Online Left

[My Favorite] Quote of the Day [see previous article]

Blogging is great fun when you can manage to squeeze in a few minutes to express an idea. Often, for me at least, it's just that. Sometimes it makes sense. Sometimes, well, sometimes in retrospect, you realize it just wouldn't work.

Yesterday I wrote about the stimulus package, and that Republicans were looking forward to receiving the money and crafting the deal in conference, yet, had done nothing to move the stimulus package forward.

I was pleased to see the commentary from Paul Begala on the CNN website, If You Opposed Stimulus, Don't Take The Money.

I'd like to consider that Begala read my article, gave it consideration, agreed it was a great idea and fashioned his commentary with my ideas in mind. All I have to do is review the Sitemeter log to remind myself that no one, apparently, reads my blog but me. Still, it's nice the idea is joined by others, even someone as bright as Begala.

If Republican politicians are so deeply opposed to President Obama's economic recovery plan, they should refuse to take the money. After all, if you think all that federal spending is damaging, there are easy ways to reduce it: Don't take federal money.

Gov. Sanford can lead the way. South Carolina should decline to accept any federal funds for transportation, education, health care, clean energy or any of the other ideas President Obama is advocating to fix the economy. And the rest of the GOP can follow suit.

Justice Louis Brandeis famously called states "laboratories of democracy." So let's experiment. Gov. Sanford can be the guinea pig. His Palmetto State already gets $1.35 back from Washington for every dollar it pays in federal taxes, according to 2005 numbers, the latest calculated by the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit tax research group.

So, Mr. Begala, I'm in complete agreement. So, too, apparently do the Republicans who'd rather sit on their hands in protest than do what politicians for thousands of years have done -- roll up your sleeves and try to accomplish something on behalf of your constituents.

Rather than doing something to try to help the country from this economic mess you created over the past eight years, you instead do nothing.

Of course, you're religious, because it's required of Republican politicians so you've probably heard about reaping what you sow. If you haven't sown anything on behalf of your constituents, well, you shouldn't reap anything, either.

Now, go away empty-handed, and come back when you learn how to be a real politician, rather than a spoiled, pissy baby.

17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of each State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

A constitutional question that maybe someone can answer.

Does the phrase, "the legislature of any State may empower the executive, also mean that the legislature may refuse to empower the executive? Or, does the election of the governor automatically empower him or her to make the "temporary appointment?

Republicans Reach Out to Lieberman

Reports are circulating that Republican Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has reached out to Senator Joe Lieberman in an effort to convince Lieberman to join the Republican Senate caucus.

“They’ve been talking,” McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said.

Lieberman yesterday met with Majority Leader, Harry Reid, to discuss Lieberman's future. Lieberman, chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, has argued that he should not be stripped of his committee chair. Reid reportedly informed Lieberman that members of the Democratic causus are urging him to remove Lieberman.

While apparently no final decision has been made, Reid is considering forcing Lieberman from his full committee slot and offering him the chairmanship of a subcommittee, in lieu.

Lieberman infuriated most of his colleagues by appearing at the Republican National Convention and attacking the candidacy of Senator Obama with as much relish as partisan Republicans. He would likely have survived the speech in support of his good friend, John McCain, but Dems were outraged at his support for Vice-Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, unknown to him before McCain's selection, and the Obama attacks.

It is likely Lieberman will return to discussions with McConnell if the Democratic caucus decides to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship, or decides to force him from the caucus.

In the end, Lieberman will do what he considers best for him. He seldom considers anyone else.

House Casualty List

Elected to Other Office
Luis Fortuño (R-P.R.), 48, 1 term
Bobby Jindal (R-La.), 37, 2 terms
Mark Udall (D-Colo.), 58, 5 terms
Tom Udall (D-N.M.), 60, 5 terms

Defeated in General Election
Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), 53, 1 term
Don Cazayoux (D-La.), 44, 1 term
Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), 55, 7 terms
Thelma Drake (R-Va.), 58, 2 terms
Phil English (R-Pa.), 52, 7 terms
Tom Feeney (R-Fla.), 50, 3 terms
Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), 63, 5 terms
Ric Keller (R-Fla.), 44, 4 terms
Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.), 75, 8 terms
Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.), 65, 2 terms
Nick Lampson (D-Texas), 63, 1 term
Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), 52, 1 term
Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), 59, 3 terms
Jon Porter (R-Nev.), 53, 3 terms
Bill Sali (R-Idaho), 54, 1 term
Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), 63, 11 terms
Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), 51, 1 term

Defeated for Other Office
Tom Allen (D-Maine), 63, 6 terms
Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.), 50, 6 terms
Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), 61, 3 terms
Heather Wilson (R-N.M.), 47, 6 terms

Defeated in Primary
Chris Cannon (R-Utah), 58, 6 terms
David Davis (R-Tenn.), 48, 1 term
Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.), 62, 9 terms

Retiring
Bud Cramer (D-Ala.), 61, 9 terms
Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), 64, 2 terms
Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.), 61, 7 terms
John Doolittle (R-Calif.), 58, 9 terms
Terry Everett (R-Ala.), 71, 8 terms
Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.), 38, 4 terms
Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.), 43, 6 terms
David Hobson (R-Ohio), 72, 9 terms
Darlene Hooley (D-Ore.), 69, 6 terms
Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), 60, 14 terms
Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), 62, 7 terms
Ron Lewis (R-Ky.), 62, 8 terms
Jim McCrery (R-La.), 59, 11 terms
Mike McNulty (D-N.Y.), 61, 10 terms
John Peterson (R-Pa.), 69, 6 terms
Chip Pickering (R-Miss.), 45, 6 terms
Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio), 57, 8 terms
Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), 62, 9 terms
Ralph Regula (R-Ohio), 83, 18 terms
Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), 50, 3 terms
Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.), 58, 5 terms
Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), 65, 13 terms
Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), 62, 5 terms
Jim Walsh (R-N.Y.), 61, 10 terms
Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), 55, 7 terms
Jerry Weller (R-Ill.), 51, 7 terms

Appointed to Senate
Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), 57, 7 terms

Resigned
Richard Baker (R-La.), 60, 11 terms
Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), 66, 11 terms
Marty Meehan (D-Mass.), 51, 8 terms
Albert Wynn (D-Md.), 57, 8 terms

Died
Julia Carson (D-Ind.), 69, 6 terms
Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.), 74, 3 terms
Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.), 57, 4 terms
Paul Gillmor (R-Ohio), 68, 10 terms
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), 58, 5 terms
Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), 80, 14 terms
Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Calif.), 68, 7 terms
Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.), 65, 7 terms

Quote of the Day

You can't predict Alaska. If you spend any time in Alaska, Alaskans are different. And, as a matter of fact, if you try to sell them something, they go the other way.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair, John Ensign, commenting Tuesday after Sen. Stevens was re-elected, following convictions on 7 counts.

Boehner Announces for Another Term as Minority Leader

Dear House GOP Colleague,

The 2008 election turned out to be every bit as tough for Republicans as we thought it could be. The American people have spoken. We respect their choice.

Some of our opponents aren’t likely to settle for that. They want us to surrender. They want to see us raise the white flag and concede that our principles of freedom, responsibility, and smaller government no longer speak to the hopes and dreams of American families. They want us to stand aside for the next two years, abandon our principles, and give the new administration and the Democratic leaders of Congress a free pass.

It ain’t gonna happen. It must not happen.

America remains a center-right country. Democrats should not make the mistake of viewing Tuesday’s results as a repudiation of conservatism or a validation of big government. Neither should we. Instead of throwing in the towel, as our opponents demand, we must redouble our efforts to develop forward-looking solutions to the challenges Americans face – solutions rooted in the enduring principles of reform that define us as a party. We need to focus on winning the issues, one by one, and presenting principled, superior alternatives that reflect the center-right priorities of the American people, rather than the self-serving priorities of Washington.

There is no failsafe formula for winning a majority. But there is a proven formula for American leadership. It requires standing up for the principles Americans believe in, offering better alternatives, and fighting as hard as we possibly can day in and day out, issue by issue, until we’ve won the trust of the people. By standing up for the American people – and “doing the right things for the right reasons,” as you often hear me say – we make the best possible case for a lasting Republican majority.

That’s why I believe that amid our disappointment in Tuesday’s outcome, there is opportunity. We fought a spirited battle in the face of overwhelming odds and some disadvantages we couldn’t control. We now have a chance to focus on our future, apply lessons learned, and unshackle ourselves fully from the errors of the past.

We can rebuild our majority by winning the issues one by one and moving the American people to our side one issue at a time. The Democrats’ agenda will give us regular chances to do this and draw deep and meaningful contrasts on the challenges facing our country.

During the 110th Congress, we learned how to roll up our sleeves and fight until we’d won an issue. We fought successfully to lift the ban on offshore energy drilling. We supported the Petraeus surge, it worked, and now our troops are coming home after victory rather than defeat. We blocked billions of dollars in proposed new spending by Democrats. We learned that when we stand together as a team on principle for the American people, there’s little we can’t accomplish.

The energy protest started by Mike Pence, Tom Price, Lynn Westmoreland and others last August was an historic event that gave Americans perhaps the most vivid glimpse of our potential. While Democrats were on vacations and book tours, we stayed in town demanding a vote, defying expectations and putting the country’s interests ahead of our own. We showed Americans we stand with them.

If history is any guide, we will have many opportunities to show them again in the months ahead. And we must. We have not yet convinced the American people that Republicans have returned to our roots as the party of reform. We haven’t yet earned their trust. But we will.

Therein lies our opportunity. Rise or fall, Congressional Republicans in the next two years will be judged on our own record, our own vision, and our own agenda – and our willingness to hold Washington Democrats accountable.

I’m deeply disappointed by the outcome of Tuesday’s election. But I’m equally committed to building a lasting majority on the reform principles that define us and inspire our citizens. For this reason, I’m writing today to announce my candidacy for Republican Leader in the 111th Congress, and to request the honor of your vote.

As your Leader, I’ve worked tirelessly for our team, and tried to lead by example. I’ll always be straight with you, and I’ll always be open to your ideas. You deserve nothing less. I can’t ask for the best from you unless I’m willing to give it myself.

Winning the majority and rebuilding our party will require the best from all of us. But this is not unfamiliar territory. We’ve faced and overcome these challenges before, and working together as a bold, unified, and energetic team, we’ll do it again.

I’m ready to get started today. I’m confident you are too. I look forward to speaking with you in person and outlining our plans for the future. It’s time for the losing to stop. And my commitment to you is that it will.

I humbly ask for your support and the privilege of serving as House Republican Leader in the next Congress.

Sincerely,

John Boehner

A Message from My Friends at the NRCC

The campaign for President is close. Thursday's Fox News poll had John McCain within three points

Okay, you're already off on the wrong foot. The only explanation for Obama's lead being only 3 points in a Fox News poll is because no one at Fox can count over 50.

And dozens of House races are toss-ups and too close to call.

Uh, you're going to lose the overwhelming majority of them. Be prepared.

The Democratic Party and Barack Obama have spent unprecedented amounts of money to destroy conservatives and turn out liberal voters. Early voting is at record numbers across the country, which is a sign of a huge turnout this year.

Never heard the NRCC complain when they had the cash advantage. Is it a bad thing when the other guy does it? And yes, turnout will be huge. Better step up your voter suppression program.

We must do everything we can to make sure we get every Republican, Republican leaning independent and discerning Democrat to the polls. As you have seen before, the on-the-ground campaign programs we do to turn out voters can make a difference.

No discerning Democrat would vote for the McCain-Palin ticket. You can have Joe Lieberman, and that's all you get.

Your $25,$50 or whatever you can contribute will fund the critical turnout programs that make a difference.

Your contribution will help fund our last GOTV phone calls...campaign materials or poll workers...gas for the cars and vans that provide rides to the polls...food for the wonderful volunteers that are giving their time over the next four days...and, making sure our legal teams are ready for any election related issues.

GOTV phone calls? You mean robocalls, right? I enjoyed reading earlier this week on FivethirtyEight.com that one of your offices was being manned by 2 callers. How much can lunch for that staff cost?

And I'm certainly not contributing money to pay for their lunch. Why should I help buy lunch for rich Republicans?

What do you mean, all Republicans aren't rich. Of course they are! If they weren't rich they wouldn't be supporting McCain's tax plan over Obama's. I guess the hidden good news is, that once Obama becomes president they can afford to buy their own lunch. Maybe they can buy their lunch on credit until the Obama plan goes into effect.

These are all critical to our campaigns -- from the top of the ticket to local races -- and to our fighting back against Barack Obama and the Democrats' onslaught.

I know you will agree with me that we cannot allow for a liberal takeover of government by Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. There is simply too much at stake for the future of America.

Tom Cole, MC
Chairman

Let me give you another little hint. If the chair of your fundraising arm is from Oklahoma, you're already fucked!

Paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Another Republican Senator Calls for Stevens to Step Down

Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.) on Tuesday joined GOP presidential nominee John McCain in calling for the ouster of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), now a convicted felon.

DeMint is one of the staunchest opponents of the pork-barrel projects that Stevens has funneled to Alaska over his four decades of Senate service. His comments add to the growing pressure facing Stevens, who was convicted Monday of seven felony charges of making false statements.

Republican Colleagues Lead Chorus Against Stevens

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, faced mounting pressure today to resign in the wake of his conviction Monday on corruption-related charges. His party's presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, called for Stevens to quit.

Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell, also made it clear they expect Stevens to leave, although neither used the word "resign" in their statements. "Sen. Stevens was found guilty by a jury of his peers and now must face the consequences of those actions," McConnell said. "As a result of his conviction, Sen. Stevens will be held accountable so the public trust can be restored." Reid said the conviction was "a personal tragedy" for Stevens, "but it is an important reminder that no man is above the law.

Sen. Stevens must now respect the outcome of the judicial process and the dignity of the United States Senate." McCain was more direct. "It is clear that Sen. Stevens has broken his trust with the people and that he should now step down," he said in a statement issued by his campaign.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate, also said today Stevens should step down even if he wins Tuesday.

McCain Calls on Stevens to Resign

Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain today called on Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, to resign in the wake of his conviction Monday on seven charges of lying on personal financial disclosure reports by failing to include more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations. "It is a sign of the health of our democracy that the people continue to hold their representatives to account for improper or illegal conduct, but this verdict is also a sign of the corruption and insider-dealing that has become so pervasive in our nation's capital," McCain said in a statement this morning. "It is clear that Sen. Stevens has broken his trust with the people and that he should now step down. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will be spurred by these events to redouble their efforts to end this kind of corruption once and for all."

One less friend McCain has to worry about buying gifts for when he returns to the Senate.