he gets there that you can force him to make a mistake.

The GOP is like a bunch of 8 year olds afraid of the ball and honestly no idea what to do with it when it shows up at their feet. They are running to where they think it will be after the democrats have advanced it for a little while.

Posted by: major major major major at September 21, 2015 11:00 AM (BI/k4)

247
When Peter started talking like a fag, Jesus said to him, "Get Behind Thee, Satan!"

Posted by: Soothsayer at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (Y/e+m)

248 ***"But the GOP hill To die on is now taking PP off the list of approved providers of legal women's services. Brilliant! Eff'n brilliant!"***

Right, because harvesting unborn children for dismemberment and sale is just no biggie right?

It's subtly ghoulish comments like these that make me rue the new banning policy.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (Wckf4)

249 To clarify, is it your position that unless and until a party holds both the executive and legislative branches, that party is under no obligation to attempt to pass its agenda?

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 10:55 AM (mf5HN)
____

I prefer to focus on attaining the majorities that are required to actually succeed and not merely "attempt". And yes, that means that certain agenda items will be shelved, because they dont make for good campaign material.

Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (4A7iA)

250 If you get rid of the filibuster, normal majorities and the presidency or two-third majorities without the presidency. We have neither at the moment.
Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 10:49 AM (4A7iA)

So, never.

Since the Republican leadership won't get rid of the filibuster and will never, ever have a 2/3 Senate majority.

Good to know.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 Gigawatt TrumpProd (tm) at September 21, 2015 11:02 AM (W2Fol)

251 The GOP is like a beaten dog. They won't do anything bold because they are raked over the coals by the propaganda machine. It doesn't matter that if they persevered the damage would be minimal. It's that first whip to the hind quarters that sets the tone. The Democrats on the other hand can do anything they want because the propaganda machine will blame any negative consequences of their actions onto the GOP. This is only accomplished because we allow the takers , the LIV and the ignorant youth to vote.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 21, 2015 11:03 AM (0XyIg)

252 Begonia wants to be the diva of the failure theater.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2015 11:04 AM (7MWCL)

253 I prefer to focus on attaining the majorities that are required to
actually succeed and not merely "attempt". And yes, that means that
certain agenda items will be shelved, because they dont make for good
campaign material.

Right, because we can just take in more children refugees! That'll give us more international cred, and where would we be without that?

Posted by: Derp Williams at September 21, 2015 11:04 AM (2X7pN)

254 249 Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (4A7iA)

Right, America probably doesn't want things like clarification on which party supports organ harvesting from viable children in the case of PP...

we need to expend our political capital on making sure the Ex-Im Bank gets rechartered so it can act as a slush fund for GE who you know backs democrats with their graft...?

Again...I have given up on the GOP in direct proportion to how much they have given up on America.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 11:04 AM (g8Hfr)

255 249. And yet by refusing to attempt now you give no one any reason to believe you'll attempt later.

Posted by: Chico Escuela at September 21, 2015 11:04 AM (a7Dd7)

256 Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (4A7iA)

If you're attempting a parody. You suck ass at it. If you're serious. You suck ass and need to fuck off.

Posted by: buzzion at September 21, 2015 11:04 AM (zt+N6)

257 250. You've cracked the code

Posted by: Chico Escuela at September 21, 2015 11:05 AM (a7Dd7)

258 Jeb Bush is definitely paying too much for his Begonia troll.

Posted by: V the K at September 21, 2015 11:05 AM (O7MnT)

259 250 Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 Gigawatt TrumpProd (tm) at September 21, 2015 11:02 AM (W2Fol)

Yup...the GOPe exists to fool the right into thinking its anger at the left's march is leading to anything to restore normalcy.

I pray for the coming implosion whether financial or military because in the end for American ideals to live America needs to go through some radical reductions in size evidently.

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 11:06 AM (g8Hfr)

260 And yes, that means that certain agenda items will be shelved,

And you apparently do not realize she's closer to plant roots than you.

Posted by: DaveA at September 21, 2015 11:06 AM (DL2i+)

261 Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (4A7iA)

So basically, you're into losing.

I suppose you're exceedingly happy with the current arrangement as it's been for the past 15 years.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 11:06 AM (Wckf4)

262 But the GOP hill To die on is now taking PP off the list of approved providers of legal women's services. Brilliant! Eff'n brilliant!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at September 21, 2015 10:54 AM (so+oy)

Please point out to me - without using the catchall term "provide for the general welfare" - exactly where in the Constitution the federal government is obliged to be a provider of "legal women's services."

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 11:06 AM (zF6Iw)

263 So, never.

Since the Republican leadership won't get rid of the filibuster and will never, ever have a 2/3 Senate majority.

Good to know.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 Gigawatt TrumpProd (tm) at September 21, 2015 11:02 AM (W2Fol)
_______

Well, I actually agree with Mr. Drew on this and think that Senator McConnell is wrong. The filibuster really needs to go.

Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 11:07 AM (4A7iA)

264 Um, better be careful buzzion! You may want to add something to your last comment otherwise the hammer may fall.

Posted by: Derp Williams at September 21, 2015 11:07 AM (2X7pN)

265 Even if you can't win and don't have a majority, you have to lay down principles, make arguments, move public opinion in the direction of your policies.

The Republican Party does exactly none of this; instead they spend time getting hacks like Begonia to try and convince the base that pre-emptive surrender is normal and honorable.

And, of course, the reason Republicans *really* don't fight for conservative principles is because they don't believe in them.

Posted by: V the K at September 21, 2015 11:08 AM (O7MnT)

266 262 Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 11:06 AM (zF6Iw)

right there in the "good and plenty" clause...

//Nanny Botox Former Speaker of the Farce

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 11:08 AM (g8Hfr)

267 @262

That *should* leave a mark, but sadly won't.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at September 21, 2015 11:08 AM (Wckf4)

268 Please point out to me - without using the catchall
term "provide for the general welfare" - exactly where in the
Constitution the federal government is obliged to be a provider of "legal women's services."

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing

I think it's close to the penumbras.

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 11:08 AM (/Ho8c)

269 Please don't kill buzzion again!

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 11:09 AM (/Ho8c)

270 Um, better be careful buzzion! You may want to add something to your last comment otherwise the hammer may fall.

Posted by: Derp Williams at September 21, 2015 11:07 AM (2X7pN)

The dead are invulnerable to the Banhammer.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2015 11:09 AM (7MWCL)

271 268 Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 11:08 AM (/Ho8c)

Tucked in behind the "Pen and Phone corollary" Obama found under the "If it feels good do it" Amendment...

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 11:10 AM (g8Hfr)

272 I prefer to focus on attaining the majorities that are required to actually succeed and not merely "attempt". And yes, that means that certain agenda items will be shelved, because they dont make for good campaign material.

Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (4A7iA)

What a state we have come to, when putting a stop to the dismemberment of living children for profit is written off as "they don't make for good campaign material."

Is the political process all in all to you, Begonia? Does not the utter barbarity occuring here demand that the GOP take a stand?

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 11:10 AM (zF6Iw)

273 I was really saddened by Buzzion's incineration...

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 11:10 AM (g8Hfr)

274 234 Chi-Town Jerry

But, by your reasoning the GOP doesn't believe you either with the world hand basket hell routine. If PP can't be defunded, nothing and I mean fucking nothing will ever be defunded

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, Model Citizen at September 21, 2015 11:11 AM (OMXTD)

275 Tucked in behind the "Pen and Phone corollary" Obama found under the "If it feels good do it" Amendment...

Posted by: sven10077

Heh. Funny.

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 21, 2015 11:11 AM (/Ho8c)

276 272 Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 11:10 AM (zF6Iw)

"fuck morality...I need to keep the payola running!"

//Whigs whistling past the graveyard

Posted by: sven10077-not as MN Nice as Poppin Fresh at September 21, 2015 11:11 AM (g8Hfr)

277 And yes, that means that certain agenda items will be shelved, because they dont make for good campaign material.

But once they're totally and utterly in control, the milquetoasts who are too frightened to even hint at thinking about bringing up marginally-right legislation will unleash the firepower of their fully armed and operational conservatism, right?

You're a joke. Are you aware of that?

Posted by: just like the GOP at September 21, 2015 11:12 AM (ZtFr+)

278
Why not just be Democrats, then?

Posted by: Soothsayer at September 21, 2015 11:13 AM (Y/e+m)

279 Buzzion wasn't name calling. I believe they call that an observation

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, Model Citizen at September 21, 2015 11:13 AM (OMXTD)

280 The PP Clause in the Constitution is right in between the Gay Marriage amendment and the Obamacare Clause.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 21, 2015 11:15 AM (0XyIg)

281 This is a depressing thread. I need a cup of tea.

O/T - if any of the Horde are looking for a good historical read, I'm going through Jay Winik's 2007 book The Great Upheaval: America and the Birth of the Modern World, 1788 - 1800. Very well written.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 21, 2015 11:17 AM (zF6Iw)

282 Begonia is a great American!

Posted by: John Boner in Assless Chaps at September 21, 2015 11:18 AM (u5gzz)

283 I prefer to focus on attaining the majorities that are required to actually succeed and not merely "attempt". And yes, that means that certain agenda items will be shelved, because they dont make for good campaign material.
Posted by: Begonia at September 21, 2015 11:01 AM (4A7iA)

Then please explain why it was when Republicans controlled the Presidency, the House and the Senate earlier this century, at best incremental gains only of the Republican agenda were made.

Because, again, that happened in actual reality.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at September 21, 2015 11:18 AM (mf5HN)

284 New art thread.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 21, 2015 11:18 AM (GDulk)

285 Buzzion wasn't name calling. I believe they call that an observation

That's why I said, "be careful". I agree with the sentiment. It seems to me that the opinion that "the unborn don't vote, therefore aren't a constituency" is pretty despicable morally, and as Carly Fiorina pointed out, we're lost as a nation.

Posted by: Derp Williams at September 21, 2015 11:19 AM (2X7pN)

286 Please point out to me - without using the catchall term "provide for the general welfare" - exactly where in the Constitution the federal government is obliged to be a provider of "legal women's services."
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
..........
It's not in there. Neither is 99% of the shit our federal government pays for.

But laws are passed every year to fund all kinds of shit, that at least half the country disagrees with. And giving Congress the power to do so, IS in the Constitution.

What's your point?

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at September 21, 2015 11:19 AM (so+oy)

287 never mind that Cait is busy killing people with Xer car.

Women drivers. Sheesh

Posted by: Dice Clay 2016 at September 21, 2015 11:23 AM (eOi5S)

288 Does anyone know Trump's position on this?

Posted by: Fatman at September 21, 2015 11:24 AM (mcm0N)

289 The problem can't be solved by applying more surrender monkeys.

Posted by: setnaffa at September 21, 2015 11:31 AM (BtRXi)

290 I like to think of DC Republicans as a weakened form of a Democrat virus used to innoculate the rest of us from the Constitution flu. Unfortunately we are seeing a high rate of political autism because of the vaccine. People deny the relationship.

Posted by: sadeyesteve at September 21, 2015 11:31 AM (zynqj)

291 288: I doubt that Trump even knows what his position is, until his pollsters tell him what people want to hear. Then the former abortion supporter will announce that he'll single-handedly reverse Roe v Wade and he'll force Planned Parenthood to build walls around their own facilities.

And people will buy it; because all humans tend to believe what we want to believe.

Posted by: Pastafarian at September 21, 2015 11:42 AM (LqrRo)

292 The GOPe beat goes on. Fvcking anti-Constitutional c#nt bubbles*, the lot of them.

* Stolen from a beautiful Australian lass on Twitter.

Posted by: eureka! at September 21, 2015 12:15 PM (g1MTt)

293 And people will buy it; because all humans tend to believe what we want to believe.

Yep.

“We’re going to pass spending bills, and they’re going to have a lot of restrictions on the activities of the bureaucracy,” McConnell said in an interview aboard his campaign bus traveling through Western Kentucky coal country.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 21, 2015 12:21 PM (evdj2)

294 I can't in good conscience vote for something that everyone else doesn't vote for.

Posted by: Congressman Dip Shit at September 21, 2015 12:29 PM (3U4+k)

295 First time commentator, and this exact post x 1000! Remove the filibuster and send him a bill to veto every single day until the end of his presidency.

Posted by: LincolnLogic at September 21, 2015 12:33 PM (U5kT0)

296 Drew,

End the filibuster. That should be one of the major goals of conservatives.

The Filibuster is not a constitutional requirement - indeed is not even a constitutional creation. It was created by a simple Senate Majority decades after the constitution was ratified.

So, there is no "constitutional" reason to keep the filibuster.

And, there is no tactical or strategic reason to keep it.

The filibuster is only ever used to thwart conservatives. The only successful use of the filibuster by republicans toward a conservative goal was filibustering Obamacare, and that didn't even work.

Instead, the filibuster is only ever used to say to conservatives "we can't get enough votes, so we shouldn't waste our effort trying".

The GOP doesn't even use the filibuster to stop radical left nominees.

Meanwhile, the Dems use the filibuster to thwart everything a GOP president wants to do, including stopping any conservative nominees.

The only reason the GOP doesn't get rid of the filibuster is because the GOP wants to use it for the same reason as the DNC, to stop conservative policy. The GOP uses the filibuster solely as a shield to claim they can't pursue conservative policy.

No conservative should support keeping the filibuster. It is anti-democratic and it is most certainly anti-conservative in its application.

Posted by: Monkeytoe at September 21, 2015 12:38 PM (3ZtZW)

297 Posted by: Monkeytoe at September 21, 2015 12:38 PM (3ZtZW)

As a follow-up to my last post -

the GOP routinely says "the president will just veto it, so why bother?"

Part of politics is forcing the other side to take stands on issues you think will help you in the next election. The GOP never does this. Because they don't want to achieve the conservative goal in the first instance. They don't want to push anything remotely "controversial" for fear of losing elections.

But, if you never push anything "controversial", you never really push anything.

The GOP should be ramming various bills down the left's gullet, forcing them to take actual votes for or against (not a vote on ending a filibuster, which LIVs don't understand). Let the president veto it, you now have that senator's position in black white.

But, the GOP never plays hardball. Because the GOP is a wholly owned subsidiary of the DNC.

Posted by: Monkeytoe at September 21, 2015 12:42 PM (3ZtZW)

298 Reading all this one can only surmise that the GOPe likes it in the butt. Hard-packed in the butt hard.

Posted by: Lower Class person whose opinions need to be guided at September 21, 2015 01:04 PM (htXhe)

299
The filibuster has needed to be ended for a looooong time. It tends to obscure the values of the nation.
- Let the issues prevail on simple majority rule. Sometimes we'll hate it. Sometimes the libs will hate it. But the effect of elections are 'felt' by the electorate more keenly when the legislative issues at question play out more efficiently. And the filibuster is EXTREMELY inefficient.

I was hoping when the Dems partially ended it (regarding confirmation of judicial nominees) that it would lead to its total destruction. Nope.

However - IF we win the presidency - the incredibly grotesque existence of Baby Chop Shop Planned Parenthood could be the issue that finally forces the liquidation of the filibuster.

Posted by: Trump Super Fan at September 21, 2015 01:09 PM (l2dSQ)

300 Here's a thought - Change the rules with the nuclear option, same as Reid did to us.

Posted by: Graham Cracker at September 21, 2015 01:14 PM (SJ184)

301
Addendum to my comment #299,

The electorate needs to keenly feel the effects of elections because 'feeling it' is a form of timely feedback necessary to clarify national values on controversial issues.

The filibuster does not help obtain that clarity.

Posted by: Trump Super Fan at September 21, 2015 01:17 PM (l2dSQ)

302
A few more thoughts on the filibuster.

I've heard it argued that the filibuster is by nature a conservative aspect of American self-governance because it slows down the enactment of new legislation. And generally, we conservatives want the government 'doing things' less and less.
However, this is to miss the fact that the filibuster equally stymies the ability to UNDO bad laws the government is fulfilling (like funding the Baby Chop Shop).

Again, the filibuster disrupts the feedback mechanism that elections should have on the electorate.
It's better if the voters put a party in charge, that party has a FREE HAND to quickly enact the legislation they think is best for the country, and then the voters immediately associate the new law with the recent election.

This encourages correction of government over reach - through elections.

Also, the filibuster gives moderate and spineless office holders (in our case, Republicans) an easy excuse for taking squishy and/or cowardly positions.
"We can't really vote for that - because the other side will just veto it."

So, the filibuster creates an easy avoidance of political responsibility.

And it's aforementioned tendency to disrupt the political feedback mechanism discourages the most informed pockets of electorate.

Consequently, our political ruling class becomes less responsive to the will of the people.

Posted by: Trump Super Fan at September 21, 2015 01:55 PM (l2dSQ)

303 67 votes are not required.

If version A gets vetoed, come back with a version B that changes a . to a ; Abandon the versions that get vetoed and vote a new bill that defunds Planned Parenthood.

Do that as often as necessary. Make it clear the House WILL NOT pass the funding.

The funding doesn't happen unless and until the House passes it.

Now the odds are the House will not do this; that House Republicans will vote with House Democrats to fund Planned Parenthood.

The objective is then to purge those weasels from the House. Get them on record as voting with Democrats to fund planned parenthood. Run them out of office in 2016.

Posted by: Chris Balsz at September 21, 2015 02:43 PM (L5HxJ)

304 67 votes are not required.

If version A gets vetoed, come back with a version B that changes a . to a ; Abandon the versions that get vetoed and vote a new bill that defunds Planned Parenthood.

Do that as often as necessary. Make it clear the House WILL NOT pass the funding.

The funding doesn't happen unless and until the House passes it.

Now the odds are the House will not do this; that House Republicans will vote with House Democrats to fund Planned Parenthood.

The objective is then to purge those weasels from the House. Get them on record as voting with Democrats to fund planned parenthood. Run them out of office in 2016.

Posted by: Chris Balsz at September 21, 2015 02:43 PM (L5HxJ)

305 "The GOP has this House and this veto proof majority in the Senate and this Presidency and this remote. That's all they need.

Bet your bottom dollar that the next response will be but but but judges! And the regulations! "

We were there in 2004, and the excuse was that the polls didn't demand action. In other words, if liberal media doesn't show 60% of America wants the GOP platform, they won't enact it no matter who's in office.

Posted by: Chris Balsz at September 21, 2015 02:45 PM (L5HxJ)

306 First off, we can immediately stop acting like "saying" you will filibuster something is the same as actively, you know, filibustering. *Make* the opposition filibuster. Put them on the spot for stalling Senate business. Let's see if everything they go to the floor for moves the public like Rand Paul's anti-surveillance REAL filibuster.

I honestly don't think the current crop of Democrats could actually accomplish the task of putting together a real business halting screed. Call the bluff. Make them defend Planned Parenthood in public. *Then* you actually have something to use for ad buys.

But no. Failure Theater is more fun. Let's get to the important stuff, like you know, selling out the party's base on shamnesty.

Posted by: Shawn Gillogly at September 21, 2015 05:07 PM (eK3xL)

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